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The “Yungas” of La Paz is both a cultural and ecological region that refers to a band of forested mountainsides on the steep eastern slopes of the Andes between about 2600 and 500 meters above sea level. The Yungas eco-region has long been important for Central Andean populations, primarily for the provision of the coca leaf for ritual, labor and medicinal use by highland communities. The lower altitude forests of the Yungas are considered to be some of the most species rich ecosystems in the world, with particularly high diversity of butterflies, birds and flowering plants. While most ecotourism in the Yungas of La Paz occurs in North Yungas near the town of Coroico, La Paz on Foot concentrates its activities in and around the town of Chulumani, in South Yungas, where we have a small guesthouse and are developing a botanical garden and organic coffee farm.
La Paz on Foot takes you into South Yungas via one of three possible routes: by bus via the La Paz-Chulumani road, on foot via the YungaCruz pre-Colombian “Inca Trail” or on mountain bike (in partnership with B-side Adventures). Please let us know how you would like to travel—all three options are spectacular!
The following descriptions are summaries. For more detailed information, such as itineraries, costs, and what to bring, please send us an email: info@lapazonfoot.com. |
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Perhaps the most authentic (and challenging) way to get to know the Yungas of La Paz, the YungaCruz is a 5-day cross-country trek that starts out at 4000m in the small town of Chunavi (just behind Illimani Mountain) and ends up in Chulumani, South Yungas. During the YungaCruz you pass through four different ecological tiers (Alto-andino, Puna, Bosque Ceja de Montaña and Yungas Montane Forest) en route to the steamy coca growing valleys of South Yungas.
The footpaths followed to get to Chulumani are the same “roads” used for centuries by coca growers bringing the coca leaf out of the Yungas for use by highland populations. Once in Chulumani, you stay at our Tarapari Guesthouse and Botanical Garden and can opt for additional day-hikes (see our Coca Tour) in the area or return to La Paz.
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Our coca tour is a one-day day-hike that takes place outside Chulumani and gives you a look at all aspects of coca growing and use in South Yungas. Despite all the controversy surrounding the leaf’s use for cocaine production, the coca leaf continues to be an important part of traditional farming communities in the Yungas region. During the coca tour, we will visit a coca farm, sample coca leaf in various forms, and learn about the positive and negative ecological, economic and cultural aspects of its production. We will also visit a former coca “hacienda” or plantation house and learn about the present-day impacts of coca growing on the highly diverse forests of South Yungas.
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Whether or not you choose to visit Chulumani via one of our La Paz on Foot’s hikes or treks, the Tarapari Guesthouse is a beautiful lodging option for your stay in South Yungas. Built by German colonists in the mid-1940s, the adobe guesthouse sleeps up to 12 people and it located in the middle of the Tarapari Botanical Garden and Organic Coffee Farm. The house is fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom with tub and shower, and everything else you need to set up a tranquil base for exploring the Yungas. Food service is available upon request or you can have personal use of the kitchen.
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Our coca tour is a one-day day-hike that takes place outside Chulumani and gives you a look at all aspects of coca growing and use in South Yungas. Despite all the controversy surrounding the leaf’s use for cocaine production, the coca leaf continues to be an important part of traditional farming communities in the Yungas region. During the coca tour, we will visit a coca farm, sample coca leaf in various forms, and learn about the positive and negative ecological, economic and cultural aspects of its production. We will also visit a former coca “hacienda” or plantation house and learn about the present-day impacts of coca growing on the highly diverse forests of South Yungas.
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Looking for some serious adventure? If entering the Yungas on foot via the YungaCruz or by bus are not the most appealing options for you, consider entering with B-side Adventures on mountain bike! While most mountain biking companies focus on the world-famous La Paz-Coroico “Death Road,” B-side offers a unique opportunity to travel into the lesser-known South Yungas on their 2008 Kona mountain bikes. If you are interested in this option, please let us know in advance so we can set up the trip with B-side. For more information on this option, please visit B-side’s website: LINK TO B-SIDE WEBSITE
http://bside-southyungas.blogspot.com
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