Mama Coca, Bolivian High Andes Traverse

• End of May to August/September are probably the best months as they’re the driest.
• Expect cold nights (-9°C / 10°F) and pleasant days as a norm, but be prepared for full-on mountain weather anytime.
• Riding outside the dry season will be a big commitment as most of the trails and passes will be fully covered in snow.
• Don’t take altitude lightly; proper acclimatization in La Paz is a must if you are coming from sea level. Allow at least five days, preferably more. Some of the passes are above 5000 meters and 80% of the route is well above 4000 meters.
• From the bus terminal in La Paz, any bus going to Oruro can drop you off in Konani if you ask. They may charge extra for the bikes; Aroma line has big busses with room for bikes. 
• Catching a bus from Sorata to La Paz at the end is pretty straightforward. Take time to properly tie your bikes to the roof of the minivans. A combi to La Paz costs 20B + 20B for bike. Takes 2.5hrs. 
• A proper off-road bikepacking rig is highly recommended. Plus or fat tires are ideal, but a 29×2.25″ will do fine as well. Front suspension can help you save energy; some if the going is pretty rough.
• A light setup is highly recommended, hike-a-bikes with heavy loads at high altitude are less fun.

• There are unlimited options for wild camping on the remote sections of the route. If you decide to camp close to a village or near a shepherd’s hut, make sure to ask for permission to avoid problems with the locals.
• People in the mountains are usually shy, and may even walk away if they see you. If approached with respect, they are generally welcoming.
• Temperatures can plummet well below freezing at night. Be prepared.

• Resupplies for food exists, but are often basic at best. In some places, only chuño (the local dehydrated potatoes) and llama/alpaca jerky are available. The route requires careful planning in terms of food and fuel. Bring lightweight, dehydrated, nutritious food from home if you can.
• There are plenty of water sources along the way, except when crossing the Rio La Paz Canyon. Make sure to fill up as much as possible in Torrepampa (or in Cotana if riding south). The crossing of this Canyon is a serious and remote endeavor on its own. Be well prepared. Carry a filter and clean any dubious water sources. Be aware of local mining activity.

Note: This is not a day-by-day itinerary.

Quimsa Cruz

From Konani to Cotana:

A variety of high altitude roads make the full traverse of the Quimza Cruz range. Red granite, turquoise lakes, glaciers and a mineral-rich landscape provide great scenery on this section. Even though is not technically difficult, big climbs and high passes add an additional crisp to it. There are very few resupply options; only the small mining town of Viloco has some basics. After Viloco you plummet to the La Paz River. Make sure to stock water and food before making the canyon crossing. The village of Torrepampa is your last water source. Cotana, on the other side of the canyon, has some supplies and water.

Cotana to Choquekota

From Cotana up to Cayimbaya, then up to the flanks of the massive Illimani.

The traverse around Illimani offers amazing riding through an impressive landscape; the abandoned double track slowly increases its size until you hit Abra Pacuani, where it becomes a well-used dirt road that will take you all the way to Choquecota. A few small stores have some basics here before the next remote section.

Choquekota to Laguna Hampaturi

Steep climbing until you reach the valley of Chuxna Quta. The small road turns into a trail, and right before the lake you start pushing your bike up a steep ravine. Around 2-3 hours of hike-a-bike and some intermittent riding will put you up on the pass. A big, fun descent awaits on the other side, as does a short but hellishly steep uphill to Laguna Hampaturi. No resupply options.

Laguna Hampaturi – La Cumbre – Laguna Zongo

Follow a well-established dirt road through mines and dams. A few miles on pavement will get you to the well-traveled pass of La Cumbre. Jump back into dirt and singletrack to an abandoned mountain hut. Follow a faint road to its end and then hike-a-bike up to the pass, followed by some fun moraine riding down to the next valley and to Laguna Zongo. Huayna Potosi Mountaineering Hut is just a few miles above the lake and they can serve some simple food. You can also resupply on a few basics, but don’t expect much.

Laguna Zongo – Laguna Tuni

Epic views of Huayna Potosi and the Condoriri Massif and some great riding happens right here. After climbing out of Laguna Zongo and going over the high pass, some sweet downhill follows until you hit the valley bottom and head towards Tuni, a small village without any stores.

Laguna Tuni – Laguna Q’ara Khota

A mixture of small dirt roads and trails take you through this remote section.

Plenty of water sources and good views of the mountains make for some great riding. Expect trails to vanish in some sections. Some pretty rough terrain and some great singletrack are on the menu as well.

Laguna Q’ara Khota – Laguna Cacha

The nature of the riding changes a bit here. It’ll make you appreciate a suspension fork if you have one, and miss it if you don’t. Beautiful views of the altiplano and Lake Titicaca remind you how far you are from civilization. You are in for a hard section here!

Laguna Cacha – Sorata

Due to food poisoning, we had to change our plans at Laguna de Cacha. Our plan was to stay up and hit Laguna San Francisco to get high and close to Illampu before dropping down to Sorata (see gpx file). It’s a big day with lots of downhill and a well-deserved dinner at your arrival. Proceed into the Ruta de Las Tres Cordilleras if you want to continue north!