The Incas ruled the north of Chile for many years and performed their rituals and religious ceremonies in the Andes mountains. The Inca man Illi Yupanqui fell in love with the Inca princess Kora-Ilé, the most beautiful woman in the empire with eyes that shone like emeralds.

Illi Yupanqui won her heart, and they decided to marry on a mountain peak near the shores of a clear lake, near what is now Portillo. After the marriage ceremony, the princess slowly made her way down the mountain, wore her ceremonial dress and beautiful jewelry. The path along the cliff’s edge was slippery and narrow, and the princess fell into the void.

Illi Yupanqui heard his princess’ cries and ran down the mountain to look for her. When he found her body, she was dead. Anguished and filled with sorrow, the prince decided that Kora-Ilé deserved a singular tomb. He wrapped her in white cloth and buried the princess in the depths of the lake.

As Kora-Ilé’s body sank to the lake bottom, the water magically turned a rich emerald color, the same color as the princess’ eyes. It is said that since that day, the Laguna del Inca is enchanted. Some say that on the night of the full moon, the soul of Illi Yupanqui roams the quiet surface of the water, crying for his princess.