Along the way

The national park of Sajama is located along the Chilean border. Dotted with volcanoes and thermal springs, it is place of living legends and traditions.
From La Paz, we cross the land of the Urus where we can see a few “chullpas”, the Carangas tombs. The Aymara village of Sajama is the perfect base camp for the ascents od the surrounding volcanoes.
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.

Along the way

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

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 – ACOTANGO / POMERAPE / PARINACOTA BASE CAMP (choice) – el. 5200 m.a.s.l.

In the morning, we climb to the mirador of Huasilla just above the village, to contemplate the rising sun over volcanoes Parinacota and Pomerape. Then we take a walk through the queñua forest. These remarkable trees, with their bark similar to cigarette paper, are the only ones able to survive at such altitudes.
We return to the village for lunch.
In the afternoon, we take our 4WD and take the direction of Parinacota and Pomerape. The vehicle drops us off at 4750 m.a.s.l. A 2-hour walk enables us to reach the base camp at 5200 m.a.s.l. For Acotango, the vehicle takes us all the way to the camp.
All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 5h; Elevation gain/loss: +600m/-150m (apart for Acotango).

Day 5: ASCENT / Grade II/AD, Max 40° - with mountain guide

ASCENT OF VOLCANO ACOTANGO (Day 2 / el. 6052 m.a.s.l.)

Start at around 2 to 3 a.m. We follow the crest along a rocky trail, before reaching the snow line. We rope up until we reach the edge of the crater. This is not the end of our efforts; (6 to 7-hour hike).
The view from the top is magnificent; we are surrounded by the most beautiful volcanoes of the Cordillera Occidental: volcano Guallatiri, active and blowing sulfuric fumes, Parinacota, Pomerape and Sajama while shimmer on the Chilean side, the turquoise lagunas of Cota-Cotani and Chungara.
Return to the village of Sajama in the afternoon.
All included. Night at Doña Isabel and Don Marcelo’s in the village (basic accommodations/el. 4300 m.a.s.l.).
Ascent time: 10h; Elevation gain/loss: +850m/-850m

or

ASCENT OF VOLCANO POMERAPE (el. 6280 m.a.s.l.)

Early departure for a tentative ascent of the summit. No technical difficulty but specific equipment is required (ropes / crampons / ice axe).
Approximately 8-hour round-trip, depending on weather and physical condition of each participant.
From the base camp, it is a 45-minute walk with porters to return to the vehicle.
At the end of the day, return to the village of Sajama by 4WD for a well-deserved bath in the hot springs.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging in Doña Teodora’s house, near the Hot Springs (basic comfort).
Ascent time: 8 h; Elevation gain/loss: +1090m/-1540m

or

ASCENT OF VOLCANO PARINACOTA (el. 6340 m.a.s.l.)

Early departure for a tentative ascent of the summit. No technical difficulty but specific equipment is required (ropes / crampons / ice axe).
6 to 8-hour round-trip, depending on weather and physical condition of each participant.
From the base camp, it is a 45-minute walk with porters to reach our vehicle in Inkamarka.
Descent to the village of Sajama by 4WD for a well-deserved bath in the local hot springs.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging in Doña Teodora’s house near the hot springs (basic comfort).
Ascent time: 8 h; Elevation gain/loss: +1150m/-1600m

Day 6: TOMARAPI – LA PAZ

In the morning, we head to La Paz (3 to 4-hour drive). End of day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

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)

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.

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