Arriving at the school by 9.00am, you will be spending the day with your World Challenge Expedition Leader, preparing for expedition. You will need to arrive with your bags fully packed with everything you intend to take on expedition (as per the kit list) and all your necessary documents. After your Build-Up Day the there will be a BBQ at 6.00pm for the team and parents. The Team will then depart for the airport at 4.30am.
Arrive La Paz. As you approach La Paz's El Alto Airport you cannot help but be captivated by the stunning mountain scenery that surrounds the world's highest capital city.
After a long and tiring journey, you have now finally arrived in South America and find yourself in a land once dominated by the mighty Inca Empire.
You are likely to notice the effects of altitude when you arrive as the airport is 4,060m above sea level! Don't be surprised if you experience headaches and a shortness of breath during your first couple of days in-country. Be sure to take it slow, rest and drink plenty of water to help you acclimatise.
Today you will need to organise many things, starting with arranging transport to take you into town to your pre-booked accommodation.
Once you've done this you'll need to change money, make (or confirm) any necessary bookings and contact Javier, the In-Country Agent, to arrange a meeting as soon as you can. Javier will be able to provide you with invaluable information about your expedition and help you to get orientated.
La Paz Orientation Day. Wake up to enjoy your first full day in the Bolivian capital. Take some time to explore the narrow cobbled streets and markets of this sprawling Andean city and admire some of the beautiful colonial architecture. Some cultural highlights you may want to visit include the cathedral and Plaza Murillo, Museo de la Coca or Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches Market), or take a free city walking tour!
You will also need to meet Elisa from High Earth, your trekking provider, today to confirm your trek details.
Why not try some traditional Bolivian cuisine this evening whilst contemplating the adventures that await...
Travel to Lake Titicaca. From Bolivia's bustling capital La Paz, catch one of the frequent buses north to Copacabana, situated on the border with Peru. The journey will take 4-6 hours and include an interesting crossing of the Tiquina Strait by boat!
As you approach the town you will catch your first glimpse of the famous Lake Titicaca, surrounded by the spectacular cordillera. Make sure you purchase provisions for the island before leaving La Paz as you will be catering for yourselves during this phase. You will need to find somewhere to stay in Copacabana tonight.
Acclimatisation Phase: Isla del Sol. You will travel by ferry to the 'Island of the Sun' where you will have the chance to explore the island with various day treks, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,032m.
Following well-trodden trails, you will trek through rugged scenery and have the opportunity to visit Inca ruins, camp on the beach and witness some truly amazing sunsets across the Lake. The trek ends in Escalera del Inca, from where you'll need to catch the ferry back to Copacabana.
Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake! See below for a short clip on the Lake's history and its importance in the Inca Empire.
Today you will travel from La Paz to Coroico.You will travel on the 'New Yungas Road' over a high pass of 5,100m before descending from the alti-plano to the semi-tropical region of the Yungas.
Coroico Project.
The expedition project will offer a unique opportunity to fully engage with community - passionate local people and organisations - seeking to make a positive impact.
As valued guests of a host community you will undertake a task-specific project that will contribute towards the ongoing needs of local communities or other environmental priorities. You will need to listen in order to gain a better understanding of the local challenges and work hard to achieve the best outcomes possible.
Don’t get downhearted if the task seems too big or too small - instead ask for help, ask what help is needed, work together with the host community and local organisation.
There is so much more to a project phase than you may initially think. Just like any journey your project is not always about the immediate or visible results – real development takes time and the work will go on long after you have returned home.
There may be opportunities to spend time with local children and the wider community, which you can maximise by organising fun, active and educational activities such as teaching English. Play with children is important for their health and development. So get creative!
It is especially important to make an effort to learn some Spanish before you arrive at the project site - as the local people will speak little English. If you already study Spanish at school, you may like to read the local news in Spanish or listen to Bolivian Radio. This will greatly enhance your experience at the project site.
While your manpower and financial contibution are so valuable, your hosts will also be proud to share something of their culture with you. Cultural exchange works both ways so come prepared with ideas. Photos of your school, community and families are often great ways to make friends. Everyone loves to play sports, share songs and perform dance routines! Be prepared to cook a meal for your hosts, or learn to make traditional dishes. The more you engage with the project hosts the more you will feel part of something bigger - a community. Don’t forget to learn some of the local language, either before you arrive or while you are on expedition - it will be invaluable!
We believe that as in life, you will get out of it what you put in, both as individuals and collectively as a team. While we have provided all the ingredients - you should be prepared to get creative and use your initiative to make this phase a great success. Ask questions, be inquisitive and be the instigators of the change you want to see. We hope this will inspire the next generation of leaders to take action for a better world.
Once your time has come to an end why not seek to keep in contact with your project and find ways to support the work once you return home. This may involve raising funds or awareness or even volunteering on an issue you feel passionate about? Your contribution need not stop when you leave the project site.
Coroico Rest and Relaxation
Take some time to relax after your community project. You might want to explore the surrounding area - there are several day walks that take in hidden waterfalls and stunning views of the lush landscape of the Yungas. Alternatively you might want to visit La Senda Verde Animal Sanctuary.
Today you should head back to La Paz. You can catch minibuses and colectivos from the centre of Coroico and the journey takes around 3 hours. Try to sit by the window as the journey takes in some spectacular vistas. On arrival you will need to source accommodation and confirm the arrangements for your next phase.
You will spend today continuing to explore La Paz and making preparations for your upcoming phases.
Alternatively you could take a day trip to the ancient ruins at Tiwanaku, where you can explore the site of a lost civilisation that predates both the Spanish and Incas in Bolivia.
Main Trek: Cordillera Traverse. This is classic trek in the Bolivian Andes is characterised by high altitude and breathtaking scenery including stunning vistas of mountains and lakes. Your team will pass lakes and glaciers and could even choose to summit Pico Austria, at 5,335m.
To reach the start point for your trek, take transport from La Paz to the beautiful area surrounding the pristine lakes at Laguna Khotia (4,450m). From here you will embark upon a trek supported by cooks, mules and a local guide.
The trek will be tough going, so it is vital that the team work on their fitness before departing on expedition. You will undertake several climbs and descents, spending most of your time above 4,300m and, as a result, the team will be rewarded with some spectacular views of the Condoriri group of mountains - some of Bolivia's best scenery!
Prepare for the harsh conditions of the Cordillera. You will experience clear sunny days and bitterly cold nights so you might want to pick up some warm clothes made from alpaca wool at one of La Paz's many vibrant markets!
You will finish in Chacapampa, near to the town of Botijlaca, where pre-arranged transportation will be waiting to take you back to La Paz. Relax and enjoy the sense of achievement as you travel back to the capital where you can take some well-earned rest.
Travel to Uyuni. Today you will travel to Uyuni to visit the incredible Salt Flats. Contact your In Country Agent, Javier, who will advise you on the best way to make the long journey down the length of the Altiplano to Bolivia's rugged south-west region (you can see the expansive Salt Flats on Google earth!).
Rest and Relaxation: Salt Flats. Today you will start a three-day, two-night jeep tour of the highest and largest salt lake in the world at 10,582 square kilometers in area and 3,700 meters above sea level. A visit to this eerie landscape is sure to be one of the highlights of your expedition, and affords some unique photo opportunities!
You will start by visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats and then a unique hotel made entirely of salt! Head across the huge white expanse to the village of San Juan, via the Isla del Pescado with its giant cacti and birds, where you will stay for the night. The next morning, you will continue to the Chiguana salt field and on to many more sights in the Bolivian desert including the famous tree stone, coloured lakes, flamingos and volcanoes.
Take plenty of warm clothes as it gets extremely cold on the Salar de Uyuni, particularly at night.
Travel back to La Paz. At the end of your final day of the Salt Flats tour you will head back to Uyuni, after which you will start the return journey to La Paz.
La Paz Cultural Day
Time to take some well earned rest after your energetic few weeks. There is plenty to see and do in La Paz to get to know Bolivian culture better and perfect your Spanish. You may choose to do some last minute sight-seeing in La Paz, or head to the market to purchase some handicrafts and souvenirs.
You also have the opportunity to do those last minute jobs before you pack up your kit for the final time and head to the airport for the flight back home early tomorrow.
You could also arrange a final team meal out to celebrate all you have achieved during the past few weeks!
Depart Bolivia and travel home. Sadly it's time to start your homeward journey. You will need to make sure you are up early, packed and at the airport 3 hours before departure.
Getting off the plane in your home country, you'll be bursting with stories and photos to keep family and friends entertained for hours! Don't forget to keep the experience alive and put your images, videos and best stories up on Youtube, Flickr and Facebook – remember to tag them all as World Challenge so you can compare notes with other returning Challengers.
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