Puno: Uros Floating Islands Boat Tour & Lake Titicaca

A Morning on Lake Titicaca: Inside the Uros Floating Islands

You board a covered motorboat from Puno and cross Lake Titicaca to the Uros Floating Islands, where you walk on reed-built ground, meet local families, and learn how these islands have been constructed and maintained for centuries. A viewing tower on the second island gives you panoramic views of the lake. Hotel pickup and a bilingual guide are included. The boat ride takes roughly four hours round-trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Uros Floating Islands2h · entry included
2. Lake Titicaca1h

Boat tour to Uros Floating Islands

• Pick up from hotel in Puno
• Transfer to main port
• Set sail on covered motorboat
• Enjoy guide's stories about Lake Titicaca
• Arrive at first Uros Floating Island
• Explore island and learn reed island building
• Optional 15-minute totora boat ride
• Visit second island and climb viewing tower
• Relax with optional drink and local food
• Return to Puno by boat

The experience

"How do they even stay up?" That's the first thing most people ask when they see the Uros islands rising from Lake Titicaca near Puno, and honestly, standing on ground made entirely of totora reeds while the water laps underneath is stranger than any photo prepares you for. The boat leaves from Puno's main port in the morning, a covered motorboat with an upper deck that's perfect for watching the lake open up around you. Your guide talks through the history as you cross: how these islands have existed for centuries, how the reeds are harvested and layered, why Lake Titicaca matters so much to the communities here. It's not a rushed narration. There's time to actually listen and look.

Once you land on the first island, you get free time to walk around and talk to the families who live there. They're used to visitors, but it doesn't feel staged: people are doing their actual work, weaving, tending the reeds, sitting outside their homes. If you want, you can pay about 15 soles extra for a 15-minute ride in a smaller totora boat, which is the closest you'll get to understanding how fragile and ingenious the whole thing is. The second island has a viewing tower where you can see across the whole lake, and there's a small shop where you can grab a drink or snack, though food and drinks aren't included in the tour price.

The whole thing takes about four hours from hotel pickup to return, which means you're not spending your whole day on the water. It's enough time to actually absorb what you're seeing instead of rushing through a checklist. The motorboat is comfortable, the guide speaks both English and Spanish, and the transfers from your hotel in Puno are handled. You don't have to figure out how to get to the port or negotiate with a taxi driver.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and transfer to Puno's main port.
• motorboat transport to and from the Uros Floating Islands.
• entry to both islands.
• bilingual guide throughout the tour.
• upper deck access for photography.

Options for this experience

4 options

A half-day boat trip from Puno to the Uros Floating IslandsGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Runs from 9 am to 12:30 pm; pickup is included

Tour to Uros: 12 pm to 3 pmGuide in English or Spanish · 12:00Pickup is included

Tour to Uros: 3 pm to 6 pmGuide in English or Spanish · 15:00Pickup is included

Private tour to Los UrosGuide in English or Spanish · 21 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 16:00Private service: only your own party goes, accompanied by the guide and the boat captain. Duration: about 3 hours, with a start time you can choose anywhere between 6 am and 6 pm. Includes snacks and drinks. Small group of 1 to 5: the indicated price is paid whether it is 1 person or up to 5 people. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day21 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 80 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Titicaca Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Uros without arranging your own transport or negotiating entry with island families. The guide handles introductions and timing, and hotel pickup means you start the morning without logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

How long is the boat ride from Puno to the Uros Islands?

The full tour is about four hours, including hotel pickup, the boat crossing, and time on the islands. The boat ride itself is roughly 30 minutes each way.

Can I take a smaller boat ride around the islands?

Yes, you can arrange a 15-minute ride in a traditional totora boat for approximately 15 soles per person, paid directly on the island.

Is food included in the tour?

No, food and drinks are not included. There are small shops on the second island where you can purchase snacks and beverages.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup from Puno, motorboat transport, entry to the islands, and a bilingual guide are all included.

Is the boat covered?

Yes, the motorboat has a covered seating area and an upper deck for photos and viewing.

What is Lake Titicaca's elevation?

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, located at about 3,812 meters (12,507 feet) above sea level.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You walk on the islands at a relaxed pace, and there's a viewing tower you can climb if you choose.