With Paypal we accept all debit and credit cards. A 7% transaction fee applies.
The Uros and Taquile tour begins with pickup at your hotel in the city of Puno. After a brief transfer to the port of Lake Titicaca, considered the highest navigable lake in the world, you will set sail toward the floating islands of Uros. There, you can observe how these formations—built using reed (totora)—remain afloat, and discover the lifestyle of their inhabitants, marked by fishing, hunting, and handicraft production.
You will then continue your journey to the island of Taquile. Once you disembark, you will have the opportunity to take a hike leading to the higher part of the island, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Andean surroundings. Taquile is known for its textile traditions, the legacy of a culture in which spinning and weaving are essential parts of daily life. Each garment reveals the wearer’s marital status through unique colors and designs.
This tour allows you to immerse yourself in the ancient history of both communities, learn about their customs, and appreciate the importance of reed (totora) and textiles in their way of life. At the end of the experience, you will return to Puno with deeper insight into the cultural and natural richness offered by this corner of the Peruvian Andes.
The Uros and Taquile tour begins with visitors being picked up at their hotels in the city of Puno at the designated time. A tourist vehicle will take you on a short ride of about 10 minutes to the port of Lake Titicaca, where you will board a boat to begin the journey.
After sailing for a few minutes, you will arrive at the floating islands of Uros. You will observe how these 40 artificial islands, built from totora reeds, remain afloat on the lake’s waters. Over approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, you will learn about the inhabitants’ activities—mainly fishing—and discover the particularities of their everyday life.
At 9:15 in the morning, you will continue toward Taquile Island on a boat ride of about one hour and fifteen minutes. You will arrive at around 10:30, then take a 25-minute walk to the higher part of the island, where a local restaurant offers panoramic views of the lake. At 11:30, the guide will provide a detailed explanation of the traditions and culture of Taquile’s inhabitants.
By 1:30 in the afternoon, you will have the option to explore the island’s main square before reuniting with the group. At 2:30, you will head back to the embarkation point to take the boat back to Puno. The return journey lasts approximately one hour and twenty minutes, so arrival in the city of Puno is expected around 4:30 in the afternoon.
Pickups are made from hotels near Puno’s main square.
Uros and Taquile Islands
The Uros and Taquile Islands, declared by UNESCO as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” are located on Lake Titicaca, considered the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 meters above sea level. Each island has its own distinct characteristics, and the inhabitants here preserve their traditions and customs.
The Uros Island, also known as the floating islands, is built entirely from totora, a plant that grows in marshy areas, and is constantly renewed to keep it afloat. The inhabitants lead a peaceful life on this island. It is located near the city of Puno, and many islanders make a daily trip to Puno for work or shopping. On Uros, you will appreciate the inhabitants’ lifestyle, which is mainly based on fishing, hunting, and making crafts using totora reeds.
Meanwhile, Taquile Island stands out for its deeply rooted textile tradition. Spinning and weaving are mainly done by men starting at about eight years of age. The garments they wear help distinguish each inhabitant’s marital status: single men wear a red and white chullo (Andean hat), while married men wear a completely red one. Women also differ by the size and color of the pompom on their hats: single women wear a larger and more colorful pompom than married women. When you visit both islands, you can immerse yourself in their ancient history, admire their traditional attire, discover the secrets of their worldview, and enjoy a unique experience in the heart of the Andes.
My wife and I were blown away by how personalized this felt. Our guide, Valentina, noticed I was curious about the boats and gave me an impromptu class on Totora Boats (super cool of her). The Tayra Tours team was punctual, the ride smooth, and they even adjusted the pace when we needed to use the restroom on Taquile. We’re still raving about the hospitality weeks later. Can’t recommend this agency enough for a laid-back, thoughtful adventure.
Took our three kids, and the staff handled us like champs. Guide Sofia was a rock star—kept the little ones entertained with fun facts while slipping us parents some history on the sly. Pickup was a breeze, boat felt safe, and the team had snacks ready before we even asked. Amazing day!
The crew made this trip pure magic. Our guide, Diego, was a walking encyclopedia with a chill vibe—kept me hooked with tales of the lake’s history. Boat was cozy, and the staff handed out snacks like they read my mind. Perfectly timed, no stress, just vibes. Loved it!
Really enjoyed this outing, though it had a tiny hiccup. The guide, Patricia, was fantastic—super warm and clued me in on all the local quirks, which I loved as a solo traveler. Only snag was too many tourists at Uros, made it hard to soak it in. Still, Patricia’s charm and the team’s effort kept it upbeat—I’d go again!
I can’t say enough about how smooth this day trip went. The pickup from my hotel in Puno was right on time, and the guide, Esteban, was a total gem—warm, funny, and full of stories about the lake communities. He made sure I felt included as a solo traveler, chatting with me during the boat ride and even helping me snap some pics. The boat was comfy, and the crew kept everything running like clockwork. Learning about the Uros and Taquile way of life was cool, but Esteban’s energy and the seamless organization really made it special. Hands down, one of my favorite days in Peru. Thank you Tayra Tours!
