2010 Dates (12 & 19 days*):
Option 1 (19 days): June 5-23
Option 2 (12 days): June 5-16


Land Cost:
Option 1:$4,600
Option 2:$2,750

Trip Leader: Shayan Rohani

Named one of the 'best off the beaten track adventures' by Outside Magazine

Named by National Geographic Adventure magazine one of the World's Best Trips in 2009




Climbing Grade: Beginner

Travel with Mountain Madness to this rarely visited, enchanted land with snow capped peaks, glacier fed valleys, mysterious ancient culture, and abundant wildlife.  On this amazing trip we travel from the Bolivian Andes’ Apolobamba Range to the tropical lowland basins in the Amazon. Along the way, from the alpine zone to jungle, we’ll discover the amazing diversity found here. National Geographic Magazine notes that Madidi National Park  is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas on the planet. Home to over 1,000 bird species, it also contains jaguar, spectacled bear, maned wolf, vicuña, and the giant otter. At least seven indigenous groups live in here, adding all the more intrigue to this region.
 

On the first leg of this adventure we will explore hot springs, high mountain passes, glaciers, and jagged summits.  There are several options for trekkers to explore glaciated peaks- or participants can trek only. For the climbers in the group, there will be an opportunity to climb Cuchillo II.

After climbing and completing the trek in the Apolobamba, we cross the continental divide and descend into the lush cloud forests of the Yungas.  Here we let gravity do the work with a massive mountain bike descent deep into the Amazon Basin.  We then climb aboard rafts and float through the Madidi National Park.  After exploring the park we finally arrive in the river town of Rurrenabaque where we relax before catching the flight back to La Paz, the highest capital in the world.

Come join us and experience an epic journey through the wild and diverse landscape of northern Bolivia!

Included in Trip Cost:

• Four scheduled hotel nights
• Food while on the mountain
• Park Fees
• Group climbing and cooking gear
• Scheduled restaurant meals
• Pack animals and porters for group gear
• Scheduled ground transportation
• Bikes

Not Included in Trip Cost:

• International airfare and internal flight (Rurrenabaque-La Paz; this flight will be arranged for you by MM and included inn your final invoice)
• Personal equipment
• Staff/guide gratuities
• Alcoholic beverages
• Unscheduled hotel nights and restaurant meals
• Trip and medical/evacuation insurance
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, room service and so forth
• Costs associated with early departure from the tri
  

QUALIFICATIONS : Trekkers should have extended backpaking experience as this trek is considered moderate-strenuous and involves some off-trail travel. No previous climbing experience required for those planning to climb.

TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE : We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. This comprehensive travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delays, medical expenses, and emergency assistance. An insurance application is provided with all trip confirmations.

QUESTIONS : Call our office at 1-800-328-5925 or email us if you have more specific questions about the trip.

TOP

Itinerary for the Apolobamba Area

"Cima to Selva"

Day 1-2: Travel to La Paz.

Day 3:  Today we travel to the wonderful Lake Titicaca town of Copacabana and the Isla del sol where we will spend the night.
 
Day 4:  Arrive in the Cordillera Apolobamba.  We will enjoy our first day in the "Area Natural de Manteo Integrado Nacional Apolobamba" (ANMINA) with its rich waterbird and llama and alpaca populations. Travel to Pelechuco where we ready ourselves for the start of our traverse through the range.

Day 5:  After loading up our pack animals we set off through small villages on a pre Inca stone path.  After crossing a 16,000 foot pass we descend to our campsite 14,000 feet.

Day 6:  Today we trek through Andean pastoral scenery catching glimpses of wildlife and gaining insight into the subsistence way of life.  We will visit a very small village where we may be able to buy a chicken or trout for this evening’s meal.

Day 7:  The trekking today is strenuous but affording some of the best mountain views of the trek.  We travel below Cuchillo II, over a pass at 16,780' where we will look back at the impressive peak of Cololo, dominating the northern skyline.  We will situate our campsite near the pass in order to ascend Cuchillo 18,600' the next morning.

Day 8:  After a pre dawn wakeup climbers in the group ascend the snow covered slopes of Cuchillo to its knife edge summit ridge.  After taking a few summit photos we traverse over the mountain back to our camp and on down the valley to a lower campsite where we meet up with the trekking group.

Day 9:  Today we cross two beautiful passes at 15,700' and 16,000' respectively, affording wonderful views of the Apolobamba to the North and the Cordillera Real to the south.  Tonight we camp near a beautiful waterfall.

Day 10:  One last pass and we start our descent to Lagunillas where we will arrive tired and filled with the exuberant spirit of the Inti (the Incan sun god). Here we enjoy clean and simple hospitality next to a wonderful lake filled with a large population of Andean water birds.

Day 11:  We will enjoy the morning exploring the small village of Curva (the center of the Kallawaya community), we will then transfer by vehicle or hop on mountain bikes to Charazani and enjoy a soak in some great hot springs. Participants on the 12-day option return to La Paz for a flight home on day 12.

Day 12: Today we take a jeep ride to Pumasani and then begin the epic descent via mountain bikes all the way through the yungas into the lowlands of Quita calzone.

Day 13: We arrive to the Rio Kamata which we enjoy from a small raft for the next two days. Ample opportunities for game viewing are to be had here.

Day 14: Continue down the Rio Kamata.

Day 15-16: Transfer to motorized canoe in Guanay.  Travel for two days to the town of Rurrenabaque.  We will enjoy about fours hours per day in the canoe and the rest spent exploring waterfalls, wildlife, and fishing holes.  Each evening will be spent at nice beach camps in the Madidi National Park. Arrive in Rurrenabaque.

Day 17: Pampa Tour.

Day 18-19: Fly to La Paz and home.

NOTE ON ITINERARY : Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.


TOP