Code: TTANDEAMAZ Duration: 15 days
The Andes Mountains and the cloud forest have a very close relation. They are part of the same ecosystem. It is impossible to think about one without the other even though they are so different.
This magnificent trek will take us from the shores of Lake Titicaca, across the mountain valleys of Condoriri and Huayna Potosi and down into the upper rain forest. The journey will lead us through different ecological steps and therefore through several local ethnic groups lands; each one with their own particular way of being.
On this trip we will meet local Aymara people and will learn how they live in the high lands, around Lake Titicaca and the mountain valleys. Then, after the traverse of the microclimatic valleys and the cloud forest we will get into the Yungas where we will visit plantations of coca leaves that descendents of African slaves cultivated since colonial times.
After the trek down to the Yungas, we will travel by land towards the mining center of Guanay and from there descent on dugout canoe to the lodge of San Miguel del Bala located near the Madidi National Park in the proper Amazon. To return to La Paz we will take a small passengers plane across to the mountain range.
The entire traverse will show us a wide variety of animals and plants from the desert like “Altiplano” to the exuberant neo-tropical forest.
Short Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival to La Paz. Transfer IN. Hotel.
Day 2. Hike on Peñas Range. Transport to Copacabana. Hotel.
Day 3. Trek to Chincana. Transport to Huatajata. Hotel
Day 4. Transport to Tuni-Condoriri. Trek to Chiar Kota lake. Camp.
Day 5. Trek to Ancoma. Transport to Huayna Potosi. Refuge
Day 6. Trek to Samaña Pampa. Camp.
Day 7. Trek to Challapampa. Camp.
Day 8. Trek to Buena Vista. Camp.
Day 9. Trek to Sandillani. Camp
Day 10. Trek to Chairo. Transport to Guanay. Hotel.
Day 11. Motorboat to San Miguel del Bala. Lodge
Day 12. San Miguel del Bala. Lodge.
Day 13. San Miguel del Bala. Lodge.
Day 14. Motor boat to Rurenabaque. Flight to La Paz. Hotel.
Day 15. Transfer OUT.
Highlights
- Acclimatization sightseeing Lake Titicaca & surroundings.
- Splendid views of mountain landscape.
- Choro trek down to the Amazonian forest
- Madidi national Park.
- 9 days of trekking (100km total distance).
- Natural history from the Andes to the Amazon.
Services Included
- All transfers IN/OUT to airports.
- Local flight from Rurrenabaque to La Paz.
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary.
- Full land transportation during the trip.
- Hotel accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Common camping equipment: 3 season tents, dinning and kitchen tents & tableware.
- Bilingual guide during the trip.
- Luggage transportation with porters and/or animals (15 kg/33 lb per person max weight).
- Cook when camping.
- National Park entrance fees.
Services Not Included
- International flight tickets & fees.
- Meals while in La Paz.
- Personal camping equipment: sleeping bag, mattress, headlamps, and clothing.
- Insurance of any kind.
- Any expense due to a rescue operation (rescuers fee, transportation, or medical cost).
Day to day details
Arriving at the airport in La Paz your breath will be taken away. Not just because of the altitude; the airport is the highest international airport in the world; but also because of the views over the mountains. The crisp clear sky of the highlands give the impression you could touch them. In a normal winter day it is possible to see over a distance of 200Km (120mi). The cold and dry air feels good after so many hours of treated pressurized cabin air.
The drive to the city of La Paz is not less impressive. We will stop at “La Ceja” (literally the eyebrow in Spanish; but also meaning the edge) and have a view on the amazing city with buildings and houses hanging from the steep slopes and filling the whole valley that is surrounded by huge glaciated mountains.
Then we will descend 500m (1640ft) down to our hotel in downtown. Do not get stressed much about the altitude; our program has been designed to get you gradually acclimatized. At the beginning we strongly suggest you to take it very easy, drink plenty of water and eat lightly (get into out Acclimatization page for more information).
You will have the rest of the day free. At early evening we will have a briefing meeting.
Overnight: Hotel Nayra
El Alto: 4,100m (13,450ft)
La Paz: 3,650m (11,972ft)
Driving: 30Min (11km)
None
After breakfast we will take our transport and head north towards Lake Titicaca. Half of the way we will do our first hike in this small rocky range facing Cordillera Real. After the hike we will board our vehicle to get to the shores of the lake where we will stay in one of the best hotels in the area.
Traveling through this land it is easy to understand how important the shores of Lake Titicaca have been in the development of Andean cultures. Surrounded by desert like hills and snowcapped mountains, the lake offered, and still offers, rich lands and a mild climate. On the way to Copacabana, we will be culturally transferred to the past as we go by Aymara villages where Indians have been keeping their lifestyle for centuries.
Overnight: Hotel Rosario del lago
Trailhead: 4,011m (13,156ft)
Peñas: 4,333m (14,212ft)
Lake Titicaca: 3,810m (12,497ft)
Driving: 4-5Hrs (185km)
Walking: 3-4Hrs (4km)
B,L
An early start to make a short but pleasant drive along of the shores of Copacabana peninsula towards the village of Yampupata, there we will board the motor boat that will take us to the Island of the Sun. Today we will trek the whole length of the island admiring the Inca terraces, many of which are still used, passing through villages and walking along sandy beaches. Our objective is to reach the north-west end of the island where we can visit a sacred rock, which was worshipped as the birthplace of the first Incas: MancoKapac and Mama Okllo, son and daughter of Viracocha. We will also have time to visit the ruins of Chincana (the labyrinth). After lunch we will take our motor boat back to mainland and then our vehicle towards another Indian Village at the lake shores: Huatajata. The mountains will “grow” in front of us dominating the landscape and the glaciers will get “tanned” by the late afternoon light as we approach to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Inca Utama
Island of the sun: 4,065m (13,333ft)
Chincana: 3,830m (12,529ft)
Huatajata: 3,810m (12,497ft)
Walking: 3-4Hrs (11km)
Motor boat: 2-3Hrs (13km)
Driving: 4-5Hrs (100km)
B,L,D
After a pleasant and short drive towards the majestic Andes Mountains that overlook Lake Titicaca, we will meet the muleteers and their animals that will transport our gear to the campsite located at the shores of a lovely lake called “Chiar Kota” (dark Lake). We will probably have to share the campsite with others since this is the base camp area for the climbing community.
Overnight: Camping
La Paz: 3,650m (11,972ft)
Condoriri headtrail: 4,400m (14,432ft)
Chiar Khota: 4,650m (15,257ft)
Driving: 3-4Hrs (65km)
Walking: 2-3Hrs (9km
B,L,D
Early departure after breakfast and we will begin our trek across the two mountain passes into the northern valley of the majestic Huayna Potosi peak. The long descent across boggy fields and puna grass, typical of the Andean valleys will take us to the valley of Zongo. After having hiked above the three line accompanied by puna grass and few bushes, today we will briefly descent to the upper transition zone between the Puna and the Yungas valleys. There the electric company installed hydroelectric plants to produce most of the electricity consumed in the Bolivian highlands. Our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us to “Plataforma Zongo” where we will stay in a basic hut for the night.
Overnight: Mountain hut
1st Mtn.: Pass 5,000m (16,400ft)
2nd Mtn.: Pass 5,000m (16,400ft)
Ancoma: 3,607m (11,831ft)
Plataforma Zongo: 4,747m (15,570 ft)
Walking:7-8Hrs (17km)
Driving: 1Hr (15 km)
B,L,D
After an interesting traverse following a narrow aqueduct carved in the rocky slopes on the mountain, we will ascend on a difficult terrain towards a mountain pass at the northern face of Charquini mountain, then we descent rapidly into Chucura valley where we will camp near a basic hostel owned by the local community.
Overnight: Camping
Mountain pass: 4,959m (16,265ft)
Samaña Pampa: 4,037m (13,241ft)
Walking:5-6Hrs (11km)
B,L,D
Today we have an easy day following downhill the main Choro trail valley towards our campsite located in a beautiful meadow just below the tree line and at the shores of a sparkling river. On the way we will pass by the picturesque Andean village of Chucura (also called Achura).
Overnight: Camping
Challapampa: 2,830m (9,282ft)
Walking:3-4Hrs (9km)
B,L,D
The stone-paved trail we follow today through thick forest and traversing steep mountain slopes is one of the best preserved pieces or art in road engineering, part of our legacy from ancient pre-Inca cultures; most likely built during the Tiwanaco period. After crossing Chucura river near the little settlement of Choro, the trail start steeply ascending towards an aerial ridge with amazing views. Our campsite will be located in one of the few sections of the trail wide enough to host some tents; superb views of the Huarinilla valley.
Overnight: Camping
Buena Vista: 2,147m (7,042ft)
Walking 5-6Hrs (11km)
B,L,D
Today we will mostly traverse a long route up and down, during the day the heat, vegetation and, unfortunately, the mosquitoes, increase in strength. Out campsite will be located in Sandillani where Tajimi Tanamura - an Elder Japanese hermit - used to live but unfortunately passed away on Sep/2014. We will arrive relatively early to our campsite, so we will have plenty of time to enjoy this beautiful area, take a wash, rest and breath rich air after so many days in the highlands.
Overnight: Camping
Sandillani: 1,967m (6,451ft)
Walking: 4-5Hrs (9km)
B,L,D
A steep descent will take us to the trailhead at the village of Chairo, on the way we will pass various plantations of coca, citrus fruits and coffee. Our vehicle will then take us towards Caranavi town first and then to the gold mining center of Guanay where we will stay in a local charming hostel.
Overnight: Hotel los Pinos
Chairo 1,280m (4,198ft)
Guanay: 900m (2,952ft)
Walking: 3-4Hrs (13km)
Driving: 5-6Hrs (150km)
B,L,D
We leave the vehicle behind to take a more exciting transport: dugout canoes. By this means we travel through jungle following the Beni river course, across granite canyons and traversing extensive stretches of virgin forest. There are very good chances of spotting wild animals that get to the river shores. Later in the day we will arrive to the community of San Miguel del Bala where we will spend the next three nights in their lodge.
Overnight: Lodge San Miguel del Bala
San Miguel del Bala: 440m (1,410ft)
Motor boat: 8-10Hrs (163km)
B,L,D
The morning will be spent exploring the bizarre ravens sculpted by river courses in the rock where crystal clear waters will invite for a swim in natural pools. During the walk through the forest keep your senses alert if you do not want to miss the animals, with some luck you can see macaws, guans, and a variety of other birds, brown capuchin and squirrel monkeys. With a little more of luck you can spot white-lipped peccary or tapirs. After lunch our local guide will take you for a tour to learn about local natural medicine plants and share their extensive knowledge including. After dinner we will learn about the San Miguel del Bala Community, its history, stories and traditions.
Overnight: Lodge San Miguel del Bala
San Miguel del Bala: 440m (1,410ft)
Walking 4-5Hrs (4km)
B,L,D
Today we will take you for a longer hike passing through primary rainforest and gallery forest. In this region there is the chance to spot many bird sand a variety of other wildlife, as well as learn more about the ecology of the forest. Boxed lunch. Return to San Miguel del Bala in the afternoon to maybe spend some time learning how to make traditional Tacana handicrafts, for example chonta seed rings. Once back at the lodge and after dinner, you will experience a night hike through the forest.
Overnight: Lodge San Miguel del Bala
San Miguel del Bala: 440m (1,410ft)
Walking 4-5Hrs (4km)
B,L,D
After breakfast, we will go for the last hike over “el canon” trail leading to “el salitral” as it is called the clay sources where animals look for salt. Back at the lodge you will have lunch and then take the motorboat to Rurrenabaque in time to take the last flight back to La Paz.
Overnight: Hotel Nayra
Rurrenabaque: 400m (1,312ft)
La Paz: 3,650m (11,972ft)
Motor boat: 1-2Hrs (15km)
Flight: 1-2Hrs (240km)
Driving: 40Min (14.5km)
B,L
Transfer to airport. Overnight: None
El Alto 4,100m (13,450ft)
Driving: 30Min (11km)
None