Tunari National Park Voyage Tips and guide

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Tunari National Park (officially, Parque Nacional Tunari) is a protected natural area in the Cochabamba Department of Bolivia. The highland park is in the mountains overlooking the city of Cochabamba. It is home to charismatic Andean mountain wildlife, like the spectacled bear and various types of llamas. The park has spectacular scenery with craggy mountain peaks and crystal clear glacial lakes. There are also archaeological sites within the park and some indigenous communities.

It is a big park covering an area of more than 300,000 hectares.

The park was established as part of the Bolivian national parks system in 1962. It protects the highland glacial lakes and wetlands which are important water resources for the city of Cochabamba.

The park has relatively low populations of several species typical of Andean habitats. It has spectacled bears, maned wolves, pumas and Andean condors. Although the park has a fairly large population of vicuñas, they are deep within the park territory and many casual visitors who only visit the perimeters never get a chance to see them.

Birdwatchers can find some rare birds in the park, though populations tend to be sparse and spotting the rarest of the rare takes more than a bit of luck. Some of the birds you might spot include the Red-tailed comet, Giant hummingbird, and the Yungas pygmy owl. Endemic birds to watch for are the Cochabamba mountain finch, which congregates on the southern slope, while the Black-hooded sunbeam is found on the moist Yungas slopes. A good spot for birdwatching is the patchy forests at San Miguel.

The park boundaries abut those of the city of Cochabamba. A taxi from most parts of the city will take around 10 minutes to get to the park at a fare of Bs. 35 (more or less, depending on your starting point).

• Tunari Peak - the 5,035 meter high peak is the highest point in the park. It is a moderately challenging hike due to the altitude but an up-and-back hike normally takes about 6 hours. Solo hikers can make the trek, though it is recommended to go with a local guide who knows the park. Guides can be hired through travel agents in Cochabamba. The trail is easy to follow from the trailhead to the twin lakes (Laguna Macho and Laguna Turu). Above the lakes, the trail is not well defined and the route is rough stone with only sparse vegetation. Bring water and a jacket as well as a hat and sublock.

There are no lodges within the park, however, a large number of hotels, hostels, and other lodging is available in Cochabamba.

Overnight camping is not permitted in the park.

• Cochabamba