Bolivia

This trek will take us through the landscape of Apolobamba, a wild and remote mountain range in North West Bolivia. We will also pass through part of the Madidi National Park, it’s tropical and sub tropical forests recognized as one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. Along the way we pass through the old towns of Curva, home to the Kallawaya or witch doctors of Bolivia whose ancient knowledge of herbal and spiritual healing is still widely used throughout the country.

This trek and rafting will takes as through the heart of the Madidi national Park, following old Inca trails. The first part of our trip will start with a drive through the Altiplano before we cross the Apolobamba mountain range to drop down to the village of Pelechuco. We then head down through thick cloud forest to the Rio Tuichi. In the second part we raft through dry forest and rain forest. On this trip we have de chance to see wildlife e.g. monkeys, Jaguars, bears etc.

The Trans Cordillera is one of the more popular treks in the Cordillera Real in which you walk almost from one end to the other of this vast mountain range, crossing several passes and allowing you spectacular views of the Cordillera. Beautiful valleys, stunning glacial lakes and abundant wildlife make it a treat for the sense and on a cultural level we have the opportunity to meet remote indigenous communities largely untouched by modern society.

We begin this epic journey by driving out across the wild and barren Altiplano to First Sajama National Park. This remote park overlooked by the awesome Sajama peak sits in a resounding silence broken only by the wind in the Quenwa trees and the occasional llama grazing. We take it all in lying back in the natural hot springs. After our night in Sajama village we head south along the border of Chile and Bolivia.

The beginning of this trip takes us thought the Salar de Uyuni (Salta Plain) where we get to see a vast landscape like no other on earth. Instead of taking the normal road back to La Paz we travel via Sajama National Park where we experience another wilderness from the comfort of natural hot springs. Later we visit the mythical Lago Titicaca, the birthplace of the Inca civilization and where early inhabitants believed the sun was born.

This epic jungle trip takes us from the goldmining town of Apolo down into the Madidi National Park, one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. Here with the help of locals we construct a sturdy raft and set off down the Rio Tuichi where we spend ten days floating through the Bolivian Amazon. The Rio Tuichi is the most exciting river in Bolivia as there are no other white water rivers this size and in such a remotelocation in the country.

Illimani is both the highest and the southern most peak in the Cordillera Real. Visible from most of La Paz, Illimani is an imposing sight and perhaps the most important landmark in the city. According to local legend it is the Queen or Mother of the mountain range. Illimani has five peaks in total; three of them over 6,000m. It is a fairly demanding climb and is a true classic. It’s well worth the effort for the views of La Paz and the Cordillera Real, and for the chance to summit Bolivia’s second highest peak.

Illampu (6368m) is the northern most mountain in the Cordillera Real, and according to indigenous folklore is considered the King of the mountains. Despite being 6356m, which is 200m shorter than Sajama (6549m) the tallest peak in Bolivia, Illampu is one of the hardest climbs - both physically and technically - both in the Sorata massif and in Bolivia.