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- La Cumbre pass & Illimani panorama — Starting point at the high pass gives one of those ridiculous ”I can see the world” views: the Altiplano spreading out and the jagged massif of Illimani looming to the south. What makes it special is the contrast — you begin above the clouds with dry, wind-swept landscapes and snow-capped peaks and you can actually watch the land you’ll be dropping into unfold beneath you.
- Rapid ecological descent (puna to cloud forest) — The trail plunges through several life zones in a matter of hours: puna grasslands, patches of Polylepis trees, then humid cloud forest dripping with moss. That quick change in plants, temperature and light is unusual and gives you a mini-lesson in Andean ecology while you hike. (Personal favorite: the moment the first orchids and hummingbirds
- La Cumbre pass & Illimani panorama — Starting point at the high pass gives one of those ridiculous ”I can see the world” views: the Altiplano spreading out and the jagged massif of Illimani looming to the south. What makes it special is the contrast — you begin above the clouds with dry, wind-swept landscapes and snow-capped peaks and you can actually watch the land you’ll be dropping into unfold beneath you.
- Rapid ecological descent (puna to cloud forest) — The trail plunges through several life zones in a matter of hours: puna grasslands, patches of Polylepis trees, then humid cloud forest dripping with moss. That quick change in plants, temperature and light is unusual and gives you a mini-lesson in Andean ecology while you hike. (Personal favorite: the moment the first orchids and hummingbirds reappear — pure travel serotonin.)
- Waterfalls, natural pools and gorges — The Choro threads along steep ravines with a series of waterfalls and clear cascades that make excellent lunch or dip stops. The soundscape of falling water, birds and the odd splash is a big part of why this route feels wild compared to many dusty mountain walks.
- Old stone steps and traditional trail engineering — Parts of the route follow centuries-old stone stairways, retaining walls and drainage channels. Walking them gives a real sense of history under your boots: people have moved along this corridor for generations, and the route still bears the practical, handcrafted work that kept it usable.
- Yungas villages, coffee plots and Coroico finish — The downhill end brings a total change of pace: small hamlets, coffee and citrus plots clinging to steep slopes, and the relaxed, brightly painted town of Coroico. The local food, roadside stands and roadside views into the lush Yungas valley are a cultural and sensory payoff that many treks don’t offer.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.