Valle de las Ánimas

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Welcome to Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Today we are heading to La Paz, Bolivia to…

Hike the Valle de las Ánimas, a day trip that leaves the bustling capital city and makes you feel like you’ve stepped onto a Lord of the Rings film set.

This short route is a great way to acclimatize before tackling longer, more strenuous treks in the Cordillera Real.

Even though the valley is so close to a metropolis, it’s not a main tourist attraction so you might even have the whole place to yourself.

Valle de las Ánimas

Valle de las Ánimas translates to ‘Valley of the Souls’. It was given this name because when it was first discovered, people believed that the towering spires were petrified souls.

The spires, sculpted from mud-rock through the gradual process of erosion spanning hundreds of years, owe their existence to a momentous event millions of years ago—a melting glacier.

Hikers walk through the valley to marvel at the thousands of rugged peaks, which form deep gorges and many side passages and sub-valleys.

Adding to the landscape is the 15,000-foot (4,500-meter) Illimani, Bolivia’s highest mountain that looms above the valley in the background.

Explore More

If you would like to learn more, here are some links you can check out to get more information about hiking to Valle de las Ánimas.

• Valle de las Ánimas: A Must Do Day Trip From La Paz (guide)

• Valley of the Souls (video)

• Wikiloc: Valle de las Ánimas (trail directions)

How To Hike Valle de las Ánimas

The trailhead can be reached by a private taxi or a minibus. The Plaza San Francisco in La Paz is the best place to flag down a taxi or catch bus 42 heading towards Ovejuyo.

There are many trails to explore the area. Apps like Maps.me and Wikiloc can help you plan and navigate the route.

The best time to visit Valle de las Animas is during the dry season which begins in June and runs up until the end of September.