Along the way

The volcano Sajama is the highest point in Bolivia that it dominates from its 6542 meters. A real Giant!
It is located at the heart Sajama National Park, containing as in a concentrated way a sample all the marvels of the Altiplano : colorful bofedals where alpacas come graze, an abundant wildlife, hot springs and other geysers… It also offers an impossible to equal panorama of perfectly conical volcanoes: Parinacota, Pomerape, Acotango…
Our efforts will be largely rewarded; just the view from the summit is breath taking. And then upon return, the delight of the hot springs…

Warning: Although of an accessible technical level, this expedition is nonetheless reserved to passionate in perfect physical condition.

Daily program

Day 1: LA PAZ – TOMARAPI – SAJAMA (el. 4350 m.a.s.l.)

Départ de l’hôtel à 09:00 en transport privé.
Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in a private vehicle for the beautiful traverse of the altiplano until we reach the entrance of Sajama National Park (around 4 hours) via the village of Curahuara de Carangas, with its colonial church known as the Sixteen chapel of the Altiplano (because of its perfectly preserved intricate frescoes). On the way, we stop at the chullpas (carangas burials) empty today after their systematic pillaging.
We enter the park by a dirt road taking us to the village of Tomarapi. The wildlife is abundant and varied: alpacas, vicuñas and ñandus (a parent of the ostrich) if we are lucky, as well as some flamingos on Laguna Huaña Khota that we skirt before arriving at the Hot Springs, at the base of the volcano Sajama.
Lunch on the way. All included. Night at Doña Teodora’s near the Hot Springs (Basic comfort)

Day 2: SAJAMA – GEYSERS – TREK – LAGUNA SORAPATA (el. 4960 m.a.s.l.)

In the morning, we head to the geysers in our 4WD. This particularly active area offers a unique display of bubbling baths spread over hundreds of square meters. We can try cooking eggs in their slightly sulfuric water.
From there we follow the valley upriver until we reach Laguna Khasiri Kota (el. 5050 m.a.s.l. / 2½-hour hike). During our lunch break we will be able to observe different aquatic bird species, notably the Andean geese (Huallata in Aymara) that never go very far from their characteristic nest (large floating platforms made out of algae and grass.)
One more hour is necessary to reach the plateau where is nestled the beautiful Laguna Sorapata. This magical place, surrounded by impressive copper colored mountains, is conducive to contemplation and makes a suitable camp for the ascent of the surrounding peaks.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Note: during the hike, mules do the portage of the bags.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +600m

Day 3: LAGUNA SORAPATA – TREK – HOT SPRINGS - SAJAMA

We circumnavigate Laguna Sorapata in the direction of the pass as we spot numerous viscachas (interesting rabbit/squirrel like Andean creatures) as well as medicinal plants still used by the park’s inhabitants. After an hour climb we reach a lunar landscape, the highest point of our trek (el. 5065 m.a.s.l.). With the help of our guide and if we are lucky, we may be able to spot some Andean Puma prints on the volcanic ground.
After a short descent we arrive at the last laguna on the trek, Laguna Chiar Khota (el. 5000 m.a.s.l.) that we skirt while enjoying the amazing view of volcano Sajama it offers. We then begin the long descent through impressive colonies of yaretas (plants thousands of years old growing very slowly (1 mm/year)).
We return to our 4WD and take the direction of the hot springs to enjoy a relaxing and well-deserved bath.
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Doña Isabel and Don Marcelo’s (basic comfort).
Hiking time: 5/6h; Elevation gain/loss: +100m/-700m

Day 4: SAJAMA (el 4350 m.a.s.l.) – SAJAMA BASE CAMP (el 4800 m.a.s.l.)

Grade II/AD, Max 50° - with mountain guide –normal route
In the morning, we climb to the mirador of Huasilla just above the village, to contemplate the rising sun over volcanoes Parinacota and Pomerape. End of the morning open.
After lunch, we check our equipment then start the 2-hour approach (with mules) to the base camp (el. 4800 m.a.s.l.), through the queñua forest. These remarkable trees, with their bark similar to cigarette paper, are the only ones able to survive at such altitudes.
All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 3h; Elevation gain/loss: +500m/-50m
Note: mules and porters for the 3-day ascent.

Day 5: ASCENT OF SAJAMA / DAY 2 (el. 5450 m.a.s.l.)

Very early in the morning and with the help of porters, we begin our ascent to the high altitude camp of Sajama (el.5450 m.a.s.l.).
Five hours walk on volcanic screes on the North side of the valley. Once we reach the Northwest crest we follow a passageway between two former lava streams. From there we reach the high-altitude camp, behind a rock pinnacle.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac at times in snow.
Ascent time: 5 h; Elevation gain: +650m

Day 6: ASCENT OF SAJAMA / DAY 3 (el. 6542 m.a.s.l.)

We wake up at 4 a.m. and leave our camp for a tentative ascent of the summit (approximately 6h/7h). We follow the arête on snow or scree. We end up on the glacier and head for the summit.
After a descent of about 5 hours we reach our vehicle and head for the local Hot Springs where we take a well-deserved bath before driving to the village of Tomarapi, where we spend the night.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging Ecolodge of Tomarapi (comfort of a 2-star hotel).
Ascent time: 12 h; Elevation gain/loss: +1090m/-2190m

Day 7: TOMARAPI – CURAHUARA DE CARANGAS - LA PAZ

In the morning, we get back on the dirt road and head to the nearly abandoned village of Oxany. There are only two inhabitants left in this village, prosperous before the construction of the new-asphalted road to Chile turned it into a ghost town.
Option to do a short hike in the rocky chaos surrounding it, before returning to the international road.
We head back to La Paz. On the way, we stop in the village of Curahuara de Carangas, well known for its well-adorned colonial church (perfectly preserved frescoes). Further on, we discover the chullpas (carangas burials) empty today after their systematic pillaging.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open.

Included

- Entrance to Sajama national park
- Private transport / Spanish - speaking driver
- 3-star hotels in twin room including breakfast
- Meals mentioned
- Trekking guide
- Mountain guide (one for 3 people max)
- Cook for groups of more than 4 people (for groups smaller than 4, the guide will be the cook)
- Collective equipment for trekking and mountaineering (tents, cooking gear, ropes, etc…)
- Portage of luggage (high altitude porters/ mules)

Not included

- Individual equipment (for camping we provide the sleeping pads)
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Drinks
- Tips
- Open meals mentioned, (from 5 to 10 € per person/meal)

General sales conditions

Your trip will be confirmed once we receive a deposit of 30% of the total amount on our Bolivian account or on our web site (Visa card icon on the top right; enter your name as the reference). The balance must be paid upon arrival in Bolivia in American dollars or Euros.

Prepare for your trip

Travel advice Bolivia
General Sales Conditions
Equipment

Emergencies

In case of major problem during your stay (delay, strike, traffic accident…), an emergency contact will be at your disposal to reach a member of our team:
(010) 712 57 378

Important

- As a security measure, each traveler needs to provide photocopies of passport and individual insurance documentation.
- If you are planning to travel to Brazil, please note that the Brazilian authorities request the yellow fever vaccine certificate to all travelers coming from Bolivia. If you do not leave the transit zone at the airport, it is not required.

Contact us to get the fares