Along the way

This itinerary was built in 2008. It is an exploratory trek for experienced trekkers. It starts in Peru in a region virtually unknown, anyway, no one alive remember having seen trekking groups there ever before.
We were impressed by the beauty of this Cordillera ans stunned to discover that we were the first trekking agency to offer an itinerary there. Here the saying: off-the-beaten-path takes on its meaning fully...
This trek takes us on the hillsides of the Apolobamba Cordillera, on Kallawayas territory.
It is said that they are the last direct descendants of the Tiwanaku lords of whose language they still speak. They are also, and above all, the last knowledge holders of the powerful plants of the Altiplano.
Curva, the village in which our trek begins, is known to be home of the most prestigious indigenous "healers". They then share their talent in all parts of the country, while the best ones leave for Peru, Brazil, and Argentina or in the larger Bolivian cities.
The healing traditions trek will surely fulfill the most demanding trekker in terms of encounters (miners, Indian healers, etc…) and large open Andean spaces. We skirt the Cordillera Apolobamba from one end to the other, between 4000 and 5000 meters of elevation, in a region difficult to access and therefore seldom visited. The trail is bordered on the Western side by eternal glaciers and on the Eastern side by deep valleys dropping all the way to the Amazon.
We will set up camp near rivers, most often below passes. The delight of the scenic beauty and the particular atmosphere of the kallawayas lands (frenetic gold rush, Indian medicine) will largely outweigh the trouble of your efforts.

Program

Jour 1 : DEPARTURE FROM YOUR COUNTRY

Day 2: LA PAZ ARRIVAL / CITY TOUR

Reception at the airport (flight number and arrival time to be confirmed) and transfer to hotel (check in time 12 p.m.; if you wish to have a room upon arrival, it is possible to pay for one extra night, check with us).
At 2 p.m., we meet in the hotel lobby for a guided tour of La Paz, city located at almost 4000 m.a.s.l.: Sagárnaga Street and its local handicraft market (one of the most famous of South America), the witches’ street, San Pedro’s food market, the historical center and the colonial neighborhood.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 3: LA PAZ – TIWANAKU - COPACABANA

Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in our private vehicle for the archaeological site of Tiwanaku (1h30). Guided tour of the pre-Colombian vestiges counting amongst the most important of the continent. Then we drive along the shores of Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real to Copacabana. Visit of the most interesting sites in the town.
We climb up the hill of the Way of the Cross to watch the sunset over the lake (bring a headlamp for the descent). Lunch and dinner open. Hotel / lake views.

Day 4 : COPACABANA – TREK YAMPUPATA - ISLA DEL SOL – YUMANI

By motorboat, we reach the cave of Lourdes. Our trek on the Yampupata peninsula starts from there. We cross the timeless village of Zampaya...
Later on we reach the village of Yampupata where a boat awaits us to take us to the nearby Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) (30 minute-crossing). We disembark at the Inca site of Pilkokaina, ancient Inca palace. A 30 to 40 minutes walk brings us to the village of Yumani.
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Maria and Ismaël’s (basic comfort).
Note: During the following 2 days, a boat will be at our disposal to transport the group as well as the gear during the walks.
Hiking time: 4h ; Elevation gain/loss: +200m/-100m

Day 5: YUMANI – ISLA DEL SOL – CHALLAPAMPA - COPACABANA

Three passes : Pichuara (4370 m.a.s.l) / Quimza Cruz (4550 m.a.s.l) / Pelechuco (4700 m.a.s.l)

From Yumani, we start the trek by following the crest of the Island to the North where we find the vestiges of the Inca ruins of Chincana, the labyrinth in Aymara (3 to 4-hour walk). We then head to the village of Challapampa, where is located the Marka Pampa museum. Visit of the museum. Return to Copacabana by motorboat.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel. / Lake view.
Hiking time: 5h ; Elevation gain/loss: +100m/-200m

Day 6: COPACABANA – ANTAQUILLA – PERU - ISCAYCRUZ

Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in private transportation for the long drive along Lake Titacaca to the thermal pools of Antaquilla. We discover the immensity of the high Andean plateaus bringing on an intense feeling of solitude. We then climb to Trapiche Pass (el. 4800 m.a.s.l.), border with Peru, from where we can admire, among others, the cerro Palomani and Huascaran (highest mountain in Peru with its 6768 meters above sea level). We then start the descent taking us to the base of cerro Iscaycruz where our camp and our team of muleteers are awaiting us.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.

Day 7: SCAYCRUZ – PUINPATA

Difficulty: Altitude trek including passes reaching altitudes between 4500 and 5000 meters above sea level (at least two passes per day ). From 5 to 7-hour walk per day. Good physical condition required.
We start our day’s hike by following traversing trails before beginning the climb to a large waterfall where we stop for lunch. We then return to the long ascent taking us to our camp on a grassy flat called Puinpata, before the pass. From camp we have a wonderful view of cerro Lusuni as well as over a large part of the Cordillera Blanca.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 7h

Day 8: PUINPATA – LUSUNI PASS - ESTANCIA JIPINPATA (el. 4500 m.a.s.l.)

Another 2-hour climb are necessary to reach Lusuni Pass (el. 5100 m.a.s.l.) from where we discover an impressive sea of clouds covering the tropic forest on the Amazon side. After practically 4 hours of descent and traverses, we reach estancia Jipinpata, our destination of the day, on a beautiful grassy flat. Here live 2 or 3 families dedicated to llama and alpaca breeding.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h

Day 9: ESTANCIA JIPINPATA – HUAKANTARANI – CHAUPI ORCO BASE CAMP

Beautiful day during which we cross numerous waterfalls as well as a beautiful and remote small traditional village with straw-roofs (Huakantarani), home to only 6 families. We then climb to Lake Soral and after crossing a few bofedales (swampy areas), we arrive at the base camp of Chaupi Orco, the heighest summit of the Apolobamba Cordillera (el. 6044 m.a.s.l.).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 7h

Day 10: CHAUPI ORCO BASE CAMP – MIRADOR PASS – YANACOCHA VALLEY

We start the day by a good climb to reach a gold miner’s camp. If we are interested, we can visit the mine in they company.
We continue our ascent, to reach, 4 hours later, Mirador Pass. As indicated by its name, it offers an exceptional view over the entire length of the cordillera (Chaupi Orco and Lusuni, numerous frozen lagunas, etc).
About 3 hours of descent are necessary to reach the bottom of Yanacocha Valley, near a laguna where we set up camp.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 7h

Day 11: YANACOCHA VALLEY – LLAMAKA CONCA PASS – ESTANCIA LLAMAKA

We take a pre-Hispanic trail leading to Llamaka Conca Pass to then descend towards two beautiful lagunas "Celeste Khocha". Less than an hour later we can take a break to visit a few caves, called "Caves of the Jesuits". We hike an other hour to reach estancia Llamaka, our destination of the day, where live two families of camelides breeder.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 5h

Day 12: ESTANCIA LLAMAKA – MACARA PASS – MACARA (el. 3800 m.a.s.l.)

We climb for about 1½-hour to Macara Pass (el. 4800 m.a.s.l.) from where we an admire the stunning view over Azucarani and Acatantica, as well as over the immense Suches Glacier. We then start a long descent in Llajtakucho Valley and reach our camp at the place called "Macara".
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h

Day 13: MACARA – CHUN CHUN PASS – PELECHUCO (el. 3600 m.a.s.l.)

We begin a steep hill (2½-hour) to Chun Chun Pass, which used to sadly be famous for the numerous attacks perpetrated on the peasants by a group of Amazonian bandits (armed with arcs and arrows).
We then descend along a beautiful valley to reach the ruins of Huanan, an ancient Inca cemetery. Shortly after we arrive in Pelechuco (el. 3600 m.a.s.l.), "the cloudy place" in Quechua. Cold lunch. All included. Night in a guesthouse (basic comfort).
Hiking time: 4h30

Day 14: PELECHUCO – PASO KATANTICA – ATACUANI (el. 4150 m.a.s.l.)

We start the day by a long climb in the direction of the Katantica Pass (el. 4750 m.a.s.l.). We stop for lunch near Lake Kucha Muyurina, just before the pass, after a 4-hour. From there we can see the summits of Palomani (el. 5770 m.a.s.l.), Azucarani (el. 5580 m.a.s.l.) and, if we are lucky, we may see flying over our head the famous Andean Condor. After a 40-minute descent we reach our camp on a nice grassy spot on the shore of Rio Hilo Hilo, in the place called Atacuani.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h30; Elevation gain/loss: +1150m/-600m

Day 15: ATACUANI – HILO HILO – LIRIUNI (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.)

We hike around the mountain located at the end of the valley and reach the picturesque village of Hilo Hilo and its thrashed roof homes (about 1 ½-hour walk). We then follow a colonial trail to lunch at Piedra Grande, an estancia where a few families raising alpacas still live in a traditional fashion. We continue on to a pretty waterfall (Pajtcha Pata, el. 4600 m.a.s.l.) before ending the day with a hard ascent to the grassy flats of Liriuni, just before the Sunchuli Pass. We spot numerous viscachas as well as some Andean geese (huayatas).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +700m

Day 16: LIRUINI – SUNCHULI – INCACANCHA (el. 4100 m.a.s.l.)

We start the day by a one-hour ascent to Sunchuli Pass (el. 5100 m.a.s.l.). Impressive view over Cololo (el. 5915 m.a.s.l.), Katantica (el. 5610 m.a.s.l.) and Cuchillo (el. 5655 m.a.s.l.). After performing the appropriate ceremony (ch’alla) consisting of offering coca leaves and alcohol to ask for the protection of the mountain’s spirits (Apus), we start our descent.
We arrive at a bofedal (wetland, el. 4750 m.a.s.l.), which we skirt following the hillsides to quickly reach Viscachani Pass (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.) offering beautiful views of Acamani (el. 5666 m.a.s.l.) and the Cordillera Real. We then descend and cross “pueblo perdido”, an ancient gold mining camp built by the Spanish. We stop for lunch on the shores of the beautiful Laguna Kellua Kota.
From where we reach, after a 40-minute walk, the mirador of Mil Curvas (“The Thousand curves”, el. 4590 m.a.s.l.) from which we can contemplate the impressive Acamani (el. 5666 m.a.s.l.).
After a short one-hour descent, we arrive at our camp at Incacancha (signifying “ Inca ruins” – el. 4100 m.a.s.l.), on the shores of a river where they used to rest their llamas.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h ; Elevation gain/loss: +350m/-1000m

Day 17: INCACANCHA – JATUNPAMPA – PAJTCHA PATA (el. 3600 m.a.s.l.)

We start the day by the long ascent (2-hours and 40-minutes) of Tombillo Pass (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.), a sacred place where Bolivians come to do their offerings to the gods during the Carnival in February.
After a long descent (1 ½-hour) we arrive at a place called Jatunpampa where we take our mid-day break, and lunch near a river surrounded by an abundant fauna (llamas, viscachas, etc...). Less than an hour later we reach the “Pajtcha Pata” camp, at 3600 m.a.s.l., where three Kallawayas families live. We see the traditional potato fields and the water holes used for the transformation of the oca in kaya (by a dehydration process). Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 5h ; Elevation gain/loss: +600m/-1100m

Day 18: PAJTCHA PATA – CURVA – UPINUAYA – CHARAZANI (el. 3200 m.a.s.l.)

Short morning hike (2½-hours - moderate elevation gain) to reach the charming village of Curva (el. 3800 m.a.s.l.): stone houses, Indians in traditional dress (option to purchase magnificent fabric, traditional clothes and ornaments). We visit the healer’s hospital where the practitioners still treat with local plants.
Our 4WD then takes us to the authentic village of Kallawaya of Upinuaya (50 minutes away on a dirt track). We take a traditional lunch in the company of the community and then attend some healing ceremonies and dances typical of this ancestral culture.
After these celebrations we keep on traveling to the Hot Springs of Charazani and enjoy a well-deserved bath.
All included. Night in 2-star guesthouse.
Hiking time: 2h30; Elevation gain: +200m

Day 19: CHARAZANI – LA PAZ

Departure from Charazani at 8 a.m. for our return in our prívate 4WD vehivle to La Paz via the national park of Ulla-Ulla and Lake Cololo (9-hour drive). On the road we can stop to visit the chapels of the villages of Carabuco and of Escoma, described like the “Sixtine” of Bolivia.
Lunch on the road (included) and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 20: LA PAZ / PANORAMIC TOUR – VALLEY OF THE MOON

Meeting in the hotel hall at 9 a.m. for a discovery, in private transportation, of the most spectacular viewpoint over the city, unbelievably located at the bottom of the Choqueyapu river canyon, with the Royal Mountain Range “Giants” as the background: Huayna Potosi, Mururata and Illimani.
This tour, particularly designed for photo lovers, first takes us to the K´Illi K´Illi Mirador and to the Laykakota Park (closed on Mondays), on the Northwestern side of the city. Afterwards, we cross the Americas Bridge to go to the “Plaza de España” Mirador, in the colonial neighborhood of Sopocachi. From there, an abrupt descent takes us to the “South Zone”, passing through Llojeta and the “Garden Cemetery”, and finally to the Valley of the Moon, a place where we will be able to walk between psychedelic looking sandstone formations.
Return to the center at lunchtime. Afternoon open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 21: DEPARTURE

Reception at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport / international flight number and time to be confirmed.
Meals open.

Day 22: ARRIVAL IN YOUR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

Included

- English-speaking guide/translator for the entire trip
- Private transport / Spanish - speaking driver
- 2/3-star hotels in twin room including breakfast
- Meals mentioned
- Trekking guide
- Cook for groups of more than 4 people (for groups smaller than 4, the guide will be the cook)
- Collective equipment for trekking (tents, cooking gear, etc…)
- Portage of luggage (mules)

Not included

- Individual equipment (for camping we provide the sleeping pads) - Mandatory travel insurance - Drinks - Tips - Open meals mentioned, (from 3 to 8 € per person / meal).

General sales conditions

Your trip will be confirmed once we receive a deposit of 30% of the total amount on our Bolivian account or on our web site (Visa card icon on the top right; enter your name as the reference). The balance must be paid upon arrival in Bolivia in American dollars or Euros.

Prepare for your trip

Travel advice Bolivia
General Sales Conditions
Equipment

Emergencies

In case of major problem during your stay (delay, strike, traffic accident…), an emergency contact will be at your disposal to reach a member of our team:
(010) 712 57 378

Important

- As a security measure, each traveler needs to provide photocopies of passport and individual insurance documentation.
- If you are planning to travel to Brazil, please note that the Brazilian authorities request the yellow fever vaccine certificate to all travelers coming from Bolivia. If you do not leave the transit zone at the airport, it is not required.

Contact us to get the fares