Uros Lake Titicaca – Lake Titicaca Day Trip

Early morning light hits at seven when the van arrives outside our Puno hotel. Following that, a short ride unfolds toward the main dock where boats wait by the water's edge. Past windows, bright homes line narrow roads while wide stretches of lake appear between rooftops. Excitement builds quietly during these moments before travel truly begins. Up here above sea level, every breath carries crispness unlike anywhere else.

A short trip by motorboat takes us toward the Uros Islands in Peru, lasting about twenty-five minutes. Sunlight dances on the water early in the day, offering moments perfect for photos. Birds pass by now and then, while bits of floating plants drift nearby. Calm waves rock the vessel gently, letting time slow just enough before stepping onto the islands.

After arriving at the Uros floating islands, a warm greeting awaits from residents. Our guide speaks English, describing customs and everyday routines of the Uru. Many continue using Aymara, telling tales inherited long before Incan times. Built entirely from stacked totora reeds pulled from the water, each island reveals old methods.

Through paths between huts topped with straw, figures move - tending fires, mending nets, living. Curved boats made of reeds glide sometimes across glassy water if travelers choose, costing ten Soles each. Daily life shows clearly here: hands shaping meals, patching walls, weaving baskets. Farther along, an isle hosts a quiet marketplace where objects shaped by hand sit displayed. 

A stretch across the water follows our time on Uros - two and a half hours by boat toward Taquile Island in Peru. Scenery rolls past: wide skies over the lake, distant peaks, glimpses of Bolivia along the edge. The vastness sinks in slowly once you’re surrounded by so much open space at this height. High above sea level, the lake holds its title without fanfare - the tallest place ships still sail.

Up ahead on Taquile Island, the path climbs steady toward the central plaza and lookout point - eight-point-two kilometers in total. One hour of walking brings us there, most of it rising underfoot, so gear stays light in compact packs. People appear along the route, dressed in handwoven garments, working yarn with natural dyes, fingers moving slow through threads. Pausing near them, we listen close as they share methods passed down generations plus tales tied to ancestral ties with the Inca world.

Soaking up the sights and local ways first, lunch follows at a lakeside spot with open water views. When the clock hits two thirty, the return trip begins by boat, sunlight dancing across waves as we glide toward Puno. Four thirty rolls around and we step onto the dock, then head straight to the hotel. What stays behind is more than just time passed - quiet moments from Uros, echoes from Taquile Island, glimpses of how life floats on Titicaca.

Day 1 Statistics:

• Distance traveled: 33 kilometers total by boat and hiking on Taquile Island
• Highest altitude: 3,950 meters above sea level on Taquile Island
• Lowest altitude: 3,810 meters above sea level on Uros Islands
• Route: Puno → Uros Floating Islands → Taquile Island → Puno
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, mostly walking and short hikes