Huayna Potosi & Illimani Climbing Tour
Huayna Potosi & Illimani Climbing Tour
A mountain expedition in the heart of the Cordillera Real, climbing the 3 most iconic mountains of Bolivia: El Pequeno Alpamayo (5,370m / 17,618ft), Huayna Potosi (6,088m / 19,973ft) and Nevado Illimani (6,462 m / 21,200ft). The latter is the second highest peak in Bolivia and the highest in the Cordillera Real.
13-Day mountaineering expedition in Bolivia
From: US $ 2,650.00
The expedition begins in the vibrant city of La Paz, where we pick you up at the El Alto airport. The first day you will have time to discover the markets and downtown. Then we do a day of acclimatization in the vicinity of La Paz climbing the El Tipu ferrata.
Next, our mountain expedition begins going up to the Chiarkota Lagoon, at the foothill of Nevado Condoriri, where we set up our first base camp and climb the Nevado Pequeno Alpamayo
The expedition continuous moving to Zongo, to the base camp of Huayna Potosi and then to a high camp that allows us to climb to the top of the first 6000 of this expedition.
Finally we go to the foothill of Nevado Illimani, setting up the base camp in Puente Roto, and from there we reach the high camp, Nido de Condores and next day climb to the top of this imposing mountain.
Seaso: March to October
Duration: 13 days. La Paz in – La Paz out
Participants: Small groups up to 8 guests
This tour is available on request, please use the form above to get a quote
Highlights
Climb Pequeno Alpamayo (5,370m / 17,618ft)
Climb Huayna Potosi (6,088m / 19,973ft)
Climb Nevado Illimani (6,462 m / 21,200ft)
Explore the vibrant city of La Paz
Enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Andean highlands
Camp next to Andean lakes
Internationally certified UIAGM guides
Difficulty
Demanding mountaineering program. The mountains are technically easy, but the altitude, the temperature and the wind could make the ascents quite strenuous. You will be moving on glaciers, on steep terrain, using ropes, crampons and ice axe.
RATES
US $2,650.00 per person hotel in La Paz not included
US $2,900.00 per person ***hotel in La Paz included based on double room accommodation
Included in the price
Private transportation to the mountains and back
UIAGM Certified Mountain guide (Spanish & English) as expedition leader and other UIAGM guides according to the group size (ratio 1 guide every 2 clients).
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: all meals included while camping
Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary: In camps, accommodation in double tent in four-season tent North Face V24 or similar.
All activities as mentioned in the program.
Communal camping gear including full base camp infrastructure and services: mess tent, cooking, dormitory tents.
- Donkeys / porters for the loads when required. The expedition members will carry only their small backpack 35 to 40 liters, bringing the food/water for the day and warm clothes. All the personal equipment and communal equipment will be carried by donkeys and or porters.
Private airport transfers as mentioned in the program. (2).
First aid kit including oximeterVHF radio communication.
Satellite phone (on pay per minute basis).
24 hours assistance from La Paz.
Not included in the price
International and/or domestic flights.
Personal equipment (thermarest, sleeping bag, backpack and others). Most of the personal equipment will be available for rental.
Compulsory travel insurances (accidents, repatriation) and other insurances of any kind (e.g. medical, trip cancellation - strongly recommended).
Personal expenses.
Gratuities
Extra costs for early departure.
Any service not mentioned in the Included section
About hotel in La Paz:
Please note that the hotel in La Paz is not included in our package. We suggest you choose one of the following alternatives and book it directly online, in order to obtain the best possible rate.
Hostal La Posada de la Abuela ………………U$d 50
Hotel Palace***……………………………………….U$d 80
Hotel Suites Camino Real*****……………….U$d 200
Hotel Ritz*****…………………………………………U$d 200
Rates per room per night
Optional : Let us know if you wish to include the hotel in your package.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVE LA PAZ BOLIVIA
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in La Paz
LODGING: Not included. Please check our hotel suggestions * 3600m/11,800ft
MEALS: Not included
Day 2: LA PAZ – FERRATA EL TITI – LA PAZ
Departure from the hotel at 9 am. Short transfer to El Titi and two hours of easy climbing on the via Ferrata. A fun and an excellent way to start our acclimatization process.
At the end of the climb, we will have time to enjoy our box lunch before driving back to the hotel—arrival at the hotel around 2:00 pm.
Free afternoon to rest and get ready for the departure to the mountains the next day.
LODGING: Not included. Please check our hotel suggestions * 3600m/11,800ft
MEALS: Box-Lunch
Day 3: LA PAZ – LAGUNA CHIARKOTA (BASE CAMP)
We leave the hotel at 9am and head towards Palcoco (La Rinconada), where our muleteer team will be waiting for us. After loading the animals, we start a walk of about 2 hours until we reach Laguna Chiarkhota (Base Camp). In the afternoon, we go for an acclimatizing hike reaching 5000 meters before getting back to the camp.
LODGING: Camp 4600m/15,090ft
MEALS: Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: CHIARKOTA BASE CAMP – PEQUENO ALPAMAYO SUMMIT – CHIARKOTA BASE CAMP
Departure at dawn to climb one of the most beautiful peaks of the Cordillera Real. The round trip climb will take the full day, and we will reach the summit following a beautiful ridge. This first summit at 5,370m/17,618ft will enhance our acclimatization process. It will get us ready for the next climb: the Huayna Potosi, the first of the two six thousand-meter peaks planned in this expedition.
LODGING: Camp 4600m/15,090ft
MEALS: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: CHIARKOTA BASE CAMP – LAGUNA ZONGO BASE CAMP (HUT)
The day starts dismounting our base camp and hiking back to the route. Our team of muleteers will take care of the loads. Once we meet our vehicle, drive to Huayna Potosi hut. Our staff will prepare a delicious meal while we get ready for the second climb of this expedition.
LODGING: Hut 4700m/15,420ft
MEALS: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: LAGUNA ZONGO BASE CAMP – LAS ROCAS HIGH CAMP (HUT)
Today we climb to the Huayna Potosi high camp, called Campo de las Rocas. Our luggage will be brought by porters. On arrival, our staff will prepare food and hot drinks. We get ready for summit day.
LODGING: Hut 5100m/16,730ft
MEALS: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: LAS ROCAS HIGH CAMP – HUAYNA POTOSI SUMMIT – LA PAZ
Early morning departure to attempt the summit. Then we go down to Campo de las Rocas, where our porters will be waiting for us. We continue descending to the Base Camp, where the vehicle will be waiting to take us to La Paz.
LODGING: Not included. Please check our hotel suggestions * 3600m/11,800ft
MEALS: Breakfast, Box-Lunch
Day 8: LA PAZ REST DAY
You may choose to visit La Paz on your own or take our optional guided tour of the city. In the evening we recommend attending a dinner with a show of Andean / Bolivian music and dance. (Pena Huari)
LODGING: Not included. Please check our hotel suggestions * 3600m/11,800ft
MEALS: No meals included
Day 9: LA PAZ – PINAYA – PUENTE ROTO (ILLIMANI BASE CAMP)
We leave La Paz early in a private vehicle heading to the town of Pinaya (3940m/12,930ft.), located at the foot of the imposing Illimani. In Pinaya, we load our things onto the mules and start our hike towards Puente Roto. On arrival, we set up our base camp.
LODGING: Camp 5100m/16,730ft
MEALS: Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: PUENTE ROTO (ILLIMANI BASE CAMP) - NIDO DE CONDORES (ILLIMANI HIGH CAMP)
Our porters will arrive early this day. We start our hike towards Nido de Cóndores, ascending some steep rock slopes and moraines. After about 5 hours of walking, we will reach our high altitude camp. The staff will set up the camp, prepare food and hot drinks.
LODGING: Camp 5470m/17,946ft
MEALS: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: ILLIMANI SUMMIT DAY – PUENTE ROTO BASE CAMP
We leave at dawn for our summit attempt. Then, we begin the descent to Nido de Cóndores, where our porters will be waiting for us to continue our descent to Puente Roto.
LODGING: Camp 5100m/16,730ft
MEALS: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: PUENTE ROTO BASE CAMP – LA PAZ
Dismantle of camp and tents, organize gear and packing, load equipment and get the donkeys ready to go. Hike back to the road and meet our 4x4 for a the drive to La Paz
LODGING: Not included. Please check our hotel suggestions * 3600m/11,800ft
MEALS: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: LA PAZ - OUT
Private transfer to the airport for your flight home. End of our services.