Choro Trail

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3 days

¨ beautiful Inka trail, much wilder and less crowded than the one in Peru¨. Kurt R.

This trek offers a striking contrast of geography, climate and temperature. The trail begins at a cold and barren high pass at an elevation of 4,660m/15,290-ft., transitions abruptly to a spectacular descent, and ends up moving through dense tropical vegetation at an elevation of 1,300m/4,264-ft. Hikers will appreciate the various sections of Pre-Columbian paving they encounter as they rapidly descend from the Cordillera Real.

LENGHT:	3 days
STANDARD:	Easy - Easy treks follow generally well-marked trails, require little navigational skill and only an average standard of physical fitness.
COST:	$us 199

HIGHLIGHTS:

• A spectacular descent of over 3,000 m (9,840 ft), from mountain ranges to the dense subtropical vegetation.
• Pre - Hispanic paving and a spectacular but savage descent.
• Incredible variety of landforms and vegetation across the various altitude zones.

PROGRAM

Day 1. We depart LaPaz in the morning bound for trailhead at La Cumbre (literally, "the summit" elevation 4,660m/15,290-ft.). Weather conditions at this barren trailhead are quite variable and so don't be surprised if we begin our trek in a snowstorm. We soon reach the high mountain pass of Apacheta Chucura and begin our descent into the temperate Yungas Valley. We follow a well-built Pre-Columbian road as we dramatically descend down along the Rio Phajchiri. We make camp at Challapampa (elevation 2,987m/9,800-ft.) after losing more than mile's worth of elevation since trailhead. Clients typically sleep well, even at this altitude!

Day 2. After serving a hardy breakfast to our hungry clients, we move on enjoying the change in gradient that has noticeably slackened. Today is a transitional day, as we begin to see a change in the trailside vegetation which is now sub-tropical. After a couple of river crossings we find ourselves near the base of Cerro Pabellonani where we make camp (elevation 2,286m/7,500-ft.).

Day 3. After a leisurely breakfast, we begin working our way down the trail toward the village of Chairu (elevation 1,300m/4,264-ft.). Although we continue to have the benefit of the Pre-Columbian road, the change from trailhead in geography, climate and temperature is dramatic. The temperature at this lower altitude can be quite hot, and so, we offer the option of transferring to a vehicle to finish our trek. After arriving in Coroico, we can either enjoy the evening at a local hotel or return to La Paz by public bus.

LAND COSTS INCLUDE:

• Transportation
• Food. We eat high quality meals using fresh local ingredients.
• Top quality mountaineering tents are provided (North Face, Mountain Hardware).
• Porters
• Guide

LAND COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Meals except while trekking
• Personal gear
• Entrance fee to Choro Trail $us 5
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Insurance
• Rescue or medical expenses that may occur during the trip.