It is located in Portillo, 164 kilometers from Santiago […]
Located in Portillo, a ski resort 164 kilometers from Santiago, Chile, Laguna del Inca fascinated none other than Charles Darwin, during his trip around the world.
And precisely because of its location, at the end of the zigzagging Los Caracoles road, the trip to the border with Argentina is worth it.
Laguna del Inca is located 2,800 meters above sea level, between the high Andes mountains, and is four kilometers long with emerald waters.
Inca Lagoon
This glacial lagoon is located within the property of the classic Ski Portillo, in the province of Los Andes, a two-hour drive from the Chilean capital, and is open to the public all year round. Not long ago, the complex opened a lookout with a unique view of the lagoon, in a space located outside the resort.
However, due to its proximity to the slopes and chalet areas, entry to the attraction is only permitted from October to May, outside of the ski season. In summer, the lagoon offers sustainable recreational activities, such as kayaking for the general public.
According to legend, the emerald waters appeared on the wedding day of the Inca Illi Yupanqui and Princess Kora-llé, who fell from one of those peaks and died, dyeing the waters of the lagoon the color of her beautiful eyes.
It is said that it is still possible to hear the sad laments of the Inca groom on full moon nights.
Portillo was opened in 1949 by the Chilean government and sold to the private sector in 1961. The place is one of the first ski resorts in South America and about 30% of the guests are Brazilians.
The British Charles Darwin crossed the Andes on muleback, between Valparaíso (Chile) and Mendoza (Argentina) and was enchanted by the “steep and bare” hills and the “imposing walls” of the narrow valleys of Portillo.
Not far from the “Roof of the Americas”, as Mount Aconcagua in Argentina is called, with its 6,960 metres above sea level, the Portillo region was one of the landing places of the father of the Theory of Evolution.
Darwin was in Chile, during his voyage around the world, between 1831 and 1836, aboard the ship Beagle and then revolutionized our vision of other animal species.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
