Apolobamba National Park extends from the Andean highlands to the verdant tropical lowlands of the northern reaches of the department of La Paz. Originally created to protect the endangered cameloid the "vicuña" the park is home to dozens of traditional and colonist communities. Among them are three villages in the highland region that have joined together to receive guests in their communities along a three day trek, named "PachaTrek."
Visitors to this spectacular region will trek about four hours each day as they descend with local guides from the village of Qutapampa to the town of Charazani, the regional administrative capital. Each day you will be accompanied by locals and stay in comfortable lodges that they built as part of their initiative. You'll learn about the day to day lives of the locales, the traditional foods they prepare and the handicrafts and medicinal plants that are a living part of their culture.
What's Included
Lunch (3)
Dinner (2)
Breakfast (2)
Tips
Services not mentioned
Departure & Return
Departure Point
Plaza del Obelisco, Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz, La Paz, Bolivia
Traveler pickup is offered Pick up from Obelisco square
Departure Time
6:00 AM
Return Details
Returns to original departure point
What To Expect
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel from La Paz into the Cordillera and arrive the village of Qutapampa later begin the trek to Kaluyo for 4 hours
1 Stop
Cordillera Real
We hope to get an early start this morning, in order to make the most of the day and have time for some short stops as we travel overland to Apolobamba National Park. We pass through the city of El Alto and along the coast of Lake Titicaca as we head north and begin to climb up into the Cordillera. Our destination is the tiny village of Qutapampa, about 6 hours from La Paz (not including stops). The village is inhabited by llama and alpaca herders and is located at an altitude of 4,480 meters above sea level (14,698ft). Qutapampa is also a member of PachaTrek, a community-based tourism company and ours hosts-guides while visiting the protected area.
A local guide will be waiting for us at the first lodge, where we will enjoy a typical Andean lunch. From there we set off on the first leg of our journey, en route to the community of Kaluyo (4,056m / 13,307ft). Along the way, we will see beautiful landscapes and stop at Suraqucha lagoon, a sanctuary for Andean birds, surrounded by beautiful mountains and landscapes. After a 4-hour walk, we arrive in Kaluyo, a Quechua community and home of the Kallawayas, herbalist doctors who possess an enormous apothecary of medicinal plants that they manage in the landscape. The village has its own museum to share the cultural history of the doctors and after our visit, we will share a meal and have a special visit from a local shaman.
Overnight at a basic lodge with shared room and bathroom
Meals:
Lunch Dinner
Day 2
Trek from Kaluyo to Chacarapi where we will have for lunch and learn about medicinal plants, walk until Chari village
1 Stop
Cordillera Real
We hope to get an early start this morning, in order to make the most of the day and have time for some short stops as we travel overland to Apolobamba National Park. We pass through the city of El Alto and along the coast of Lake Titicaca as we head north and begin to climb up into the Cordillera. Our destination is the tiny village of Qutapampa, about 6 hours from La Paz (not including stops). The village is inhabited by llama and alpaca herders and is located at an altitude of 4,480 meters above sea level (14,698ft). Qutapampa is also a member of PachaTrek, a community-based tourism company and ours hosts-guides while visiting the protected area.
A local guide will be waiting for us at the first lodge, where we will enjoy a typical Andean lunch. From there we set off on the first leg of our journey, en route to the community of Kaluyo (4,056m / 13,307ft). Along the way, we will see beautiful landscapes and stop at Suraqucha lagoon, a sanctuary for Andean birds, surrounded by beautiful mountains and landscapes. After a 4-hour walk, we arrive in Kaluyo, a Quechua community and home of the Kallawayas, herbalist doctors who possess an enormous apothecary of medicinal plants that they manage in the landscape. The village has its own museum to share the cultural history of the doctors and after our visit, we will share a meal and have a special visit from a local shaman.
Overnight at a basic lodge with shared room and bathroom
Meals:
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 3
Trek from Chari to Charazani (optional a depp in the thermal waters) and return to La Paz
1 Stop
Cordillera Real
After breakfast at the community lodge in Chari we descend along a winding, mostly downhill road to the regional capital of Charazani (3,905m / 12,812ft). The landscape is dramatic as our altitude decreases, more and more agricultural plots and farming villages appear and the mountains extend ever upward to the sky. We reach “town” at about 11:00 am and after lunch in Charazani, our private transportation will take us back to La Paz (around 6 hours). Dusty and dirty trekkers are welcome to visit the town hot springs before departing.
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Cancellation policy
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.Learn more about cancellations.
From435.00 USD
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