APOLOBAMBA TREK
Photo author: Rojk
The Apolobamba trek,
deep inside the heart of Bolivia, is the ultimate journey to the
ends of the Earth.
The Apolobamba mountain range in the Northeast of La Paz, is one of the most beautiful regions in Bolivia. In this mountains birth to many rivers that rush down to become the arteries of the Amazon. The Apolobamba Range at their various altitudes present an incredible scenery, flora and fauna.
The most important mountain peaks of the Cordillera Apolobamba are the Chaupi Orco (6.044 m), Cololo (5.915 m), Palomani Grande (5.730m), Cuchillo (5.655m), Ascarani (5.580 m) and Akamani (5.400m), Nubi (5.710m), Canisaya (5.706m), Montserrat Norte (5.655m), Katantica Central (5.630m).
The place has a diverse Andean fauna that is seldom seen in other places. The park have a several thousand alpacas, llamas and vicuñas, and also the largest population of condors in Bolivia. Cougars and spectacled bears continue to roam the more isolated regions.
The Apolobamba region is the land 
of the Kallawaya, an ethnic group that became highly acclaimed because of its many itinerant medical doctors, who were famous in the Kollasuyu region since before the Spanish conquest.
In the Andean region, both magic and natural medicines are considered to be necessary in order to cure psychological and physical illnesses. For people of this region, illnesses are always psychosomatic. Therefore, large communities such as Curva (the starting point for our trek) remain regions that specialize in Andean traditional medicine, which uses many different natural substances, including plants, water and minerals, but the sun and spirits as well.
While crossing this magical land, we arrive al Pelechuco, an old colonial village
TREKKING APOLOBAMBA RANGE
Dificult: 
─ Duration: 
days 
nights
ITINERARY
Day 1: La Paz (3600m) – Charazani (3200m)
Leaving La Paz for the majestic altiplano where we pass the Cordillera Real and Lake Titicaca. The drive passes lots of little adobe towns on route where we see farmers cultivating potatoes and herding llamas. A stop for lunch in Escoma before heading to Charazani. Just before we drop down to the village of Charazani we get our first views of the cordillera Apolobamba in the distance. Later in the evening we can take a dip in the hot springs near Charazani. 6 hours driving (LD) Hostel.
Day 2: Charazani – Curva (3900m) – Jatunpampa (4200m)
This is one of the best mountain treks in Bolivia. We drive to the town of Curva were we can see the mountain of Acamani. From Curva we start our trek, first climbing up to a pass through walled fields. Later we cross our second pass and from there it is all downhill for the rest of the day down to the plateau called Jatunpampa. 5 – 7 hours (BLD) camping
Day 3: Jatunpampa – Incachani (4100m)
On leaving Jatunpampa we may need to take a longer route following the mule path down to the bottom of the valley which gives fantastic views of the peak Acamani. Later we head downhill to reach a camping spot near a waterfall, a place called Incachani. 5 – 6 hours (BLD) camping.
Day 4: Incachani – Sunchuli (4200m)
Our route takes us up and down with consistently amazing views of the cordillera. We follow the path down and pass a small lake before arriving at a second larger lake where it is possible to camp. 6 – 7 hours (BLD) camping.
Day 5: Sunchuli – Hilo Hilo (3820m)
At camp we will have plenty of time to examine the ascent that faces us first thing in the morning. From the lake, we climb up another ridge before descending to a small mining settlement called Visacachani where the dirt road to Hilo Hilo starts. 6 – 7 hours (BLD) camping.
Day 6: Illo Illo – Pelechuco (3600m)
Later in the day we will be able to see the Cordillera Real stretching away to the south and north. Here the mountains surround us and we can see up the dramatic Sunchuli valley to the north and west. We continue up the valley in order to reach a bridge to cross the river. From here it is downhill all the way via a lake and then along some pre – Hispanic stone cut paths, finally arriving in Pelechuco. 4 – 5 hours (BLD) Hostal
Day 7: Pelechuco – La Paz (3600m)
Leave early morning back to La Paz. We have great scenery to see along the way, a quick Stop at the Ulla Ulla national park and Lake Titicaca. 8 – 10 hours driving (BL)
INCLUDE:
- Private shuttles 🚍
- Meals
- Local Guide(s) 🕺(French-speaking guide available upon request)
- All Entry fees
- Cooks and porters (mules)
- Tent🏕
- Kitchen equipment, and dinning tent (with seats)
- oxygen tanks
- first-aid kits and several tools
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Sleeping back. You can rent one on site.
