A spectacular journey through the lands of the Kallawaya, itinerant healers, whose millennia old knowledge has been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Visit the Pacha Trek together with the sustainable tourism association set up to enhance the Kallawaya culture and promote sustainable development and fair trade in this area.
A journey through the Charazani region and the four villages of Qutapampa, Caluyo, Chacarapi and Chari, which make up the ETSC Pacha Trek. An itinerary designed to allow visitors to delight in the mystical beauty of the Andean landscapes, while appreciating the uniqueness of the Kallawaya culture, a people famous for their ancestral knowledge of traditional natural medicine.
The Kallawayas were wandering healers who travelled to every corner of the Andean territory, offering their remedies to those in need. Besides their knowledge of the healing properties of hundreds of plants and herbs, according to the Kallawaya Andean worldview the success of the medical practices also depended on the proper performance of certain rituals.
The descendants of the ancient Kallawaya healers have preserved and passed on these beliefs, so they make natural remedies using a range of plants grown locally. The knowledge they have inherited from their ancestors does not stop at medicinal plants but is reflected in their rituals and ceremonies – such as mesas, ch'allas, prestes or blessings – which reveal a deep understanding of and a close relationship with the natural environment they live in.
The aim of the itinerary is to respectfully approach the secrets of this ancient culture and includes visits to interpretation centres and exhibition spaces and participation in events and rituals.
In the magical scenery of the Andean cordillera, together with the Kallawaya people, you will be able to experience the myths, rituals, values and artistic expressions that make up their identity, enjoy a close-up view of a range of native medicinal techniques, practices and ceremonies that have been recognized as an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Write to us to organise your trip to discover the Pacha Trek and Kallawaya culture.
Additional Info
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.
Suggested periods
- Autumn
- Spring
- Summer
- Weekend
Where
Communities of Qutapampa, Caluyo, Characapi and Chari, municipality of Charazani, department of La Paz
Transportation
By private transport
From La Paz along National Route 16 towards Lake Titicaca to reach the intersection of the community of Qutapampa. The duration of the trip approximately 5 hours.
By public transport
From the El Alto terminal, there are buses that run along the route that leads to the Charazani community; To get to the Qutapampa community where the trek begins, private transportation is necessary.