What is the Takesi Trek?

The Takesi Trek, also called the Inca Trail of Bolivia, is a historic 40-kilometre walking route that goes down from the high and freezing Altiplano and then into the green, subtropical Yungas. Along the way, you walk on exceptionally well-preserved pre-Columbian stone paving, which just feels surprising.

This two-to-three-day outing is highly prized for its bold environmental switches; I mean, it changes fast. People start at a very high pass of about 4,650 metres, with snow around them and thin vegetation, then the trail quickly drops into moist cloud forests, full of orchids and strange, colourful birds. It is still one of the most reachable and culturally important treks close to La Paz.