Today we drive in our four wheel drive (4x4) vehicle from Totora to Samaipata along the “old” Cochabamba - Santa Cruz road. There are astonishing views from the road and the voyage is full of drastic climatic changes from desolate mountain valleys, to humid rain forests and desert sceneries reminiscent of Arizona deserts with giant cactus. We drive along the mountain range of Cordillera Cochabamba which divides here the dry mountain valleys in the west and the humid valleys in the east; at some instances having the opportunity to view the humid eastern valleys which are here protected in Carrasco and Amboro National Parks, and western dry valleys. Half way through our day’s journey we the village of Pojo, which has been forgotten by the passing time. We make a small detour form the main road to the area of Pulquina, which has some very interesting countryside with huge cacti and other xerophilous plants. Eventually we return to the main road again and descent down to the fertile valleys of Mataral, Pampa Grande and Mairana, finally we arrive to Samaipata.
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