Review: Kayak Tour from Puno to Uros Islands – A Full Day Adventure

Lake Titicaca, up there in the Andes Mountains, it’s not only South America’s biggest lake but also a place that is really filled with interesting history and living culture. So, when I got a chance to take a kayak tour from Puno to the Uros Islands for a full day, I jumped at it. Here’s the lowdown on what that was like, so you have a sense of what to expect.

Booking the Tour and What to Expect

Figuring out who to go with, that can be a bit much, very much so! There are a lot of agencies in Puno that have trips to the Uros Islands, but I settled on a smaller, local company because they seemed pretty focused on being eco-friendly and helping the local communities. It’s almost like that felt more real and respectful. I’d recommend looking into a few, maybe reading what other people have said online, so you pick one that sounds ethical, you know? A lot of the tours include getting picked up from your hotel, the kayak gear, a guide who speaks English and Spanish, and lunch – but check, so you are sure.

Setting Off: Puno to the Open Water

The day started kind of early; they came to get me at like, around 7 in the morning. The ride from Puno’s busy streets to the lake was actually pretty interesting, so you could see a bit of regular life getting going. When we got to the shore, the kayaks were waiting, that is, all lined up and colorful. The guide went over a quick safety talk and gave us some tips on paddling. Even though I’ve kayaked some, a little refresher is always helpful, is that not true?

The kayak out to the Uros Islands, that was just amazing! Being on the water, so with the sun coming up, it was extremely peaceful. Lake Titicaca is just so incredibly big and very blue, you know? You’ve got these mountains way off in the distance; it feels like you’re properly disconnected from all the noise. Paddling gave me plenty of time to really soak it all in, almost in a meditative way.

Visiting the Floating Uros Islands

Getting closer to the Uros Islands, they start to look quite unreal, like something out of a story. They are all built by hand out of reeds called totora that grow all over the lake, is that interesting? When you step onto one, it’s really springy and sort of soft. We met some of the families who live there, and our guide showed us how they keep the islands in shape, very constantly adding new layers of reeds.

The people who live on the islands, that’s who really make it special. They were happy to tell us about their history and how they still live their lives up there on the water. They showed us their houses, very simply made from the same reeds, and you could see some selling handmade stuff, too, so textiles and little reed boats. Buying something directly from them, that felt much nicer than getting a souvenir from some random shop, that’s how it seems to me.

The Cultural Experience and Demonstrations

The families we visited, that’s where things really started to click, I want to say. They demonstrated things like how they build and fix the islands, that’s something else. Plus, they told us stories about their traditions, is that great? They still fish, they hunt birds, and they use the lake reeds for basically everything – it really hit home how linked they are to Lake Titicaca. You might be able to go on a ride in one of their super colorful reed boats (that sometimes costs a little extra), which is fun, if you’re so inclined.

Lunch on the Islands

Lunch was pretty great too, too it’s almost like everything went well. Often, it’s a simple meal served right there on one of the islands. We had fresh fish from the lake, some potatoes, and quinoa – all very traditional. Eating with a view of the lake all around you, well, that just made it taste even better. It’s such a nice touch to be eating proper local food like that, I thought.

Heading Back to Puno

Paddling back that afternoon, the lake looked kind of different as the sun started going down, in a way. The light made the water shimmer differently, and the air felt a little crisper, too. We were all fairly tired from paddling, of course, but there was something about it that was nice and quiet. Getting back to Puno felt like a big contrast after such a calm day out on the water, still it was good to relax.

• Booking Considerations: Consider booking via small local company that prioritizes ethical and sustainable practices.
• Setting Off: The kayak trip to Uros Islands is not very difficult, so most travelers can handle the trip.
• Lunch on the Islands: Be ready to enjoy fresh meals prepared using resources from the lake!

So, this kayak tour to the Uros Islands, it’s more than just a look at a different place; it’s a way to really get a sense of how people connect with where they live, that’s very special. Being active and seeing the islands from the water gave me a totally different point of view than just taking a regular boat. If you like being outside and you want to see something different from the usual tourist spots, so give this trip some thought!

#Puno #UrosIslands #KayakTour #LakeTiticaca #PeruTravel #AdventureTravel