The El Choro trek is a pre-Hispanic stone road from the La Cumbre pass above La Paz down into the Yungas cloud forest, ending at the village of Chairo. It runs about 50 km over 3 days (GPS tracks measure 47 to 57 km depending on start and end), climbs first to the Abra Chucura pass at about 4,870 m, then drops some 3,600 m to Chairo at about 1,250 m. Almost all of it is downhill: kind to the lungs, hard on the knees.
Most of the route lies in Cotapata National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area (SERNAP). Robberies have been reported on the lower trail and road blockades can cut access, so read the safety section before you go.
El Choro at a glance
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 50 km, La Cumbre to Chairo (tracks: 47-57 km) |
| Days | 3 (2 1/2 for fast walkers, 4 at a slow pace) |
| Start | La Cumbre pass, about 4,650-4,700 m; SERNAP ranger post |
| High point | Abra Chucura (Apacheta), about 4,870 m |
| End | Chairo, about 1,250 m |
| Descent | About 3,600 m from the pass |
| Fees | Community fee about 20 Bs at Chucura; campsite fees extra |
| Guide | Not required |
Day by day
Day 1: La Cumbre, Abra Chucura and the descent to Chucura
Register at the SERNAP post at La Cumbre, then climb to the Abra Chucura, the apacheta pass at about 4,870 m, the only real ascent of the trek. From there the paved road drops steeply. Samaña Pampa, at km 8.5 and about 3,980 m, has a free registration hut. The community collects a trail fee of about 20 Bs at Chucura. Common first-night camps are further down, at Challapampa (km 17.8).
Day 2: into the cloud forest
The stone road enters the Yungas forest, with long sections of original paving and suspension bridges. Puente El Choro, at km 23.8 and about 2,145 m, marks the crossing of the Río Choro. Beyond it the path climbs and falls along the valley side; Sandillani (km 39.4) is a usual second camp.
Day 3: down to Chairo
The last day descends to Chairo at about 1,250 m, in warm, humid air. There is no public transport from Chairo: hikers hire a taxi to Coroico or Yolosita (reported at 100-180 Bs) and take a minibus back to La Paz (20-30 Bs).
Fees, permits and camping
SERNAP’s Cotapata page lists no entry fee and no advance permit for this route. What you do pay: a community trail-maintenance fee of about 20 Bs at Chucura, and campsite fees of about 10-25 Bs each at sites such as Challapampa, Buena Vista, San Francisco and Villa Loa. Carry small notes in bolivianos. Source: SERNAP Cotapata plus recent trip reports (see facts-sources).
Safety: robbery reports, bridges and blockades
- Robberies: Rough Guides reports robberies on the trail past Choro village, and Canada’s official advice notes hikers robbed in the Yungas and on Bolivia’s Inca trails. Walk in a group, do not camp alone, and keep valuables to a minimum.
- Bridges and washouts: in the rainy season bridges and path sections can wash out, and river crossings become dangerous. Ask at the La Cumbre post about current conditions.
- Road blockades are common in Bolivia and can cut overland routes without warning; the US Embassy in La Paz warned on 9 September 2026 that blockades were expected to resume, and the previous round disrupted overland travel for more than seven weeks. Check local news and embassy alerts the day before you drive to a trailhead.
- Health at the bottom: Chairo is below 2,300 m in the Yungas. The CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination for designated areas of La Paz department below 2,300 m east of the Andes, and malaria transmission occurs below 2,500 m. Check the CDC Bolivia page before you go.
Getting to La Cumbre
Take a Yungas or Coroico minibus from the Villa Fátima area of La Paz and ask to be dropped at La Cumbre: about an hour, 20-30 Bs. Start early; the pass is cold and often in cloud by midday.
When to go
The dry season, roughly May to September, is the usual window. In the wet season the stone paving becomes slippery, rivers rise and SERNAP records 1,000 to over 3,000 mm of rain a year in the area. Spend at least two or three days in La Paz (about 3,640 m) before starting at 4,650 m.
More Bolivia routes
The parallel Takesi trail, about 40 km over 2-3 days with a pass near 4,640 m, is the other stone road from the Altiplano to the Yungas. Both are on Bolivia hiking trails; for a glacier objective see Huayna Potosí. In Bolivia, local tour service providers provide all services; for help combining Bolivia with a Peru trek, write to info@incatrailreservations.com.