After a breakfast with some beautiful views of the valley below us, which might be covered by fog at the bottom, giving us some eerie views, we depart for a hike to Uchumachi. According to the local legend, Uchumachi was the birthplace of Pachamama (mother earth). The hike takes about 4-5 hours and is fairly demanding, as it negotiates elevation difference of about 700 m (2230 f). First we follow the stations of the cross to a small church, then the path follows the ridgeline of the hill. The trail passes through different vegetations zones, drier bare grasslands with some bushes, and pockets of humid jungle-like forest with low trees and bushes. There are marvellous views of Cordillera Real and surrounding valleys from the track. After the long hike we shall have a rest atHotel Esmeralda, following by lunch with wonderful views. After lunch we bit farewell to Coroico, and decent down to the village of Yolosa
Once on the main road, we will continue our ascent to the Cumbre Pass. The next section of the road, so called “Death Road” has the infamous reputation of being the “most dangerous road in the world”. I do not agree with this, but nevertheless it is a spectacular road, it is actually the most scenic road around La Paz, if not in the whole of Bolivia. It hugs cliff walls on one side and on the other side it is cut off by a sheer cliff. At several points, waterfalls fall directly on to the road. Road here passes first through mountain jungle, which is latter replaced by cloud forest, which is very often covered by fog. As the road gains altitude, the vegetation starts to disappear. Road eventaully widens we are surrounded by rocky giants of Cordillera Real. As we keep climbing, the last of the vegetation is replaced by rocky moon like landscape. Eventually we will arrive to the Cumbre Pass at 4660 m (15289 f).
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