Cordillera Apolobamba Traverse

The Apolobamba Traverse is a remote, high-altitude backpacking route in the northern Bolivian Andes. Spanning approximately 92km between the villages of Pelechuco and Curva, the trek crosses the ancestral territory of the Kallawaya people—traditional herbalists recognized by UNESCO. The route follows ancient stone paths and animal trails, staying almost exclusively above 4,200m. It traverses several high passes, including the 5,100m Sunchuli Pass, offering direct views of the 6,000m peaks of the northern Apolobamba range. Due to its distance from major cities, it remains one of the least-trafficked and most preserved regions of the Bolivian Andes.

While the Lycian and Carian trails hug the coast, the St. Paul Trail heads directly inland, plunging straight up into the strenuous, magnificent limestone peaks of the Taurus Mountains. Stretching 500 kilometers from the ancient Roman ruins of Perge (near Antalya) all the way north to Yalvaç near Lake Eğirdir, the route roughly follows the missionary path of St. Paul the Apostle. It is arguably Turkey’s wildest long-distance trail. Hikers are immediately confronted with severe elevation gains, navigating staggering river canyons (like Köprülü), dense pine and cedar forests, and remote, traditional stone-house villages built into the mountain sides. You will walk on the absolute best-preserved ancient Roman roads in the world, some perfectly paved for miles into the wilderness.