Trekking Bolivia's Cordillera Real

Arrive in La Paz

Meet your MT Sobek representative at El Alto airport and transfer to your hotel. Later, take a walking tour that starts with a short visit to the cemetery and continues on to several local markets. The tour concludes at San Pedro Square, where the well-known San Pedro prison is located. Afterwards, take an unforgettable ride on the Teleférico cable car for an eagle-eye view of the city.

Hike to Cañón de Palca

Transfer to Valle de Las Ánimas, or "Valley of the Spirits," and begin a 3-hour hike among the eerily eroded canyons and fantastic organ-pipe spires to the Cañón de Palca. The scenery resembles that of Valley of the Moon, but on a larger scale. Lush oases spring up among the dramatic rock formations, adding to this unique landscape.

Visit Ruins & Sacred Lake Titicaca

Witness the highlands and the Aymaran way of life during your drive from La Paz to Tiwanaku, Bolivia's most important archaeological site and the heart of a pre-Inca empire. Visit the fascinating ruins there, including Kalasasaya Temple, Ponce and Fraile monoliths, and Akapana pyramid. Continue driving to Copacabana, a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Visit the church — a Catholic pilgrimage site — and the famous Virgen Morena. Afterwards, boat to the Island of the Sun and see the ruins of Pilkokaina, an Inca temple. Finally, hike to La Estancia with a wonderful view of Lake Titicaca.

Explore the Sun & Moon Islands

Hike to the village of Yumani and catch a boat to the Island of the Moon — believed to be where the deity Viracocha commanded the rising of the moon — and visit the ruins of Iñak Uyu. Continue by boat to Sun Island, the largest of Lake Titcaca's islands. The Incas believed the sun god was born here, and modern life still eludes the island. The rocky hills have eucalyptus trees, but no cars or paved roads. Most of the more than eighty ruins are from the 15th century AD. Roam La Chinkana ruins and take a short hike to Challapampa, then travel by boat to Challa. After visiting a cultural museum, hike uphill to our unique ecolodge. Spend the afternoon enjoying the peace and beauty of this mystical place.

Journey Across the Altiplano

Hike to the village of Yumani. From here, take a boat ride to Copacabana and then drive for 6 hours across the expansive high altiplano with views of snowcapped mountains, eventually culminating in the spectacular Illampu-Ancohuma massif (the northernmost section of the Cordillera Real), which looms above Sorata. Explore Sorata's steep stairways and quaint cobblestone streets, all in the shadow of Illampu (20,892').

Hike to Lakatia

After a hearty breakfast, begin a 5-hour trek toward the village of Lakatia (12,960'). The views here are exceptional, and many travelers find them similar to the Himalayas. Cross the Rio Lakatia and continue zigzagging uphill to Lakatia, where you will camp under the stars in an open meadow.

Hike to Aguas Calientes

Leaving the lowland vegetation behind, hike steadily uphill and enter the typical environs of the Andean cordilleras. Cross the high pass of Huila Khota (16,030') and descend to camp at 15,100', the base camp for Illampu ascents.

Hike to Cocoyo

Enjoy diverse scenic views of the Andes. After about two hours of hiking in the surroundings of Illampu, continue on to Cocoyo Pass (15,720'), then descend to a beautiful plain above the village near a stream confluence.

Hike to Chajolpaya

Cross Paso Sarani (15,580') while enjoying amazing views of the Cordillera Real. Descend in the direction of the valley that divides the hills of the Calzada and Umma, Jalanta, and Kasiri peaks. Camp on an isolated plateau (13,214') in the middle of this splendid valley.

Hike to Laguna Chaca

Traverse the eastern massif, moving up and across Paso La Calzada (16,552') along the Calzada Road. When you reach the southeast side of the Cordillera, take in a spectacular view of most of the altiplano and Lake Titicaca on the opposite side. We'll camp close to Laguna Cacha (15,214'), our destination for the evening.

Hike to Laguna San Francisco

Enjoy breathtaking lake and mountain views as we cross another challenging 16,000-foot pass and set up camp above Laguna San Francisco, a beautiful lake near Rinconada and Condor Jahuira. After today's tough hike, Laguna San Francisco is the perfect spot to rest our tired feet.

Hike to Alto Lohena

Trek northwest toward Laguna San Francisco, cross your last pass at 15,600', and continue in the foothills of the mountain called Jankohuma. Descend to the head of the Millipaya Valley, enjoying a colorful view of the terraces, the altiplano, and Lake Titicaca. Arrive at your campsite located just above Alto Lohena (12,770'), close to Millipaya village.

Transfer to La Paz

Take a 4-hour drive to La Paz, where a festive and well-deserved farewell dinner awaits at a local restaurant.

Depart from La Paz

Transfer to La Paz airport and depart on homeward-bound flights.