Calling all amateur paleontologists and lovers of breathtaking landscapes: Torotoro National Park is a hidden treasure still under the radar but destined to become a must-see destination in Bolivia.
After a three-hour drive from Cochabamba, you’ll leave the asphalt behind and enter the cobbled and gravel streets of Torotoro village. First stop: the Tourism Office, where you’ll need to register and pay the entrance fee (100 Bs). Important: you cannot visit Torotoro without a guide, so be sure to reserve one at the adjacent guide office. The complete tour of the park takes three days; expect to pay 100 Bs per day per group (up to 6 people).
While waiting for your next excursion, explore the village, filled with imposing dinosaur statues that hint at the region’s main draw: dinosaur footprints, marine fossils, and surreal rock formations sure to ignite the imagination of any dinosaur enthusiast. We dare you not to hum the Jurassic Park theme.
MARINE FOSSILS AT 2,600 METERS
The first hike: Siete Vueltas. Climb one of the semi-circular rock formations with vertical strata, revealing the tectonic clash that formed the Andes. Ochre cliffs, green argillite, sedimentary rocks… the layers create a vibrant multicolored landscape.
At the summit, enjoy stunning views of the valley and observe marine fossils embedded in the rock—clear evidence that this land was once under the sea.
STONE CATHEDRALS
We head higher (3,700 m) to Ciudad de Itas, beyond a mountain pass overlooking Torotoro. The hike is not technically demanding but offers many wonders. Use your imagination to spot fantastical shapes in the rock. Early on, you’ll find prehistoric cave paintings in a small cavern.
The trail leads through grassy and rocky paths to Ciudad de Piedra, a true cathedral of stone. Get your cameras ready! On the way back, another path reveals further impressive formations. You may encounter raptors from the canyon below, viscachas, or grazing goats—Torotoro’s wildlife is just as rich as its geology.
DEPTHS OF THE EARTH AND EXTRAORDINARY CREATURES
Next stop: the Umajalanta cave, with dinosaur footprints visible en route. Pay the 12 Bs entrance fee at the hut and gear up with a mandatory helmet and headlamp. Umajalanta is Bolivia’s deepest cave (7 km), though only the first 500 m are open to visitors.
Accessible to fit hikers, the descent is slightly technical with uneven rocks, no marked paths, and tight passages that may challenge the claustrophobic. Inside, discover stalactites, stalagmites, underground lagoons, blind catfish, and even bats. A true journey to the center of the Earth.
Later, head to the Turtle Cemetery—a landscape of ochre dunes where prehistoric sea turtle shells (approx. 50 million years old) emerge with time and weather. Guides protect the area and let nature do its work.
End the day with a visit to Torotoro’s most iconic site: an area near the village with exceptionally well-preserved dinosaur footprints, including ankylosaurs and velociraptors. These prints appear on sloping ground—not because dinosaurs climbed hills, but due to geological uplift over time.
THE TOROTORO CANYON AND EL VERGEL WATERFALL
The grand finale: the Torotoro Canyon, accessed via a rocky, shaded path and two stone bridges. The viewpoint (mirador) offers jaw-dropping photo ops of the nearly 300-meter-deep canyon—rivaling famous North American counterparts.
But don’t stop there! To reach the El Vergel waterfall, descend 800 steps carved into the canyon wall. Arrive around noon for ideal sunlight. Whether you swim, meditate, or just admire the scenery, this tranquil oasis offers the perfect pause before climbing back up, the final step of this unforgettable adventure in Torotoro.
