Torotoro National Park Part II

Exploring Torotoro’s caves was definitely the funnest part of the 30 hours we spent in the park that’s positioned itself as the dinosaur mecca of South America.

We opted to do the full day tour with the same two couples that we met the day prior, allowing us to split the price of the guide (650bs). Although BYOing lunch was an option we also elected to have lunch at the park restaurant for an additional 25bs. If you want to do this, make sure the guides know before you set off.

Departures for the morning day trips are at 7.30am and 8am. From the office we had an hour of driving through the park before arriving at the morning’s destination, the stone city of Itas. Herein lies an arrangement of rocks that has to be seen to be believed. As we wandered through the rocky metropolis exploring one cavern after the other our guide pointed out drawings and markings etched into the rock, evidence of the primitive existence of our ancestors from thousands of years ago.

Exploring the stone city of Itas

Had our Spanish been a bit better we probably would have learned a bit more about the geology of the area, but as it was we were content marvelling at the ways of Mother Nature and her ability to produce the formations before our eyes.

Including turtle shaped rocks!

After a delicious two course lunch, clad in hard hats and head torches we made our way into a cave 250m below ground and for the next 90 minutes performed some fairly miraculous acts of contortion as we climbed, twisted, sucked and squeezed our way through some impossibly tiny spaces.

Fun fact – in this cave lies the artwork found on the Bolivian 10bs note!

Our guide did an incredible job of adapting our route to our ability. All of us being young, fit and game we were always keen for the most risqué option when given a choice.

We emerged triumphant if a little muddy!

It’s worth noting that from December – February, the wet season, there is too much water in the underground streams and this activity can’t be done.

This was one of my favourite experiences in Bolivia and at only 109bs per person (because we could split the cost of the guide) was outstanding value for money, even factoring in an additional, and well-deserved tip.

The last minibus back to Cochabamba leaves at 6pm. We found one night here, as long as we got in one and a half days in the park, was a good amount of time.