Robert Rauch - Bolivia Tours - Tour two: The stairway to heaven

P R E V I O U S P A G E / N E X T P A G E

B U I L D I N G B L O C K A / A N D E S

T O U R T W O
The stairway to heaven - a most outstanding andine adventure

L e v e l : D e m a n d i n g

C h a r a c t e r : Difficult, challenging and far away from any settlement. Can`t be beaten with scenic highlights. A unique trip far away from the beaten tracks. A hike beautiful like a diamond.

F I R S T D A Y

Adventurous four wheel drive jeep – hike to the little golddiggers village of Cocoyo where the llama drivers are already awaiting us.

On the pasture behind Cocoyo we see llamas, horses, sheep, half wild pigs and other house animals (the Llamas for our trip).

We can watch the natives producing Chunios (a kind of freeze dried potatoes). Without strict observation children play their wild games (the picture shows a local boy from Cocoyo).

S E C O N D D A Y

As soon as our gear is loaded on the backs of various llamas we go up a steep slope. The path is extremely steep but worthwhile. After four hours we reach a little platform high above the valley of Cocoyo. Surrounded by a breathtaking scenery we set up our tents. Of course we could go further up but our trip will lead to high altitude later on, and if we start going up to quickly, we could fail at the high passes. Therefore it is reasonable to start carefully instead of wasting all our energy at the very first beginning and getting altitude sick.

T H I R D D A Y

The trip goes on.

Early bolivian morning above Cocoyo.

The early morning is starting with the most stunning experience. The outstanding sunrise above the vast cloud fields of Amazonia deep below us is greeting us from the separate reality of the tropics. Following an exposed and scenic path we go up to the Black Lake (4.600 meter/15.088 ft.). This picture shows the mountains Punta Emma Maria and Pico Norte.

Here we set up camp. Overwhelming views over Bolivia`s wildest mountain range which is surrounding us in the shape of a wide open horse shoe. Dozens of crystal clear lakes are shining in the sun in different colours. The truly amazing landscape is touching mind and heart.This picture show the black lake, Lago Negro.

F O U R T H D A Y

The trip goes on.

In the morning we use a tiny animal path and later on we continue pathless through a little side valley. The picture shows the black lake.

Lago Negro and Cordillera Real.

Following a tiny animal path. Incredible and wild landscape.

Now the trip is leading to hundreds of lakes and absolute loneliness. At the border between firm land and everlasting ice we set up our camp.

F I F T H D A Y

The trip goes on.

A strange and frosting morning like from the beginning of time is waking us up. Outstanding impressions of the wild Bolivia which only few people experience. From here we send the llamas back and porters help us to carry our gear further on.

In all directions we are trapped by impassable glaciers. Do we have to return the same way we came up? But there is an invisible and most exciting way out: the trace of a tiny hidden path is leading us up to an very high pass (5.300 meter/17.390 ft.).

Again most outstanding views. Here the Cocoyenos escaped from the Spanish slave hunters in long bygone days but in their memories these times are still alive. The Spanish never found the well kept secret of this window to freedom. Already high above the huge Viluyo Yacuma glacier we descend over rocky terrain. Cristal clear glacier lakes, most outstanding views, wild glaciers, solitude.

We descend to a huge green lake. At its shores we set up the tents.

S I X T H D A Y

Bizar Glaciers in all directions and the spectacular dimensions of the lake in front of our campground welcome us in the morning. After breakfast we carry on. Soon vertical cliffs force us to change into a valley further westward. The glacier world is disappearing suddenly behind the last bending of the pass - then giving way to wild rocky mountains. We meet a wide way which we follow to Cocoyo.

Back in Cocoyo.

S E V E N T H D A Y

Per jeep back to Sorata, end of the trip.