Apolobamba (Pelechuco – Charazani)
Apolobamba (Pelechuco – Charazani). (7days)
DAY 1.- Depart from La Paz early for the village of Pelechuco (3,300m). The journey takes us past the little visited east side of Lake Titicaca and close to the border with Peru. It is a long day with the drive taking on average 12 hours. We will sleep in local accommodation in Pelechuco.
DAY 2.- After breakfast we set off from Pelechuco (3,900m) towards the Keansani pass (4,739m), after which we drop to the banks of the Keansani River and arrive at the community of Palca, where we will set camp. Palca is a small community which survives mainly from llama and alpaca farming.
DAY 3.- Early departure from Palca to the community of Sunchulli. If the weather is clear today, you can enjoy views of the mountain El Cuchillo (5,600m).
The path continues between two mountains up to the highest pass of the trek, at 5,100m. Descending at the other side, we will pass on of the mountain’s glaciers at close quarters. Our camp site tonight is the gold mining community of Sunchuli.
DAY 4.- Two passes to tackle today. The first takes us to the village of Viscachani where we can visit an abandoned gold mine. Following on from there to our second pass (4,700m), we then descend to an immense pampa called Jatunpampa (4,200m) where we will camp.
DAY 5.-
A short climb to the pass today, after which we descend into the villages of Lagunilla and Curva (3,780m). These villages are well known as the centre of the Kallawaya culture, a culture of traditional healers who have strayed very little from their pre-Inca customs.
DAY 6.- A short trek today from Curva to Charazani (4-5 hours).
DAY 7.- Another short trek, from Charazani to Amarete, along which there are several archeological sites to visit. A vehicle awaits us in Amarete for our return to La Paz.
