Born from the highest summits of the Cordillera Real, the valleys of the Yungas abruptly plunge in to the Amazon Basin. This is without a doubt one of the most impressive natural phenomenon in Bolivia.
As we descend from the nearby Altiplano, the mineral landscape is replaced by a colorful flora, new fragrances and waterfalls, which seem to fall from the sky… Further down, the vegetation becomes yet thicker and eventually we enter the Jungle. On these vertiginous slopes are cultivated the fruits and vegetables that later on will be sold on the markets of the Altiplano: mangoes, papayas, bananas and coffee grow amongst the parrots and monkeys. And let’s not forget coca, here a traditional crop!.
This magnificent 5-day loop allow us to visit the untouched valleys of the South Yungas, still unknown to tourism, before ascending between the two Cordillera’s Giants Mururata and Illimani, on our way back to La Paz

We depart at 8:30 a.m. from our hotel in a private 4WD, direction la Cordillera Real. After passing the Cumbre a pass at 4750 meters above sea level, the Andes, abruptly seem to drop below our feet. A few hundred kilometers lower as the crow flies and we are the Amazon Basin! Welcome to this incredible intermediate region called the Yungas, named after an ancient pre-Incan tribe that used to live on its steep slopes.
We enter in the Unduavi Valley, by a winding and exposed dirt road. As we drive down the twisting road, the scenery becomes more lush, the air more humid and the wind yet warmer...
All of a sudden, perched on a promontory, appears the shadow of a medieval castle. Paraguayans prisoners erected this peculiar building during the Chaco war (1932), to satisfy the whim of the Bolivian president. Lunch at the castle. Recommended hike to the river below.

From Irupana, our track first leads us to the remote village of La Pazuela (el. 1000 m.a.s.l.), a paradise for mango lovers. We then slowly ascent to a pass at 4500 elevation, between the Mururata and Illimani “nevados”, two of the Giants of the Cordillera Real (Royal Mountain Range). After 6 h of dirt road, we arrive at the village of Tres Ríos, nested at the bottom of a valley at the foot of the Bolsa Negra mine.
Cold lunch. All included. Camping or Lodging with local host (basic comfort).

Early morning departure from tres Ríos. We follow the valley towards the next village, Tututal Pampa, a few minutes away by car. From there starts a beautiful and almost unknown trek. We hike from one laguna to the next until we reach the base of Mururata’s glacier (el. 5870 m.a.s.l.). We then return to Tutural Pampa. Return to La Paz at the end of the day (3h30 drive).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel  ***.
Hiking time: 5h; Elevation gain: +400m / -400m