Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chuñavi to Cerro Yunga Cruz
The trail starts in
Chuñavi
, a small village on the northeast slopes of Mount Illimani, six
hours by road from La Paz. From here a path with Inca stonework heads east to a small lake
about ninety minutes away, before curving left along a broad ridge with plenty of decent
places to camp, but no good source of water. The path then continues for about two hours
along the ridge and around the side of the 4378m
Cerro Khala Ciudad
(Stone City Moun-
tain) - look out for the condors that nest amidst its soaring towers. After a sharp turn to the
right, the Inca stonework suddenly stops and Illimani disappears from view. Look out for the
faded white arrow painted on the rock and turn uphill - after a few big steps, you should be
climbing an impressive stone staircase. Another two hours further on, the path curves to the
right, leading along the top of a broad green valley. Half an hour later, a stream crosses the
path. Fill up with enough water for the night and continue for another hour until you reach a
soggy campsite, just below the summit of
Cerro Yunga Cruz
, the last place to pitch a tent
for several hours.
Cerro Yunga Cruz to Chulumani
Soonafterleavingthecampsite,thetrailiscrossedbyastreamwhichisthelastreliablewater
source before Chulumani. From here, the trail descends some 2000m through dense cloud-
forest. After two hours, the trail splits in two; take the right fork. Half an hour later, you'll
reach a clearing. Go to the end of it, then turn right, leaving the peak of Cerro Duraznuni
behind you to the left.
Chulumani
should be visible in the distance to the northeast, perched
on the edge of the ridge across the valley on your left. From here it's another three to four
hours to the main road just southeast of Chulumani, past deforested hillsides patchworked
with bright-green coca plantations.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: THE YUNGA CRUZ TRAIL
By micro
A micro to Chuñavi leaves most days at around 7am from Calle Burgoa in La Paz's
San Pedro neighbourhood. See the
Chulumani
section for information on the return journey.
