Discover Nor Yungas: Ideas for Your Trip

In the wider La Paz destination area, two themes lead to different discoveries: protected landscapes and ancient trails in Cotapata, and the archaeological history of Tiwanaku. Parque Nacional y Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Cotapata combines ecological, scenic, and archaeological features and is well suited to environmental education and tourism. Tiwanaku lies on the Altiplano, near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca. If you are planning a trip to Nor Yungas, this regional perspective can help you decide what you would like to focus on: trails and landscapes, or a closer look at an ancient city.

Cotapata: Getting There and Trails

Parque Nacional y Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Cotapata can be reached overland via the La Paz–Coroico road or through the Río Huarinilla valley. A private vehicle is recommended for the journey. By bus, you can travel to Coroico or La Cumbre; from there, the trekking route continues to the village of El Chairo. This offers different ways to travel: an overland journey or a bus ride followed by a trekking section. When planning, first consider which way of getting around best suits your plans.

The pre-Columbian El Choro trail can also be used as a walking route into the protected area. Trail conditions and access may change, so check these details before setting out on a hike. Another named trail is the Camino Chairo–Socosani. It continues from Puente Inca en Chairo and runs along the lower slope of Cerro Nogalani to the ruins of Socosani. Along the way, you can see old agricultural terraces, retaining walls, and paved paths. So the route offers more than just the ruins at its destination: traces of agriculture and trail construction are also among its tangible impressions.

Tiwanaku: Ancient City and Modern Town

Tiwanaku is in Ingavi Province, in the Department of La Paz, at an elevation of 3,850 meters. The modern town lies near the ancient city, most of which has been built over. The ancient city was built primarily from adobe bricks. This relationship between the old urban area and the modern town makes Tiwanaku a different kind of travel interest from the trails in Cotapata: here, the focus is on the archaeological history of a place, rather than planning a hike.

Travel Interests and Vacation Rentals

When choosing a vacation rental in Nor Yungas, it helps to first sort out your own travel interests. The destinations described are part of the wider La Paz destination area and offer different points of focus: Cotapata combines landscapes with several ways to access and explore the area; Tiwanaku draws attention to an ancient city and the way it is overlaid by the modern town. For a family trip, you can discuss together whether you would prefer an outing focused on walking trails and landscapes or on archaeological history. Then look for accommodation in a location that suits the outings you actually plan to take.

Discover more destinations: Coroico, Pacajes, Cercado, Franz Tamayo, Caranavi Province, Omasuyos, Larecaja.

Back to the main travel overview: La Paz.