A view of the town of Challapampa on the northern side of Isla del Sol
One of the top activities when traveling through Copacabana is a trip to Isla del Sol, located right in the middle of Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigated lake in the world. The beauty of Isla del Sol, set in the middle of the gorgeous blue lake with snow capped peaks surrounding, is unquestioned. But what makes the island even more special is that it is the site of the main Incan creation myth. The legend says that the Creator god had his children spring from the waters of the lake, created the Sun, then founded Cusco and the Incan dynasty. The myth says that a sacred rock on the island is the birthplace of the god’s children.
How to Get There
Obviously a boat is necessary to get to Isla del Sol, but you don’t have to go from Copacabana.
Views from the boat ride to Isla del Sol
Copacabana-There are agents everywhere selling tickets to go to Isla del Sol from the shores of Copacabana. We paid $10.50US for our tickets. The boat was quite comfortable, and it was a beautiful ride. All boats leave the shores of Copacabana at 8am and 1pm, but there are a few options. Advance purchase of tickets is recommended, but there is a chance of just turning up and getting a spot morning/afternoon of. Boats either go to the northern end of the island and disembark at the town of Challapampa or the southern end at Yumani, where passengers will have a steep climb up the Incan steps to the town.
Yampupata- As stated on the Copacabana page, if you’re looking for a little more of an adventure, you can take a 10.5 mile (17km) hike from Copacabana, along the shores of the lake, to the town of Yampupata and catch a boat there to Isla del Sol. A row boat costs about $3.50, with a motorboat being much faster and obviously more expensive.
What to Do
A sample of the views you'll get if you hike from the northern end
A few decisions are necessary before embarking on a trip to Isla del Sol. If taking the 8am boat to the island, travelers must decide if they are returning that day or staying overnight on the island. Accommodation options are discussed below. If staying overnight, tourists obviously have plenty of time to see the museums at Challapampa on the northern end and hike to the southern end, where most hostels are located. If leaving the same day, you will be picked up at Yumani on the southern end at about 3-3:30pm, so plan accordingly, keeping in mind that it’s about a three hour hike across the island.
Museums- If getting dropped off on the northern side of the island at Challapampa, there is a museum that may be worth checking out (note: we decided against the museum). The Museo Comunitario de Etnografia (or Museo Templo del Sol) showcases costumes used in sacred dances. The Museo de Oro (or Gold Museum) is also near Challapampa. Both cost a minimal amount
Sites- Other sites to check out on the island include:
- Rock of the Puma- A rock formation that is a sacred Incan site located on the northern end of the island. If you don’t have a guide to point it out to you, you may not even notice it. It does take a bit of imagination to see the puma.
- Inca Table- A small, rock-made table near the Rock of the Puma that was said to be used for human sacrifice
The Inca Table *
- Incan Steps- If hiking from the northern end, you’ll pass through the town of Yumani before descending these Incan steps on the way back down to the lake. If arriving at the southern end, you’ll have to brave it and walk up. I’m not sure of the stature of the Incas, but with all the hiking we did in and around Incan ruins, one would assume they had to be giants. It is pretty cool though to walk up or down stairs built 600 years ago.
- Isla de la Luna- There is another island that can be explored from Isla del Sol. A boat can be rented from Yumani, where it is about another hour or so boat ride, depending on the boat.
Isla del Sol provides a leisurely, beautiful hike
Hiking- My suggestion for visiting Isla del Sol is to take a boat that drops you off on the northern end, then hike to the southern end. It’s an absolutely stunning hike, with a gorgeous 360 degree views of the lake, island, and surrounding mountains. The hike itself is not very difficult. It takes about three hours, give or take depending on your hiking ability, but it is doable for just about anyone. There are a few challenging ascents, but nothing crazy. The only concern is getting a little winded.
Accommodations on the Island
There are a few places to stay in the northern town of Challapampa, but most accommodations are in the southern town of Yumani. There are basic accommodations, very cheap, and there are plenty of restaurants around. It is a very small town, and if you visit during offseason or even shoulder season, you may find the town looking abandoned. We went to Isla del Sol planning on staying a night or two, but after exploring the town and realizing no one else was staying there, we decided to go back to Copacabana. It did look like a cool place to stay if things were open and others were staying as well.
*photo by Dick Rochester, Creative Commons
