Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mina Chojlla
(2280m), where there is a cheap
alojamiento
(basic accommodations) and
food stalls.
From Mina Chojlla, crowded buses leave for Yanacachi (B$3, 30 minutes) and La Paz
(B$12, three hours) at 5:30am and 1pm daily - buy your ticket on arrival. If you can't en-
dure a night in Mina Chojlla (and few people can), keep walking about one hour down the
road past the headquarters of the hydroelectric power project to the more pleasant village
of
Yanacachi
.
Yunga Cruz Trek
This is a relatively little-trodden trek between the village of Chuñavi and the Sud Yungas'
provincial capital, Chulumani. Declared a national monument in 1992, it preserves good
stretches of pre-Columbian footpaths and archaeological remains dating from the Tiwana-
ku and Inca periods. This is one of your best bets for wildlife watching, as there's less
traffic here than on other treks. Keep your eyes peeled for Andean foxes, condors, and
plenty of birds and butterflies.
There are a couple of variations to the standard trek, including a pass over the northern
shoulder of Illimani to get you started, as well as an alternative - and considerably more
spectacular - route over Cerro Khala Ciudad, which begins beyond Lambate. Some
guides even offer the trek backwards, starting at Chulumani, but that's a fairly punishing
alternative. Crossing several passes at over 5000m, it's easily the most demanding of the
Inca trails and usually takes five or six days. There are no official campsites along the
route, although there are plenty of spots along the way to set up camp.
If you are going to attempt this trek you'll need to carry the 1:50,000 topo sheets
Palca
- 6044-I, Lambate - 6044-II
and
Chulumani - 6044-III
or, even better, arrange a guide
(highly recommended). Many agencies in La Paz offer this trek, with guides, cook and
pack animals.
Note that there is no water available on the last day, so stock up ahead of time.
Access
There's a good case for hiring a 4WD to take you to the trailhead at Lambate. Otherwise
you can go straight to Chuñavi (five hours) or Lambate (six hours) by
micro
from La Paz,
with departures from Calle Venancio Burgoa, near Plaza Líbano, leaving daily at 7am.
