The rocky start
Near 4,900 m under white peaks.
Gadiel Champi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gadiel Champi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gadiel Champi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gadiel Champi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gadiel Champi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Anahi Cosky Paca Condori — CC BY-SA 4.0
Cotapata National Park is a protected area in the Yungas of La Paz Department, between the municipalities of Coroico and La Paz, about 50 km from the city. Its land drops from snow to cloud forest and is crossed by the El Choro trail, Bolivia's best-known old walking route, known as an Inca trail. The national park makes up about 40% of the whole protected area. Sources differ on its size, with figures from 40,000 to 60,000 hectares. Treks start at La Cumbre, and walking guides describe an old path linking the high mountains with the warm valleys. The trail starts at about 4,700 to 4,900 metres in bare dark rock under white peaks. It then drops to about 1,300 or 1,500 metres at Chairo, through dense green forest, streams and waterfalls. Colourful birds may appear, if you are lucky. Weather and temperature change quickly as you go down, which is the secret of the trip's appeal. The park is 40 km in a straight line north-east of La Paz and 18.4 km west of Coroico. The trek takes 3 to 4 days over a length that sources put at 41 to 57 km, usually camping. Go with an operator or guide, and bring clothes for cold, rain and heat. British advice mentions a state of emergency and road blockades, so check your government's advice.
Near 4,900 m under white peaks.
Streams, waterfalls and dense green.
A route from peaks to valleys.
Nor Yungas and Murillo provinces, about 50 km from La Paz
Usually 3 to 4 days, camping on the way.
It is strongly advised, as the trail is long and the weather changes quickly.