Trekking in Bolivia with Terra Andina, the best Treks in Bolivia
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Trekking
Itinerary
  - La Paz
- Valley of the moon
- Copacabana
- Isla del sol
- Yumani
- Sorata
- Trekking cordillera real
CORDILLERA REAL – NORTH Trek – Apolobamba and Illampu range : the andes
    
CORDILLERA REAL NORTH Trek – Apolobamba and Illampu range: Achila
    
CORDILLERA REAL NORTH Trek – Apolobamba and Illampu range : Huancocaballo
    
CORDILLERA REAL NORTH Trek – Apolobamba and Illampu range : jenny in negruni
    
CORDILLERA REAL NORTH Trek – Apolobamba and Illampu range
    
    
    
    
    

 


CORDILLERA REAL – NORTH
Trek – Apolobamba and Illampu range

Trekking 14 days March to November Private Spanish or English speaking
 
Along the way…

After a necessary acclimatization at Lake Titicaca, we begin our trek in the Illampu mountain range, Giants of the Cordillera Real, this barrier dividing the Altiplano from the Amazon Basin.
This eight-day trek takes us from the North of the Cordillera to the Apolobamba mountain range, Land of the Kallawaya Healers. They are believed to represent the last ethnic trace of the Tiwanaku lords, still speaking their ancient language, the Pukina.
For enthusiasts of wild encounters and lovers of wide-open spaces.

 
 
CORDILLERA REAL NORTH Trek – Apolobamba and Illampu range
PROGRAM
 
Day 1: LA PAZ - ARRIVAL

Airport pick up (flight number and arrival time to be confirmed) and transfer to the hotel. Rest of 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 ISLA DEL SOL - YUMANI

Departure from the hotel at 7:30 a.m. with a private 4WD. We skirt Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real before descending towards Copacabana (around 3h30). From there a motorboat takes us to the Northern extremity of the Isla del Sol (island of the Sun), a 3-hour trip.
From the ruins, we start the trek following the crest of the island until we reach the village of Yumani in the South (a 3 to 4-hour hike).
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Maria and Ismaël’s house (Basic comfort).
Note: During the following 2 days a boat will be at our disposal to transport the group as well as the backpacks during the walks.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +200m / -100m

 
CORDILLERA REAL NORTH Trek – Apolobamba and Illampu range : Titicaca lake
 
Day 4: YUMANI – KALAKI – SORATA (el. 2700 m.a.s.l.)

Morning departure by motorboat towards the Isla de la Luna where we visit the temple of the ñustas, The Inca virgins. We then cross the whole Lake to Kalaki, on the Eastern shore (4/5-hour crossing depending on the weather conditions). There a vehicle awaits us to take us to the village of Sorata, at the foot of the majestic Illampu (el. 6430 m.a.s.l.). 2 to 3-hour journey between Kalaki and Sorata.
In the afternoon, option to visit the cave of San Pedro (4/5 hours round trip).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel.

 
Day 5: SORATA – LAGUNA CHILATA (el. 4200 m.a.s.l.)

Difficulty: altitude trek. Daily 5 to 7-hour walk. Good physical condition required.
In the morning, on the outskirt of the village, we meet our team of muleteers. From Sorata, we start heading up on the slopes of Illampu. After a 5 to 6-hour walk on steep lama trails we reach Laguna Chilata.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +1500m

 
Day 6: LAGUNA CHILATA – LAGUNA GLACIAR (el. 5038 m.a.s.l.) – LAGUNA CHILATA (el. 4200 m.a.s.l.)

We depart in the morning for the ascent to Laguna Glaciar owing its name to the glacier literally dropping into it on its West bank. Views over Lake Titicaca, the Valley of Sorata and the Andes... The scenery is well worth the effort!
In the afternoon, descent to our base camp next Laguna Chilata.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 7h; Elevation gain: +850m / -850m

 
Day 7: LAGUNA CHILATA – SORATA (el. 2700 m.a.s.l.)

Descent to Sorata in the morning.
Afternoon open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: -1500m

 
Day 8: SORATA – CHARAZANI – LAGUNILLAS

Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in a private 4WD. We skirt the mystical Lake Titicaca before driving through numerous charming villages typical of the Altiplano. We can stop to visit the churches of the villages of Carabuco and of Escoma, described like the “sixteen” of Bolivia. Then, after our lunch break, we reach a high point from where we can admire the Cordillera Apolobamba and the impressive summit of the Akamani (el. 5666 m.a.s.l.).
Early afternoon we reach the community of Charazani where we can take advantage of the Hot Springs to relax our legs (depending on the time). After a few more hours of 4WD we reach the hamlet of Lagunillas (6-7 hours of dirt road from Sorata).
Lunch on the way (included). All included. Night in a comfortable guesthouse (showers…).

 
Day 9: LAGUNILLAS – CURVA – JATUNPAMPA – INCACANCHA (el. 4100 m.a.s.l.)

Difficulty: altitude trek with several passes between 4.500 and 5.000 m.a.s.l. (at least two per day). From 5 to 7 hours walk a day. Good physical condition required.
At about 9 a.m., we depart from the lodging for a walk towards Curva (3780 m.a.s.l.). The village remains one of the most typical of the region: stone houses, Indians in traditional garments (possibility to buy beautiful fabrics, traditional garments and ornaments). We visit the hospital of traditional medicine, where practitioners heal using regional plants.
A two-hour hike takes us to the site called Jatunpampa, where we have lunch, accompanied by the sound of the creek nearby, and by an abundant fauna (lamas, viscachas...). Our road continues with the ascent of two passes: the Moyokaka Pass (4500 m.a.s.l.) and the Tambillo Pass (4700 m.a.s.l.), which we climb respectively in 2 and 3 hours. In the distance, we see the Cordillera Real. We descend for 1h30 to reach the valley where we set up camp (Incacancha, 4100 m.a.s.l.)
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +1000m / -700m

 
Day 10: INCACANCHA - MIL CURVAS – VISCACHANI PASS – SUNCHULLI (el. 4600 m.a.s.l.)

We depart at 8 a.m. from our camp and start with an abrupt ascent of about 2 hours (Mil Curvas gorge (thousand curves), el. 4585 m.a.s.l.). We arrive at a small altitude lagoon, surrounded by mountains. We have lunch in the valley below, at the foot of some gold mines. We then attack our second pass of the day, the Viscachani pass at el. 4825 m.a.s.l. The summit of the Huayna Sunchulli appears in front of us.
After a 1-hour descent, we reach the gold mine of the “the Virgin of the Rosary” where we can find miners still searching for gold, and even buy some chips of the precious metal.
Finally, at the end of the day, we take a stroll in the “pueblo perdido” (lost village) near the mine, where the Spaniards built their lodgings to exploit the mountain: the frenzied history of the gold fever for the Spanish crown.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +1000m / -500m

 
Day 11: SUNCHULLI – SUNCHULLI PASS – KOPPE PASS – PAUCHI COCHO (el. 3700 m.a.s.l.)

We leave our bivouac and start the steep ascent towards the Sunchulli Pass (el. 4905 m.a.s.l.), which we reach after about 2 hours.
From there, we can see a little laguna at the base of the imposing glacier. One more time, we can see the traces of the gold miners etched on the mountainsides.
An easy downhill takes us to our lunch spot. Then, a 2-hour walk takes us to the Koppe Pass (el. 4930 m.a.s.l.) from where we have a splendid view over the Valley of Azanjoce. Superb panorama over the Andes.
We reach our camp (Pauchi Cocho el. 3700 m.a.s.l.) after a steep descent (2 hours from the last pass).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +400m / -1300m

 
Day 12:PAUCHI COCHO - QUIMZA CRUZ CANYON – PELECHUCO CANYON – PELECHUCO (el 3600 m.a.s.l.)

Three successive canyons (Pichuara 4.370 m.a.s.l. / Quimza Cruz el. 4.550 m.a.s.l. / Pelechuco 4.700 m.a.s.l.).
We descend in the valley of the Hilo Hilo River before starting a 5-hour ascent, at the end of which we reach the Pelechuco Pass, culmination point of the day. We pass picturesque villages with their small thatched roof huts and, if we are lucky, we may get a glimpse at the flight of the famous Andean condor.
After a long descent towards Pelechuco (2 hours), we can see the imposing Katantica with its 5560 meters of altitude, it dominates the valley. Arrival in Pelechuco at the end of the day.
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Marina and Reynaldo's (basic comfort).

Hiking time: 7h; Elevation gain: +1300m / -1400m
 
Day 13: PELECUCHO – LA PAZ

8 a.m. departure from Pelechuco with our private 4WD for our return to La Paz, through the National Park of Ulla-Ulla and Cololo Lake (9-hour journey).
We will be able to observe the fauna and specially hundreds of vicuñas, lamas and other camelides.
Lunch on the way (included) and dinner open. Hotel.

 
Day 14: 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.

 
OPTION : LA PAZ / FLIGHT OVER THE ROYAL CORDILLERA

La Paz and its surroundings offer a large variety of climates and scenery. To contemplate this panorama from the sky will, surely, be one of your most incredible traveling experiences. 1-hour suggested trip: In the morning, a private vehicle picks you up at the hotel to takes you to the airport, where the pilot and the twin engine at your disposal await you. The flight begins by a soar over the city of La Paz and its valley, tucked between the cordillera and the Altiplano, before plunging between the summits of llimani and Huayna Potosi. All of a sudden, it is as if the mountains were tumbling under our wings: we are above the region of the Yungas, where the Andes abruptly disappear in the Amazon Basin. We head northwest and follow the Cordillera Real. As summits pass us by on the left, the immensity of the green Amazon rushes on our right. Above the village of Sorata, we circle Illampu and start our return to La Paz, flying over the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca. Lunch and dinner open. Hotel. Note: the schedule and itinerary will be dependent on the weather condition of the day. Cost: 680 € / hour flight (6 persons maximum)

Please limit the weight of your bag to 30lb per person during the trek

 
 
Included

-   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 and mountaineering (tents, cooking gear, ropes, etc…)
-   Portage of luggage (high altitude porters/ mules / llamas)
-   Spanish speaking guide in La Paz and Lake Titicaca
-   Entrance to parks and cultural places mentioned in program
-   Private transport
-   Spanish speaking driver
-   2/3-star hotels in twin room including breakfast
-   Night with local hosts
-   Meals mentioned

 
Not included

   -    Individual equipment (we can provide a sleeping pad)
   -    Mandatory travel insurance
   -    Alcoholic drinks
   -    Tips
   -    Open meals mentioned, (from $ 3 to $ 8 US per person / meal).

 
More information

General sales terms and conditions
Technical Information / Advice / Equipment.
Inquire about our prices

 
Important

As a safety measure, we ask that each traveler bring a copy of its passport and insurance policy (do give us upon arrival)

 
   

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