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, and 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 at Hotel Esmeralda, following by lunch with wonderful views.
After lunch we will drive down along little used track to Santa Barbara river. Here we walk along the river and see lush tropical forest, butterflies and if weather and water level permits we might even have a short dip in small pools of water, called the Vagante pools. After our stroll we will return to Coroico, and back to the Hotel Esmeralda. We can have a dinner there or go back down to Coroico and dine in one of the restaurants.
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