| Sajama National Park, Ranging over 13,000 ft. (3,900 m) above sea level, the Bolivian Altiplano hosts several peaks that belong to a chain of inactive volcanoes that crown an extensive highland plateau inhabited by powerful Aymara "seņorios" (kingdoms) that existed long before the Incas and Spanish. The Sajama volcano is the highest peak in Bolivia, at 21,457 ft. (6,540 m). The harsh alpine landscape is striking and beautiful from sunrise to sunset. The extensive pastures are home to llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas. Many species of Altiplano and Andean birds, like the threatened Andean Rhea, three species of flamingos, eagles and hawks, and Andean Flickers can be found here. The historical attractions include pre-Inca burial tombs (chullpas) and several small churches built during the 17th Century by the Spanish. They remain as evidence of the intense cultural exchange and colonial trading activity in this area that lasted 120 years. Today local residents still preserve a rich mix of traditional customs with pre-Inca and colonial influences, giving this area a very interesting atmosphere. | |||||||||||||||||
| Day
1: La Paz / Tomarapi We will pick you up at 8:00 am to travel for 3.5 hours on a paved road. We will enter Sajama National Park through the very interesting Rock Valley. Lunch and visit to a view point to observe the Altiplano landscape. After dinner we will have a cultural night: local story telling, dancing, and live music. (L, D) |
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| Day
2: Tomarapi / La Paz Breakfast and walk to the Queñua forest, the highest treeline in the world. Later, in a car, we will visit a small lake to look for birds such as Speckled Teal, Crested Duck, Andean Coot, Andean Lapwing, flamingos, Puna Plover, Andean Negrito, Andean Flicker, Andean Gull, Puna Teal, Andean Ibis, some migratory plovers and sandpipers. Lunch and return to La Paz. (B,L) |
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| Departures: April to November | |||||||||||||||||
2008
Rates per person:
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| Tour includes: Accommodation in Sajama, daily meals, ground transportation, and bilingual tour leader. | |||||||||||||||||
| Not included: Personal expenses, tips, medical insurance and phone calls. | |||||||||||||||||
| What
to take: Luggage: - 1 backpack or dufflebag - small day pack Clothes: - long-sleeved shirts - pair of long cotton pants - thermion-shirts - winter jacket - sweater or fleece/polartec (to be prepare for a cold front) - wind breaker - pair of hiking boots or sneakers - poncho for rain - socks - underwear - sleepwear - casual clothes for La Paz - hat - gloves Other items: - binoculars, best 8x or 10x - camera - film (ASA 50, 100 and 200 are recommended) - sun block - flashlight - sunglasses - pocket knife - bandannas - a photocopy of your passport - water bottle |
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