Floating on a strange island away from reeds

Go to Peru , next to the new world wonder of Machu Picchu , Uros floating islands on Lake Titicaca always a destination not to be missed ...

In 1940 , National Geographic magazine has surprised the world when it was first published pictures of Uros Islands in Peru .

Uros - exotic island

Uros Islands are not just famous for lying on Lake Titicaca ( the world's highest lake can move large boat ) , but also because these islands are artificial islands made ​​of ... reed .

From the city of Puno , just a small amount , about 15 minutes boat , you can set foot on the islands floating strange to have exciting experiences that can not be found anywhere else .

You will have a pleasant experience in the world where nothing can be

Here, you will experience the feeling of walking on islands made ​​of reeds , like walking on a soft bed of water , as well as visiting the residence of Uros islanders .

Uros is one of the oldest tribes of South America ( many people even think it was before the famous Inca civilization ) . However , was to escape the domination of the Inca empire , the Uros had left the land to live in Lake Titicaca .

The people living on the island of reeds

The Uros do not fear hunger for lake Titicaca ( 58,000 km2 catchment area ) with abundant aquatic products . What about accommodation ? Residents patches of reeds woven together to make the dead , then add up the new reed layers until they are about two feet thick .

The bottom of the root mass decomposition gases generated naturally improves islands floating on the water . And so , a new island was formed . With specially constructed so that people like to " anchor " themselves to the bottom of the island , if not the island ... drifting away .

Women carry the colorful skirts to cover the knees, bring wool coat and a hat on his head like a small melon . They wore layers of clothes , mostly wool , to protect against the cold , wind and solar altitude of 4,000 m

Each island has a lifespan of 30 years . And every two or three months , it must be coated with a new reed instead of the underlying decomposed .

Fortunately , reeds in Lake Titicaca abound jostling grow into large arrays , dense Uros residents should not worry about " material " to the island .

Reeds , an almost endless material here

Thanks to tourism , floating island has witnessed an unprecedented growth since the world knows about this unique wonders .

Less than ten years ago , the number of floating islands on Lake Titicaca in just under 40 ( per island from 3-5 family ) , but now has 57 floating islands . ( And some islands may increase the number 58 right in the middle of the next day if the family dispute , they would cut the island in half and push one part far enough to avoid conflicts ) .

You can pay about 10 soles (about 80,000 ) for a boat trip ( also made ​​from reeds ) about 10-15 minutes to get to another island .

Boat dock , island residents you will be warmly welcomed

This small note for you is ... sunscreen because the sun at this altitude is quite dangerous . Each year there are several tourists were taken to hospital for burns .

If lucky , the reed boat departs , look to the far side , you can observe some locals are cutting reed bundle into large bundles prepare new wave stepping .

Living habits over a hundred years ago is still preserved Uros people until today.