PLAN YOUR JOURNEY TO TOROTORO
When to travel to Torotoro?
The Torotoro National Park can be visited throughout the year. The dry season (April - October) is more temperate and with little chance of rain. Although the landscape is a bit more dry and arid, the climate favors access to all attractions.
During the rainy season (November - March), the landscape becomes greener and you can better enjoy the waterfalls of the canyons. There may be rainy days when no entry to the caves is allowed for security reasons
Duration of your stay - Description of the main tourist circuits of the Torotoro National Park and time required for each visit
The Torotoro National Park offers various attractions that are within a radius of up to 30 km away from the town. In two full days you can visit two of the main routes, if you want to know more about the wonderful attractions we recommend to schedule 3 to 4 days.
Below is a brief description of the main tourist circuits of the Torotoro National Park where we indicate the time required for each visit:
Circuit 1: City of Itas
Duration of the tour: 4 - 5 Hours
The city of Itas is 21 km to the west of the town of Torotoro, which is about one hour's journey by vehicle. It has an altitude of 3700 m.s.n.m.
You will see majestic formations of open natural caves in sandstone in the form of tunnels, stone labyrinths and giant tower-shaped rocks, which were formed naturally and give the impression of a citadel.
During the tour you will also see cave paintings and wild animals such as vizcachas and birds.
Sites of interest:
- Stone Towers
- Lagoons
- Waka Pakana
- Itas Cathedral
Circuit 2: Umajalanta Cavern
Duration of the tour: 4 - 5 Hours
Umajalanta Cavern is located 10 km. west from Torotoro town, about 20 minutes away by car at an altitude of 2850 m.s.n.m..
You can see some dinosaur tracks located on the way to enter the cave.
In the interior of Umajalanta you will find dazzling formations of stalactites and stalacmites in different sizes, as well as an underground river inhabited by an endemic species of blind fish.
Sites of interest:
- Concert Hall
- Stalacmite La Virgen
- Weeping Willow Stalactite
Circuit 3: Dinosaur footprints, Torotoro canyon and El Vergel waterfall
Duration of the route: 4 - 5 Hours
This circuit is located 4 km. to the north of the town of Torotoro, at an altitude of 2800 meters.
During the tour you will see petrified tracks of different families of herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs. You will also see the geological strata of the Cretaceous Sea, a natural stone theater, stone bridges, the great Torotoro Canyon, the viewpoint, the El Vergel waterfall and crystalline pools located inside the Torotoro canyon.
You will also observe a variety of red-forehead birds and parabas.
Sites of interest:
- Dinosaur footprints
- El Vergel waterfall
- Torotoro canyon
Circuit 4: Chiflón Qaqa, Valley of Mushrooms and Dinosaur Footprints
Duration of the route: 4 - 5 Hours
Located to the northwest of the town of Torotoro at an altitude of 2800 m.s.n.m.
During the tour you will see cave paintings located inside one of the canyons, natural pools, a waterfall that springs from a cavern in the middle of the Torotoro canyon, rocks in the form of mushrooms, fossils of small marine organisms and the best tracks of carnivorous dinosaurs in the region.
Sites of interest:
- Valley of Mushrooms
- Chiflon Qaqa Waterfall
- Cave paintings
Circuit 5: Siete Vueltas
Duration of the route: 3 - 4 Hours
Siete Vueltas is located 3.5 km southeast of the town of Torotoro, at an altitude of 3100 ms.n.m.
The trip to Siete vueltas includes a walk through a precolonial path that has more than 7 curves in a mountain, also several geological strata and fossils of marine species belonging to the Cretaceous period - Mesozoic and the Permian - Paleozoic; which evidences the existence of a seabed millions of years ago
Sites of interest:
- Anticlinal hill
- Marine Fossils
- Views of the town of Torotoro
Circuit 6: Llama Chaqui
Duration: 12 hours. All day. It is recommended to start the tour at 06:00 a.m.
The fortress of Llma Chaqui is located 19 km. East of the town of Torotoro. There are two canyons nearby. It is considered a pre-Inca fortress due to the archaeological remains found in the place: Tombs- Chullpas, walls, ceramics. Llama Chaqui is considered the main archaeological site of Torotoro.
There is a cavern of bats, dinosaur footprints and petrified llama footprints.
Sites of interest:
- Ruins of Llama Chaqui
- Tombs - Chullpas
- Landscape
Circuit 7: Turtle Cemetery
Duration: 3 - 4 hours
The Turtle Cemetery is located 3.5 km southwest of the town of Torotoro, where you can see fossils of turtle shells, some fragmented fossils of fish, crocodiles and other unidentified species belonging to the Cenozoic era.
You can see the reddish earth and visit the Paleontological Museum
How to get to Torotoro?
The Torotoro National Park is located in the northeast of the department of Potosí. The main and only viable access to the population of Torotoro is through the city of Cochabamba. It can be reached by private car, bus, minibus or plane. The trip by land can be made through Tarata (or Cliza), passing through Huayculli, Anzaldo and Thayapaya. The trip takes 4-5 hours by land and 30 minutes by plane.
Torotoro does not have a service station. The nearest gas station is 99 km away in the town of Tarata. You can get gasoline in bulk at some stores in the town at a higher cost. If you are driving in a private car, it is important to get the necessary gasoline in advance.
TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
Buses:
- Departures: Cochabamba - TorotoroThursday, Sunday: 06:00Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 18:00
- Torotoro - Cochabamba ExitsMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 06:00Friday 18:00Sunday 14:30Bus Stop in Cochabamba: End Av. Republica almost Av. Barrientos
- Departures: Cochabamba - TorotoroEvery day: When it is full (7 passengers per minibus)Minibuses stop in Cochabamba Av. Republica almost Barrientos
Minibuses
Admission to the Park and Guides
There are costs of access to the park and for hiring guides. The park can only be accessed with an authorized guide. Children can enter from age 10. Children under 10 years of age may enter under full responsibility of the parents. The offices of the park and the Association of Guides is located on Calle del Olvido.
The costs are as follows:
- Admission to the Park:
- Children (10 - 12 years old): Bs. 20 / $ 3
- Students: Bs. 20 / $ 3
- National Adults: Bs. 40 / $ 5.80
- International adults: Bs. 100 / $ 14.50
- Guide Service (Cost for groups of 1 - 6 people):
- Nationals: Bs. 80 / $ 11.50
- InternationalsBs. 100 / $ 14.50
- Transportation service to attractions: (if you do not have private transportation)
- City of Itas: Bs. 150 / $ 21.50
- City of Itas and Umajalanta cave: Bs. 330 / $ 47.50
What to pack for your visit to Torotoro?
It is necessary to wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and warm clothes. Do not forget to pack a hat and mosquito repellent.
For your visit to the cave of Umajalanta it is necessary to bring clothes to be dragged on the ground, preferably long pants, comfortable shoes and water.
Banking Services
Torotoro does not have a bank or ATM service. Therefore it is very important that you plan your expenses and bring the necessary amount in cash. Apart from the costs of lodging, entrance to the park, transport and food, you may need cash to buy the beautiful crafts of the place.
0 comments:
Post a Comment