Chipaya
Oruro Department · Culture and history
On the edge of the Coipasa salt flat, Chipaya is the village of the Uru-Chipaya, one of the oldest peoples of the Andes, who have kept their language, dress and way of life. Their round houses of turf blocks with thatched roofs are unique in Bolivia. It's a place apart, to visit with respect and without hurry, to understand how people live in one of the harshest environments on the continent.
3,650 maltitude
1 dayto spend there
High altitude. Above 3,500 m, altitude sickness (soroche) is common. Arrive gradually, drink plenty and take it slow on the first day.
Things to do
- Traditional round houses (wayllichas)
- Meeting the community, with a local guide
- Dunes and the Lauca river
- The nearby Coipasa salt flat
What to eat
- Quinoa realThe world's best quinoa grows around the Salar: in soups, patties or as a side.
- Llama meatLean and tasty meat, often grilled or as “charque” (dried). Very common in Uyuni and on the Altiplano.
- Quinoa soupA hot soup of quinoa and vegetables, served in refuges and high-altitude comedores. Perfect when it's cold.
Tip. A long trip with little transport from Oruro (3 to 4 h). The community charges an entry fee. Always ask before photographing anyone.
How to get to Chipaya
Salar de Coipasa 4x4 tour or excursion · about 1 h
4x4 with a driver or local guide.
Oruro Road (bus, car) · 3 to 4 h
Transport from Oruro's Avaroa market, few departures: check the day before.
You often arrive late: arrange lodging.
Photos of Chipaya
More places in this region
Sajama National ParkBolivia's highest peak (6,542 m), geysers, hot springs and llamas.
Curahuara de CarangasThe “Sistine Chapel of the Altiplano”: an adobe church covered in murals.
OruroAn Altiplano mining city, famous for its UNESCO-listed carnival. Starting point of the train to Uyuni.
Obrajes and Capachos hot springsNatural hot-water pools on the Altiplano, less than an hour from Oruro.
Machacamarca railway museumOld steam locomotives and the history of the mining railways, south of Oruro.
Lakes Uru Uru and PoopóShallow Altiplano lakes on Oruro's doorstep, visited by flamingos.
Coipasa Salt FlatBolivia's second-largest salt flat, wild and almost without visitors.
UyuniBase town for Salar tours, with a train cemetery on the edge of town.
Salar de Uyuni + Sud Lípez (tour)The world's largest salt flat, then the colourful lagoons of the Sud Lípez. The highlight of many trips.
TupizaWild West scenery: red canyons, cacti and the last ride of Butch Cassidy.- CotagaitaA small green town in a fruit-growing valley, on the road from Potosí to Villazón.
VillazónThe border with Argentina, facing La Quiaca: the crossing travellers use most.