Sorata

Sorata has long been a trade and transport centre for coca, quinine, rubber and gold, produced in the lowland areas to which it provides access. More recently, the town has become a popular tourist destination offering superb hiking and trekking as well as being a great place to wander around and relax. It has a pleasant laid-back atmosphere and boasts an extremely comfortable climate. It is lower and noticeably warmer than La Paz, and higher and cooler than most Yungas towns. There are biting insects, so bring repellent.

Sorata was not always so laid back. In 1781 during the great Peru-Bolivia indígenasrevolt, Andrés, nephew of the Peruvian rebel leader Túpac Amaru, killed all the Spanish in the town following a three-month siege. In 2003 the town was again badly shaken by social unrest but soon regained its composure. In 2008 it was a tranquil and recommended destination - especially for climbers and trekkers

Sights

The main plaza is named after General Enrique Peñaranda who was born in the nearby village of Chuchulaya in 1892 and was president of the country 1940-1943. On a clear day, through the giant palms, you can see Illampu (on the left) and Ancohuma (on the right). The view of the mountains is better from the smaller Plaza Obispo Bosque.

The Residencial Sorata on the main plaza was built by a series of 19th-century German quinine and rubber barons. It has been a hotel since only 1968 when the then mayor threatened to expropriate the buildings due to under-use.

Around Sorata

There are a great many options for day walks and longer excursions using Sorata as a base.

One of the most popular walks near Sorata is to the Gruta de San Pedro, beyond the village of San Pedro. The cave is formed in gypsum, not limestone and is inhabited by nectar-sipping bats. The lake inside the cave is dirty and swimming is not permitted. The walk there and back (2½ hours each way) is actually more interesting than the cave itself. There are lights in the cave but take a torch. Continue past the cave for 30 minutes to reach a point on the ridge that gives great views over the valleys.

A good one-day walk is to Cerro Istipata.

There is another one-day walk to Lakathiya. It takes four to six hours to get to Lakathiya, which stands at a height of 4000 m, and two to three hours to descend to Sorata.

Another excursion is to the Ilabaya thermal baths - enjoy the baths and the views from the nearby hill with the antenna, and walk back down to Sorata if you wish.

Yaniis a 400-year-old stone-built village in a beautiful setting and makes a worthwhile excursion. Below Yani is Ingenio which is the start of the Mapiri trail and has two very basic alojamientos. On the other side of the Río Yani is a set of ruins called Pueblo Antiguo. It is also worthwhile exploring the Tuili ruinshalf an hour's walk away. Ask locals for directions. To walk there from Sorata takes two days. Sorata Guías y Porteadores(page) can arrange guides for a four- to five-day trip to Tacacoma and Yani.