| Day
1. Arrival in La Paz. Transfer to Hotel. |
Elevations
El Alto: 4,100m (13,450f)
La Paz: 3,650m (11,972ft)
Timing
Driving: 30 min
Meals
None |
Arriving in La Paz, what
impresses the most is the crisp clear sky of the highlands. 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 airport is located
in the city of “El Alto” the highest international airport
in the world from here you will be transferred to your hotel descending
approximately 30 Min. into La Paz city canyon. Do not stress much about
the altitude, our program has been designed to get you gradually acclimatized.
At the beginning we strongly sug
gest 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
and a welcome dinner.
|
| Day
2. Visit of Tiwanaco. Transport to Patapatani. Camp. |
Elevations
El Alto 4,100m (13,450f)
Lake Titicaca 3,810m (12,497f)
Timing
Driving: 4-5 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Traveling through this
land you will understand how important the shores of Lake Titicaca have
been in the origin of the Andean cultures. Surrounded by desert like hills
and snow caped mountains, lake Titicaca offered, and still offers, rich
lands and a mild climate. Tiwanaco used to be a port, an important ceremonial
center and a huge urban establishment. After an illustrative tour through
the ruins and museums, we will drive back to La Paz (El Alto) and from there
to the southern shores of the lake. On the way to our campsite, we will
be culturally transferred to the past as we go by Aymara villages where
Indians have been keeping their lifestyle for centuries. Our campsite will
be located on a beautiful beach on the shores of Patapatani peninsula, with
a great view of the peaks of “Cordillera Real”. |
| Day
3. Trek to Kala-Uta ruins. Boat to Pariti Island & Qwaya. Transp.to
Puerto Pérez. Hotel |
Elevations
Lake Titicaca 3,810m (12,497f)
Timing
Walking: 2-3 Hrs
Motor boat: 1 Hr
Driving: 1 Hr
Meals
B,L,D |
Today we will start
trekking in the Bolivian Highlands. We will visit a small floating island
and the archeological sites of Khala Uta (house of stones). Later we will
take a motor boat. First, we will navigate along the peninsula’s shores
where reeds form a natural labyrinth that hosts many Andean bird species.
In the afternoon we will visit Pariti and its amazing pottery museum. Later
we will catch the afternoon side-winds to navigate offshore towards Puerto
Perez located at the southeastern shores of the lake. The mountains will
“grow” in front of us and will dominate the landscape. As the
glaciers of the mountains get “tanned” by the late afternoon
light, we will get to our hotel and enjoy the sunset overlooking the Cordillera
Real. |
| Day
4. Transport to Pelechuco. Basic hostel. |
Elevations
Pelechuco pass 4,860m (15,946f)
Pelechuco 3,600m (11,800f)
Timing
Driving: 8-10 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Normally driving all
day long could be really boring and tiring, but not towards Apolobamba.
The road follows the eastern shores of Lake Titicaca and afterwards gets
into the rolling hills of Muñecas mountain range. As the rocks change
colors and the lakes shown their colored waters, the car runs into the Ulla
Ulla plateau, the largest Vicuña reserve in Bolivia. Thousands of
wild animals run in front of glaciated peaks and colorful lakes. Finally
the road passes in between the glaciated mountains and descends to Pelechuco
town. This settlement 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
5. Trek to Hilo Hilo river. Camp. |
Elevations
Keasani pass 4,900m (16,072f)
Hilo Hilo river 4,320m (14,169f)
Timing
Walking: 6-7 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
While our muleteers
load up the horses and mules, we start the ascent towards Keasani pass following
a on and off a trail built by pre-Inca cultures several hundreds of years
ago (unfortunately miners have start building a new road over the ancient
trail). After exiting the town through narrow passages connecting local’s
backyards, our route climbs slowly along a mountain valley. Very soon the
mountains that surround Pelechuco will be below us and we will have our
first views to the sea of clouds in the bottom of the valleys heading to
the Amazon. Close to the mountain pass, we will have lunch near a small
lagoon. The last ascend to the pass will be breathtaking since it will be
the first time you will be at this altitude, fat consolation, next one will
fell less tough!. There is always a cairn called “Apacheta”;
ceremonial offerings to the mountain gods; the “Achachilas”.
The tradition says that as bigger the stone you carry from the bottom of
the valley to put on top of the pile, as larger the favor you can ask to
the gods. Our knees will feel the short but steep descent to the bottom
of a very narrow valley surrounded by steep slopes and with a crystal clear
stream. There we will set our first campsite at the bottom of the valley
near the village of Palca. There are many “Palcas” in Bolivia,
the word, in Aymara language means “Y” shape (the confluence
of two rivers or valleys). |
| Day
6. Trek to Sunchulli pass. Camp. |
Elevations
Puyu River 3,750m (12,300f)
Campsite 4,900m (15,729f)
Timing
Walking: 6-7 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
After breaking campsite
we will traverse a mountain slope with great views of rural landscapes towards
the mining town of Hilo Hilo, then descend to Puyu river and start the way
uphill to “Piedra Grande” (big stone) village; an agricultural
settlement with its potato crops all over the valley and mountain slopes.
After lunch we will continue ascending, first zigzagging at the side of
a beautiful waterfall and then traversing a beautiful mountain valley. Our
campsite will be located just at the foot of the northwest slopes of Cuchillo
mountain, where surrounded by soaring mountains, pastures for llamas and
alpacas we will enjoy our “tea time”. |
| Day
7. Mountaineering techniques Practice. Camp |
Elevations
Glacier 5,300m (17,384f)
Campsite 4,900m (15,729f)
Timing
Climb: 6-7 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
In order to start our
acclimatization process and to standardize the climbing techniques to be
used during our expedition, today we will practice on a glacier of the lower
slopes of Cuchillo mountain. Some subject to be review are: rope handle
and knots, crampon and ice axe techniques, and – if there is some
time left -, some crevasse rescue techniques. At the end of the afternoon
we will get back to our camp. |
| Day
8. Climb of Cuchillo. Camp. |
Elevations
Cuchillo 5,655m (18,548f)
Campsite 4,900m (15,729f)
Timing
Climb: 7-8 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Depending of the group
technical level, our guide will decide to either attempt the “normal”
route by the eastern ridge or a more demanding line on the west face. Later
we drop down to the same campsite. |
| Day
9. Trek to Incacancha. Camp. |
Elevations
Sunchulli pass 5,100m (16,728f)
Inca cancha 4,100m (13,448f)
Timing
Climb: 7-8 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Today we have a very
long and extended trekking day. First we have to cross the Sunchulli pass
(the highest of the trip), down to the next valley and cross swampy plains
with lots of Llamas and Alpacas grassing. There we will spot the gold mine
of Sunchulli in operation since ancient times. A legend tells that when
the Spanish arrived and took over the mines, the Incas to cursed them. Year
later and earthquake loosened masses of ice of the surrounding glaciers
and the ensuing avalanche of ice, mud and rocks completely destroyed the
Spanish settlement. Today small mining cooperatives still work in the same
mines in the search of the entrance to the famous Inca mine. At the end
of the day, and after crossing two more mountain passes, we will abruptly
descend through a narrow steep gorge to the bottom of the valley. There
we will camp in a place called Inca Cancha. |
| Day
10. Rest day. Camp. |
Elevations
Sunchulli pass 5,100m (16,728f)
Inca cancha 4,100m (13,448f)
Timing
None
Meals
B,L,D |
A well-deserved rest
day will allow regaining our strength and getting ready for the following
days. Those who do not want to stay at the campsite to just play cards,
or just relax and read, can hike the surroundings. |
| Day
11. Trek to Akamani high camp. Camp. |
Elevations
Akamani pass 4,700m (15,416f)
Akamani high camp 4,900m (16,072f)
Timing
Walking: 7-8 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
We have a long day to
trek to Akamani high camp. First thing in the morning we have to climb the
other side of the valley towards a mountain pass; it will be the last pass
of the trek if that helps you as a consolation. After a long climb to the
pass we will descend some distance to a second sort of pass from where we
will spot for the first time our destination in the valley of Curva. From
this point we start traversing the southwestern slopes of Akamani, first
on a well-marked trail and later over a miner’s path on steep scree
and boulders smoothed by glaciers. Our campsite will be located just below
the snow line. |
| Day
12. Climb of Akamani. Camp. |
Elevations
Akamani 5,700m (18,696f)
Akamani high camp 4,900m (16,072f)
Timing
Walking: 8-9 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
We have to make an early
alpine start if we want to get back to the high camp today, hopefully descend
all the way to Canisaya. After a light breakfast we will get ready to start
our hike traversing glaciers, across crevices and steep, frozen slopes to
arrive at the foot of the final pyramid that leads to the last ridge to
the summit. There we do not expect many technical complications but this
will depend on the ice and snow conditions. |
| Day
13. Trek to Canisaya. Transport to Curva. Basic hostel. |
Elevations
Curva 3,600m (11,808f)
Timing
Walking: 2-3 Hrs
Driving: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
First thing in the morning
we trek – mostly downhill - towards Canisaya where our vehicle will
be waiting to take us to Curva and passing through very charming shepherds
villages. Early in the afternoon we will arrive to Lagunillas where –
if we are lucky to find the key keeper -, will stay in a hut, otherwise
we will camp near a nice lagoon. A short hike to Curva to explore the town
and meet its people is a must. |
| Day
14. Transport to La Paz. Hotel. |
Elevations
Road Paz 4,800m (15,744f)
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
Driving: 8-9 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
No more walking, our
vehicle will take us back to La Paz. On the way back we will make a short
visit to Charazani; the Callawaya’s capital. The road will lead us
to the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca shores on the way towards La Paz city.
Farewell dinner. |
| Day
15. Free Day. Hotel. |
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
None
Meals
B,D |
Free day in La Paz to
rest or enjoy shopping in La Paz markets. At early evening we will have
a farewell dinner and celebrate all together. |
| Day
16. Departure. Transfer to Airport. |
Elevations
El Alto 4,100m (13,450f)
Timing
None
Meals
B |
Transfer to airport. |
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The
word Apolobamba (originally spelled Apullupampa) comes from the words
Apu=Gods in the Indian religion and Pampa=flat land, literally meaning
the flat lands where the mountain gods live.