The pre-Incan Uros live on a series of floating islands on Lake Titicaca in Peru. The lake is located on the border of Peru and neighboring Bolivia. At over 12,000 feet, Titicaca is one of the highest navigable lakes in the world. The lake is a popular tourist destination, but only a few of the floating islands accept visitors.
Follow this photographic journey about the Uros of Titicaca:
Uros Man + Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca © Gennaro Salamone
The floating islands are created from the totora reeds that grow naturally in the lake. These reeds are also used for meals, medicine, and for build boats. The boats were traditionally used for transportation, fishing trips, and defense. Carachi and catfish are two of the fish that have been caught for generations. Today, boats are often used for profit by locals who take travelers for a short journeys.
Uros Girls © Gennaro Salamone
The islands are filled with Uros children who are either wandering around or selling their family’s wares. The younger girl (left) was fascinated with a cat that was strolling across the reed floor of their island. You’ll find that all of the women are dressed in traditional clothing whereas a few of the men wear Western hats or pants. It’s also true that Uros women make most of the contact with tourists including providing information, selling goods, and setting up arrangements for overnight stays.
Uros Women © Gennaro Salamone
Only a few hundred Uros remain on the islands. Thousands of others have moved to the mainland. The Uros who remain on the island rely on a combination of traditional living and modern amenities. They have some electricity which powers their own radio station and a few hours of television per day. That being said, living on the island isn’t an easy life. Maintaining the totora reeds takes a lot of labor. The same is true of gathering food, educating children, and dealing with the encroachment of outsiders.
View another featuring journey Cusco, Peru photos.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.
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Lee
Beautiful photos. I love photographs of different cultures. The Uros people seem like a people of another time. The one of the younger girl is too cute and nice a close. Was that last women looking to marry you 🙂
Beth
I’m going to Peru this summer. Can’t wait. I will definitely be visiting Lake Titicaca and won’t miss the Uros after seeing this. Such beautiful colors in their traditional clothing. Sad that only a couple of hundred still live on these islands. I can imagine the work and talent that goes into putting there islands afloat.
Gennaro
@Lee
No proposal 🙂 It’s a interesting culture to observe and interact with. Unfortunately, it may be the beginning of the end to their lifestyle. Lots of them are moving to the mainland. Pressure of the modern world will likely continue to erode their culture.
@Beth
You’ll really enjoy it. It’s nice to compare the clothing of the Uros to that of the Incas (who conquered and enslaved many of them).
Sid
That’s a spot I’d like to visit. Very bright colors in the clothing. I love the photo of the woman with the big smile…waiting for a ring. The boating looks like fun. Can’t believe they live on islands that are made of reed.
Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com
Thank you for the guided photo tour!
Very authentic.
Please, more ;)!!
Andrew
Gennaro,
I think I read about the Uros a couple of months ago in the National Geographic, but I can’t be sure – maybe I am thinking of another place.
Anyhow, their lifestyle sounds very interesting and they certainly appear from the photo to be very friendly.
Gennaro
@Sid
It really is amazing how indigenous people always seem to have clothing made of bold and bright colors. The Uros are no different in that respect.
@Alik Levin
Hoping their life remains authentic. Tough with the modern world creeping in.
@Andrew
Good point about the friendliness. I found that they were very open and often wore big smiles.
Arn
Great photos, Gennaro. Peru is one of my favorite countries to visit. Machu Picchu, Cusco, Arequipa, and Puno are the stops I made. Puno was the city that I used to visit Lake Titicaca. The lake is unreal. Taquile Island was also an interesting stop on the lake. Different types of locals.
J.D. Meier
Those are some wild pictures!
I love it when a place has so much culture and traditions to experience. I’m a fan of adventure.
jen laceda
These are all stunning photos!
Gennaro
@Arn
Arequipa is underrated. Love it. The other too, of course. Taquille was enjoyable too. Interesting clothing worn by the local boys. We’ll have to feature shots of them another time.
@jen laceda
With a place like this, it makes shooting much easier. Thanks.
@J.D. Meier
Feel the same way about cultures and traditions. One of the best parts of traveling.
Ella
Peru just moved up on my places to visit. That looks like a fantastic spot. Sad that so many of the Uros are moving to the mainland though. Wondering if the tourism is making it worse or is it the last thing keeping it going?
Great photos too. Impressed with how close you got an the reactions. That little Uros girl is too cute.
Sire
An interesting story, especially the part of the man mad islands they people live on. I love the colors of the traditional clothes as well. Some truly great shots.
Gennaro
@Ella
The issues are beyond tourism for the Uros. I’m sure the Peruvian government want some to remain there to continue the flow of travelers. They’ve help to bring some modern amnesties incuding electricity to the islands. That girl was an attention magnet. Very sweet.
@Sire
It always fascinates me the beauty of the colors that indigenous groups come up with. Not to mention the detailed work that goes into the garments.
Venus
What a great bit of history and such vibrant, colorful people. The woman in the last picture has a beautiful smile. Isn’t it amazing how often it is the people who have little, who are living simply, close to the Earth, who seem to radiate such joy that we, with all our modern conveniences, find so elusive?
I am curious – do you travel to all the places, do you and your partner split up the traveling, the writing? I need to find a job that lets me travel full time. 🙂
fly girl
What an intriguing exploration of the Uro culture. You really did an impressive job of showing the beauty and reality of their lives. Thanks for the trip!
Gennaro
@Venus
That’s true. Lots of simplicity and joy. I’ve done a lot of traveling. About 3 months per year for more than a decade. It’s a passion. Bella has lived in several countries and travel a bunch too.
@flygirl
It really is an amazing culture. Their story is one that returns to mind mind quite often.
DesignTies
Fascinating post. Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and telling us about the Uros.
It would be sad if all the Uros moved away. I can imagine it isn’t an easy life, but it’s a unique life that will hopefully continue for future generations of Uros.
Kelly @ DesignTies
Linda @ Lime in the Coconut
Wow…what a gorgeous post! Those smiling faces are so beautiful!
Gennaro
@Kelly
It really is a unique life and I agree that it would ne a shame if it was gone.
@Linda
Their smiles are captivating. So sincere. Something that I felt strongly being there.
Nadia-Happy Lotus
Hi Gennaro,
I love the colorful pictures. You really captured the essence of the people. And thank you for expanding my awareness of how other people live in South America. I have spent a lot of time in South America but never made it to Peru. So this was a great education!
Ruth
Great article and photos. I too love the traditional dress and really admire the Uros people; your photos capture them perfectly. I work for Exodus who visit Lake Titicaca on their Peru trips (how could you not!?) and really recommend Amantani as an island to stay on-less-visited, but the most hospitable!
Donna Hull
Wonderful photos that really captured the spirit of Lake Titicaca.
Gennaro
@Ruth – Amantani sounds great.
@Donna Hull – Thank you.
Michael Hodson
Missed this on my last trip though, but will not miss it the next time. Thanks for the post. Great stuff.
Anna P
The colors of the clothing for the Uros women is so beautiful. That last women looks like she’s looking for a wedding rings with the pointing at the hand. Huge smile too.
Gennaro
@Michael Hodson Definitely worth a stop on your next trip. Interesting group of people.
@Anna – She had a lot of personality.