The daily lives of the children who inhabit this corner of Bolivia are still looked over and protected by their ancestors.
The Chullpares Trail to Luribay reveals to us the mysticism of the Totora community.
Some of the most important ancient remains along the road to Luribay are the chullpares, funerary towers where the ancestors of the community's inhabitants are laid to rest.
These tombs were built with a mixture of clay and straw on a stone base. Erected before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors - presumably by Aymara feudal lords who settled in the area - they are a symbol of the importance of the cult of the dead and Mother Earth for the ancient peoples who inhabited this region.
The chullpares of Totora are dotted across the plateau of Luribay and appear along the main road leading to the village. During the descent the panoramic view is particularly suggestive: in some areas the chullpares mix with the spaces cultivated as cropland.
The land on which the chullpares rise is used to grow produce such as potatoes and barley and to raise llamas, alpacas and sheep. The community members exploit the resources of the land with due care and respect for Mother Nature and the ancestors who rest have been laid to rest there, showing how much the Aymara culture is still alive and well in this region.
Contact us and we can help you discover the past and present of these places through the exciting stories of the Totora community and its members.
Where
Totora community, Luribay municipality
Transportation
By public transport
From El Alto (Luribay Durazno Union, Calle 7 Villa Dolores area) to Luribay. Minibus with a capacity of 14 people. Departure times: 7:00 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm; the ticket price is 35 Bs per person one way. From there only private transport. Return time: 4:00 am and 2:00 pm.
By private transport
From La Paz take National Route 1 towards Patacamaya. Once there, take the detour to Luribay; the chullpares are located between the Community of Totora and Luribay. Average duration of the trip: about 3-4 hours.
Visiting Rules
Per la tua salute e quella della popolazione, ricordati di rispettare tutti i protocolli di biosicurezza e i codici di condotta prima e durante il tuo soggiorno: porta con te mascherina e igienizzante per le mani, un kit di pronto soccorso, con crema solare e farmaci per il mal di montagna.
Durante la tua visita, ricorda di proteggere e rispettare il patrimonio culturale e naturale della regione.