At times evoking
images of mythical Greek islands at others of the enclouded and barren ridges
of Wales or the sun entrenched bays of the Spanish coast – Isla del Sol has
that all. However, the setting is a remarkably different one. High up in the
Andes mountains at an altitude of floating on terrific Lake Titicaca it is also
a very spiritual place already revered by the Incas.
Tourism is
the main source of income and all the villages have their share of hotels and
homestays. Challa, the middle village, is the least touristy one.
Most
visitors book a day trip and hike from the middle to the south part. While this
is certainly worthwile you might just as well spend a night or two. My advice
would be not to book a tour but take the regular boat from Copacabana and then
find a place to stay. We ended up following a 12 year old girl to her parents‘
place where we got a private room with an amazing view of the Challapampa bay
complete with a snow capped mountain range looming in the distance for under
8US$.
There is a
beach in the northern village of and although the lake is pretty cold there
will be enough sun to quickly heat you up afterwards. For the afternoon we
decided to stroll to some Inca ruins called El Labirinto for their winding
passageways.
Everywhere
you go you will encounter picturesque scenery with the azul waters of Lake
Titicaca as a backdrop. The rocks change their colors from red to black to
white, sometimes covered in green, sometimes barren. Without noticing it you
might be encircled by a cloud on the ridge and you will end up in a different
landscape from the one you had just seen with a clear vista.
Isla del
Sol is a happy island which is reflected by its animals. Pigs, horses, donkeys,
sheep, lamas, alpacas, chicken, dogs, cats – they all wander about freely
undisturbed. Coming back from a hike we encountered a family of piggies and rested
to watch them interact and eat. A group of donkeys passed by. One of the
piglets came to check us out. Eagles circled the skies. Paradisical.
So what is
there to do on Isla del Sol? Nothing much, which is nice enough. Rest on one of
the ancient stone terraces and let the day go by with a nice book, hike along
the ridge or even to the uninhabited western peninsula where you will encounter
nobody, watch an eagle from close when they come to sit on one of the crosses
on the mountaintops, enjoy the pure and fresh highland air, feel alive.
