Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.*   In order to do a tour of the Peru side of Lake Titicaca, we base ourselves in the city of Puno.  It is a rugged city with some good hotels, especially those a little bit out of the city like the Casa Andina Private Collection or The Titilaca.

Early in the morning we take a comfortable boat, holding about 15-20 people.  It takes only about 40 minutes to sail to Uros and the waters are usually calm.

The islands are completely man-made of tortola reeds and the inhabitants claim they have been there "before the sun".  Traditionally, they have made their livelihood from fishing but have found tourism to be much easier and more profitable.   The islanders are happy to explain how they make their island, homes, boats, and just about anything else from the totora reeds.  

After about an hour, we take a calm cruise out to Taquile Island, a little mountain sticking up in the lake.  The people here are quite different from their neighbors on Uros.  Their clothing, food, and customs differ.  Whereas Uros islanders have more contact with the mainland, those on Taquile are much more isolated.  Therefore, they have kept more of their traditional customs and their language is more intact.   Every day seems to be a beautiful day on Taquile.  We always enjoy a lunch of trout, farmed in the waters near the island.

A tour of Lake Titicaca is one of the highlights of a trip to Peru in that is shows off the beauty and diversity of Peru and its people.

*There are other lakes higher in the world than Titicaca, but they are not navigable.  Do you know why?