“I think that is the bridge” it didn’t align with the map, but the path disappeared on our side of the river so we were out of options. The narrowest part of the river is a good location for DIY bridges, the downside being the speed and ferocity of the water you’re crossing is much greater. Halfway through a 3 day hike and having descended around 1500m already we weren’t massively keen to turn back. It wobbled, it creaked and it swayed but it was actually fine (once across).
The El Choro hike starts a 45 minute drive out of La Paz. Our local taxi driver dropped us off and we were at 4500m above sea level, higher than at any point on the Pacific Crest Trail. La Paz itself is at 3500m, the highest city in the world. We needed to hike up to almost 5000m, Gav was feeling a bit lightheaded and Claire was out of breath. Luckily there was a rapid descent on the other side so we slowly pushed on.
The hike follows part of a 500km long network of Inca Trails but is more off-the-beaten-track than places such as Machu Picchu. Following remote trails that were built (there are paving stones) at least 500 years and possibly much longer ago is quite special.
On day 2 of the hike we descended into deep rainforest and as the elevation dropped it became hotter and more humid. We camped in small and remote homesteads run by locals who carve out an existence here on steep jungle slopes. We were lucky to spot monkeys one morning, scrambling from the trees as they saw us. There were bright green birds and neon blue butterflies the size of our hands only needing to nonchalantly flap their wings once every few seconds. There were also insects, out to get us…
We emerge from the rainforest into a small village. We buy a Coca Cola which in the heat and humidity tastes wonderful. So starts our return journey to La Paz. Two local mini buses and a taxi wind their way back up through the mountains and cloud. The temperature drops. The minibus breaks down and then starts again. Our slightly anxious faces out of place amongst our Bolivian counterparts who have seen it all before. It wasn’t our longest hike but it was certainly one of the most adventurous.
