Apolobamba

Tour Overview

Bolivian Journeys. Our trek in the Apolobamba will start in the village of Curva at 3,900m and finish in the very remote village of Pelechuco at 3,600m. On the way we cross several high passes and the scenery all along the way is superb. The Apolobamba trail is the most spectacular trek in the Bolivian Andes. You will walk through abandoned Inca and Spaniard mines and near beautiful mountains, many of which have not been climbed yet. The trek is still used by Kallawayas, these were nomad healers who had traveled traditionally with their small bag of mysterious herbs over their shoulders, it is also known that back in the 19th century some of them had even reached Paris and Rome. Nowadays the Kallawayas are the most prestigious native healers and we can still, see them traveling from town to town. The Cordillera APOLOBAMBA is difficult to reach and that is its principle attraction. The trekking takes place between 4,000 and 5,000 meters altitude along the East Side of the Cordillera; we constantly find to our left a series of eternal glaciers, and on the other side deep valleys, which plunge towards the amazon. Our camps are situated in these depressions beside idyllic little streams, and while it is true that certain climbs towards the high passes (between 4,800 and 5100 meters) demand the most of you, the quality of this scenery and its peculiar widely nature compensates all efforts.

    Highlights

  • Fantastic trek through unexplored, unmapped and largely uninhabited countryside.
  • Less known and less accessible than the Cordillera Real.
  • One pass at 5,100 m (16,728 ft).
  • The beauty of the mountain scenery equals or even exceeds that of the Cordillera Real.
  • Interesting glimpses of Indian life and wildlife.
  • The place for truly adventurous hikers.
  • NOTE: from Pelechuco you can join us for "The Apolo Trail", a newly opened Inca trail in the Madidi National Park.

    • Suitable for:

  • Average fitness.
  • Acclimatized and determined people.
  • Beginners to experienced climbers.

    Land costs include:

  • Transportation. Bolivian Journeys has a private driver to provide in country transport, thus ensuring our safety and facilitating an independent schedule that does not depend on public transportation.
  • Food. We eat high quality meals using fresh local ingredients.
  • All group climbing gear.
  • Mules.
  • Professional mountain guide.

    • Land costs do not include:

  • Meals except while climbing.
  • Park fee .
  • Gratuities to guides and staff.
  • Insurance.
  • Rescue or medical expenses that may occur during the trip.

  • Day 1

    Drive to Curva and short walk to camp. In the way you will see breathtaking views of the Cordillera Real and the south part of the Apolobamba Range. We will set camp near a lagoon full of ducks and wallatas (Andean goose).

  • Day 2

    After 3 hours you will arrive to Jatumpampa at 4200m/13800ft, later go through a 4700m/15400ft mountain pass and 2 hours later camp at Incachani next to a waterfall. Incachani is a sacred place where offerings are made to the Akamani Mountain.

  • Day 3

    Today you go up a scree gully that is called locally "mil curvas", (thousand curves) after a hard ascent to the 4800m/15744ft pass you will be prized with the views of the Cordillera Real. Later and after a 4900m/16072ft pass you will see the Sunchulli valley and set camp next to an abandoned Inca gold mine that was later taken by the Spaniard.

  • Day 4

    After breakfast you will head to the highest pass of the journey, the Sunchuli pass at 5100m/16728ft, where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Sunchulli, Cuchillo and Cololo mountains. Later in the day along sections of Inca road to the village of Illo Illo at 3840m/12600ft.

  • Day 5

    Climb up to the last pass of the trail at 4900m/16072ft next to the Cololo mountain (5915m/19401ft). In the afternoon arrive to Pelechuco at 3600m/11808ft, the hometown of Karl Franck, the lord of rubber and gold of the region north of La Paz in the early 1900. Overnight at a basic Hotel.

  • Day 6

    Free day in Pelechuco to explore the area on your own.

  • Day 7

    Return travel to La Paz. Along the way you will see wild vicuñas, alpacas and wallatas in the Ulla Ulla National Park.

    Tops

  • 2 lightweight, long sleeve polypropylene shirts
  • 1 medium weight fleece shirt or wool sweater
  • 1 fleece jacket
  • 1 expedition down parka with hood
  • 1 outer shell jacket with hood

    • Bottoms

  • 1 pair long underwear bottoms
  • 1 pair wind pants
  • 1 pair synthetic trekking or around camp pants

    • Footwear

  • 1 pairs wool socks
  • 1 pair light weight trekking

    • Boots

  • 1 pair trekking boots
  • 1 pair sandals for hanging around in camp

    • Hand wear

  • 1 pair fleece mittens
  • 1 pair overmitts

    • Head gear

  • 1 wool hat
  • 1 pair glacier glasses
  • 1 sunhat

    • Sleeping gear

  • 1 down or synthetic sleeping bag (rated to 15 F) *
  • 1 full length closed cell foam pad

    • Pack

  • 1 daypack for approach hike and possible use on summit day and carry-on bag
  • 1 large (7,500+ cu.in.) duffle bag for gear, include small padlock

    • Misc

  • 1 first-aid kit
  • 1 headlamp, include extra batteries *
  • 1 one quart water bottle
  • Lip balm (spf 30) and sun screen (spf 40)
  • Pocket knife
  • Adjustable ski poles (highly recommended)*

( * ) Items can be rented from Bolivian Journeys

Contact Us

Tour details:

Days: 7 days

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Cordillera Real