About the trekking

Nevado Mine Pass Trek: 4 Days Across the Quimsa Cruz – Miners, Llamas & Ancient Trails

South-east of La Paz, where the Andes reveal their wildest face

Deep in the Quimsa Cruz range of Bolivia’s Eastern Andes lies a trek that few outsiders seldom walk. This 4-day circuit, offered exclusively by Andes Heritage Expeditions (AHE), takes you from the bustling heights of La Paz into a world of active tin mines, pre-Columbian footpaths, pristine high-altitude lagoons, and steaming jungle-fringed hot springs.

It is rugged. It is real. And it is unforgettable.

Day 1: From La Paz to Viloco – The Miner’s Gateway

Our journey begins with a scenic drive south-east from La Paz, leaving the main paved highways that connect to Oruro and Cochabamba. We turn east onto winding dirt roads that climb and descend through dramatic valleys, each turn revealing a more breathtaking view of the approaching Quimsa Cruz mountains.

Along the way, we cross high passes at 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). Pristine, mirror-like lagoons glisten beside the road—blue jewels set against a stark, rocky world. Slowly, we descend into the small mining community of Viloco, perched at approximately 4,200 meters (13,780 feet).

Inside the Mountain – An Active Tin Mine

Before we trek, we pay respect to those who work this land daily.

Our visitors are guided into an active tin mine, led by the miners themselves—young, strong Bolivian men who know every tunnel and shadow. They walk us through narrow passages, and show us the reality of their daily labor: the dust, the darkness, the danger, and the pride.

Then, we are taken to a sacred space. Here, miners perform their daily rituals of offerings and prayers to the protective spirits of the mountain—whom they call the “Uncle” and “Aunt” —guardians of the mine and the riches hidden within. It is raw, humbling, and deeply moving.

This is not a tourist performance. This is real life in the high Andes.

Day 2: The Trek Begins – Nevado Mine High Pass

The next morning, we shoulder our packs and begin the trek toward the Nevado Mine high pass.

The air is thin. The silence is immense. As we climb, the surrounding peaks of the Quimsa Cruz range unfold in every direction—jagged, snow-dusted, and utterly majestic. This is high-altitude trekking at its most authentic.

Wild llamas and alpacas graze along the route, seemingly unbothered by our presence. These animals are perfectly adapted to life above 4,500 meters, and sharing the trail with them feels like a quiet privilege.

We follow a pre-Columbian trail—an ancient path carved by indigenous hands long before the Spanish ever set foot in the Andes. The trail winds slowly downward, leading us past lagoons of astonishing purity. The water is so clear you can see the sky reflected twice: once above, once below.

As we descend further, the air grows warmer. The rocky landscape begins to soften, and hints of green appear. We are entering the upper reaches of tropical valleys.