The Apolobamba is the Bolivia almost no one sees. It runs along the far northern border with Peru — a range of glaciated peaks, open puna, and hidden valleys that sits well beyond the reach of ordinary travel, and that remoteness is the whole point. This is a twelve-day journey into some of the least-visited high country in the Andes, built around two threads that rarely come together in one trip: raw, wide-open alpine landscape, and the living culture of the Callawayas, Bolivia’s traditional healers, whose knowledge of Andean plants and medicine has been carried down for centuries.
We don’t rush you into it. The trip opens in La Paz, the world’s highest capital, with time to rest and let your body start adjusting to the altitude. From there we work up gradually — first into the high valleys beneath Mt. Illimani, where Aymara families farm potatoes and herd llamas much as they have for generations, then northwest across the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca. On the Island of the Sun you’ll walk ancient ridge trails past terraced fields and the Chincana Inca ruins, with the glaciated Cordillera Real rising straight out of the water behind you. It’s strong photography from the first days, and every step is also part of getting you ready for the thinner air ahead.
Then the road runs out. Crossing into the Apolobamba through the Ulla-Ulla region, the pavement gives way to puna grassland and 4×4 tracks, and we reach Curva — home of the Callawayas — to set up our first camp. There are no hotels out here. For the heart of the trip you sleep in tents, and that trade is exactly what buys you access to country most people never lay eyes on: the sacred Akhamani Valley, the lagoons and wetlands beneath Mt. Cololo, the glacier-fed basins under Mt. Nube, and the Suchez River valley that feeds Lake Titicaca.
This is high, honest mountain country, and the landscape tells a real story. At Chaupi Orko, twin peaks that once held Bolivia’s longest glacier — more than 11 kilometers of ice in the mid-1990s — you can see plainly how far it has pulled back. We photograph the color and scale of these basins in the good light of morning and evening, walk ancient footpaths between camps, and, for those who want it, use the vehicles to reach a non-technical 5,000-meter summit on Mt. Flor de Nevada — big views, no mountaineering gear required. Along the way you’ll pass working gold cooperatives and abandoned mining camps that are part of how people have survived up here.
The wildlife is genuine high-Andean: vicuñas grazing the open plains, vizcachas darting through the boulders, Andean foxes, condors riding the thermals, and — if the mountain is generous — the rarely seen Andean cat. Make no mistake, this is a demanding trip, rated Level 4: real altitude, tent camping, and long days on foot and in the 4x4s. It’s built for photographers who would rather earn their images in country almost no one else photographs than shoot the same frames as everyone else. If that’s you, the Apolobamba gives you something the standard Bolivia circuit simply can’t.
April to November
10 Guests
4x4 vehicles
Hotels, Hostels and tent camping
Level 4 – Challenging
We, of course, would do whatever is necessary in case of medical emergency and evacuate to the closest hospital or clinic to make sure you receive medical care.
Most international flights into Bolivia arrive in the very early morning hours at El Alto International Airport, which sits at a breath-catching 13,200 feet (4,100 meters) above sea level—on the edge of the Altiplano. If this is your first time at high altitude, you may feel light-headed or short of breath, which is completely normal. Don’t worry—we’ve planned for it.
Once you clear Immigration (where your tourist visa is issued on arrival) and Customs, a Sergio Photo Tours representative will be waiting for you at the passenger meeting area with a clearly marked sign. We’ll handle your luggage and escort you to our private vehicle. From there, you’ll descend nearly 3,000 feet (about 900 meters) into the heart of La Paz, down winding roads with sweeping views into the city’s dramatic canyon setting.
Our destination is the Casa Grande Suites—a 5-star hotel in the Calacoto neighborhood—situated at a more comfortable 10,200 feet (3,100 meters). You’ll have the morning to check in, rest, and begin adjusting to the elevation at your own pace. Lunch is on your own at the hotel, and we recommend taking it slow, staying well hydrated, and listening to your body. Everyone acclimates differently—some feel fine within hours, others may take a couple of days. Our itinerary builds in plenty of time to ease into the altitude.
At 2:00 p.m., we begin our introduction to La Paz with a four-hour private city tour. You’ll photograph and explore local open-air markets, colonial neighborhoods, the famous witches’ market, and a series of stunning panoramic viewpoints that showcase the city’s unique geography. It’s a low-key afternoon designed to stimulate your creative eye without overexerting your body.
After returning to the hotel, you’ll have time to rest and freshen up before we gather for a welcome dinner. This is a chance to meet your instructors and fellow travelers, review the days ahead, and make sure everyone is squared away on gear, clothing, and any lingering questions.
We recommend a light dinner, limited alcohol or caffeine, and plenty of water. During the day, feel free to try a cup of mate de coca—a traditional herbal tea that aids with acclimatization. In the evening, consider switching to calming teas like chamomile or anise to help with digestion and rest.
You’re officially in the Andes. We’ll take good care of you from here on out.
Hotel: Casa Grande Suites (5*)
Meals included: D
Our first full day is designed to support acclimatization while giving you access to strong photographic subjects right away. After breakfast, we depart La Paz and head southeast into the rural highland valleys that lie beneath Mt. Illimani—Bolivia’s second-highest peak at 6,440 meters (21,122 ft) and a dominant presence on the skyline.
As we gain elevation temporarily for the day, we’ll traverse winding roads that lead through rugged terrain—deep river gorges, weathered cliffs, and agricultural lands carved into the hillsides. This area remains deeply traditional: Aymara villagers farm potatoes, tend sheep and llamas, and gather water from glacial runoff. Illimani’s snow-covered summit often emerges through breaks in the clouds, offering striking background elements for both landscapes and environmental portraits.
We’ll make multiple stops to engage with local residents, photograph them in the context of their environment, and capture wide-angle views that emphasize scale and remoteness. Lunch is at a small local restaurant in the valley.
In the late afternoon, we return to La Paz’s Calacoto neighborhood, where we’re based at 3,100 meters (10,200 ft)—the city’s lowest and most comfortable elevation. Here, you’ll have time to rest, hydrate, and prepare your gear for the remote journey ahead.
Hotel: Casa Grande Suites (5*)
Meals Included: B, L, D
After breakfast, we depart La Paz and begin our journey northwest across the Altiplano. Our route gradually climbs out of the city and onto one of the highest inhabited plateaus on Earth, averaging 3,800–4,200 meters (12,500–13,800 ft). Lake Titicaca stretches out on our left, while the Cordillera Real rises sharply on our right—a dramatic juxtaposition that provides excellent photographic compositions along the way.
Midday, we stop near the rural town of Peñas, where we’ll stretch our legs with a short, moderate hike through a series of hills that overlook the northern end of the Cordillera Real. At this point, the glaciated peaks feel incredibly close—Illampu and Ancohuma dominate the skyline—and the clean, dry air makes for excellent clarity and contrast. The hike serves both as a photo session and as part of our altitude acclimatization plan.
After our time on the trail, we continue driving toward the Straits of Tiquina. There, we board a small motorboat to cross the strait while our vehicles follow by barge. Once reunited on the far shore, the road climbs along the ridgeline of the Copacabana Peninsula, offering a sweeping view of the Altiplano, Lake Titicaca, and the Cordillera Apolobamba in the distance.
We arrive in the town of Copacabana (3,840 m / 12,600 ft) by late afternoon. After checking in to our hotel near Calvary Hill, the rest of the day is flexible: explore town, photograph the lakeside, or drive farther along the peninsula to visit isolated hamlets still practicing traditional farming and herding. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Rosario del Lago (4*)
Elevation: Overnight at 3,840 m (12,600 ft); hiking at 4,000 m+ (13,100+ ft)
Meals Included: B, L, D
After a hearty breakfast, we set out from Copacabana by 4×4, heading up and along the ridgeline above Lake Titicaca. Our first destination is the village of Sampaya, where traditional stone-walled homes with thatched roofs offer a rare glimpse into life on the Bolivian Altiplano—largely unchanged for generations.
From Sampaya, we begin a hike across the top of the Copacabana Peninsula toward the lakeside village of Yampupata. The trail traces ancient footpaths and follows undulating terrain, with expansive views of the sapphire waters of Lake Titicaca below.
At Yampupata, we board a boat and cross the lake to the Island of the Sun, landing at Bahia Wacani, where we stop for lunch. This peaceful bay sits across from the Cordillera Real, giving us wide-open views of the glaciated peaks rising above the lake.
After lunch, we continue by boat to the island’s northern end to explore the Chincana ruins—an impressive complex of Inca architecture perched above a white sand beach and crystal-clear water. These ruins include ceremonial chambers once used to house sacred virgins of the Inca empire. The site offers a powerful sense of history and commanding views of the lake and distant Peruvian shoreline.
From here, we begin our southbound trek along the island’s ridge trail—approximately four hours of steady walking past terraced fields, grazing animals, and quiet hamlets. This hike provides rich opportunities for documentary-style photography of local life and striking landscapes.
As sunset nears, we return by boat to Yampupata. From this vantage point, the sun sets behind Peru while the Cordillera Real to the east glows in the day’s final light. We return to Copacabana by 4×4, where dinner and a comfortable night at the hotel await.
Hotel: Rosario del Lago (4*)
Elevation: Overnight at 3,840 m (12,600 ft); hiking at 4,000 m+ (13,100+ ft)
Meals Included: B, L, D
For those drawn to early light, sunrise in Copacabana is not to be missed. The calm streets, reflective waters, and early risers going about their routines offer a quiet window into daily life in a lakeside Andean town. This is an ideal time for candid photography and capturing fleeting moments before the town fully wakes up.
After breakfast, we begin the long drive into the Apolobamba Range. The route takes us back across the Copacabana Peninsula and through the Straits of Tiquina, where we once again ferry across the water before turning north toward the Ulla-Ulla region.
As we climb higher, the terrain shifts noticeably—rolling hills give way to open puna grasslands, and the outlines of distant peaks begin to dominate the horizon. This section of the journey brings us deeper into one of Bolivia’s most remote and least-visited regions.
We stop for lunch en route and continue toward the village of Curva, located near the border of the Ulla-Ulla Wildlife Preserve. We aim to arrive by late afternoon to set up camp before nightfall.
This is our first night sleeping in tents. While there are no permanent accommodations in this region, the tradeoff is access to untouched alpine landscapes and rare cultural encounters in the days to come.
Accommodations: Tent camping
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today’s objective is acclimatization through movement. We set out on a purposeful hike deep into the Akhamani Valley—sacred ground for the Callawayas, Bolivia’s traditional healers. Our route ascends steadily along the valley’s flanks to a modest summit at 4,600 meters (15,000 feet). While not the highest peak in the range, this ridgeline offers commanding views of the surrounding valleys, peaks, and glacial terrain.
The summit provides an excellent opportunity to photograph wide-angle Andean vistas, with layered mountains stretching in every direction. From here, we descend the north face toward Lake Wila Kunka, where a change in terrain and perspective keeps the trail visually and physically engaging.
By mid-afternoon, we return to our campsite with time to rest, hydrate, and process the day’s images. This hike is both functional and scenic—helping your body adapt to altitude while immersing you in the raw beauty of the Apolobamba landscape.
Accommodations: Tent camping
Meals Included: B, L, D
We begin the day with a 4×4 drive back through the Vicuñas Reserve and into the heart of the Amarillo Valley, where the terrain opens up into wide, glaciated basins and rolling ridgelines. Our route takes us to Kellu Pata, where we’ll step out for a short walk to a panoramic viewpoint facing Mt. Cololo—one of the most visually striking peaks in the Apolobamba Range.
The viewpoint offers a clean, elevated angle for photographing Cololo’s sharply defined summit and the surrounding ice fields, making this an excellent stop for both landscape and detail-oriented shots.
Back in the vehicles, we continue across the Cololo Lagoon Valley, where the landscape transitions from high rocky terrain to alpine wetlands. This stretch of the journey highlights the region’s ecological diversity—quiet lagoons, Andean grasslands, and pockets of wildlife adapted to high-altitude extremes.
By late afternoon, we arrive at our campsite on the edge of a wetland in the Northwest Valley of Nevado Cololo. It’s a unique location—quiet, open, and rich with birdlife and reflected light. The rest of the evening is yours to explore, photograph, or simply observe the changing sky.
Accommodations: Tent camping
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today we set out on foot for a full-day exploration of the high valley below Mt. Nube, one of the most striking glacier-fed peaks in the Apolobamba Range. Our route follows a mix of established footpaths and natural terrain, crossing glacial moraines, rocky outcrops, and high-altitude wetlands—critical ecosystems that store and gradually release meltwater across the seasons.
As we ascend, the landscape continuously shifts. The mineral-rich soils and changing light create subtle color variations in the terrain, offering a rich palette for landscape photography. Along the way, we’ll witness the gradual approach of Mt. Nube’s snow-covered flanks and the slow-moving ice fields that define its upper slopes.
This out-and-back trek is both visually engaging and physically challenging, with multiple opportunities to stop for images and quiet observation. As we return via the same route in the afternoon, the descent gives us new angles and light conditions on the same terrain we traversed earlier—ideal for refining compositions and working with different textures.
We arrive back at our campsite in the late afternoon for rest, a hot meal, and a well-deserved break.
Accommodations: Tent camping
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today we travel deeper into the Apolobamba via high-mountain 4×4 tracks, ascending into the upper Suchez Valley. The terrain becomes increasingly dramatic as we climb—sharp ridgelines, layered sediment colors, and distant peaks come into view with each switchback. This stretch of the journey showcases the full scale and color range of the Andean highlands.
Our route leads us to one of the most striking regions of the Apolobamba: the north and south summits of Chaupi Orko. Once home to Bolivia’s longest glacier—over 11 km in the mid-1990s—the twin peaks now stand over drastically receded ice fields. The scale remains breathtaking, but the effects of climate change are visibly evident in the valley below.
We make camp along the banks of the Suchez River, the primary tributary that flows into Lake Titicaca. This site sits in a wide basin with open views of surrounding peaks—an ideal location to capture afternoon and early evening light across the glaciated landscape. You’ll have time to explore the nearby riverbanks or photograph the high-altitude flora that survives in this extreme environment.
This day is a balance between comfort and remoteness: using the reach of our vehicles to access one of Bolivia’s wildest alpine basins, while immersing ourselves in the silence and scale of this changing mountain ecosystem.
Accommodations: Tent camping
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today we undertake a full-day trek into one of the most isolated and wildlife-rich regions of the Apolobamba: the southern valley of Chaupi Orko. We follow ancient pre-Hispanic footpaths that once connected highland communities across these remote ranges. The trail winds through rocky basins and windswept ridges, eventually delivering us to a secluded valley rarely visited by outsiders.
This area remains largely untouched by modern infrastructure, making it one of the best locations on the expedition for wildlife observation. The natural silence, absence of roads, and intact ecosystems provide ideal conditions for spotting high-altitude fauna.
Keep your eyes open for:
Vizcachas, rabbit-like rodents that dart between boulders
Andean foxes, quick and cautious predators adapted to extreme terrain
Vicuñas, elegant wild camelids known for their fine wool
Deer, moving silently across open ridgelines
Andean condors, riding the thermal currents above the valley
And if luck is on our side, the rarely seen Andean cat (titi)—one of South America’s most elusive felines
This trek is a rewarding combination of natural beauty, cultural resonance, and raw biodiversity. We’ll return to our camp by late afternoon, with time to rest and review the day’s images and observations.
Accommodations: Tent camping
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today we take advantage of vehicle access to reach one of the highest points on the route by 4×4, setting the stage for a rewarding trek above 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). Our objective is the summit of Mt. Flor de Nevada, a non-technical peak that offers sweeping views and a real sense of accomplishment without requiring mountaineering gear or experience.
As we ascend, we’ll pass remnants of high-altitude mining activity—both active gold cooperatives and abandoned sites from earlier exploration. These rugged camps and rusting equipment tell part of the story of how people have historically survived and worked in this extreme environment.
For those wanting an alternative to the summit push, the day also offers a chance to explore the glacial caves and ice formations of nearby Mt. Nevado Presidente. These caves, carved into the base of the glacier, reveal the inner structure of the ice and offer a rare photographic opportunity of glacial erosion and meltwater flow.
By mid-afternoon, we return to camp. The rest of the day is set aside for rest, gear prep, and enjoying the open landscape and clean air of the Suechez Basin. Dinner is served at camp, followed by time to review images and take in the stars.
Accommodations: Tent camping
Meals Included: B, L, D
After an early breakfast, we break camp and begin our long drive back to La Paz. Departing from the high valleys near the Peruvian border, we descend from the remote Cordillera Apolobamba and re-enter the vast, open plains of the Altiplano.
The drive takes us southeast through gently rolling hills, isolated settlements, and past windswept ridgelines that mark the boundary between Bolivia’s mountainous spine and the lakeshore lowlands. As we approach Lake Titicaca once more, the road skirts its shoreline, offering one last chance to see its expansive waters and the quiet villages that depend on them.
From there, we head toward the sprawling city of El Alto. As we cross this highland metropolis, the transition is striking—open space gives way to the dense grid of buildings, markets, and traffic that surrounds the capital. The final descent into La Paz is dramatic, dropping nearly 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) from the Altiplano into the steep canyon where the city nestles between towering ridgelines.
We arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. After time to shower and relax, we gather for a final group dinner to celebrate the journey and reflect on the photographic and cultural experiences of the past two weeks.
Hotel: Casa Grande Suites (5*)
Meals Included: B, L, D
Normal transfer departures times from the hotel to the airport are at midnight. We will coordinate a departure time from the hotel based on your flight schedule. Most international flights from Bolivia take off between 3-4 AM. The ride from the hotel to the airport takes 45 minutes. Domestic flights require 1.5 hours before departure and international flights require 2.5 hours before departure.
Hotel: none
Meals included: none
End of our services
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. More guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure. Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis. All prices are in U$ Dollars.
Contact us for guidance on a quote for your group or private trip.
| Lowest | 7-10 travelers | $ 3,770 / per person |
| Average | 4-6 travelers | $ 4,150 / per person |
| Optimum | 2-3 travelers | $ 4,720 / per person |
| Highest | 1 solo traveler | $6,825 / 1 solo traveler |
| Single Supplement Fee | Per Person / Per Tour | $ 550 / for a single room / tent |
Deposit & Terms (universal — identical on every tour. Custom tours have special terms, please contact us. ): A 30% deposit (minimum $1,000 per person) reserves your space. Of that, $1,000 per person is a non-refundable administrative fee — but it’s never lost: it’s always credited toward your trip, even if you change trips or dates, and it’s part of the total price, not an extra charge. Balance due 90 days before departure. Trip insurance (with a “cancel for any reason” rider) is required. See our Terms & Conditions for full details, or contact us for a custom or private quote.
Start Date: October 10, 2026
End Date: October 21, 2026
