Immersion among the Kallawayas

Take a leap into little-known Bolivia and be surprised by these ancestral cultures… In one of the most remote regions of the country, dominated by the imposing Apolobamba mountain range, meet the Kallawayas people. Famous in Bolivia for their knowledge of plants, learn from these mysterious healers about plants and their uses, visit various Calbidos, sacred places and perform the “Challa” ritual. Visit the sacred archaeological site of Chullpapata where you will share a traditional Bolivian meal called apthapi. Enjoy a moment of relaxation in the thermal baths of Charazani and pay a visit to the warm and peaceful community of Santiago de Okola, nestling in a splendid bay dominated by a hill called the Sleeping Dragon, on the shores of Lake Titicaca… A fascinating insight into Bolivia’s ancestral cultures, beliefs and traditions!

Overview

Duration 3 days
Transport Private transport
Site fees Included
Guide English speaking driver and spanish speaking local guide
Altitude From 3'600 to 4'100
Best time All year

Indicative price, excluding international flights. All nights, meals, guides and transfers included.

Plan my trip

Main stops

A visit to the sacred archaeological site of Chullpapata, where you will share an apthapi, a typical picnic lunch
An exceptional view of the Apolobamba mountain range
Visit to the various Cabildos, sacred places, and perform the challa, a ritual performed by the Kallawayas in these places
Charazani thermal baths

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Day 1

LA PAZ / CHARAZANI / CHARI COMMUNITY / WOOL WORKSHOP / CAMPFIRE

Start 07:00
Accommodation community of Chari
Meals lunch/dinner
Altitude 3'600
Transport 5 hours
Walk / Bike 1 hour

Pick-up at the meeting point in La Paz in the early morning. Approximately 5 hours' drive before arriving in Charazani, you can visit the village's small main square before driving another 20 minutes to the Chari community hostel, run by the Kallawayas. Settle in at the hostel and enjoy a meal. In the afternoon, we set off on a short guided tour of the community, where you will learn a great deal about the different plants and how they are used. You will be able to perform the challa (typical Bolivian rite) at the community's various Cabildos (sacred places). On your return from the walk, you will be given a demonstration of the community's typical handicrafts by one of the village women.Evening meal, followed by a campfire and overnight in the Chari community hostel.

Day 2

HIKE TO CHULLPAPATA / APTHAPI / ACTIVITY DEPENDING ON THE SEASON

Start 08:00
Accommodation Community of Chari
Meals Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Altitude From 3'6000 to 4'100 meters
Transport /
Walk / Bike 6 hours

Depart in the morning after breakfast for a hike to the Chullpapata archaeological site.Approximately 4 kilometres of ascent and 500 metres of ascent. On arrival at the Chullpapata site, your guide will explain the importance of the site to the Kallawayas and the ceremonies that take place there. Unfortunately, we do not know the exact date of construction or which civilisation built it. However, we do know that it was a burial site. You will then share an apthapi with your guide in the ruins, with a magnificent view over the valley. The apthapi is a kind of picnic, often consisting of llama meat, chuños, tuntas, potatoes and fried cheese. You can admire the alpacas and llamas and, depending on the season, take part in the various tasks in the fields, such as sowing potatoes and harvesting. Return to Chari, a 9-kilometre walk with 570 metres of ascent.You can ask to be shown the various medicines made by the Kallawayas from local plants. If you feel like it, you can also ask for a private consultation, so that your future can be read in the coca leaves.

Day 3

THERMAL BATHS / RETURN TO LA PAZ WITH STOPOVER AT LAKE TITICACA

Start 07:00
Accommodation /
Meals Breakfast/lunch
Altitude From 3'600 to 3'800 meters
Transport 5 hours
Walk / Bike 2 minutes

Depart in the morning, after breakfast, by car to Charazani, where you can relax in the thermal baths before setting off again for La Paz. On the way, a stop is planned at Santiago de Okola, where you can admire the famous Dragon Dormido, a small peak on the shores of Lake Titicaca, whose shape is reminiscent of a dragon. You'll have a picnic in a small cove next to Turtle Island. Then return to La Paz, arriving in the late afternoon.

Also worth a look