High-Altitude Journeys · Route 12 · 4N/4D or 4N/3D

Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna

We Are Going to Where the Light Is Born: the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon

At high altitudes, the scenery feels very deep, the air is razor-sharp, night and day are dramatically different, and the light is highly contrasted. Naturally, people living here adapt to this environment, and the culture takes on a somewhat tough temperament.

And of course, having such a huge lake at 4,000 meters on top of mountains is already astonishing.

On this route, we go to two very special islands—Isla de la Luna and Isla del Sol—located in the middle of this incredible lake surrounded by 6,000-meter peaks; in other words, we are going to the summit of a mountain that has been left in the middle of the water.

On Isla de la Luna, we do a ceremony that feels almost unreal: we enjoy a beach day in the icy waters of Lake Titicaca. From there, we cross to Isla del Sol.

This is where the Incas believed the Sun was born: Isla del Sol [3,810m].

While average elevations around Cusco are about 3,000 meters, in Puno and Bolivia they rise to around 4,000. That means we are leaving Quechua culture behind and entering the lands of the Aymara people, who live at even higher altitudes.

Isla del Sol is already a powerful place—and the beach we will go to is a very special, hidden spot on the island.

Note: Many different programs are possible for this route—saving time by driving at night for at least one direction, staying one night on Isla de la Luna, and many other options. Please contact us to personalize the program.

The Route

Summary

Sacred Valley – Copacabana Road:

I depart from Vamoss Experience (San Salvador). I meet you in Pisac (or wherever you prefer), we chew coca, load your bags into our car, and hit the road.

In the Sacred Valley, if we continue in the opposite direction of Machu Picchu, we travel toward Lake Titicaca. We head this way and arrive in Urcos. After breakfast by Urcos Lake, we begin ascending. A 400 km journey on paved roads brings us to Puno, Peru’s city on the shore of Lake Titicaca, in 6.5 hours (excluding stops).

This road usually runs around 4,000 meters. Without adding stops, we reach Puno—Peru’s city on the shore of Lake Titicaca—in 6.5 hours.

From Puno, one of the world’s highest-altitude cities, to Copacabana, the road is also paved; we can cover 150 km in about 3 hours. We enter Bolivia about 15 minutes before arriving in Copacabana.

La Raya High Mountain Pass:

At the midpoint of the journey, we cross the La Raya Mountain Pass [4,350m]. The summit of Chimboya Mountain [5,450m], right next to the pass, marks the boundary between the two high cities of Puno and Cusco.

Aramu Muru, Gate of Gods:

Along the way, we stop at Aramu Muru Ruins, a powerful energy portal that few people know about and that is visited by almost no one other than a few local tourists. After visiting, we continue toward the border crossing.

Yunguyo-Khasani Border Crossing:

The Peru–Bolivia border crossing (please check whether your passport requires a visa) is easy. Since we cross by car, it can take about 1 hour. The border closes at 19:00. From the border, Copacabana is 15 minutes away.

Copacabana, Titicaca, Bolivia (1 night)

Copacabana is one of South America’s key meeting points for travelers. Sunset in this small town is particularly beautiful. We stay one night in Copacabana, and the next morning, after taking care of last needs and parking our car, we are ready to go to the island in the middle of this massive lake on top of the mountains.

Boat Journey: Copacabana – Isla de la Luna and Isla del Sol

With a private boat, we take a dreamlike 2-hour ride over Lake Titicaca at 3,810 meters elevation, heading to a very special spot on Isla de la Luna: the Healing Beach.

This island is tiny, Indigenous, extremely special, and one of the rare places that is still almost untouched. There is a beach believed to be healing, and spending time there is deeply special. Those who wish can swim here and regain strength.

Then we continue by boat to the Challapampa Community, in the north of Isla del Sol. This place is remote and truly extraordinary.

From the dock, a 20-minute walk takes us to Playa Serena.

Isla del Sol, Titicaca, Bolivia (2)

On Isla del Sol, we will spend two nights in a very special part of this very special island, do walks through strangely beautiful landscapes, and visit the island’s sacred places. It is impossible to describe the light, the feeling, the scenery, the people, the sky—I won’t even try.

We will stay with a family of Aymara Indigenous people. This is where I married my wife, Katerina. There is a private beach for us: fine white sand, donkeys, llamas, potato fields that the animals want to eat and locals try not to let them, the waters of Titicaca, the fire of the Sun, the cool breeze coming from the mountains surrounding the lake, and locals who never stop working the land—who have become one with it.

Our private beach is called Playa de Serena. The cave at one end is a complete point of transformation. Our connection here is special to us. The family’s connection to the island, to their hearts, and to us is very special. Sharing this place with the right people is a joy for us.

Copacabana-Sacred Valley Road:

In the afternoon, we take a private boat back to the mainland and return to the Sacred Valley by the same route we came. We will arrive late at night.

Sample Program

Our program is not fixed; it takes shape on the road. To help you understand the flow, here is an example program:

Day 1

05:00
Depart from the Sacred Valley toward Lake Titicaca
06:30
Breakfast enjoyment at Urcos Lake
07:30
Ascend toward La Raya Mountain Pass
09:00
Tea/Coffee/Cacao break
12:00
Lunch in Ayaviri
15:30
Aramu Muru, Gate of Gods
17:00
Border crossing into Bolivia
19:00 (+1h)
Copacabana

Day 2

09:00
Depart by private boat toward the middle of the lake
10:00
A different kind of healing experience at Isla de la Luna’s Healing Beach: Water Ceremony
12:00
Depart for Isla del Sol
13:30
Lunch in Challapampa
15:30
We are at the beach; settle into our rooms
18:00
The sun sets; if possible, we make a fire

Day 3

08:00
All day on the island, calm
09:00
After breakfast, a walk toward the community side
12:00
Lunch
15:00
Trekking through landscapes and ruins, the Sacred Stone
18:00
Watching the sun set from high above is beautiful
19:00
Dinner

Day 4

07:30
Breakfast
09:00
Depart by boat
12:00
Lunch in Copacabana
13:00
Depart from Copacabana by car
01:00 (-1h)
Return to the Sacred Valley

What to Bring
  • Passport,
  • Sunglasses (polarized if possible), sunscreen,
  • 3 warm layers, hat, gloves, warm socks,
  • Hiking boots, rain/wind jacket, warm pants, plastic poncho for heavy rain,
  • Spare: socks, underwear, pants, shoes (any kind, just in case),
  • Towel, swimsuit,
  • Water bottle, snacks,
  • Gifts for children and people we meet (coca leaves, pen, crayons, fruit, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, notebook, hair clip, toy, etc.),
  • Musical instrument (if you wish).

If you don’t have some of the items above, let us know—we can lend them to you.

If we are more than 5 people, we place suitcases and backpacks on the roof rack. In that case, please bring only necessary items into the car.

Food

We would like to note that preparing for your dietary needs (if any) is a pleasure for us. Please inform us about this.

Throughout the trip, we bring plenty of coca leaves, cacao beans, maca, various teas, coffee, fruit, peanuts, and raisins.

Day 1

Breakfast by Urcos Lake [3,156m]:

Homemade muesli (oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, chia seeds, walnuts), homemade yogurt or almond milk, fruit, gluten-free or sourdough bread, avocado, Peru’s quite decent green olives and Peru’s very good olive oil, village eggs from a farm in the valley, goat cheese, butter, honey from a community we know, various teas, coffee, hot chocolate.

Lunch:

In Ayaviri, we drink the region’s Chairo soup—a hearty, nutrient-rich soup.

Dinner:

Dinner at a restaurant of your choice in Copacabana (excluding drinks and desserts).

Day 2

Breakfast:

We add our own supplies to the breakfast provided by where we stay.

Lunch on the island:

There are many trout farms on Lake Titicaca; we eat a fresh, tourist-style lunch menu with trout.

Dinner on the beach:

A filling, vegetable-rich quinoa soup and salad that we will cook together (if you do not want to take part in the cooking operation, please let us know in advance).

Day 3

Breakfast we prepare together:

Homemade muesli (oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, chia seeds, walnuts), homemade yogurt or almond milk, fruit, gluten-free or sourdough bread, avocado, Peru’s green olives and Peru’s very good olive oil, village eggs from a farm in the valley, goat cheese, butter, honey from a community we know, various teas, coffee, hot chocolate.

Lunch:

Since we are trekking uphill, we chew coca leaves and eat the sandwiches we prepared, plus fruit and nuts we brought—this is sufficient.

Dinner:

Soup, polenta, eggs, rice, avocado salad.

Day 4

Breakfast we prepare together:

Homemade muesli (oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, chia seeds, walnuts), homemade yogurt or almond milk, fruit, gluten-free or sourdough bread, avocado, Peru’s quite decent green olives and Peru’s very good olive oil, village eggs from a farm in the valley, goat cheese, butter, honey from a community we know, various teas, coffee, hot chocolate.

Late lunch:

Lunch at Loving Hut Vegan Restaurant.

Participation Fee

4N / 4D Program

Participation1234567
Fee ($)13001000900800750700650

If we travel overnight and don’t stay in Copacabana, it’s possible to shorten the same itinerary to 4 nights and 3 days. To be honest, it will be a bit tiring, but we do run this itinerary this way for people who want to see Isla del Sol and are short on time. In this case, the participation fee is as follows, and the same discounts apply.

4N / 3D Program

Participation1234567
Fee ($)1200850700620570530500

Discounts

If you prefer to stay in simple, private double rooms designed for travelers at a different location in Copacabana instead of Hostal las Olas, we can offer a $20 per person refund.

If we use a community-owned boat for our round-trip to the island instead of a private boat (which operates in the mornings and afternoons), we will refund $120 to be split among the group and collect $10 from each participant.

Accommodation

Copacabana, Bolivia

Here, we’ll be staying at Hostal las Olas. It’s a unique establishment featuring organic, beautifully crafted rooms built by hand with great care.

Isla del Sol, Bolivia

Here, in a dreamlike setting, we’ll be staying in very simple, natural, and equally special traditional rooms built by a local family living alone on a white-sand beach.

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