Arapata and the Green Lagoon

 

A good dirt road circumvents the Uchumachi Mountain. The landscape changes suddenly when you cross to the other side: most forest is cleared and lots of coca fields and erosion. One particularly big mountain slide blocked a valley, forming a small lake, the “Green Lagoon”. Although it doesn’t look like much form far, it’s the best place to go for a swim in the whole area. The water isn’t cold like the rivers, and you don’t have to worry about currents or alligators. The lakeside beach is a great place to enjoy the sun and admire the coca fields.

 

From Arapata back to Coroico, you can take an alternative route passing San Agustin, a small village with a ruined Hacienda House, which has two beautiful coca presses. On the road there you can see a palm tree just beside the road, which must have at least 50 Uchi (weaver bird) nests.

 

How to visit the other side of the Uchumachi

 

You can make a very diverse day trip with a car, all around the Uchumachi. It includes a visit to a Casa de Hacienda, a coffee plantation, the cloud forest, a small goldmine, coca fields, and waterfalls and has nice swimming opportunities.

See The Uchumachi Tour leaflet.

 

You can do the tour of the Uchumachi on a horse in two days (see Services – Horses), or go to the Laguna Verde on a bike with CXC (see Services – Bicycles).