Along the way

Day 1: LA PAZ - ARRIVAL

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). Rest of the day open. Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 2: LA PAZ / PANORAMIC TOUR – VALLEY OF THE MOON – ANDEAN MARKETS

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 Jach´a Apacheta Mirador, on the edge of the precipice of the city of El Alto. Then we go 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 leads 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 limestone formations.
In the afternoon our vehicle brings us back to the City Center and drops us off in the heart of the colorful and animated Andean market of La Paz.
Return to the hotel on foot, accompanied by our guide.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 3: LA PAZ - COPACABANA – TREK YAMPUPATA - ISLA DEL SOL – CHA´LLAPAMPA

Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in our private vehicle. We skirt Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real to reach Copacabana (3 ½-hour drive).
A motorboat takes us to the Virgin of Lourdes fom where our trek on the village of Yampupata starts. A boat awaits us there to take us to the nearby Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) (1-hour crossing). In the village of Cha´llapampa we visit the little museum of Marka Pampa before admiring the sunset over the Cordillera Real.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host (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: 5h ; Elevation gain/loss: +250m/-250m

Day 4: CHA´LLAPAMPA - TREK ISLA DEL SOL – YUMANI - COPACABANA

In the morning, we climb to the ruins of Chincana (“the labyrinth” in Aymara) and the sacred rock of the Puma, from where God Viracocha created his son Manco Capac, the first Inca. A very nice hike following the crest takes us to the village of Yumani at the Southern point of the island. We then go down the 500 steps of a stone staircase all the way to the pier of the “Fuente del Inca”.
A short hop by boat takes us to temple Pilkokaina, built by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui for his pilgrimages on the Isla del Sol. Our boat then takes us back to Copacabana (1h crossing). We climb up the hill of the Way of the Cross to watch the sun set.
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel / lake view.
Hiking time 3-4h ; Elevation gain/loss: +450m/-450m

Day 5: COPACABANA – CORDILLERA APOLOBAMBA – PELECHUCO

Departure at 8 a.m. from the hotel for a long traveling day in a 4WD. We skirt Lake Titicaca to Escoma, before following Río Suches. We then enter the Muñecas Cordillera, giving us the impression of being on the Roof of the World. Great view of Illampu and Ancohuma mountain ranges. We then enter in Ulla Ulla wildlife preserve, prelude to the very remote Cordillera Apolobamba.
After about 9 hours on a dirt road, we reach the village of Pelechuco, “the place in the clouds” in Quechua.
Cold lunch. All included. Guesthouse (basic comfort).

Day 6: PELECHUCO –KATANTICA PASS – 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: 6 ½-hour; Elevation gain/loss: +1150m/-600m

Day 7: ATACUANI – HILO HILO – LIRIUNI (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.)

We hike a round the mountain located at the end of the valley and reach the picturesque village of Hilo Hilo and its thashed 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.
Ascent time: 6 h; Elevation gain: +700m

Day 8: 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 alcool 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.sl.) 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..), 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 9: 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 10: PAJTCHA PATA – CURVA – LAGUNILLAS – CHARAZANI (el. 3200 m.a.s.l.)

Short morning hike (2 ½-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: 2 ½-hour; Elevation gain: +200m

Day 11: CHARAZANI – AMARETE

In the morning, we head towards the cordillera Muñecas in our prívate 4WD vehicle. We reach Amarete, a small typical Quechua village where the inhabitants still wear their traditional dress, after 5 hours on a dirt road. All included. Lodging with local host (basic comfort)

Day 12: AMARETE – LAGUNA KALINSAYA

We start the long descent on the hillsides to reach the bottom of the canyon where we spot numerous humming birds. We then follow a humid valley inhabited by hundreds of alpacas before returning to more alpine scenery.
We finish the day by ascending a pass that takes us to the last valley before finally reaching the beautiful laguna Kalinsaya.
Cold lunch. All included. Camping.

Day 13: LAGUNA KALINSAYA – PASO KANISAYA

We continue on traveling through authentic and wild landscapes to finally reach Paso Kanisaya, where we set up camp.
Cold lunch. All included. Camping.

Day 14: KANISAYA – WANKHO

We enter deeper in the heart of the wild and unknown Muñecas Cordillera. We clear two passes and skirt beautiful lagunas in mountainous scenery very different of that of the high cordillera, but where isolation is palpable.
After crossing path with numerous camelids, we finally reach our destination of the day, the small village of Wankho.
Cold lunch. All included. Camping.

Day 15: WANKHO – AUCAPATA

We start the day by a descent into the very beautiful Aucapata Valley, following dirt traces and trails. The scenery reminds us of Nepal. At mid-day we stop for lunch in a typical hamlet.
We then continue our long descent to find ourselves in lowland vegetation as we arrive in Aucapata. This Quechua village possesses a surprisingly steep large central plaza surrounded by houses exhibiting beautiful sculpted balconies, similar to those encountered in Nepal!
Cold lunch. All included. Night in a guesthouse (basic comfort).

Day 16: AUCAPATA / VISIT OF MAMAKHORU AND OF ISKANWAYA

We spend this day discovering on foot two sites from the Mollo culture accompanied by the guard of the ruins, who participated in the only excavations done in 1972.
With the 4WD, we drive to about 1000 meters lower in the valley. A 2-hour hike takes us to the citadel of Mamakhoru, which received its water from an aqueduct perfectly preserved. The citadel itself has not been cleaned or searched entirely which gives the place an atmosphere of lost city. We return the way we came on a nice trail dominating the beautiful valley of Llica.
In the afternoon, we descend to the archaeological site of Iskanwaya. Only a very small portion of the site has been ridden of the cacti, shrubs and grass covering the ruins. Thanks to numerous practically perfectly preserved walls emerging from the vegetation, it is nonetheless possible to imagine how majestic this city must have been. We notice that the section called “The Palace” has not been cleared nor searched because of lack of financial backing. We stroll through the different sections of the site while listening to the explanations and anecdotes our guide provides us.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host (basic comfort – hot shower)

Day 17: ISKANWAYA– PAYLI YUNGA

We follow a trail on the hillside to find ourselves, 2-hour hike later, in the citadel of Mamakhoru, which received its water from an aqueduct perfectly preserved. The citadel itself has not been cleaned or searched entirely which gives the place an atmosphere of lost city.
We keep on descending into the beautiful valley of Llica on a nice trail.
We live intense moments crossing on suspended bridges and even crossing a wide river on a Tyrolean! Night in Payli Yunga.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.

Day 18: PAYLI YUNGA – SORATA

Morning departure in our private 4WD. After 4 on dirt tracks, we reach Sorata, a quiet village nestled at the end of a green valley at the foot of the majestic Illampu range (el. 6368 m.a.s.l.). If the weather is clear we can perfectly see the snowy summits over the palm trees occupying the village square, at an altitude of 2700 meters.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 19: SORATA – LA PAZ

Return to La Paz in the afternoon in our private 4Wd (3/4-hour drive). Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 20: DEPARTURE

Pick up 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.

IMPORTANT: LIMIT WEIGHT OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS TO 30 lb FOR THE TREK

Don’t hesitate to include in your trekking bag a few objects forgotten in your addict that could please the village children: coloring pencils, a doll, a toy, a plastic souvenir from your country, or a Polaroid camera to leave a photo behind. The locals will be extremely pleased!

Included

- Spanish-speaking guide (La Paz, Lake Titicaca)
- 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 / Llamas)

Not included

- International round-trip flight
- Airport taxes
- Individual equipment (for camping we provide the sleeping pads)
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Drinks
- Tips
- Open meals mentioned, (from 5 to 10 € 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