On the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the small village of Copacabana has for centuries been a place of pilgrimage and passage between Peru and Bolivia. Its Marian sanctuary, a destination for devotees from across the Andean highlands, coexists with the relaxed atmosphere of a lakeside village, among fresh trout restaurants and a waterfront perfect for watching the sunset.
The Isla del Sol: myth and the origin of the Incas
From Copacabana, a short boat ride takes you to the Isla del Sol, a place that, according to Inca mythology, witnessed the birth of the Sun itself and of the founders of the empire, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo. The island, free of motorised traffic, is explored on foot along paths that cross agricultural terraces still cultivated using pre-Columbian techniques, small villages, and the remains of the Temple of the Sun and the Sacred Rock.
The scenic route connecting the north and south of the island offers unmatched views over the highest navigable lake in the world, with the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real standing out on the horizon on the clearest days.
A highland of history and legend
Copacabana and the Isla del Sol are an important piece for understanding the Andean worldview, complementing the better-known Uros and Taquile islands on the Peruvian side of Titicaca, and are often included in itineraries that link Peru and Bolivia in a single Andean journey.