Hiking Circuit - D1: Details

Andes Heritage Expeditions, designing customized trekking experiences for every level of trekker, taking care of every detail from the moment you land to the moment you depart Bolivia.

Destination
MValenciaga_ (13)

Valenciana Mine to Pongo

Duration

1 Days

Difficulty

Medium

Group Size

4-10 Guests

Height

4200 / 3500 M

About the hike

After a one-hour private transport from La Paz, the hike begins at “Cumbre”, near the “Yungas Mirador Antenas”. From there, you descend along an old mining road toward La Riconada, a section lasting approximately 3 to 4 hours. This stretch offers a gradual descent through high-Andean landscapes, allowing your body to adapt naturally to changing altitudes.

Continuing along the southern slope of the Huayllara River—running parallel to the paved road leading to the Yungas—you will follow a comfortable yet dramatic trail along vertical cliffs. This section takes approximately 3 hours and explores the ruins of a mine abandoned for over 70 years, perched on the cliffs of the Unduavi Valley. The scenery is striking, with the valley dropping steeply toward the subtropical Yungas region.

The circuit ends in the well-known community of Pongo, a popular tourist destination famous for its trout farms. There, guests will be served a freshly prepared trout dish—a well-deserved reward after a full day of hiking and altitude adaptation.

Video in Spanish

Video version en español del circuito de trekking D1 (Mina Valenciana to Ponco Community)

Itinerary

  • Departure from the hotel in La Paz at 7:00 AM.
  • Arrival at the summit (9:00 AM), starting point of the hike to Pongo.
  • Gradual descent to the community of Pongo.
  • Traditional lunch in Pongo.
  • Return to La Paz in the late afternoon (6:00-7:00 PM).

Gallery Of Our Tour

This day hike is part of a structured acclimatization program designed to help visitors gradually adjust to the high-altitude conditions commonly encountered in the Bolivian Andes. It serves as a preparatory stage before embarking on the longer trekking routes offered by Andes Heritage Expeditions (AHE).

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