Sorata lies nearly 8,200 feet above sea level in a tropical valley at the foot of Mt. Illampu. This is a starting point for serious climbers to climb the snowcapped mountain or for experienced hikers to make the arduous, weeklong trek along the Camino del Oro (Trail of Gold) to the gold-mining cooperatives. Others just come to soak up the stunning scenery and sleep in the shade of the mountains for a while.