SPECIAL TROPICAL TREKKING - HISTORY AND HIGHLIGHTS

The ancient road from Sorata to Mapiri was part of a pre-Columbian network of roads linking the Bolivian altiplano and high valleys with the low lands and the navigable waterways on the amazon basin, this system of roads was far more extensive than 10 days often poor "network" of crossroads, they are often called "Inca roads" but fact is that in Bolivia these roads were constructed centuries before the Incas arrived, most of them under the Tiwanaku period about 900 years A.C.

The Mapiri trail is one of the two antique roads starting in Sorata (2.700 m). The better know "Golddiggers Trail" (Camino del Oro), leads down the Goldmining Tipuani valley to Guanay, this road is still in use, but the lower part is mostly destroyed since a car road has been constructed upon to day, the Mapiri Trail is probably the longest intact and best preserved pre-Hispanic road in Bolivia may be in South America.

After several expedition, some under rather extreme conditions this work is now finished, and Knut Berg could offer guided tours down this magnificent and unique road.

Later on Andes Expedition and Sir Knut Berg Hansen made and reach an agreement to work jointly in this trekking circuit, but in 1.993 Knut Berg died in Sorata, He couldn't do any job with Andes Expeditions, but then Andes Expeditions will continued this project, the Mapiri Tiwanakota Trail.

In February of 1.995 "Andes Expedition" sends for inspecting one guide and driver to the route from Ingenio to Mapiri, the driver has hiked it since many years for business.

The final result and conclusion is that it is fit for trekking tours circuit and hiker tourists.

DURATION: 17 Days - 16 Nights
SEASON: May - October