GOLD INCA TRAIL

GOLD INCA TRAIL

The Spaniard’s colonization of the Collasuyo (Colla land) became more productive at the beginning of the XVI century when the Spaniards discovered huge gold and silver mining centers like: Potosi, the Chuquiapu river, and specially the northern region of La Paz (Tipuani), which was know locally because of its gold production.

Due to this fact, they decided to organize massive incursions into this area. During most of them, they were helped by local people who were familiar with the ancient paved Inca trails which penetrated even the most inaccessible places on their way from the high rocky massifs down to the wild and mysterious Amazonian jungle.

The gold Inca trail, wisely used by the Spaniards, provided an important entrance to the jungle and guided them to the hidden gold of the Tipuani river.
Nowadays, this trail, the site of innumerable events which occurred in Inca and colonial times, still exists and still shows us a fascinating landscape, stairs and tunnels carved into the rocky mountain and bridges hanging over huge torrents.
The gold mines and rivers are almost empty, but are still worked by small groups of miners. They still hope to become rich soon and hope the their god the “TIO”(uncle) will help them. According to legend, the “TIO” is a god, owner of the riches of the underground, who emerges from the depths to offer some his of wealth to this most dedicated sons.
But as a matter of fact, in most cases, miners live subdued life based on a survival economy.

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