Basics - The Rough Guide to Bolivia - page 53

The easiest way to go trekking is on an organized trip , which takes all the hassle out of
route-finding and means you don't need to supply your own equipment. You'll also have all
your meals cooked for you and transport to and from trailheads arranged. If you pay a little
more, you can also have your gear carried for you by a porter or pack animal. Trekking this
way costs around Bs210-420 ($30-60) per person per day.
Things are much cheaper if you have all your own equipment, organize the logistics your-
self, and just hire a guide (around Bs140 a day). In rural towns and villages you can usually
find local campesinos who know all the trails and will act as a guide for a relatively small
fee (on treks of more than one day you'll also need to provide them with food and possibly a
tent). If you're hiring pack animals (such as mules, donkeys or llamas), then the mule hand-
lers double up as guides. As well as making sure you don't get lost, a local guide can help
avoid any possible misunderstandings with the communities you pass through - it's also a
good way to ensure local people see a little economic benefit from tourism.
If you plan to go trekking over longer distances without a guide, you should be competent at
route-finding and map-reading, carry a compass and/or GPS, and equip yourself with the rel-
evant topographical maps , where available. Most areas are covered by 1:50,000-scale maps
produced by the Bolivian military and available in La Paz. Really, though, it's much better to
trek with a guide. Getting lost in remote mountain or forested regions is easy and can be very
dangerous, and rescue services are pretty much non-existent. In addition, you should always
let someone in town know your plans before you head off on a long walk. It's especially im-
portant not to trek alone - if you sprain an ankle, it could be the last anyone ever sees of
you.
Climbing
With hundreds of peaks over 5000m and a dozen over 6000m, Bolivia has plenty of types
of mountain climbing , and many new routes still to explore. As with trekking, the most
popular region is the dramatic Cordillera Real , which is blessed with numerous high peaks,
easy access from La Paz and fairly stable weather conditions during the dry season. In addi-
tion, the volcanic peaks of the Cordillera Occidental , particularly Sajama , offer some excel-
lent climbs, while the more remote Cordillera Apolobamba and Cordillera Quimsa Cruz
also offer a wealth of possibilities. Several of the higher peaks are well within the reach of
climbers withonlylimited experience, while Huayna Potosí (6090m),intheCordillera Real,
is one of the few 6000m-plus peaks in South America that can be climbed by people with no
mountaineering experience at all.
Though some equipment is available for hire in La Paz, you should really bring your own
equipment from home if you're planning on doing any serious independent climbing. You
should also take care to acclimatize properly and be aware of the dangers of altitude sickness
and extreme cold. A number of agencies in La Paz offer guided ascents of the most popular