For those who love trekking, the 7 hours per day of demanding hiking (half of which with backpacks) through the cloud forest (las Yungas) are an adventure rich in landscapes and encounters with the flora and fauna of this ecosystem. The trail lies at 1500 to 2200 meters above sea level, crossing the Mina Mountains from Las Lauras Valley to San Rafael River and from there, to the peak of La Muela (Devil’s Tooth). Great oppertunity to train for Bolivian Altiplano or Inca Trail treks.

Day 1: After 1½ hour and half ride in a 4x4 jeep, we take our packs and begin our 1¼ hour hike up the hillside past Las Lauras, identifying along the way the names of jays and parakeets hidden amongst the erythrinas and lapacho trees. We continue until we reach La Mina Pass, where a tree-fern forest nourishes itself with the humidity of the clouds which wind their way through the canopy of weinmannias, bolivian pines, bolivian cedars, and myrtaceaes. With a little luck we will cross paths with a capuchin monkey´s aerial route or hear the song of quetzals and trogons, tinamous and guans, thrushes and antpittas, etc. After lunch we will head down the other side of the hills for 2¾ hour until we reach San Rafael River in a laurel and Bolivian walnut forest. We set up camp at the edge of the river, and after lunch we head off (leaving our packs behind) looking for the tracks that jaguars, pumas, ocelots, brocket deer, and wild pigs may have left in the soft sand of the riverbed. Those who suffer from vertigo or dizziness can stay below and explore their surroundings while the rest of us will take on the adventurous 1½ hour ascent to the peak of La Muela , where archaeological remains can be found. From the top, all along the San Rafael Valley , one can see the cloud covered landscapes inside the park. The best photographs can be shot between 5:00 and 6:00 pm. A 1½ hour trip back down gets us into camp in time for a campfire evening meal, alone in the forest and attentive to all the calls of the nocturnal animals.

Day 2: We have breakfast at daybreak, and break camp while listening to mountain solitaires, guans, and oropendolas. We then hike with our packs for an hour to where the headwaters of the Piray and Yapacani Rivers divide, at Los Loros Cliff of La Muela del Diablo. From this lookout, we are rewarded with spectacular views of La Muela, and the two valleys below which are circled by mist-enshrouded mountains. Photos of these sites are best taken between 8:00 and 9:00 am, just when we arrive. For three hours the adventurous with strong hearts and ankles will hike on with the guide to the summit of La Muela leaving everything but their snacks and cameras behind with those who choose to explore and photograph (using ISO 200 to 400) the hills and landscapes of the ravines, which are rich in animal trails, orchids, bromelides, ferns, insect-eating plants, birds, etc.. We meet up again at the lookout to have lunch and talk about our experiences. From there we head down (with packs) for 2½ hours towards Piedras Blancas through steep bamboo undergrowth beneath walnut trees and laurels. We return to Samaipata in a 1 hour 4x4 jeep ride on a dirt road. Bring a rain poncho and insect repellent.