Top Hiking Trails in Bolivia Trail Map
Bolivia covers 1,098,581 km². Its highest peak is Nevado Sajama (6,542 m). The Cordillera Real, about 125 km long, rises directly above La Paz and El Alto, with Illimani (6,438 m), Illampu (6,368 m) and Huayna Potosí (6,088 m). La Paz sits at about 3,640 m and El Alto International Airport at 4,061 m, so every trek here starts at altitude. East of the range, stone roads such as El Choro and Takesi drop into the humid Yungas valleys. Other routes include the Takesi trail, about 40 km from Ventilla to Yanacachi over a pass near 4,640 m; the Illampu circuit from Sorata; the Condoriri group; Sajama National Park around Nevado Sajama; and Torotoro National Park, where guides are required. Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca is a common acclimatisation walk.
Travel Information
Country Code
BO
Currency
BOB (Boliviano)
Language
Spanish and 36 official indigenous languages, including Quechua and Aymara
Capital
Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (seat of government)
Elevation Range
About 1,250 m (Chairo) to 6,088 m (Huayna Potosí) on the featured routes; highest peak 6,542 m
Best Time to Visit
May to October (dry season) for trekking; the main Huayna Potosí season runs May to November.
Climate
Treks and climbs follow the dry season, roughly May to October, with cold, clear nights. The wet season brings rain and snow on the passes and slippery paving; SERNAP records 1,000 to over 3,000 mm of rain a year in Cotapata, where El Choro ends.
Visa Requirements
US citizens need no tourist visa since 1 December 2025 (Supreme Decree 5497). Canada's official advice gives 30 days on entry, extendable. All visitors must complete the free SIGEMIG online pre-registration with Bolivian migration before arrival, and passports need 6 months of validity. Other nationalities: check with Migración Bolivia. More in our Bolivia travel guide.
Health Considerations
Altitude is the main health factor: you land at 4,061 m and sleep at about 3,640 m in La Paz. CDC advice is to avoid raising sleeping altitude by more than about 500 m a day above 2,750 m, so build in acclimatisation days before any trek. The CDC lists a yellow fever vaccination requirement for arriving travellers aged 1 and over; carry your certificate. It also recommends the vaccine for areas below 2,300 m east of the Andes, including parts of La Paz department, and malaria occurs below 2,500 m: both apply at the low end of El Choro and Takesi.
Emergency Number
110 (police); 165 ambulance in La Paz; 119 fire
Permits Required
No advance permits for El Choro, Takesi or Huayna Potosí. El Choro: register at the SERNAP post at La Cumbre and at Samaña Pampa (free); community fee of about 20 Bs at Chucura plus campsite fees of about 10-25 Bs. Takesi: community fees on the trail. Huayna Potosí is not in a national park: a small road checkpoint charge and refugio fees apply.
Accommodation
El Choro and Takesi: community campsites with small fees; carry a tent, stove and food from La Paz. Huayna Potosí: refugios at the Zongo base (about 4,700 m) and Campo Alto Roca (5,130 m), usually booked through the climbing agency. La Paz has gear rental and agencies for every route.
🇧🇴 Country Facts
11,365,333 (2024 census)
Population
1,098,581 km²
Total Area
UTC-4
Time Zone
+591
Calling Code
Nevado Sajama (6,542 m)
Highest Peak
Geographic Overview
Bolivia covers 1,098,581 km². Its highest peak is Nevado Sajama (6,542 m). The Cordillera Real, about 125 km long, rises directly above La Paz and El Alto, with Illimani (6,438 m), Illampu (6,368 m) and Huayna Potosí (6,088 m). La Paz sits at about 3,640 m and El Alto International Airport at 4,061 m, so every trek here starts at altitude. East of the range, stone roads such as El Choro and Takesi drop into the humid Yungas valleys. Other routes include the Takesi trail, about 40 km from Ventilla to Yanacachi over a pass near 4,640 m; the Illampu circuit from Sorata; the Condoriri group; Sajama National Park around Nevado Sajama; and Torotoro National Park, where guides are required. Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca is a common acclimatisation walk.
Culture & History
El Choro and Takesi are pre-Hispanic paved roads that linked the Altiplano with the Yungas. They are not part of the sections of the Qhapaq Ñan inscribed by UNESCO (the Bolivian inscribed section runs Desaguadero to Viacha). Much of El Choro crosses Cotapata National Park, where 33 communities live; the trail fees hikers pay go to those communities.
Featured Trails in Bolivia
Bolivia at a Glance
6,542 m
Highest Peak
about 3,640 m
La Paz
6,088 m
Huayna Potosí
about 4,870 m
El Choro Pass
When to Visit Bolivia
Dry Season (May-October)
Firm stone paving on El Choro and Takesi, clear skies and cold nights at the passes. The main season for Huayna Potosí, which runs on to November.
Wet Season (about December-March)
Rain in the Yungas and snow on the passes; paving turns slippery, rivers rise and bridges or path sections can wash out. Glacier climbs face fresh snow and cloud.
Practical Information
Getting There and Trailhead Access
El Alto International Airport (4,061 m) serves La Paz. El Choro: Yungas minibus from Villa Fátima to La Cumbre, about 1 hour, 20-30 Bs; no public transport from Chairo at the end. Takesi: minibuses to Ventilla, about 3 hours. Huayna Potosí: Zongo refugios 1 h 30 min to 2 h by road.
Fees
El Choro: community fee about 20 Bs at Chucura, campsites about 10-25 Bs each. Takesi: community fees. Huayna Potosí: no park fee; refugio and checkpoint charges. Carry small bolivianos notes.
Road Blockades
Blockades are common and can cut routes without warning. The US Embassy in La Paz warned on 9 September 2026 that blockades were expected to resume; the previous round disrupted overland travel for more than seven weeks. Check before driving to a trailhead.
Security on the Trail
Canada's official advice reports hikers robbed in the Yungas and on Bolivia's Inca trails. Walk in a group, avoid camping alone and keep valuables to a minimum.
Emergency Contacts
Police
110National police emergency number.
Ambulance, La Paz
165Ambulance number for La Paz.
Fire
119Fire service.
Tourist Police, La Paz
+591 2 222 5016Tourist police in La Paz (Government of Canada travel advice).
Clínica del Sur, La Paz
+591 2 278 4001Private clinic emergencies; Av. Hernando Siles esq. Calle 7 No. 3539, Obrajes.
US Embassy La Paz
+591 2 216 8000Avenida Arce 2780, La Paz. After hours: +591 2 216 8500.
Bolivia Trail Regions
La Paz Hiking Trails
La Paz hiking trails in Bolivia's Cordillera Real: El Choro (about 50 km over 3…
Frequently Asked Questions about Top Hiking Trails in Bolivia
El Choro: no; many people walk it independently, though a group adds security. Huayna Potosí: no law requires a guide, but it is a crevassed glacier, so go with one unless your team is trained in roped glacier travel.
Robberies have been reported on the lower trail past Choro village, and Canada’s official advice notes hikers robbed in the Yungas. Walk in a group, camp near others and check road-blockade news before travelling.
Beginners do climb it with a guide after a day of glacier practice, but you need good fitness, time above 4,500 m beforehand, and a night at 5,130 m before a 1 am start to 6,088 m.
Plan several days. La Paz is at about 3,640 m and El Choro starts at about 4,650 m; CDC advice is not to raise sleeping altitude by more than about 500 m a day above 2,750 m.
The dry season, roughly May to October. The main climbing season on Huayna Potosí runs May to November.
Not since 1 December 2025, under Supreme Decree 5497. All visitors must complete the free SIGEMIG online pre-registration before arrival.
Take a Yungas or Coroico minibus from the Villa Fátima area and ask for La Cumbre, about an hour away (20-30 Bs).