Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND COCHABAMBA
Parque Nacional Tunari
This easily accessible 3090-sq-km park was created in 1962 to protect the forested slopes
above Cochabamba, as well as the wild summit of Cerro Tunari. It encompasses a wide di-
versity of habitats from dry inter-Andean valleys to the more humid and highly endangered
Polylepis
forests of the Cordillera Tunari.
The SERNAP office in Cochabamba may have simple walking maps of the park, but of-
ten doesn't have visitor material. A series of small identification guides to the wildlife of
the park have been produced by the Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética at the Universidad
Mayor de San Simón and can be bought on campus in Cochabamba.
Cochabamba Area
A good dirt road zigzags its way from the park gate (open until 4pm) up the steep mountain
face. About 3km after the gate, you'll reach a
picnic site
with barbecues and a playground.
Beyond here is a
sendero ecológico
(nature trail). Don't expect too much in the way of
eco-
logía,
but it's a well-made path that gains altitude rapidly, winding into thickening mature
woodland. The views are tremendous, with Cochabamba spread out below, and in the op-
posite direction, Cerro Tunari and the Cordillera. With an early start and plenty of water
you should be able to make it up to some of the nearer peaks on a long day hike.
Coming from town take
micro F2
or
trufi 35
from Av San Martín, which will drop you
three minutes from the park entrance, at a big wooden archway with a fire-risk indicator.
You may have to show ID and sign into the park. From the gate turn right, then left after
100m; the road winds up past the playground to the lakes.
Cerro Tunari Area
Snow-dusted Cerro Tunari (5035m) is the highest peak in central Bolivia (it's the second
peak from the left on the Taquiña beer label). Its flanks are 25km west of Cochabamba
