This 4 day trek is a circular route beginning and ending in Charazani, the largest village in the region and the market centre for the Kallawaya communities of the surrounding area.

Day 1: 

An early departure by bus from La Paz to Charazani, passing along the shores of Lake Titicaca and through some stunning Andean scenery dotted with llama, alpaca and vicuña. 

On arrival in Charazani (alt 3200m) after approx 7 hours, you will be met by local guides, muleteers and pack animals from the village of Lagunillas to begin the descent down the side of the valley on which the town is situated. The steep valley sides are carved with pre-Hispanic terraces for crop cultivation and the trail cuts across the valley floor before climbing up the other side to Lagunillas and Curva.   

During this afternoon’s trek of about 4 hours, condors are often seen. 

The night is spent in the community run hostel of Lagunillas alongside a lake with ducks and other aquatic birds. The village also boasts pre-colonial ruins and ancient terracing.

Day 2: 

A 15 minute walk from Lagunillas brings you to Curva (alt.3780m), an old picturesque village of stone and thatched roofed houses which is the heart of the Kallawaya culture. It sits on a ridge overlooking the valley under the gaze of Akhamani, the sacred mountain of the Kallawaya. 

Condors are a frequent sight over the town. 

The trail (4-5 hrs) then leads down the other side of the ridge into another valley where it crosses a couple of rivers before climbing up into a wide valley and the settlement of Jatumpampa, in the shadow of snow-capped Akhamani. The families here are alpaca herders and it is a favourite spot for condors. 

The afternoon and evening are spent camped here whilst looking for these huge birds of prey, and viscacha, rabbit-sized rodents native to the Andes.

Day 3: 

A route continues to the village of Canisaya where the natural wetlands produce perfect grazing for alpaca and llama herds. The trail then heads back to Lagunillas and the final night is spent in the hostel there.

Day 4:  

An early departure from Lagunillas in order to reach Charazani in time for lunch, and for perhaps a visit to the thermal pools before returning by bus to La Paz in the afternoon.