Huayna Potosi & Sajama Mountaineering Expedition in Bolivia
Huayna Potosi & Sajama Mountaineering Expedition in Bolivia
A mountain expedition in the heart of the Cordillera Real, climbing the 3 most iconic mountains of Bolivia: El Pequeño Alpamayo (5,370m/17,618ft), Huayna Potosi Huayna Potosi (6,088m/19,973ft) and Nevado Sajama (6,549 m/21,486ft). The latter is the highest summit of Bolivia.
13-Day mountaineering expedition in Bolivia
From: US $ 2,700.00
The expedition begins in the vibrant city of La Paz, where we pick you up at the El Alto airport from where we drive you to your hotel in La Paz. The first day you will have time to discover this vibrant city markets, culture and downtown unique architecture. Then we do an acclimatization day in the vicinities of La Paz by climbing the El Tipu via ferrata, which provides us with an exciting experience and adequate exercise to begin a good adaption to higher altitudes.
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 continue 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 drive to Sajama National park, in the border with Chile, setting up the base camp, and from there we reach the high camp. Next day climb to the top of this imposing mountain.
Season: March to December
Duration: 13 days. La Paz in – La Paz out
Participants: Small groups up to 8 guests
This tour is available for private groups and solo travellers, please use the form above to receive a custimized offer
Highlights
Climb Pequeno Alpamayo (5,370m / 17,618ft)
Climb Huayna Potosi Huayna Potosi (6,088m / 19,973ft)
Climb Nevado Sajama (6,549 m / 21,486ft)
Explore the vibrant city of La Paz
Enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Andean highlands
Discover Sajama National Park
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, therefore good physical shape and previous experience is a must.
RATES
US $2,700.00 per person hotel in La Paz not included
US $2,950.00 per person ***hotel in La Paz included (based on double room accommodation)
Included in the price
Private transportation to all the mountains and back to La Paz
UIAGM/IFMGA Certified Mountain guide (Spanish & English) as expedition leader and other UIAGM/IFMGA guides as support 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, type four-season 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 and accommodations tents as per mentioned above.
Donkeys and porters for the loads when required. The expedition members only required to carry a small day backpack, 35 to 40 liters, with food, water warm clothes for the day. All other personal and communal gear and equipment will be carried by donkeys and/or porters.
Private airport transfers as mentioned in the program.
First aid kit including oximeter.
VHF radio communication.
Satellite phone for emergency communication (Clients could use it on pay per minutes basis)
24 hours assistance from La Paz.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVE TO LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
You will be met at the El Alto airport and then transferred by private transportation to your hotel in La Paz.Lodging: La Paz 3.600m/11,800ft Hotel not included.Please check our suggestions
Meals: Not included
Day 2: LA PAZ – VIA FERRATA EL TIPI – LA PAZ
Departure from the hotel at 9 am. Short drive transfer to El Tipu area where we will enjoy an about two hours easy climbing of this local 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 a box lunch before driving back to the hotel—where we will get back at around 2:00 pm. The afternoon is free for you to rest and prepare for next day departure to the mountains.Lodging: La Paz 3.600m/11,800ft Hotel not included.Please check our suggestions
Meals: Box-Lunch
Day 3: LA PAZ – LAGUNA CHIARKOTA (Pequeño Alpamayo Base Camp)
We leave the hotel at 9am and head towards Palcoco (La Rinconada), where our mules handlers’ team will be waiting for us. Here we drop our bags to be loaded on the mules and then we begin an about 2 hours walk to reach Laguna Chiarkhota, our Base Camp for Pequeño Alpamayo. In the afternoon, we take an acclimatizing hike reaching the 5.000m, and after enjoying the views we get back to our camp.Lodging: Camp at 4.600m/15,090ft
Meals: Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: L. CHIARKOTA – PEQUENO ALPAMAYO (Summit) – L. CHIARKOTA
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 at 4.600m/15,090ft
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: LAGUNA CHIARKOTA – LAGUNA ZONGO HUT (Huayna Potosi Base Camp)
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 at 4.700m/15,420ft
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: LAGUNA ZONGO – LAS ROCAS HUT (High Camp)
Today we climb to the Huayna Potosi high camp, called Campo de las Rocas. Our luggage will be brought up by our team of porters. On arrival, our staff will prepare food and hot drinks, meanwhile we get ready for summit day.Lodging: Hut at 5.100m/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: La Paz 3.600m/11,800ft Hotel not included. Please check our suggestions
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch
Day 8: REST DAY IN LA PAZ
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: La Paz 3.600m/11,800ft Hotel not included. Please check our suggestions
Meals: No meals included
Day 9: LA PAZ – SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK – SAJAMA BASE CAMP
We leave La Paz early in a private vehicle heading towards west and reach Sajama village (5 hours drive) located at the foothill of the imposing Nevado Sajama and Parinacota and Pomerape volcanoes . We drive other 15 minutes to El Quenual, we load our bags onto the mules and start our hike towards the base camp. After 2 hours hike, on arrival, we set up our base camp.Lodging: Camp at 4.500/14,763ft
Meals: Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: SAJAMA BASE CAMP - HIGH CAMP
Our porters will arrive early this day. We start our hike towards the high camp, ascending 1200m/3900ft. After about 5 hours walking, we will reach our high-altitude camp. The staff will set up the camp, prepare food and hot drinks.Lodging: Camp at 5.700m/18,700ft
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: SAJAMA SUMMIT DAY – SAJAMA BASE CAMP
We leave at dawn for our summit attempt. Then, we begin the descent to the high camp, where our porters will be waiting for us to continue our descent to the base camp.Lodging: Camp at 4.500/14,763ft
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: SAJAMA 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 the drive back to La Paz.Lodging: La Paz Hotel not included.Please check our suggestions
Meals: Breakfast, Box-Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: LA PAZ - OUT
Private transfer to the airport for your flight home. End of our servicesLodging:
Meals: