Location: Cochabamba Department Map
Area: 3,090 km²
Tunari National Park is located in the western part of Cochabamba Department in Bolivia. This national reserve covers an area of 3,090 km². The climate of the region of Tunari National Park is fairly dry and cool. Its average temperature usually fluctuate between 22C and -5C. It highest mountain is Pico Tunari that reaches and elevation of 5,035 meters. The land here is inhabited by Aymara and Quechua native tribes that co- exist peacefully. City of Cochabamba has a central office dedicated to Tunari National Park and three cabins for tourist use. Additionally you can get extra lodging in the Municipality of Tiquipaya. The national park has several hiking trails. If you want to be on a safe side travel in groups and accompanied by a local guide that ask low prices for their services.
Getting There and Access
The park borders the northern edge of
Cochabamba city. Trailheads and entry points are reachable in 10–60
minutes by taxi or private vehicle from central Cochabamba,
depending on the sector (neighborhoods such as Cala-Cala,
Queru-Queru, Alalay, or areas toward Tiquipaya and Quillacollo).
Shared trufis serve some lower access points (e.g., toward
Tiquipaya). A standard taxi from the city center often costs around
Bs 35 or more for nearby entrances; longer or higher 4x4 access to
lagoons or remote trailheads costs more (reports of Bs 100–120 for
certain km-10 forest access points).
Main approaches include
roads toward Quillacollo/Liriuni hot springs or Tiquipaya. For
higher elevations near Cerro Tunari or Laguna Machu (also called
Macho/Toro), a 4x4 is often necessary on rough dirt roads. Public
transport does not reach most trailheads, so taxis or hired drivers
are the practical option. Register at ranger control points
(trancas) where present; some require filling a book and paying a
fee. Access can vary—local communities have occasionally restricted
entry (e.g., temporary fire-prevention closures). Check current
conditions with SERNAP, local guides, or Cochabamba operators before
going.
Entrance Fees and Rules
Fees are modest and
cash-only at control points. Reported rates at certain entrances
(such as the km-10 forest area) have been around Bs 10 for nationals
and Bs 50 for foreigners, with other gates charging Bs 10–20. Some
sources note no formal standardized fee or accept donations. Always
carry small bills. Registration is recommended, especially for
foreigners. Overnight camping is generally not permitted; there are
no formal lodges deep inside the park (stay in Cochabamba). Stick to
marked trails, do not light fires, and respect watershed and
reforestation zones. Local communities manage parts of the buffer
area, so polite interaction and following posted rules is essential.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (roughly May–October)
offers the clearest skies, safest trails, and best summit views.
Shoulder periods (April, September–November) can also be favorable.
The wet season (November–April) brings more precipitation, greener
landscapes, and higher risk of slippery trails, stream crossings,
and afternoon weather changes. Higher elevations stay cold
year-round, with frequent night freezes. Start hikes early to avoid
afternoon clouds or storms. Acclimatize in Cochabamba (~2,500 m) for
at least a couple of days before high routes.
Top Activities
and Trails
Cerro/Pico Tunari (5,035 m): The classic objective.
Routes often approach via Laguna Machu/Macho (and nearby Laguna
Turu/Toro). From the lagoon area, the upper section is rocky,
sparsely vegetated, and can be windy. Round-trip from higher
trailheads is often estimated at several hours (moderate-to-hard due
to altitude). Views on clear days cover the Cochabamba valley,
Altiplano, and Andes. Solo is possible for experienced high-altitude
hikers, but a local guide is strongly recommended for route-finding
above the lakes and safety. Hire via Cochabamba agencies.
Lagoon
circuits: Laguna Machu and surrounding high lagoons are popular.
There is a longer “20 Lagunas” circuit visiting multiple lakes
(Taquiña and others), which is more demanding and multi-day in some
versions.
Lower and mid-elevation trails: Cloud-forest edges,
Polylepis patches (e.g., around San Miguel), eucalyptus/pine
reforestation zones, and shorter loops near Tiquipaya or the km-10
recreational area with ecological trails and small waterfalls. These
suit birding, photography, and acclimatization. Community routes
exist near La Phia (Tiquipaya sector) with native forests, miradors,
and local albergues.
Other: Birdwatching (especially Polylepis
specialists and endemics), photography of high-Andean scenery, and
visits to nearby hot springs at Liriuni (Quillacollo) or
archaeological sites such as Inca Rakay (Sipe Sipe area).
Download offline maps (AllTrails, Wikiloc, or similar) because cell
coverage disappears higher up. Trails can be poorly defined above
certain elevations.
Flora and Fauna
Vegetation transitions
from xerophytic valley species (molle, algarrobo, aliso/kishuara,
thola) on lower slopes to high-Andean puna bunchgrasses, cushion
plants, and Polylepis (kewiña) woodlands. Polylepis subtusalbida is
endemic to the Tunari range and these forests are critical habitat.
Reforestation with native species is ongoing; older plantations of
pine and eucalyptus exist in places.
Wildlife includes spectacled
bear (in forested zones), Andean fox, puma, vizcacha, white-tailed
and Andean deer (taruca), and camelids deeper in. Birdlife is a
highlight: Andean condor, giant hummingbird, red-tailed comet,
black-hooded sunbeam, and the endangered endemic Cochabamba mountain
finch (Poospiza/Compsospiza garleppi), which is associated with
mixed scrub and Polylepis edges on southern slopes. San Miguel
Polylepis patches are a known birding spot. Overall diversity
includes ~160+ bird species and several endemic or threatened ones.
Sightings of larger mammals are not guaranteed on casual day hikes.
Practical Tips
Altitude and health: This is high-altitude
terrain. Cerro Tunari exceeds 5,000 m. Proper acclimatization,
hydration, and awareness of AMS symptoms are essential. Descend if
symptoms appear.
Gear: Layers (warm jacket, wind protection), sun
hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sturdy footwear, water (carry more than
you think), snacks, and a headlamp. Weather changes quickly.
Timing and safety: Start early. Afternoon storms or wind are common
higher up. Inform someone of your plans. Guides are advisable for
summits or less-traveled routes. Fire risk is real in dry
periods—follow all restrictions.
Money and language: Cash for
fees and taxis. Spanish is primary; basic phrases help.
Maps and
navigation: Offline maps + GPS recommended. Some routes involve
cross-country sections or poorly marked stone.
Community respect:
Many areas border Quechua/Aymara communities. Be polite, stay on
trails, and do not litter.
Where to Stay and Eat
Base
yourself in Cochabamba, which has a full range of hotels, hostels,
and restaurants. There is no formal accommodation inside the park.
Limited community options exist in places like La Phia (Tiquipaya).
Bring food and water for day hikes; options are sparse once you
leave the city edge. Liriuni hot springs offer a nearby relaxation
stop.
Location and Extent
It spans parts of the provinces of Ayopaya,
Cercado, Quillacollo, Chapare, and Tapacarí, covering municipalities
including Cochabamba, Quillacollo, Tiquipaya, Sacaba, Vinto, Sipe
Sipe, Morochata, Colomi, Villa Tunari, and Tapacarí. Its approximate
bounds run from about 65°55′–66°44′ W and 16°55′–17°34′ S, with a
central point near 17°14′ S, 66°21′ W.
The park covers roughly
309,091 hectares (about 3,091 km²). It was first declared in 1962
(Supreme Decree 6045, later elevated to law) primarily to protect
watersheds and reduce flooding/erosion risk to the Cochabamba valley
from the Cordillera del Tunari; boundaries were significantly
expanded in 1991.
The southern boundary abuts the urban and
peri-urban zones of the Cochabamba metropolitan area (often defined
near the ~2,750 m contour). Northward and westward it extends into
higher, less populated highland terrain.
Topography and
Elevation
Elevations range from about 2,200 m in the lower valley
margins to over 5,000 m at the highest summits. The park is
dominated by the Cordillera del Tunari (part of the broader
Cordillera Cochabamba / Eastern Cordillera), a horseshoe-shaped
range that frames the Cochabamba valley to the north.
Key peaks
include:
Cerro Tunari (Pico Tunari): commonly cited at ~5,035 m
(sources vary slightly, ~5,023–5,045 m). It is the most prominent
and frequently climbed summit, highly visible from Cochabamba.
Cerro Pirhuata (or Pirwata): listed by some mapping sources at
~5,092 m, making it potentially the highest point in the park.
Other notable summits include Jatun Q’asa and various peaks in the
4,800–5,000 m range; PeakVisor notes ~85 named peaks in the area.
The terrain features steep, often unstable slopes (southern face
slopes can average high gradients), deep gorges, ridges, alpine
meadows, rocky outcrops, and high plateaus. The southern slopes drop
sharply toward the Cochabamba valley; northern and eastern slopes
transition toward more humid Yungas and Amazon-facing drainages.
Snow and ice occur only sporadically and briefly above ~4,500 m due
to the relatively mild high-Andean climate of the region.
Hydrography
The park is a critical watershed for central Bolivia.
Water flows in two main directions:
North slope: Drains into
the Amazon basin. Streams contribute to the Río Beni system
(northwest) and the Río Mamoré system (northeast) via the Río
Chapare and related tributaries.
South slope: Micro-basins feed
the Río Rocha basin and recharge groundwater aquifers that supply
the Cochabamba valley and its agriculture/urban population.
The park contains hundreds of high-altitude lakes and lagoons (one
source notes ~338 lagoons between ~3,500–4,800 m, totaling ~1,630 ha
of water surface), including notable ones such as Laguna Warawara,
Laguna Macho, Laguna Turu, and others. There are also bofedales
(high-Andean wetlands), streams from seasonal rainfall and limited
glacial melt, and hot springs such as those at Liriuni. These water
resources are essential for Cochabamba’s water supply, irrigation,
and aquifer recharge; the park’s protection was partly motivated by
historical flooding and erosion problems linked to deforestation on
the slopes.
Climate
Climate varies strongly with elevation
and slope aspect:
Lower slopes and inter-Andean valleys:
Mesothermic/temperate dry conditions, average temperatures around 12
°C (highs ~22 °C, lows to –5 °C), with annual precipitation
typically under 600 mm—characteristic of Bolivia’s dry inter-Andean
valleys.
Higher mountain zones: Colder and relatively more humid,
with averages around 6.5 °C and annual precipitation up to ~1,200
mm.
Overall, the region sits in a rain-shadow position
between Andean ranges. A wet season occurs roughly December–March;
the dry season (April–November) is pronounced at higher elevations.
Frost is common at altitude, and the high puna zones experience
frequent sub-freezing nights.
Vegetation and Ecological Zones
The park spans several Andean life zones: high-Andean (altoandino),
puna, and dry inter-Andean valleys, with some transition toward more
humid montane/Yungas conditions on northern slopes.
Characteristic vegetation includes:
Polylepis forests (kewiña
/ queñua, especially Polylepis besseri and the local subspecies
subtusalbida): Important high-elevation woodland fragments that
provide habitat and stabilize slopes.
Puna grasslands and
high-mountain moorlands with grasses and shrubs.
Lower, semi-arid
slopes: Xerophytic trees and shrubs such as molle (Schinus molle),
algarrobo (Prosopis), lloke (Kageneckia), kishuara (Buddleja), thola
(Baccharis), and others.
Plantations of pine and eucalyptus
(especially on southern slopes), historically planted for slope
stabilization and erosion control.
Higher zones are dominated
by grasslands and rocky areas; lower northern areas can support
denser montane forest with alder and other species. The park holds
significant biodiversity, including endemic birds (e.g., the
Cochabamba mountain finch) and mammals such as the spectacled bear,
though populations of many Andean species are relatively low.
Geology
The park lies in the Eastern Cordillera of the
Bolivian Andes. Geology consists primarily of Paleozoic sedimentary
rocks (Ordovician quartzites, Devonian shales, Carboniferous
sandstones) that were folded and faulted during Andean orogeny. The
Cochabamba valley itself is a structural depression filled with
alluvial sediments. The surrounding Cordillera Tunari/Cochabamba
forms a horseshoe-like barrier that separates the drier inter-Andean
valleys from more humid Amazon-facing slopes.
Human and
Landscape Context
Indigenous Quechua and Aymara communities (tens
of thousands of residents across roughly 100 communities) live
within and around the park, practicing agriculture (potatoes,
grains, etc.) and herding. Archaeological sites, including
Inca-related remains (e.g., Incarracay), are present. The southern
face faces ongoing pressure from urban expansion and informal
settlements near the 2,750 m contour, which can affect aquifer
recharge zones and increase erosion risk.