Cha’lla

Isla del Sol


This agreeable little village stretches along a magnificent sandy beach that could be straight out of a holiday brochure for the Greek islands. The village is spread out – it extends over the hill to the south. There’s a small kiosk and a newish hostal on the beach, and one on the hill, Hostal Qhumphuri. You have to pay an admission fee to pass along the trail into town.

In the pastoral flatlands over the low pass between Cha’lla and Yumani is the Museo Étnico, with some dusty exhibits including Inca pots. It’s an hour’s walk (4km) north of Yumani along the lower path (or on the western route if coming from the north). It’s worth it for the stunning bay and valley views; the museum itself is disappointing.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Isla del Sol attractions

1. Mirador Palla Khasa

1.06 MILES

Follow the well-signposted path from Yumani's ridgeline up to this small stone lookout atop Cerro Palla Khasa (4065m) for sweeping sunset views over the…

2. Ruins

1.35 MILES

Of the more than 80 Inca ruins on the island, most date to the 15th century AD. You could spend a week looking at them all.

3. Ruins

1.38 MILES

Some obsidian remnants among the ruins indicate contact with people as far away as Colca Canyon, Arequipa, Peru.

4. Yumani

1.51 MILES

Yumani is the main village at the south end of the island. Most boats drop you at the village’s dock, about 200m downhill from the town proper. The small…

5. Fuente del Inca

1.79 MILES

Early Spaniards believed Yumani’s spring was a fountain of youth and for the Incas the three streams represented their national motto: Ama sua, Ama llulla…

6. Escalera del Inca

1.83 MILES

Just uphill from the ferry dock at Yumani, along the beautifully reconstructed Escalera del Inca (Inca stairway), you’ll pass plenty of terraced gardens,…

7. Cha’llapampa

2.03 MILES

Most tours visiting the northern ruins land at Cha’llapampa, a small village straddling a slender isthmus.

8. Cha'llapampa Museum

2.09 MILES

The small Cha'llapampa Museum contains artifacts excavated in 1992 from Marka Pampa, referred to by locals as La Ciudad Submergida (Sunken City). Among…