The remains of a lost world tell us of the time when the tambo provided a refuge to past travellers.
All that remains today of the ancient tambo of Tawacosi are ruins and an uncertain etymology.
Tawacosi was presumably a tambo, a sort of inn providing lodgings and food storage services for travelling priests and officials of the empire.
While the function of the ruined building has been identified, the meaning of its name still remains partly shrouded in mystery. In the Aymara language, in fact, Tawacosi means young woman (Tawaku) and slender (Q’husi) but the connection with the tambo and its history has not been established.
In colonial and republican times the tambo of Tawacosi was reused as a customs checkpoint, due to its strategic position at the crossroads between the roads connecting different areas of the region of Yungas: from here there was access to the pre-Columbian Takesi Trail and its subsequent branch to what is now the city of La Paz.
The architectural remains that have survived to us are fifteen or so pre-Hispanic single-storey buildings, with a square floor plan, definitely reused until fairly recent times. Each building is built with flat stones in overlapping courses filled with mud. Also visible are large steps carved into the rock, which have been interpreted as lookout posts.
Around the ruins of Tawacosi you can see the pre-Columbian trails that still retain their authenticity. Many of them continue to serve as a link between the communities in the region and are the setting for numerous stories and legends.
According to local accounts, one of these pre-Hispanic roads leads to the Inca cemetery located around Mocori, a site that the Spanish used to explore for gold mines. Some even say that part of the remains of Tupac Katari, the indigenous leader who in the 18th century rebelled against the Spaniards, who were brutally exploiting the local population in the mines, arrived there and paid for his heroism with a brutal death.
Additional Info
It is recommended to wear light clothing for hot weather conditions, comfortable footprint shoes, and to bring a cap, a hat, sunglasses and a camera.
Suggested periods
- Autumn
- Spring
- Summer
- Weekend
Where
Chahuara Community, Yanacachi municipality, La Paz district.
Transportation
By public transport
From La Paz, at the Minasa bus terminal, some companies leave in the direction of Chulumani, passing through Yanacachi. From there request information to get to the ruins of Tawacosi on foot.
By private transport
From La Paz take National Route 3 towards Coroico. Before getting there, in the town of Unduavi, take National Route 25 until the exit that leads to Yanacachi; from there request information to get to the ruins of Tawacosi on foot.
Visiting Rules
For your health and the health of local population, remember to comply with all biosecurity protocols and codes of conduct before and during your stay: wear a mask and carry hand sanitizer, plus a first aid kit, with sunscreen and medications for altitude sickness.
During your visit remember to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the region.