Sajama National Park holds the highest mountain of Bolivia, the Sajama with 6,542 m/21,450 ft, set in the Western Andes Range and bordering with Chile and Lauca National Park. The area was and still is a main center of Andean religion, due to the mountain and rich habitat, ideal for raising camelides, like the llama, alpaca and vicuña, and having also puma, fox and in birding the flamencos.
Ecotourism Tomarapi SRL is a community base enterprise of people from the village of Caripe, offering hosting, food and the administration, also starting to learn about services, to be in the near future guides and provide the touring in the area.
DAY 1. LA PAZ / CURAHUARA DE CARANGAS / TOMARAPI
Private transportation from La Paz, crossing the highlands and Desaguadero river. Visit the colonial church of Curahuara de Carangas, continue west closer to the Sajama national park. Youll see valleys of rocks with great formations, as well as old ceremonial tombs.
Leave the main road to Chile and turn right to the northern foothills of the Sajama, to overnight in Ecolodge Tomarapi (4 hours).
In the afternoon, youll enjoy a trek in the surroundings to see the wetlands from water coming of the glaciers, ideal for the llama and alpaca raising. (L, D)
DAY 2. TOMBS OF MACAYA
Amazing trip south of the park, crossing rivers and rich wetlands with plenty of animals, with rich habitats, culture and landscapes. Youll pass the village of Macaya with a beautiful small colonial church (2 hours), near a lagoon of the same name.
Then is the Lauca river and an amazing spot, in terms of culture, the coloured tombs of Macaya, they belong to the Carangas culture and are over 20 of different colours and sizes. Visit also Saquewa lagoon with Andean flamingos (1 hour). Trip back to Ecolodge Tomarapi (2 hours). (B, L, D)
DAY 3. GEYSERS OF WALLA KERIS / HOT SPRINGS / QUEÑUA FOREST / LA PAZ
Early departure to see the geysers of Walla Keris to see the volcanic activities, and beauty of area, visiting the village of Sajama and its great colonial church. Enjoy a thermal bath in one of the 40 hot springs of the area. In the afternoon youll visit a queñuas forest at over 4,200 m. Trip back to La Paz (4 hours). (B, L)