ANDES & CLOUD FOREST CIRCUIT, 5 Days
 Code: 4WANDYUN

A challenging 4WD driving connecting Quimsa Cruz range, Cordillera Real and Yungas cloud forest.

Dates: Upon request
Price: Upon request More information about prices (land services only)
Single Room Supplement: N/A More information about prices
Difficulty: Moderated More information about Difficulty grading
Accommodation: 1 nights in hotels, 3 nights camping.
 

Agricultural communities at the cloud forest (J.Thellaeche)Quimsa Cruz mountain range lies at the eastern side of the Bolivia highlands; southern than Cordillera Real. This very little known mountain range is one of the most pristine and remote regions still to be explored providing a microcosm of the Andes mountains; summits cloaked in perpetual snows, long sweeping glaciers, enormous granite peaks, multi colored lakes, mountain valleys boasting deep gorges and high altitude woodlands, old tin mines, an immense variety of birds and plants and the mystical atmosphere of the Andes, all of which combines to make this region practically unforgettable.

The upper part of the eastern slopes of Quimsa Cruz mountain range has a microclimate known as the Cloud Forest (called “Yungas” in Bolivia) that remains cloudy almost 300 days of the year. This land-belt works as a shield where most of the humid currents that rise from the Amazonian jungle are trapped thanks to a thermal inversion zone. The rising humidity is condensed and a cold mist covers the steep mountains, eventually this humidity turns into clouds and later to snow that covers the top of the mountains. The whole area has developed a particular ecosystem of cold humid subtropical forests that house an abundance of exuberant vegetation and animals. We could say that forest and snow-caped peaks are almost touching each other. All the glaciers facing to the east, supply – through hundreds of small streams – water to the tributaries of the Amazon river that after about 8,000km (4,968mi) reach the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

In this program we drive from the highlands at the western side of the Andes, through mountain valleys and high passes in Quimsa Cruz mountain range, and down to the eastern slopes of the Yungas. We combine the driving with short excursions in some of the most interesting places along of the route. We pass through innumerable ecosystems, which, little by little, separate the glaciers from the virgin rainforest.

Itinerary:

D1. Transp.to Atoroma mine. Camp.
D2. Transp.to Pinaya. Camp.
D3. Transp.to Tres Rios. Camp.
D4. Transp.to Chulumani. Hotel
D5. Transp.to La Paz.

 Highlights:
  • 4WD journey from the mountains of Quimsa Cruz mountain range and Illimani massif down to the Yungas and to the Amazon basin.
  • Visit of the main area of production of coca-leaves in the Yungas.

Day 1. Transport to Atoroma mine. Camp.
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Atoroma 4,900 (16,072f)
Timing
Driving: 6-7 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 hrs
Meals
L,D
Firstly we drive south into the central pampas of the Altiplano. En route we stop to visit the church of Calamarca with its colonial paintings of the “Warrior Angels”, later we will stop at the archeological funerary remains of the Chullpa culture. The traverse takes us far into the heart of the Quimsa Cruz mountain range. Our first camp will be set up in the Atoroma valley very close to the glaciers and mountains.
Day 2. Transport to Pinaya. Camp.
Elevations
La Paz River 1,200m (3,936f)
Pinaya 3,945m (12,939f)
Timing
Driving: 8-9 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
After traversing Quimsa Cruz mountain range from south to north by the western slope, we descend to the canyon of the La Paz river. The depression formed between the Quimsa Cruz cordillera and the colossal Illimani has a depth of more that 5,000m (16,400ft) from the snowy summits to the riverbed. Once we reach the lowest point and we cross the river over La Paz river, we ascend the slopes of Illimani to the Village of Pinaya where we will visit an Aymara family. Here we camp the night.

 
Day 3. Transport to Tres Rios. Camp.
Elevations
Pacuani pass 4,524m (14,838f)
Tres Rios 3,815m (12,513f)
Timing
Driving: 5-6 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
Early in the morning we take a short walk to the valley above Pinaya town and approach to the glaciers of Illimani. After a 3 Hrs walk we return to the vehicle which will drive us over a high pass between Illimani and Mururata mountains. From this point we will pass to the eastern side of Cordillera real with great views of the mountains and the cloud forest, we will make our camp way below over the slope of a mountainous valley east of Illimani.
Day 4. Transport to Chulumani. Hotel
Elevations
Chunga Mayo river 1,280m (4,198f)
Chulumani 2,000m (6,560f)
Timing
Driving: 7-8 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
Today we begin the descent to the rainforest and Amazonian jungle. Along the way we visit the archeological ruins of “Pasto Grande”. The terracing and constructions resemble those of Machu Pichu but the site has much more surprising aspect with the enormous mountains, the lofty cliffs of the canyon and the zigzagging river. We continue to the dry valleys of “La Plazuela” and climb up into an area of fruit plantations towards Irupana first and Chulumani later. There we will spend the night in the best hotel of the town.
Day 5. Transport to La Paz.
Elevations
Road pass 4,800m (15,744f)
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
Driving: 4-5 Hrs
Walking 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L
Today we cross the area of coca leaf plantations and visit villages inhabited by descendants of Africans brought here in slavery by the Spanish conquerors. The afro Bolivians constitutes an interesting ethnic culture, the result of a combination of three cultures: African, Aymara and Spanish. Later we will get back to the Andes. A mountain pass will lead us back into La Paz.

ALTITUDE CHART

SERVICES

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MORE INFORMATION

Please get into our “Resources” page in our website, there you will find plenty of information about pre-departure, National Parks, suggested reading, useful links and much more.

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