Trek Apolobamba (Pelechuco - Charazani)
(6 days)
The Apolobamba mountain range is a path that is little-traveled despite its natural beauty, which combines a high plateau, valleys, and snowy mountains. It is a mystical region where world-renowned native healers known as Kallawayas live. It is a magical place of perpetual snow mountains and few native inhabitants.
Itinerary:
Day 1.- LA PAZ – PELECHUCO.
Departure from La Paz early in the morning towards the town of Pelechuco (3,300m). The trip takes us beyond the less-visited side of Lake Titicaca, near the border with Peru. It is a long journey of approximately 12 hours by vehicle. We will stay overnight in local accommodation in Pelechuco.
Day 2.- PELECHUCO – PALCA.
After breakfast, we leave Pelechuco (3,900 m) to the Keansani Pass (4,739 m). Then, we descend to the banks of the Keansani River and arrive at the community of Palca, where we will camp. Palca is a small community that mainly survives from the cultivation of llamas and alpacas.
Day 3.- PALCA – SUNCHULLI.
We depart early from Palca to the community of Sunchulli. If the weather is clear today, we can enjoy views of El Cuchillo I and II (5,600m).
The road continues between two mountains to the highest step of the walk, at 5,100 m. Going down on the other side, we will pass the glaciers of the mountain. Our camp tonight will be in the Sunchuli gold mining community.
Day 4.- SUNCHULLI – JUTUMPAMPA.
We have two passes to tackle today. The first takes us to the village of Viscachani, where we can visit an abandoned gold mine. Continuing from there to our second step (4,700 m), we descend to an immense pampa called Jatunpampa (4,200 m) where we will camp.
Day 5.- JUTUMPAMPA – LAGUNILLAS.
We will climb a short distance to today’s pass, after which we will descend to the villages of Lagunilla and Curva (3,780m).
These villages are well-known as the center of Kallawaya culture, a culture of traditional healers who have moved very little away from their pre-Inca ways.
Day 6.- LAGUNILLAS – CHARAZANI – LA PAZ
We have a short walk today from Lagunillas to Charazani (4-5 hours). Then we will return to the city of La Paz.
