Takesi Trek

This is one of the most impressive and popular downhill walks in the Andes amongst travelers and locals. This trail links the barren altiplano with the lush subtropical Yungas, and gives you the rare opportunity to witness such extremes in amazing landscapes. There are spectacular views of the Mururata Peak and you will pass abandoned mines, cascading rivers, exquisite lagoons and quaint villages. This is one of the best preserved pre-Inca trails and almost half of the trail consists of extraordinary stonework/paving making this trip incredibly accessible without taking away from the adventurous river crossings and camping in the great outdoors. Your trip will come to an end in one of Bolivia’s oldest towns, Yanacachi.

TAKESI TREK

Program 3 Days / 2 Nights

Available throughout the year

Recommended between April to November

DAY 1: La Paz - Puente Takesi: Departure from La Paz through the Illimani Road. You will pass the Valle de las Animas, the Palca Canyon and more of the attractive rural landscape, and small villages close to La Paz City, such as Choquekkota. The drive from La Paz last around 2.5 hrs until Ventanilla at 11,808 ft. (3,600 m), later towards the San Francisco Mine at 13,776 ft. (4,200 m). Our trek will starts at the mine, and in about 2 hours through the Pre-Inca trail you will arrive to the Apacheta High Pass at 15,416 ft. (4,700 m). From this high pass see spectacular views of the Mururata Peak and distant cloud forest in the lowland valleys. You will pass abandoned mines and high-Andean lagoons such as the Luru Kheri at 14,448 ft. (4,405 m) and Wara Warani at 13,415 ft. (4,090 m). Arrival to the picturesque Takesi village at 12,398 ft. (3,780 m), later the trail winds downhill until a bridge over Takesi River at 11,742 ft. (3,580 m). Dinner and overnight camping. (L,D)

DAY 2: Puente Takesi - Choklla Mine: This day you will descend to the Bolivian Yungas following the Takesi River, the trail contours the Cerro Quimsa Chata, where the Pre-Columbian trail disappears. There are small villages along the trail such as Kakapi at 9,446 ft.(2,880 m), an old estancia used to control the valley during the colony. In clear days, you might see the Mururata snow peak contrasting with the green yunga forests. Arrival to Choklla, where the pre Columbian trail reappears, and not far is the Choklla Mine at 7445 ft. (2,270 m), where wolfram and tin are still extracted. We pass the mining area and head to the campsite. Dinner and overnight camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: Choklla Mine - Yanacachi - La Paz: More views of the Takesi River and valleys all fully covered by continuous cloud forests, weather is warmer. Arrival to Yanacachi at 6,822 ft (2,080 m), one of the oldest towns in Bolivia. This was important during colonial times to trade coca leaves and subtropical crops. This town has the oldest existing Catholic church built in the yungas. Back to La Paz. (B, L)

Note: Trek available daily with minimum 2 pax
Treks can be arranged as 2 or 3 day
Please refer to graph: times are based on the average; they vary depending on ability

Takesi Trek · 3 days 2 nights

Included

• Transportation (Round trip)
• Professional guide
• A cook
• 2 Breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
• Water
• Sleeping mattress
• Trekking tent quality

Not Included

• Personal clothe and insurance
• Personal medical kit
• Personal porter
• Sleeping bag
• Tips

Essentials

• Light, warm clothing
• Trekking boots
• Sunglasses
• Sun block (high factor)
• Waterproof clothing
• Sleeping bag
• Insect repellant (high DEET content)
• Photocopy of passport

Optional

• Camera
• Binoculars
• Pocketknife