Bolivia: Cordillera Real Trek Cybercast

Today we spent the morning hiking to the top of the sleeping dragon rock formation. The trail is steep, but the views from the top are spectacular from the expanse of the lake to the farm fields and villages all the way across to the summits of several 6000 meter peaks. Before we left the village, we took a group photo with the family that hosted us in their home. This afternoon we traveled to our first camp in the mountains and we will begin the true trekking portion of our trip tomorrow.

Rachel

We enjoyed another day full of activity alongside Lake Titicaca, starting with a boat ride on the lake in the morning. We then traveled to the other side of the lake and hiked down to the village of Santiago de Okola. Santiago de Okola is located in a very picturesque part of the lake below a rock formation in the shape of a sleeping dragon. Our local hosts, the Hilari family, accompanied us on visits to the local medicinal plant expert and to the home of Doña Regina, a talented woman in her 90s who showed us traditional weaving techniques and let us try on the traditional woven clothing of community authorities. We finished off the evening with dinner by a eucalyptus wood fire.

Saludos,

Rachel

We spent eight days in the Cordillera Real of Bolivia hiking remote and rugged terrain, crossing high passes and descending steeply into valleys to camp beside lakes and streams. We didn’t cross paths with a single other trekker or group during the entire trip and enjoyed panoramic views of mountains and valleys. The terrain in Bolivia is indeed rugged, but the solitude is special. Enjoy a few photos from our trip!

Chau,

Rachel