Mapiri Trail

We will leave early in the morning by 4WD, to go over the pass of Chu Chu (4700m). Before dropping down into the valley of Yani, we have some great views of Illampu (6356m). We drive about 1 hours to the village of Ingenio. Ingenio is a small gold mining town and has grown over the years from the mining. We will stop here for lunch before we start to trek. Trail starts of flat and we then need to climb for some hours before making camp. 3 hours by 4WD, 3 - 4 hour trek (BLD) camping

Walking most of the day on a ridge, with views of the snowy capped peaks of the Cordillera Real on our right. On our left the Yungas drops down into the Bolivian Amazon. The trail is well marked and easy to see. 5 - 7 hour trek (BLD) camping

Still in alpine country we will be able to see the trail a long way ahead of us. After midday we start to head east where we get closer to the forest. The late afternoon cloud will start to roll in. The area below us can look like a huge lake. 6 - 7 hour trekk (BLD) camping

Today we will really start to get into the cloud forest. It’s wet and dense and tough going. Crawling under logs in the mud the trail is still easy to find as there’s only two ways to go. The way we came and the way in front. This forest here is very untouched. 7 - 8 hour trek (BLD) camping

Another day we push our way through the jungle, crawling over logs and in the mud. We some times get a view of the place where we are. We wont see anybody in this part of the world. If we are lucky we might see a bear or some birds, but with such thick vegetation this can be difficult. 7 - 8 hour trek (BLD) camping

The jungle starts to open up and clears slightly and we should be able to see a river on our left as we walk high on the ridge. Finding water in this area is difficult so we will need to carry at least 2 liters each, especially since we will start to feel the heat of the lower Amazon. 6 - 7 hour trek (BLD) camping

We will drop fast into the last valley which takes us to the gold town of Mapiri. life has an easy pace and in the evening the miner’s come to sell their gold from their day’s labor. Time for a well-earned beer and dinner in one of the local restaurants 5 - 6 hour trek (BLD) Hostel, shared accommadation

Today we have the long drive back to La Paz. We follow the winding roads to Guanay and follow the main highway back to La Paz with the final pass of 4700m. Finally we arrive in La Paz. This drive takes us from the low lands to the high Altitude in one day! Drop off at hotel. 9 – 11 hour drive (BL) END of SERVICES