Dominated by
dramatic Andean scenery and home to some of South America’s most pristine
wilderness areas, Bolivia should be one of the world’s top destinations for
outdoor enthusiasts. As yet, though, its enormous potential is only just starting
to be tapped – which for many travelers will only add to its appeal.
For
climbers, trekkers and mountain bikers, Bolivia’s possibilities are virtually
limitless. The best season for all these activities is between May and
September, during the southern-hemisphere winter (the most pleasant and
reliable weather is between December and March or April, rain turns paths and
roads to mud, and streams to impassable torrents, while cloud covers the high
passes and blocks many of the best views.
Trekking
Whether you
want to stroll for half a day or take a hardcore hike for two weeks over high
passes and down into remote Amazonian valleys, Bolivia is a paradise for
trekking. The most popular trekking region is the Cordillera Real, which is
blessed with spectacular high Andean scenery and is easily accessible from La
Paz. The mountains here are crisscrossed by paths and mule trains used by local
people that make excellent trekking routes the best of these are ancient
stone-paved highways built by the Incas and earlier Andean societies. Starting
near La Paz, three of Bolivia’s most popular treks – the Choro, Takesi and
Yunga Cruz follow these Inca trails across the Cordillera Real before plunging
down into the humid tropical valleys of the Yungas. Another good base for
exploring the Cordillera Real is the town of Sorata, north of La paz, where
many good trekking routes begin.
Isla del Sol
and the shores of Lago Titicaca are also excellent for hiking, combining
awesome scenery with gentle gradients. People looking for more seclusion should
head for the remote and beautiful Cordillera Apolobamba. Elsewhere, the
mountains around Sucre offer further excellent trekking possibilities, while
the Reserva Biológica del Sama, near Tarija, is also home to a beautiful Inca
trail.
Equipment and guides
You should
always be well equipped when walking, even if it’s just a half day hike.
Weather can change quickly in the mountains and it gets very cold at night.
You’ll need strong hiking boots; warm layers; a waterproof top layer; a hat and
gloves; an adequate first-aid kit; a water bottle and water purifiers; sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses. For
camping out you’ll need a decent tent; a sleeping bag that keeps you warm in
temperatures as low as -5°C; an insulated sleeping mat; and a cooking stove.
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.
In addition,
you should always let someone in town know your plans before you head off on a
long walk. It’s especially important 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 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 addition, the volcanic peaks of the
Cordillera Occidental, particularly Sajama, offer some excellent 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 with only limited experience, while Huayna Potosí (6090m), in the
Cordillera 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.
Mountain biking
Bolivia is
home to some of the finest mountain bike routes in the world, and travelling by
bike is one of the best ways to experience the Andes. Numerous tour companies
in La Paz have set up downhill mountain biking trips. These involve being
driven up to high pass, put on a bike, and then riding downhill at your own
pace, accompanied by a guide and followed by a support vehicle. This is not an
activity where you should try to save money by going with a cheap operator look
for a company with experienced guides, well maintained and high-quality bikes,
and adequate safety equipment.
Easily the
most popular route is down the road from La Paz to coroico in the Yungas a
stunning 3500 m descent which many travelers rate as one of the highlights of
South America, never mind Bolivia. You don’t need any previous mountain biking to
do this ride, which is easy to organize as a day-trip from La Paz. Other
popular routes include Chacaltaya to La Paz, and down the Zongo valley into the
Yungas from Chacaltaya, while hard-core mountain bikers can try their luck on
the Takesi trail. As with trekking and climbing, though, the possibilities are
pretty much endless, especially if you have your own bike.
Rafting and Kayaking
The many
rivers rushing down from the Andes into the Upper Amazon valleys offer massive
potential for kayaking and whitewater rafting, though these activities are not as
developed as they they could be. The most easily accessible and popular river
is the Rio Coroico, in the Yungas, which offers rapids from grade II to IV (and
sometimes higher) and is accessible on day-trips from Coroico. The most
challenging trips is down the Rio Tuichi, which runs from the high Andes down
into the rainforest of the Parque Nacional Madidi.
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