Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ambitious adventurers can do the seven-day
El Camino del Oro trek
(
Click here
)
, an
ancient trading route between the Altiplano and the Río Tipuani goldfields. Otherwise
there's the challenging five-day
Mapiri trail
(
Click here
)
or the seven-day
Illampu cir-
cuit
.
The ultimate hardcore challenge is the 20-day
Trans Cordillera route
: eight days gets
you from Sorata to Lago Sistaña, with possible four-day (to Huayna Potosí) and eight-day
(to Illimani) extensions.
Basic information on climbing some of the region's peaks is included under Cordillera
Real. Hikers should carry the
Alpen- vereinskarte Cordillera Real Nord
(Illampu)
1:50,000 map, available online or maybe at Buho's Internet & Café (
Click here
)
in town.
While it's possible to hike independently, it is best to hook up with a guide, mainly be-
cause of the need to be aware of local sensibilities and the difficulty of finding passable
routes.
The most economical, authorized option is to hire an independent, Spanish-speaking
sociation; 213-6672;
guiasorata@hotmail.com
;
Sucre 302)
, which also rents equip-
ment of varying quality and arranges many different treks. Expect to pay around B$300 to
B$400 per day for a guide (and mule to carry your equipment). Cooking equipment is in-
cluded in these prices, but food is extra. Clients are expected to pay for the guide's food.
WARNING: HIKING NEAR SORATA
With Sorata's economy turning from tourism to mining and farming, there are fewer guides offering services here,
and fewer pack animals for hire. Reports indicate that this could be a dangerous area for trekking and many agen-
cies are no longer offering treks in the region. The El Camino de Oro trek is reportedly seeing little traffic these
days, meaning you'll have to clear the trail with a machete and may face some tough locals along the way. The
Mapiri trek has an even rougher record, with increased reports of robberies. The villages along the way are now
charging passage fees and are said to have become quite aggressive with those who do not pay.
To stay safe, check with the guide service, your local hotel and fellow travelers before heading out. In this re-
gion and the Cordillera Apolobamba, it is recommended that you travel in groups and with a guide.
Mountain Biking
The Sorata area, with its thrillingly steep descents and spectacular mountain scenery,
makes it a top two-wheel destination. The
Jach'a Avalancha (Grand Avalanche) Moun-
tain Bike race
takes place in Sorata each year. This is the biggest downhill race course in
