This trip is full, but I wanted to post it up as we're going to be offering it up every year. I'll also be updating it with pictures as it progresses (if possible) and certainly when I get back. The trip starts May 15 and will last about 11 days. I'll be getting there a few days early to meet up with our local guide, since this our first time doing this trip - some unpredictability will be occurring I am sure.
Below is the basic itinerary, but it will likely change en route as there are several parts/areas that are far from "traveled".
We'll also have the Gear Patrol folks with us on this trip to document it for one of their articles along with providing a video to document the journey.
We're all pretty exciting about the trip and being able to offer it as a regular trip. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on this trip in the future, other OEX trips, trainings and events we offer. http://www.overlandexperts.com/stay_in_touch.php
Here's the link on our site for the upcoming Bolivia trip: http://www.overlandexperts.com/recreational/travel/bolivia_recce.php
This is the abbreviated schedule.
Day 1: Arrival in Bolivia. Transfer to hotel. Hotel de la Torre. Presentation/assignment of vehicles. Group dinner.
Day 2: Cochabamba – Chapare
Approx 4 hours drive descending from the Andes foothills sees us in the heat and humidity of the jungle area. After a delicious lunch of fresh water fish we’ll head straight into the jungle! It’ll be a mix of logging tracks and …worse, or…..?.
Accommodation: Camping or local village
Day 3: Chapare region
Early breakfast and pack up. Today we are working our way towards an isolated Indian Village within the Amazon rain forest ….Another day in the jungle. We’ll hope to take a bit of a boat ride if possible on some of the Tropical Rainforest Rivers. The goal is also to spend as much time with the local tribal members as possible.
Accommodation: Camping or local village house (local houses are often available for stay. They are basic, clean and traditional dwellings).
Day 4: Chapare - Independencia
We’ll climb out of the steamy jungle into the Andes Mountains again before literally crossing them and descending to the town of Independencia. 50/50 pavement and established dirt roads today with unforgettable scenery. We’ll climb to over 13,000 feet above sea level today before dropping down to 8500ft for our overnight destination. The ecological diversity and landscapes make this an impressive location shift.
Accommodation: 1 star hotel (this link will give you an idea of the Bolivian hostels – they are higher end than most found world wide) or Camping depends on progress
Day 5: Independencia – Chulumani
Already where no tourists go, this route will take us up and down the mountain range on winding dirt roads until we reach the Sacambaya river. Crossing is an interesting event. If we get across we’ll be dropping quickly to the upper Amazon Rainforest. It’ll be hot, humid and perhaps muddy.
Accommodation: 4 star hotel.
Day 6: Chulumani – Caranavi (via Death Road)
Think you can manage Death Road? “Sure” you say, “a walk in the park”. But what about the road that has replaced it as unofficially “The World’s Most Dangerous Road”. Hold your breath; it is a long way down.
Everyone has a choice to take this route or not. One of the OEX guides will be on each route.
Accommodation 2 star hotel.
Day 7: Caranavi – Mapiri
We are well and truly in Amazon Rainforest area here. You’ll be laughing at Death Road when you’ve seen this stuff. We are well and truly in Amazon Rainforest area here. The roads will be rough, narrow and if muddy, pretty messy. There will be a few rivers to cross and one or two wooden swing bridges. These wooden swing bridges are barely wide enough for a car and can hang up to or over 30ft above the water.
Accommodation: Camping or Village House.
Day 8: Mapiri – Sorata
More rough and narrow roads that require slow, careful driving today. And it’ll be hot. It is the Amazon after all. Toward the end of the day we’ll climb into the Andes foothills again - cool mountain air after all the humidity we’ve endured over the last few days.
Accommodation: 1 star hostel.
Day 9: Sorata - Oruro
Stunning views today as we drive along the lake’s edge with the Andes Mountain range in the background. We’ll then move onto the Altiplano where you’ll get a chance to see how the highlands Indians live, and have done for centuries. Rough going and high altitude.
Accommodation: 3 star hotel.
Day 10: Oruro – Cochabamba
A final treat in store on our last day driving. We’ll take a little know road that follows, sometimes literally, an abandoned railway. This route manages to bottle ‘genuine Bolivia’ in just a few kilometers.
Accommodation: 3 star hotel.
Day 11: Airport transfers to Cochabamba airport and on to your connection through La Paz
Below is the basic itinerary, but it will likely change en route as there are several parts/areas that are far from "traveled".
We'll also have the Gear Patrol folks with us on this trip to document it for one of their articles along with providing a video to document the journey.
We're all pretty exciting about the trip and being able to offer it as a regular trip. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on this trip in the future, other OEX trips, trainings and events we offer. http://www.overlandexperts.com/stay_in_touch.php
Here's the link on our site for the upcoming Bolivia trip: http://www.overlandexperts.com/recreational/travel/bolivia_recce.php
This is the abbreviated schedule.
Day 1: Arrival in Bolivia. Transfer to hotel. Hotel de la Torre. Presentation/assignment of vehicles. Group dinner.
Day 2: Cochabamba – Chapare
Approx 4 hours drive descending from the Andes foothills sees us in the heat and humidity of the jungle area. After a delicious lunch of fresh water fish we’ll head straight into the jungle! It’ll be a mix of logging tracks and …worse, or…..?.
Accommodation: Camping or local village
Day 3: Chapare region
Early breakfast and pack up. Today we are working our way towards an isolated Indian Village within the Amazon rain forest ….Another day in the jungle. We’ll hope to take a bit of a boat ride if possible on some of the Tropical Rainforest Rivers. The goal is also to spend as much time with the local tribal members as possible.
Accommodation: Camping or local village house (local houses are often available for stay. They are basic, clean and traditional dwellings).
Day 4: Chapare - Independencia
We’ll climb out of the steamy jungle into the Andes Mountains again before literally crossing them and descending to the town of Independencia. 50/50 pavement and established dirt roads today with unforgettable scenery. We’ll climb to over 13,000 feet above sea level today before dropping down to 8500ft for our overnight destination. The ecological diversity and landscapes make this an impressive location shift.
Accommodation: 1 star hotel (this link will give you an idea of the Bolivian hostels – they are higher end than most found world wide) or Camping depends on progress
Day 5: Independencia – Chulumani
Already where no tourists go, this route will take us up and down the mountain range on winding dirt roads until we reach the Sacambaya river. Crossing is an interesting event. If we get across we’ll be dropping quickly to the upper Amazon Rainforest. It’ll be hot, humid and perhaps muddy.
Accommodation: 4 star hotel.
Day 6: Chulumani – Caranavi (via Death Road)
Think you can manage Death Road? “Sure” you say, “a walk in the park”. But what about the road that has replaced it as unofficially “The World’s Most Dangerous Road”. Hold your breath; it is a long way down.
Everyone has a choice to take this route or not. One of the OEX guides will be on each route.
Accommodation 2 star hotel.
Day 7: Caranavi – Mapiri
We are well and truly in Amazon Rainforest area here. You’ll be laughing at Death Road when you’ve seen this stuff. We are well and truly in Amazon Rainforest area here. The roads will be rough, narrow and if muddy, pretty messy. There will be a few rivers to cross and one or two wooden swing bridges. These wooden swing bridges are barely wide enough for a car and can hang up to or over 30ft above the water.
Accommodation: Camping or Village House.
Day 8: Mapiri – Sorata
More rough and narrow roads that require slow, careful driving today. And it’ll be hot. It is the Amazon after all. Toward the end of the day we’ll climb into the Andes foothills again - cool mountain air after all the humidity we’ve endured over the last few days.
Accommodation: 1 star hostel.
Day 9: Sorata - Oruro
Stunning views today as we drive along the lake’s edge with the Andes Mountain range in the background. We’ll then move onto the Altiplano where you’ll get a chance to see how the highlands Indians live, and have done for centuries. Rough going and high altitude.
Accommodation: 3 star hotel.
Day 10: Oruro – Cochabamba
A final treat in store on our last day driving. We’ll take a little know road that follows, sometimes literally, an abandoned railway. This route manages to bottle ‘genuine Bolivia’ in just a few kilometers.
Accommodation: 3 star hotel.
Day 11: Airport transfers to Cochabamba airport and on to your connection through La Paz
