Pre-Columbian trail “The Yunga Cruz”

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One of the most exciting but hardest of the so-called Inca trails, this road goes from an altitude of 4.500 to 1.500 meters above sea level.

Duration: 5 Days / 4 nights

Code: yunga cruz

BOOKINGS
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Tour Itinerary

A pre-columbian trail characterized by the presence of the immense Illimani Mt. 6.480m; the trail crosses the entire mountain range and descends into the Yungas’s subtropical area. Enjoy breathtaking sceneries whilst walking past extensive coca leaf plantations, vegetable and fruit producing areas. The trail is one of the best preserved pre-Hispanic trails in Bolivia. You will be sure to enjoy a variety of ecosystems, from the high mountain scenery down to the green forest.

Day 1.- Leaving La Paz, we go south of the city heading towards the guardian mountain of the city, Illimani Mt. As we approach the massif, its size becomes more and more impressive. We arrive to Chuñavi mid-afternoon and set up our tents. The muleteers will join us, in order to prepare the expedition for the next day.

Day 2.- Today we will observe a different ecosystem commencing, with flowers and birds such as eagles, hawks, vultures and hummingbirds along the route. We need to reach the pass at 4300m on the hill of Khala Ciudad (Stone City) an incredible view from the Cordillera Real can be enjoyed from there if the weather is good. On the way we will also observe different types of bromeliaceous (a type of plant), characteristic of this inter Andean valleys. We will then set up our first night’s camp.

Day 3.- Birds and mosquitoes are the characteristic of this day. On the way we will observe flora, orchids, tree ferns, gymnosperm of European pine also reside in this ideal ecosystem for those who are nature lovers. We will walk around Laguna Kasiri and then hike up in order to reach the pass at 4200m, from there we start to descent until we find Cerro Yunga Cruz, a good place for setting up camp.

Day 4.- The vegetation turns dense and the temperature increases. Our pathway will get wider and we will observe the deep depressions of this humid area during the early season when few people have passed through. A machete is a useful piece of equipment since the vegetation might obstruct our way. From this point we continue to the right of the hill and start climbing down and find our camping place in Durasnuni’s area.

Day 5.- After a nice and easy trek we will arrive at a road into the village of Sikilini. We will find good viewpoints as well as coca leaf terracing plantations. From this point our trail will soon turn into a dirt track down to the Chulumani Village (Capital of the South Yungas section), time to wonder around, after lunch, we will drive back to La Paz. Three and a half hours of driving approximately.

INCLUDES:
Exclusive transportation (Round Trip).
Professional tour guide (English speaking guide).
Full meals breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Camping gear, mattress, sleeping bag (at request $5 per night).

Difficulty: Tiring