Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
7157-3015;
www.cxccoroico.lobopages.com
; Pacheco 2058)
The area around Coro-
ico is great for mountain biking. Friendly Cross Country Coroico offers day trips to attrac-
tions in the region for all levels of rider from B$280 per person, including a guide and
packed lunch. The office is sometimes closed and, according to readers, service can be a
bit disorganized.
White-Water Rafting
About three hours north from Coroico is the
Río Coroico
, which flows through the Nor
Yungas. This is the country's most popular commercially rafted river, and is the most con-
venient to La Paz. The river features well over 30 rapids, great surfing holes, dramatic
drops and challenging technical maneuvers (most of these can be scouted from the river
and from several bridges). It alternates between calm pools and 50m to 900m rapids, with
sharp bends, boils, mean holes, undercurrents, sharp rocks and rather treacherous under-
cuts.
The white water normally ranges from Class II to IV, but may approach Class V during
periods of high water (when it becomes too dangerous to raft). There are few spots to take
out and rest, so stay focused and be prepared for surprises.
Access is from the highway between Yolosa and Caranavi; the best put-ins are a
20-minute drive north of Yolosa and near the confluence with the Río Santa Bárbara, a
50-minute drive north of Yolosa. Just look for any track that winds down from the road to-
ward the river and find one that provides suitable access. Trips average three to five hours.
For the take-out, look on the right side of the river for a devastated steel bridge (destroyed
in a 1998 flood) across a normally diminutive creek. Don't miss it because after this the
climb to the road up the steep jungled slopes is practically impossible, and it's a long, long
way to the next possible exit.
The
Río Huarinilla
flows from Huayna Potosí and Tiquimani down into the Yungas to
meet the Río Coroico near Yolosa, and is best accessed from Chairo, at the end of El
Choro trek. Although it's normally Class II and III, high water can swell it into a much
more challenging Class IV to V. The full-day trip is best suited to kayaks and narrow
paddle rafts. The new Yungas Hwy passes right by the take-out at the confluence of the
Ríos Huarinilla and Coroico.
The white water is great, but unfortunately the high tourist season coincides with the
dry season. Several agencies in La Paz and around Coroico's plaza offer day-long rafting
trips for B$250 to B$350 per person. Check out the
Downhill Madness
Offline map
Google map
(
231-2628, 239-1810;
www.madness-bolivia.com
;
Sagárnaga 339;
8am-8pm)
website for information on a recently launched kayaking school.
