Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A challenging 19km hike around the Cerro Huayllas Orkho from Torotoro will take you to
the ruins known as the Llama Chaqui (Llama's Foot). The multilevel complex, which
dates from Inca times, rambles over distinctive terraces and includes a maze of rectangu-
lar and semicircular walls, plus a fairly well-preserved watchtower. Given its strategic
vantage point, it probably served as a military fortification and may have been somehow
related to Incallajta, further north.
Tours
The team at Villa Etelvina are experts in the Torotoro area and passionate about the na-
tional park and the local community. They arrange comfortable 4WD transfers from
Cochabamba and put visitors up in their excellent lodge in Torotoro village. A few
Cochabamba agencies (
Click here
)
run trips, including visits to the major sights.
Festivals & Events
Fiesta del Señor Santiago
From July 24 to 27, the village stages the Fiesta del Señor Santiago, which features sheep
sacrifices, dynamite explosions, colorful costumes, much
chicha
and some light
tinku
(tra-
ditional Bolivian fighting). This is an interesting time to visit - and there's much more
public transportation than usual - but the natural attractions are very crowded.
RELIGIOUS
Sleeping & Eating
There are several downmarket
residenciales
in Torotoro, but few that are much more than
huts with signs. One that's substantially better is
Hostal Las Hermanas
(r per person
B$40)
, which is simple but clean and comfortable, with hot water; it's on the street that
enters the village, on the left.
If you wish to camp, locals will expect you to pay. It's important to set a mutually
agreeable price and pay only the family in control of the land.
Villa Etelvina $$
(
7073-7807;
www.villaetelvina.com
; Sucre s/n; per person B$150, d without bathroom
B$100)
The best option in town, this is a comfortable and welcoming oasis. As well as
having extremely comfortable and stylish accommodation, it puts on some of the most de-
licious home cooking you're likely to find on your travels in Bolivia. Vegetarian fare is
available on request and is particularly good. The owners can organise transfers from
RESORT
