The legendary birthplace of Inca civilization is an island in Lake Titicaca that can be visited on a long daytrip from La Paz, or even better, a multiday getaway organized by Hidalgo Tours.
Part of the adventure is just getting there. The journey starts with a 3.5-hour drive from La Paz along the western edge of the Andes that includes the ferry crossing of the Strait of Tiquina. At the end of the road is Copacabana, its huge 17th-century basilica and a very busy little harbor.
The water taxi from Copacabana to the Isle del Sol takes around an hour, with extraordinary scenery along the way. From the moment you step off the boat, the island feels extraordinary. Maybe the way the light reflects off the water, or the incredibly pure Andean air, or perhaps the fact that Lake Titicaca is the epicenter of the legendary Second Chakra which inspires our creativity, sensuality and emotions.
Isla del Sol offers plenty of places to stay overnight along the shore. But those who make the effort to climb to small hotels, guest houses and eco lodges along the summit are rewarded with one of South America’s most spectacular views.
The island’s many archeological sites include the Roca Sagrada (Sacred Stone), which marks the spot where the ancient Inca believed the world was created by the sun god Inti. An Inca stone road still connects villages perched along the top of the Isla del Sol, and near the island’s southern top is the partially restored ruins of an Inca imperial palace.
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