THE LAND OF THE KALLAWAYAS, 2 Days
 Code: 4WKALLAW

Its pristine and extraordinary landscape, but - main of all - the mystic around the Kallawayas Andean shamans, makes a drive through Apolobamba mountain range an unforgettable experience.
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: 2 nights in hostels (no camping).
 

Paying a visit to a Kallawaya village (J.Thellaeche)Apolobamba mountain range is located in the northern extreme of the Bolivian highlands, to the north of Lake Titicaca, and makes border with Peru. Composed by awesome massifs, endless plains and deep microclimatic valleys, this region is an exhilarating landscape.

One of the most pristine and remote regions in Bolivia still to be explored, Apolobamba is 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 gold 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.

In the past years, Apolobamba National Park, Ulla Ulla Vicuña Reserve and Madidi National Park have been engulfed into one huge protected area which covers all of the ecological steps in the Andes and the Amazon: from the high glaciated mountains down into the very Amazon rain forest.

These lands have hosted several cultures through the centuries. Some like the best-known Kallawayas, the itinerant Shaman healers of the Andes, still survive in the lower mountain valleys. Traveling to this area is like traveling to the past ... where time and space have different measures.

In this program we drive from La Paz towards to the mountains of Apolobamba contouring the northern shores of Lake Titicaca. First we visit the area between the towns of Charazani and Curva; the capital of the Kallawayas in the southern extreme of the mountain range. On the second day we continue driving towards the northern end of Apolobamba where we will visit the Ulla Ulla plains and the town of Pelechuco.

Itinerary:

D1. Transport to Charazani. Basic hostel.
D2. Transport to Curva and Pelechuco. Basic hostel.
D3. Transport to La Paz.

 Highlights:
  • Full tour to the main attractions in Apolobamba range, including: Ulla ulla plains, Curva & Charazani Kallawaya capital and pristine mountains of Apolobamba range.
  • Cultural travel through time visiting the land of the famous Andean witch doctors; the Kallawayas.
  • Extraordinary varied landscape including: snow-caped mountains, high-altitude deserts, Mediterranean-climate valleys, hot springs and much more.

Day 1. Transport to Charazani. Basic hostel.
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Charazani 3,200m (10,496f)
Timing
Driving: 7-8 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
L,D
We normally think that driving almost all day long can be really boring, but driving to Pelechuco does not feel that long. The road follows the eastern shores of Lake Titicaca and afterwards gets into the rolling hills of Muñecas mountain range. After enjoin the great views of Apolobamba mountain range from the road pass, we will drop down to Charazani; the Kallawayas capital. There we will stay in a basic hostel close to a pool with hot springs were we can take a relaxing bath.
Day 2. Transport to Curva and Pelechuco. Basic hostel.
Elevations
Katantica pass 4,860m (15,940f)
Pelechuco 3,600m (11,808f)
Timing
Driving: 6-7 Hrs
Walking: 2-3 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
After breaking campsite we will board our vehicle that will take us first to Curva. After a short visit of the town we will drive to Canisaya village in the midst of vegetable and medicinal plant plantations. The road towards highlands traverses steep valleys with the best views of the mountains of Apolobamba; Akamani, the holiest mountain of the Kallawayas projecting from the rest. At Ulla Ulla plains we will visit the park rangers who may explain us their job patrolling and caring the Vicuñas. It may worth to pay a short visit to the hot springs near Kota Pampa village. After traversing Katantica pass; the highest road pass of the trip, we will descend towards Pelechuco following a zigzagging road. Just before arriving to the town, we will leave the car and walk the last section in order to visit to the ruins of an old Inca settlement. This place was probably a Inca agricultural center with flat-stone-tombs, houses, and a complex system of terraced ledges. The housing area of these settlements was always located mid-distance between the lower crops (usually sweet potato and barley) and the higher crops at colder or windier places (usually potato and maybe Quinua: the Andean grain). Pelechuco town experienced an economic boom in the time of the Spanish occupation, and its streets and houses remind us of the old castle hamlets in Spain. These days no Spanish remain, only an indigenous population, which has adopted Spanish names. As we drive by the main street, we feel time transported into the middle ages. The hotel has nothing to do with last night’s four-star but is as charming as the town.
Day 3. Transport to La Paz.
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
Driving: 8-9 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L
After breakfast, we will return to La Paz. The road will lead us again to the Ulla Ulla plains, then to the highlands and Lake Titicaca shores.

ALTITUDE CHART

SERVICES

Included

Not included

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.

If you would like us to make additional hotel reservations besides the accommodation that is included in your trip, please get into our Reservations page