Northwest of Cochabamba

Villa de Independencia(capital of Ayopaya province, population 25,600) is hidden in a valley of the Cordillera Maso Cruz, 175 km northwest of Cochabamba via Quillacollo and Morochata. It is a good base for exploring the considerable biodiversity of the region, which has a range of altitudes between 1600 and 4600 m. The local fiestas are a step back in time; untainted by commercialism, they are produced by and for the local Quechua-speaking population. The town has basic sleeping and eating facilities and, in 2007, began promoting ethno-ecotourism circuits to four rural communities. Fundación Delpia(www.fundacion- delpia.org) runs an ecological farm close to the village where volunteers can participate.

From Independencia a very rough and beautiful road continues northeast to Inquisivi, an alternate access to the Yungas.