Choro Trek in Bolivia is one of the best hikes in the world.

Why? trekking guide 2003 Lonely Planet travel guide 2007 Footprint travel guide 2005	World > South America > Central Andes > Bolivia > Choro One of the best hikes in the world is the Choro Trek Also known as: La Cumbre to Coroico 1715m (5,626ft) La Cumbre to Chairo La Cumbre to Yolosa BOLIVIA should be one of the best hiking countries in the world. But government instability & a lack of infrastructure delay the arrival of that glad day. Trekking in Peru is far easier. Note: This page is a stub. You can expand it by e-mailing comments, recommendations and links in the appropriate sections below. Our editors will add your comments. Thanks for your help! WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE safest 4860m (15,945ft!) hiking anywhere start near the top of the highest pass. Descend quickly if you feel ill with altitude sickness. in rapid sequence: high bleak alpine pass, glacier-carved valleys, cloud forest, subtropical forest, cold beer, hot shower astounding biological diversity the trek ends in Coroico, a lovely, relaxing place to recover for a day or three easy access from the capital, La Paz easiest major trek to organize in Bolivia easy to hike independently Choro is recommended for all — if your knees can handle all the descending. ancient trade route, Inca road sections travel in Bolivia for as little as US$20 / day (2005). It's the least expensive country in South America. ... add a comment here La Paz is also the jumping off point for the tougher Condoriri treks. vista near La Cumbre - larger image at Bird Songs CONSIDERATIONS you may curse us for telling you how "easy" it is experienced Andean high altitude hikers usually skip Choro, opting for a more demanding, less popular trek. biting insects at lower altitudes are the biggest nuisance on the Choro trek altitude sickness less likely than you might expect. Most hikers are acclimatized from days in La Paz 3810m (12,500ft) 470m (1,542ft) ascent, 3400m (11,155ft) descent! many hikers opt to save their knees and mountain bike a parallel route instead, the World's Most Dangerous Road good UV rated sunglasses recommended robberies have occurred on this trek, though infrequently. And far less often than in the city of La Paz itself. a small trekking fee will likely be charged on the trail some campsites charge a small fee a few huts are available for a fee & more will be built in future keep all belongings inside the tent at night. the high pass is at the start of the trek & is often cold & windy many consider the spectacular minibus road trip back up the Andes to La Paz via the World's Most Dangerous Road to be a far greater risk than the trek a good reason to avoid Bolivia are frequent strikes, demonstrations & even states of siege be self-reliant & carry a good first-aid kit rent gear, if needed, in La Paz you can survive in La Paz and on this trek without being able to speak Spanish, but you wish you could avoid drunks, always a good rule ... add a comment here ROUTES standard route is 57km (35.4mi) La Cumbre to Yolosa 4 days, 3 nights in the tent is typical May - September are the best (driest) months though there is always someone trying to do it offseason trailhead is the same one used by cyclists starting the World's Most Dangerous Road LOGISTICS it can be dangerous to fly to La Paz directly — it has the highest international airport in the world 4050m (13,287ft) slightly better is to fly to Cuzco, Peru 3326m (10,912ft) to start acclimatizing. Later travel to La Paz by bus or plane. in La Paz it is easy to find transport to the trailhead buses, mini-vans, trucks & tours all ply the road from La Paz to Coroico if you bus, buy your ticket the day before you start hikers disembark at La Cumbre, the highest pass on that highway climb to Apacheta Chucura pass, the highest elevation at 4860m, then start downhill to the Yungas valleys there are a number of good campsites to choose from on this trek. Consult a trekking guidebook. finish at Chairo, Yolosa or Coroico (1715m) — we suggest Chairo, though you can see how you feel when you get there 3 or 4 days, 2 or 3 nights en route, depending on your speed & exit point spend at least one night in Coroico, one of our favourite places to stay in Bolivia. There are a number of very good gringo hang-outs. the road trip back to La Paz is over The World's Most Dangerous Road. Be careful with whom you travel. An average of one vehicle every 2 weeks fell off this cliffside track at one time! (Luckily the wreckage is quickly overgrown by foliage so you need not see it.) ... add a logistics comment here INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED? You will have no problem in La Paz signing on with a trekking company. But it is easy to hike Choro on your own if you are comfortable carrying your own pack. Likely you will share the trail with others. Bolivian Journeys Choro Trek Andean Summits Bolivian destinations including Choro ... add a recommendation here LOCAL INFORMATION CAB (Club Andino Boliviano) Calle México 1638 in La Paz South American Explorers Cuzco ... add a recommendation here There is no problem getting outfitted for your hike in La Paz. Almost anything you need can be purchased or rented from the many trekking agencies on Calle Sagarnaga. Agencies are all happy to give you information, as well. BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS Our favourite is Lonely Planet. Bradt has some charming personal insight. Lonely Planet Trekking in the Central Andes Rachowiecki, Claire & Dixon, 2003 The Andes - A Trekking Guide Biggars, 2001 book Trekking in Bolivia Bradt 8th edition, 2002 Trekking in Bolivia Brain, North & Stoddart, 1997 ... add a recommendation here BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS Lonely Planet Bolivia 2007 Footprint Bolivia Honnor, Murphy & Groesbeck, 2005 Rough Guide Bolivia 2002 ... add a recommendation here Most travellers prefer Lonely Planet. But some swear by Footprint Guides which, sadly, includes advertising. OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS Marching Powder Rusty Young, 2003 Coups & Cocaine Anthony Daniels, 1987 Sacred Mountains of the World Edwin Bernbaum ... add a recommendation here BEST MAPS Walter Guzman Cordova 1:50,000 Choro-Takesi-Yunga Cruz, Los Caminos de Los Incas and the 1:135,000 Cordillera Real, Andes orientales-la Paz-Bolivia ... add a recommendation here Many different maps are available in La Paz. You will likely survive Choro with only a guidebook map, if you cannot find a topo you like. BEST WEBSITES After this page, the best links are GORP Patricia Muse trek description Bolivia Times newspaper on-line ... add a recommendation here BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS Talbot's Choro trip report Peter Bakwin Choro trek Jason Allen's Choro trip report Lindsay Simmonds Zongo - Chairo trek Webshots roseymonster's photos Rob Radencic Choro trek 1989 Lukás Synek superb photos of Bolivia including the Choro trek Bird Songs photos World in Light Choro trek photos Kolby "Kahunna" Kirk annotated photos ... add a recommendation here MOVIES, VIDEOS, DVDs Bolivia , 2005, feature film directed by Adrián Caetano