Takesi trek (Inca trail)
La Paz Department · Adventure and peaks
The Takesi is a paved pre-Hispanic trail, among the best preserved in the country. In two days it crosses a pass above 4,600 m then plunges into the Yungas valleys to the village of Yanacachi. Shorter and quieter than the Choro, it's a beautiful trek through the cordillera and the Yungas.
3,500 maltitude
2 daysto 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
- Pass above 4,600 m
- Long, very well-preserved paved sections
- Arrival at the village of Yanacachi
What to eat
- Yungas coffeeLocally grown coffee, to drink in Coroico's little cafés or to take home.
- Quinoa soupA hot soup of quinoa and vegetables, served in refuges and high-altitude comedores. Perfect when it's cold.
Tip. 2-day trek, with a La Paz agency or on your own. Best season: May to September. Be well acclimatised before you go.
How to get to Takesi trek
Photos of Takesi trek (Inca trail)
More places in this region
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El AltoThe big Aymara city on the Altiplano, right above La Paz: a giant market, cholets and cholita wrestling.
Valle de la LunaMoon-like clay formations in the southern suburbs of La Paz.
Valle de las ÁnimasA forest of earth spires on the edge of La Paz, bigger and wilder than the Valley of the Moon.
ChacaltayaA former ski area at 5,400 m: the highest view of the Cordillera Real.
Huayna PotosíA 6,000 m peak known as one of the most accessible, with a guided 2 or 3-day climb.
Cordillera Real: CondoririGlacial lagoons and snowy peaks, two hours from La Paz.
TiwanakuUNESCO-listed pre-Inca site: the Gate of the Sun and the Kalasasaya temple.- Uru community of IruitoAn Uru community on the Desaguadero river, keepers of a very old lake culture.
Jesús de MachacaAn Aymara Altiplano village and its 1706 church, south of Lake Titicaca.
Comanche and its Puya raimondiiA forest of Puya raimondii, the world's largest bromeliad, on the Altiplano.- Viscachani hot springsWarm-water baths on the Altiplano, on the road to Oruro, about 1 h 30 from La Paz.
SorataA quiet village at the foot of Illampu, a base for treks.
Charazani and ApolobambaLand of the Kallawaya Andean healers (UNESCO), with hot springs and great treks.
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Choro trek (Inca trail)Three days on a pre-Hispanic trail, from the snows of La Cumbre down to the Yungas forest.
Yunga Cruz trekThe wildest pre-Hispanic trail down to the Yungas: 4 to 5 days below Illimani.
Coroico (Yungas)A hilltop village in the subtropical Yungas: coffee, waterfalls and pools with a view.
Chulumani (South Yungas)A small South Yungas town among coffee, coca and cloud forest, away from the crowds.