Condor Trekkers is a non for profit group that organises excursions to the remote countryside surrounding the city of Sucre. We joined a small group totaling six hikers, a local guide, and an English speaking volunteer and set out on a four day trek covering approximately 20 km per day. It wasn't an easy walk by any means, wearing Converse runners and carrying 15 kilos of food on our backs, but the experience was well worth the aches and pains.
The trek sets out high up in the remote countryside of the Cordilleras about one hour outside of the city. During the hike you enter many remote villages in the Andes where most of the population speaks solely
Quechua, a local indigenous language. We visited caves which reveal prehistoric rock paintings and walked across the mountain range through rolling landscapes of parched fields, glacial rivers and barren mountain tops. We particularly enjoyed spending the night in the Maragua Crater and stepping in the footsteps of dinosaurs who left their prints there millions of years ago. The entire region boasts rugged terrain and road transportation is nearly nonexistent in most areas therefore the only way to visit is on foot.
Accommodation consisted of sleeping in rustic lodges with no heating or hot water but overall very comfortable. Sleeping bags and tents can also be provided at no extra cost. Meals prepared by the guide and volunteer where plentiful, tasteful and easily made up for the calories spent walking.
We joined this trek purely out of luck, if it would not have been for the Belgian girls from the hostel who invited us we probably would not have gone. We had a great time with the group of people we hiked with and a great experience with Condor Trekkers who were professional and provided excellent service. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to discover a less visited part of the continent, a part where people's way of life has not changed much in a very long time.
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