Isla del Sol

Aside from being central to the Incan creation myth and a sacred place for ancient and modern indigenous people, Isla del Sol also happens to be one of the most beautiful places in Bolivia. We fell in love…so much so that if Bolivia was less than a 26 hour plane ride away, I think we would have bought a beach front property to use as a winter escape. Never mind that the island is at just under 4000m, during the day the sun is hot enough to make the crystal clear water of the lake look very inviting.

We took a boat from Copacabana to Challapampa in the north of the island- that afternoon we walked up to the northern tip to check out the Sacred Rock (where the Incans believed Viracocha created the sun god and ancestor of all Incan people) and the Incan ruins of Chincana.

 

We hiked back up to one of the mountain peaks for sunset, armed with a bottle of red wine (to keep the cold off) and multiple layers of clothing. We watched the sun sink over the Peruvian mainland to the west, and were then treated to an almost-full moon rising over the Cordillera de los Andes to the east.

The views of Illampu, Ancohuma and the three peaked Illimani are spectacular- even when viewed from the height of the lake they are immense and staggeringly dramatic.

The next day we set off for the southern village of Yumani- described in the guidebook as anywhere between a three and five hour hike, we were somewhat surprised (but nevertheless pleased) to arrive just over two hours later. Yumani is plastered against the side of a hill, and although not quite as magical as Challapampa, it is stunning none the less. From anywhere in the village the Cordillera looms to the east and a torturous hike to the peak gives you views over the western part of the lake.   

For Martijn I think the best part was the huge number of animals roaming free around the island- trotting along the streets in town, labouring up the steps in Yumani or playing on the beach. In addition to the hundred or so photos I took of the mountain peaks, we also have a slightly suspect number of photos of donkeys, sheep, pigs and local dogs.  I fear beastiality charges should our computer ever get seized.