Sorata is a town in the La Paz Department of Bolivia, about a 150 km northwest of La Paz.
Sorata attracts mainly people that plan on hiking or climbing the mountains around. In this sense, Sorata is the better than Quime, it has more accommodation options, more manifold vegetation, it is more alive, and has more impressive day hikes, e.g. to the Laguna Chillata.
High season in Sorata is apparently in August and September.
While there aren't many specific tourist attractions, the town itself is a typically attractive small Bolivian pueblo with little market streets dotted about, ideal for pottering around if the weather isn't up to proper hiking (often the case during the wet season).
The central plaza is unremarkable save for the statue of General Enrique Peñaranda del Castillo, who bears a striking resemblance to Adolf Hitler (and is dressed for the part).
If wanting to organize short or long treks around Sorata, use the guides in Sorata rather than booking ahead from La Paz. It ensures that the money you pay goes directly to the guides themselves, most of whom are from poor local families that rely on guiding as a key source of income.
There are several guide offices. The official one (Sorata Guide Association) is close to northeastern corner of main plaza, the other one ("Tourist Information") is on the street that leaves to La Paz from southwestern corner of main plaza. If you arrive in the middle of the week, you may be the only hiker there. From summer months, September is busier than July. Example prices are: guide is Bs. 300/day, transport (4WD) from the town to the start (from the end) of the hike is Bs. 200 one-way, tent and sleeping gear is Bs. 65/day, food and equipment hire is about Bs. 150, taxi (can let you somehow shorten the "boring" part of walk, but not that much as 4WD) is Bs. 40. All these prices are negotiable. If you're single, things may get expensive, but you may get an acceptable custom solution.
Example custom solutions:
- Bs. 600 for a 2 person, 2 day trip to both Laguna Chillata and Glacier—includes guide, mule and taxi back to town.
- A day hike to Laguna Chillata should be around Bs. 350 per group, but the hike is easy and can be done without guide if you have a decent map.
- A day walk to Laguna Chillata with initial taxi, no guide (map may help), 4WD (from a higher point) back home for Bs. 240.
For the following two: If you arrive late, you can still make it to the first camp ground. The advantage being that in the morning the mountains might be without clouds or excellent views.
- Laguna Chillata. This is an easy but all day hike (~32 km) up to the Laguna (3-4 hr) and back. With the taxi you will save 1.5-2 hr. It uses the same trail as to the Laguna Glaciar. There are many camp sites along the way, in case you want to head back only the next day. It gets cold however at 4,000 m, so it is important to have a proper tent and sleeping bag. At the altitude around the Laguna also the water should be save to drink, but further down there are still many villages which use the water for all purposes. A guided tour is Bs. 350 per group.
- Laguna Glaciar. The (green) is a picturesque but also demanding 2-4 days hike. There are many camp sites or even just flat areas along the trail, where you can put up a tent. General properties: 18 km length, 2,360 m total climb, 5,050 maximal altitude. Download track here: KMZ, GeoJSON, for GPX see GPSies.
For the following you will probably need a guide or a very good map: - Iskanwaya. An archaeological site about 5 days hike away.
- Mapiri. 7 days
- Circuito Illampu. 6-7 days
- Cordillera Real/Transcordillera: 8-12 days
- Apolobamba: 5 days
- Road Gold: 5 days
- Wild Adventure Minascapa: 3 days
Laguna Chillata. This is an easy but all day hike (~32 km) up to the Laguna (3-4 hr) and back. With the taxi you will save 1.5-2 hr. It uses the same trail as to the Laguna Glaciar. There are many camp sites along the way, in case you want to head back only the next day. It gets cold however at 4,000 m, so it is important to have a proper tent and sleeping bag. At the altitude around the Laguna also the water should be save to drink, but further down there are still many villages which use the water for all purposes. A guided tour is Bs. 350 per group.
Laguna Glaciar. The (green) is a picturesque but also demanding 2-4 days hike. There are many camp sites or even just flat areas along the trail, where you can put up a tent. General properties: 18 km length, 2,360 m total climb, 5,050 maximal altitude. Download track here: KMZ, GeoJSON, for GPX see GPSies.
Iskanwaya. An archaeological site about 5 days hike away.
Mapiri. 7 days
Circuito Illampu. 6-7 days
- San Pedro Caves. daily 09:00-17:00. If you never seen a cave or are bored (i.e. you start a mountain hike the next day), this is a nice activity and walk. However, the caves may be not that impressive as the ones you may have seen in USA or Europe. Swimming is no longer permitted at the caves. Also, the cave is not very colorful nor has it stalactites and stalagmites, and there are no bats. It is not even very long, maybe 25 min return. In addition, the guides have apparently also been abolished, they were mentioned before at the entrance wall (see the washed out writings). The walk is not very pleasant (as it is always on the road where quite many cars pass and make dust), but with good views, it is uphill on the way back.If you arrive late in Sorata, take a taxi for Bs. 40 (can be haggled down to Bs. 35) one-way. If you don't want to walk both ways it might be better to walk there and arrange for a taxi to meet you there for collection (it's a small place and you can't rely on one being there for you). However, there are many taxis driving along this road and you might just stop one after leaving the caves. Entrance: Bs. 20. The boat inside is Bs. 5, not included.
- Downhill Mountain Bike. In the mountains around Sorata are also the only Downhill Mountainbike possibilities in Bolivia, the MTB/Boat trip to Rurrenabaque starts from Sorata.
- Other than that, just relax and admire the beautiful views! It's a nice antidote from frenetic La Paz.
San Pedro Caves. daily 09:00-17:00. If you never seen a cave or are bored (i.e. you start a mountain hike the next day), this is a nice activity and walk. However, the caves may be not that impressive as the ones you may have seen in USA or Europe. Swimming is no longer permitted at the caves. Also, the cave is not very colorful nor has it stalactites and stalagmites, and there are no bats. It is not even very long, maybe 25 min return. In addition, the guides have apparently also been abolished, they were mentioned before at the entrance wall (see the washed out writings). The walk is not very pleasant (as it is always on the road where quite many cars pass and make dust), but with good views, it is uphill on the way back.If you arrive late in Sorata, take a taxi for Bs. 40 (can be haggled down to Bs. 35) one-way. If you don't want to walk both ways it might be better to walk there and arrange for a taxi to meet you there for collection (it's a small place and you can't rely on one being there for you). However, there are many taxis driving along this road and you might just stop one after leaving the caves. Entrance: Bs. 20. The boat inside is Bs. 5, not included.
Downhill Mountain Bike. In the mountains around Sorata are also the only Downhill Mountainbike possibilities in Bolivia, the MTB/Boat trip to [[Rurrenabaque]] starts from Sorata.
Other than that, just relax and admire the beautiful views! It's a nice antidote from frenetic La Paz.
- Small Sunday market, mostly selling food and general goods. Good fruit and vegetable market every day.
- There are several food shops in the town.
- The are many opportunities in town to enjoy local food. Skip the overly expensive pizzerias, unless you don't care about you impact onto local price structures. A schnitzel with fries can already be obtained for Bs. 10 bs from the street vendors.
- Panchita. Attached to Hostal Panchita on the plaza (next to the church), but more visible than the hotel itself. The best of the various pizza places around the plaza—surprisingly good pizzas for the type of establishment, decent mexican food, a variety of vegetarian options, and a very forgetful owner who you'll usually have to give your order to at least twice. As usual with places like this, the wine list is rather optimistic compared to their actual stock.
Panchita. Attached to Hostal Panchita on the plaza (next to the church), but more visible than the hotel itself. The best of the various pizza places around the plaza—surprisingly good pizzas for the type of establishment, decent mexican food, a variety of vegetarian options, and a very forgetful owner who you'll usually have to give your order to at least twice. As usual with places like this, the wine list is rather optimistic compared to their actual stock.
- On the way back from the San Pedro Cave, you can stop at Cafe Illampu or Altai Oasis for drinks and food.
- Otherwise, Sorata is not the place for a wild night out. Casa Reggae (see below) has a bar with beer and cocktails available.
On the way back from the San Pedro Cave, you can stop at Cafe Illampu or Altai Oasis for drinks and food.
Otherwise, Sorata is not the place for a wild night out. Casa Reggae (see below) has a bar with beer and cocktails available.
The so called "tourist informations" in town are basically just disguised tour operators. Often, you are better off just taking a taxi to a start of a trail instead of letting them do it. For longer treks they are useful, but an experienced hiker most likely will not need to rely on them. However, they are good to get some basic information about the hikes in the area. Nevertheless, be aware they will always try to sell you something, and even take a share from a simple taxi ride.
Wi-Fi is unheard of in most accommodations. Supposedly the pizzerias have some.