The national park of Apolobamba was originally established to protect the then dwindling vicuña population. Today they number more than 10,000 and can found throughout the altiplano area of the park.

Surrounding the tiny Aymara community of Qutapampa (4,400 m) groups of wild vicuña can often be found grazing among llama and alpaca. In particular, groups of these beautiful, slender animals congregate in marshy areas where the pasture is richer.  A stay in Qutapampa provides an excellent opportunity to observe these graceful creatures, together with their domesticated cousins, whilst exploring the grasslands of this wild area of natural beauty.

A suggested itinerary would be: 

Day 1:

An early departure from La Paz by bus for the 7 hour journey to Qutapampa. The road skirts along the edges of Lake Titicaca and there are some fantastic views of the mountains en route. 

Lunch in Qutapampa is followed by perhaps a short walk to Rio Suches, which forms the border between Bolivia and Peru, on the look-out for wildlife. The snow-capped Apolobamba mountain range can be seen in the distance. On returning to Qutapampa there should be time before dinner for a visit to the community interpretive centre which displays information on the natural and cultural diversity of Apolobamba.  

Day 2:

An early start this morning to visit an alpaca herder before breakfast, to learn about the daily life of the villagers and their herds. The alpaca are released from their stone-walled corals where they spend each night (unlike the vicuña) early each morning. 

After breakfast, a relatively easy walk of about an hour and a half to a nearby marshy area where vicuña are normally found grazing. Here there is time to observe the animals and explore the area before returning to Qutapampa for lunch. 

In the afternoon, a walk to Lake Sura Quta where a host of Andean water birds can be found and perhaps a climb to Viscachani in search of viscacha, rabbit-sized rodents native to the Andes. En route alpaca, llama and possibly vicuña can be seen.

Day 3:

Today’s destination is Lake Verde, a walk of about 4 hours from Qutapampa (8hr round trip). Here wildlife comes to drink and graze and the lake is also home to numerous birds. After a packed lunch on the shores of the lake, it is time to return to Qutapampa.
 

Day 4:

Return by bus to La Paz 

Alternative activities:

• A visit to the Quechan community of Kaluyo, with or without an overnight stay there
• Music and dance in Qutapampa (200Bs extra)
• Weaving demonstrations
• Shearing of alpaca
• Preparation of chuño and tunta (freeze-dried potato) – certain weeks during June/July