We leave La Paz early in the morning, as we get away from the centre of the city, we pass through poorer suburbs, where the houses are glued to the steep valley sides. After passing the toll both and police checkpoint, we start to steadily climb in our four wheel drive SUVs towards the Cumbre Pass at 4660 m (15289 f). The countryside here has a pretty desolate look. There are only llamas in evidence and begging dogs along the road. As we keep climbing, snow-capped peaks of Cordillera Real will come into a view. Just before arriving to the Cumbre pass we will pass several artificial lakes that supply drinking water to La Paz.
Arriving at the pass we will turn off the main road entering into the Cotapata National Park and continue climbing through a moon-like landscape along off-road tracks to the beginning of the Choro Inca Trail. The last stage of the track will require low gear ratios from our four wheel drive SUVs. The pass Apacheta Chucura, where the trail starts is at the altitude of 4880 m (16010 f). The views from the pass are unforgettable. For those who feel well in this altitude and want to have some truly amazing views of the surrounding scenery, we can follow the ridgeline for a while and climb up to 4990 m (16371 f), from where we will have truly amazing view of the surrounding Cordillera Real and its peaks and valleys
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