2-day Che Route trek: Vallegrande to La Higuera
Walk the tactical paths where Che's last fight unfolded
This 2-day trek traces Ernesto "Che" Guevara's 1966–1967 route through the Bolivian Andes, starting in Vallegrande and ending in La Higuera. Day one covers the Hospital Laundry and Mausoleum of Che before climbing to the mountain village for the night. Day two is the trek itself: you summit Batán Abra and Picacho Abra for 360-degree views of the tactical landscape, descend into Churo Gorge where the final battle took place, and finish at the Escuelita de La Higuera, the schoolhouse where the story ends.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Historic landmarks and mountain ascent
- Start crossing from Santa Cruz or Vallegrande
- Explore Hospital Laundry and Che Mausoleum
- Ascend to mountain range towards La Higuera
- Enjoy spectacular Andes views
- Stay overnight in La Higuera hostel
Day 2: Trekking and historical sites visit
- Trek Batán Abra and Picacho Abra viewpoints
- Descend through Churo Gorge
- Visit Escuelita de La Higuera
- Choose next destination: Sucre or Cochabamba
The experience
If you're arriving in the region with a free afternoon or coming back to Bolivia for the first time, this route works because it starts where you choose: either from Santa Cruz or directly from Vallegrande, so you don't backtrack. The first day orients you to the place itself. You explore the Hospital Laundry and the Mausoleum of Che in Vallegrande (the landmarks that anchor the town's identity), then wind upward through the Andes as the landscape opens into vast panoramas. By evening you're in La Higuera, a mountain village where you sleep in a private room with a hot shower, the kind of comfort that matters after a long drive.
Day two is when the trek becomes the point. You climb to Batán Abra and Picacho Abra, natural summits that command the entire tactical geography below you in a full circle. From there you descend into the Churo Gorge, walking the exact ground where the final fight happened. The Escuelita de La Higuera, the one-room schoolhouse, is where you end, a site of historical memory that closes the arc. A guide in English or Spanish walks the route with you. Private transport handles the logistics so you focus on the path and the history.
After the trek, you choose your next move. The operator can arrange transport onward to Sucre or Cochabamba, so you don't have to backtrack to Santa Cruz. Dinner is included on both nights. The meals draw from local Bolivian cuisine.
What’s included
- Private transportation from your chosen starting point.
- entrance fees to the historical sites.
- dinner both nights.
- a live guide in English or Spanish.
- accommodation with private bathroom and hot shower in La Higuera.
Before you book
Prices and times updated 16 days ago
Operated by Big Valley Tours
Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling solo or with one or two others and have two days free. The guided route follows Che's actual path through the gorges, so you walk the terrain rather than read about it.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.
What exactly happened at the Escuelita de La Higuera?
The Escuelita de La Higuera is the schoolhouse where Che Guevara was held after his capture in 1967. It now stands as a site of historical memory marking the end of his campaign in Bolivia. You visit it on foot at the close of day two, after trekking through the Churo Gorge where his final battle took place.
How steep is the climb to Batán Abra and Picacho Abra?
Both summits are natural viewpoints that crown the landscape with 360-degree panoramas of the Andes. The trek requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The operator does not recommend it for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
Can I start from Santa Cruz instead of Vallegrande?
Yes. You choose where the adventure begins (either from Santa Cruz or directly from Vallegrande), so you can fit the trek into your schedule without extra travel days.
What's included in the 2 days?
Private transportation, entrance fees, and dinner on both nights are included. A guide in English or Spanish leads the route. You'll need to arrange your own lunch and any alcoholic beverages.
Where do I sleep, and is it comfortable?
Night one is in La Higuera, in a cottage with a private bathroom and hot shower. The accommodation is basic but warm, set in the mountain village itself so you wake up where the second day's trek begins.
2-day Che Route trek: Vallegrande to La Higuera
2d · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 438.03 per person
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