Pacha Trek is a journey through mystical Andean landscapes with local guides who will introduce you to their Aymara and Quechua cultures. The trek is a community-run enterprise, developed and operated by the indigenous people with the aim to promote sustainable development and fair trade.

The suggested program (which may be modified to suit the needs of individuals and groups) is as follows: 

Day 1:

Depart early in the morning from La Paz for the Apolobamba National Integrated Management Area, following a route with spectacular views of Lake Titicaca and passing through grazing and agricultural land punctuated by Aymara villages that proudly preserve their ancient traditions. 

After about 7 hours we will arrive in Qutapampa, a tiny community of Aymara alpaca herders 4,400 metres above sea level. Here we visit the community interpretive centre that highlights the natural and cultural diversity of Apolobamba, and also explore the grasslands surrounding Qutapampa where vicuñas – wild relatives of the alpaca – often graze.

Day 2:

After rising early and enjoying a cup of herbal tea, we will visit an alpaca herder to learn about daily life in Qutapampa. Then after breakfast we will set off with our pack animals for the Quechua community of Kaluyo, stopping at beautiful Lake Sura Quta, host to a variety of Andean waterbirds. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-capped Apolobamba Mountain Range, we will make the gentle approximately 3-hour descent to Kaluyo (alt. 4120 m). The Kaluyo interpretive centre exhibits traditions of the Kallawaya community and the relationship of it’s daily activities with the natural environment.  We may also take a short hike where we may catch sight of viscachas, rabbit-sized rodents native to the Andes .

Day 3:

Today our destination is the Quechua community of Chacarapi (alt. 4100 m). We depart early to continue our trek, visiting Chullpapata, a pre-colonial archaeological site still used today for traditional ceremonies. During the approximately 4-hour hike to Chacarapi we will have the opportunity to observe local agricultural practices, and herds of alpaca and llamas. We will tour the Chacarapi interpretive centre that explains how natural medicines used by the Kallawaya healers are made, and also visit medicinal plant gardens. We will learn about and observe traditional weaving practices used by Quechua women in the creation of the splendid, intricately patterned textiles characteristic of the region.

Day 4:

From Chacarapi we will make the final descent of about 4 hours to the town of Charazani (alt. 3380 m), passing several small Kallawaya villages and remarkable pre-colonial agricultural terraces that continue to be productive today. On this stretch of the trek we will notice significant changes in the vegetation as we hike down through the valley. In Charazani, we can enjoy the welcome treat of a visit to the Charazani thermal baths to relax and wash off the dust accumulated on the trek. In Charazani you'll find basic meals and lodgings.

Pacha Trek
The communities of Qutapampa, Kaluyo and Chacarapi welcomed their first visitors in 2005. Each community provides knowledgeable local guides, basic lodgings and throughout the experience groups are introduced to the culture and outstanding beauty of Apolobamba with a range of traditional meals, music and dance.