- Country: Bolivia
- County: La Paz
- Mountain chain: Cordillera-Real
- Height above sea level: 1200 m
- Highest point: Wine-Potosi (6088 m)
One of the world's poorest countries, landlocked but with a huge cultural heritage of the pre-Columbian era, Bolivia continues to surprise visitors with its natural attractions . One of them is the Zongo Valley, which will be discussed in this review.
general information
The Zongo Valley is located 50 km from the unofficial capital of Bolivia, the city of La Paz . So, what can you see in the Valley of Zongo:
- ice caves, considered one of the most picturesque in the world;
- crystal clear lakes, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes;
- Mountains, whose height is breathtaking;
- tropical forests and, of course, the ancient city of Tiwanaku, which is the main historical attraction of this place.
Geographical facts
Related to the ecological zone of Yungas, the Zongo Valley is located on the eastern side of the Cordillera-Real mountain range. The highest point of this mountain chain is the Wine-Potosi (6088 m above sea level), the elevation difference with the valley of the Zongo is more than 4000 m: the valley itself is located at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level. The valley of the Zongo is often called the garden of Bolivia and it is not accidental: due to the warm moist climate and fertile soils there is a rich vegetation.
In the valley of Zongo, silver mining was previously carried out, and hydroelectric power stations were built on numerous mountain rivers - this provided the valley with numerous winding roads and paths that the bicyclists so much loved. To date, cycling in the valley of Zongo - the most popular type of excursions in the area. But it is worth considering that for the descent from the top of the Wine-Potosi to the valley of the Zongo, acclimatization and appropriate physical preparation are necessary.
Landscapes of the valley Zongo
If you prefer a bike tour to get acquainted with the valley of Zongo, then you have not lost it. Only bicyclists can study all the ecological zones of Bolivia during one excursion . The journey starts at the Chakaltay pass, whose height is 5200 m above sea level. Here you will see snow-capped peaks of mountains, glacial lakes, then there is a belt of forests and shrubs. The end point of the trip is the valley of the Zongo with plantations of coffee and coca. On the way the guides will tell you interesting stories about the life of the local population, talk about the development of tourism in the region, and also call representatives of the flora and fauna that meet along the way.
The best time to visit the Zongo Valley
It is best to travel to the Zongo Valley in Bolivia between October and April. To get here it is most convenient through the tour operators of La Paz , who will represent your choice of several popular routes, as well as provide all necessary for travel equipment.
Descent from Chakaltay to the valley of Zongo takes 3-4 hours, the road on most of the way is sloping, but dirty and with a lot of stones. Steep sections of the road meet at the beginning of the route, so take your time, follow the instructor's instructions and do not neglect safety.
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