In Bolivia, the dry season begins in May. This month is therefore ideal for trekking, which is why Thaki Voyage has decided to highlight three of the most beautiful trekking routes in the country.
As you read this first report of the year 2025, you will discover new itineraries in the Cordillera Norte, most of which are taken exclusively by the agency. By getting up high, you’ll be able to contemplate the wild beauty of the passes and valleys and appreciate the impressive Inca remains.
In the company of experienced guides, we invite you to go beyond the mountains to experience a respectful and communicative journey that will satisfy your thirst for adventure, while nourishing your taste for the great outdoors and human encounters.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced walker, follow us on the breathtaking thakis (Aymara language paths) of the Andes and get the trekking season off to a great start with us!
The Condoriri Massif Trek: 360-degree panoramic exploration
It’s hard to put a limit on the writing of trekking routes in Bolivia, because the country has so many. From short walks to longer treks, via classic itineraries such as the El Choro Trek, which crosses the Parque Nacional Cotapata, the territory has all the qualities to move the intrepid walker in you.
Today, the team has chosen to dazzle you with a selection of excursions that can be completed in several days from La Paz. These include the spectacular and grandiose Condoriri trek in the Cordillera Real, which requires a three-day walk.
Just a two-hour drive from the capital, you can discover unspoilt flora and fauna. You can admire the majestic bird of prey that inhabits the Andes, the Condor. The mountain range is named after it. During your expedition, you can also spot the llamas that populate these vast wild expanses, covered with incredible crystal-clear lagoons with turquoise waters: the Khotia, Ajwani, Jurikhota and Chiar Khota lagoons.
The breathtaking views of the Condoriri Massif and ‘Condor’s Head’ from Austria Peak, at 5,300 metres, will also take your breath away. You will be impressed by the snow-capped peaks on offer on this tour, which runs from May to October.
The complete crossing of the Cordillera Real: peaks, rivers and thrills
At Thaki Voyage, we’re passionate about the mountains, as you will see from Anne Bialek, co-founder of the agency, but also co-author of the ‘Cordillera Royale’ guidebook, which highlights different trekking routes, from the easiest to the most difficult.
This eponymous crossing of the Altiplano requires experience, but you will feel safe in the knowledge that you’re accompanied by a French- or Spanish-speaking guide, who will spend sixteen days helping you to climb the steep, icy peaks of the Andes.
The human aspect is therefore very important during our tours. You will be overwhelmed by the generosity of the teams and communities that you will meet in the refuges. You will find a lot of warmth in the small, remote villages, such as Sorata, which lies in the heart of a valley with lush vegetation, close to the Illampu and Ancohuma massifs.
You will find that the Cordillera Real trail is little explored, as it has been set aside by man. Nevertheless, this surprising route will allow you to capture the essence of a small part of this mountain range. Although still little-known, this route is simultaneously rugged and splendid. You will be subjected to many changes in temperature and landscape, but you will be rewarded a thousand times over with the sight of mineral valleys, glaciers, rivers and multicolored lakes.
We invite you to consult the full program on our website to find out more about this royal route to the north-east of La Paz and to the east of Lake Titicaca.
The Apolobamba Mountain Range Trek: wild and unique
The opening of this route in 2013 by Thaki Voyage is further proof of the agency’s commitment to high mountain trekking.
This expedition offers some fine climbs reserved for experienced climbers, as the Cordillera is rich in glacial massifs, including the Ullakaya and Condoriri massifs. Over the course of ten days, you’ll be able to see a number of Andean peaks, including the largest, the southern peak of Chaupi Orco, the highest point in the Cordillera.
Through valleys and lagoons, this route moves further away from La Paz towards the high plateaux. There are plenty of moments to let your hair down, such as relaxing in the thermal waters of the small village of Lagunillas. The route is interspersed with breaks and details to give you the time you need to admire the natural splendours, such as the opportunity to picnic by the lakes.
From the viewpoints, you can savour the intensity of this ashen land, its rocks and green lakes, while appreciating the animals that live there. There’s no doubt that the Andean deer and vicuñas will fill you with wonder.
From May to August, you’re welcome to explore the Cordillera Apolobamba. In Quechua, this means ‘earth’. Indeed, for Bolivians, the Madre Tierra occupies a very important place. Nature is alive and well, and the region’s paradisiacal mountains are no exception to this vision – they are also worshipped as a god.
Until October, avoid the raindrops and make the most of the good walking weather. Get off the beaten track by choosing less-frequented routes that will give you the opportunity to get to know an intimate and authentic Bolivia.
Far from mass tourism, our agency does its utmost to offer you responsible trekking tours that preserve the biodiversity of pristine landscapes. These adventures are created with a great deal of respect and love.
So if you love trekking or simply need to disconnect by reconnecting with yourself and the Pachamama, think no more. Bolivia is where you’ll reach the pinnacle of joy, and Thaki Voyage will be there to help you get there!
Article by Mathilde Leroux.
