The shores of Lake Titicaca which is situated amid the Andes Mountains 3,812 meters above sea level are covered in vast stretches of reed beds. These plants provide the Indians with the raw material to build their boats and their floating gardens. These gardens are large rafts, rectangular in shape are made of reeds tied together. A layer of soil is placed on the rafts, furrowed according to an ancient tradition and then planted with vegetable. The result is a floating garden. The raft is then towed to a sheltered part of the lake shore where the vegetables can grow. The lake is very deep (about 370 meters) and so the water temperature remains quite constant. Due to the great altitude the plants do not grow as well as they would lower down.

Every so often these rafts are towed back to the shore, laden with ripe crops which are gathered and shared out by the Indian families.

The Indians also cultivates the area surrounding Lake Titicaca, planting potatoes, quinoa, barley and maize on terraced fields around the shores.