Pacajes: Rivers and the Cóndor Jipiña Natural Monument

Pacajes is located in the southwest of the Department of La Paz. Three rivers cross the province: the Río Mauri, the Río Desaguadero, and the Río Achieta. There is also Cóndor Jipiña, a natural rock formation that was declared a National Natural and Cultural Monument.

Rivers and a natural monument in Pacajes

The three rivers are geographical reference points for the province: the Río Mauri, the Río Desaguadero, and the Río Achieta cross Pacajes.

The natural rock formation Cóndor Jipiña is located on Cerro Cóndor Jipiña in the municipality of Corocoro, in Pacajes Province. The hill and the formation share the same name; it was the rock formation that was declared a National Natural and Cultural Monument. The monument designation also gives the site a cultural and natural classification.

More places to explore in the wider destination of La Paz

In the wider destination of La Paz, Parque Nacional y Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Cotapata offers a distinct connection to nature and archaeology. By land, the protected area can be reached via the La Paz–Coroico road or through the Río Huarinilla valley. You can travel by bus to Coroico or La Cumbre; from there, the trekking route continues to the village of El Chairo.

The pre-Columbian El Choro Trail can also be used as a walking route to access Cotapata. If you plan to take this option, check the route conditions and access logistics in advance. Cotapata is suitable for environmental education and tourism because of its ecological, scenic, and archaeological features. The different access options and the protected area’s thematic focus give you concrete ways to explore nature, landscapes, and archaeology in La Paz.

Tiwanaku is also part of the wider destination of La Paz. The archaeological site is located in the Department of La Paz, in Ingavi Province, near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca in the Altiplano, at an altitude of 3,850 meters. When describing the site, distinguish between the ancient city and the modern town: most of the ancient city is covered by the modern town. The ancient city was built mainly of adobe bricks.

Another archaeological site in La Paz is the Camino Chairo–Socosani. It continues from Puente Inca en Chairo, runs along the lower slope of Cerro Nogalani, and leads to the ruins of Socosani. Along the way, you can see old agricultural terraces, retaining walls, and paved paths. The archaeological highlights differ: Tiwanaku is about the ancient city and its being covered by the modern town, while the Camino Chairo–Socosani is a route that leads to the ruins.

Discover more destinations: Caranavi Province, Omasuyos, Franz Tamayo, Nor Yungas, Larecaja, Cercado.

Go to the wider travel overview: La Paz.