Bolivia is not just the Altiplano, high mountain plateaus and snow-capped Andean peaks. In its east the country changes into a warmer, greener and considerably flatter area known as the Chiquitania. It is here, just a short distance from the town of Roboré in the Santa Cruz department, that Torre de Chochís is located – a striking sandstone rock formation about 553 meters high, which in an otherwise fairly flat landscape resembles a huge tooth rising out of the ground.
A stop in the village of Chochís
On the way to Roboré I stop in the small village of Chochís. From a distance it is already clear that the aim of this short stop will be Torre de Chochís, also known as Torre de David. The nearly vertical red rock pillar strongly contrasts with the otherwise gently undulating, in places completely flat, surrounding landscape.
You can drive right up to a small parking area beneath the rock. A local road from the village of Chochís leads here and a symbolic fee of 6 BOB is charged for entry. The whole visit therefore feels very unforced and logistically simple.
Santuario Mariano de la Torre
At the base of the rock formation is the Santuario Mariano de la Torre, an important pilgrimage site in the region. The sanctuary is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and was built as an expression of the strong faith of the local people. Its construction is linked to the tragic events of the late 1970s, when the area was hit by devastating landslides and floods.
The Santuario is architecturally interesting mainly for its use of wood, stone elements and the rich symbolism of local flora, fauna and Christian motifs. The whole complex feels calm and dignified, and its location directly beneath the massive rock face further enhances the spiritual atmosphere of the place.
Since I’m here with Ibo, I only peek into the interiors of the buildings from the outside. Although entry with a dog is not explicitly forbidden, I don’t want to disturb the character of this place.
A short walk to the ‘rock tooth’
From the parking area an easy trail leads toward Torre de Chochís itself. As I gradually climb, views open up over the surrounding landscape of the Chiquitania, including the railway line that runs all the way to the border with Brazil.
For Ibo this walk is a pleasant diversion. The higher I go, the more varied the trail becomes, which he clearly likes. Of course, there’s also the usual rolling in the dust, which I take as part of the package on such a trip and don’t get too upset about. I also plan a stop at the nearby waterfalls where he can wash off.
According to the map the trail leads right to the base of the rock formation, but in reality it clearly continues as a traverse further and probably circles the entire massif. I didn’t complete the whole loop in the end, as the trail had already begun to become quite overgrown. Instead I admire the bolted climbing routes from below. The rock is really packed with bolts.
Practical notes for visiting with a dog
Visiting Torre de Chochís with a dog posed no problem for me. The route is short, easy and suitable for an ordinary walk. However, you should bear in mind that it is a popular spot, and there may be more people here during the day. In that case it might not be ideal for the dog.
I spent just over an hour at the site, which was more than enough. Torre de Chochís is exactly the kind of stop that pleasantly breaks up a car transfer while also offering a strong visual and cultural experience — even when traveling with a dog.