Along the way…

Click here to see the animation of the Illimani ascent

Illimani is probably the most known summit in Bolivia. It is an integral part of the panorama of La Paz, the backdrop for a lively Indian market. It is so visible from the capital that it has become its emblem.
As a matter of fact, in 1934, the Nazis had the bright idea of choosing it as a target, climbing to its summit to plant their swastika with the intent of provoquing the Jewish community of Bolivia. A few days later, A British climber also climbed to the summit of the big mountain to clean it of the symbol. Interesting prelude to the war that followed...

Warning: A very good acclimatization is necessary to assure the success and the security of the ascent. This summit is reserved to experienced mountaineers, in very good physical condition.

 

PROGRAMS

 

PROGRAM # 1: 4 DAYS ASCENT

DAY 1 : LA PAZ – PINAYA (el. 3900 m.a.s.l.) - PUENTE ROTO (el. 4550 m.a.s.l.)

Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in private vehicle for Pinaya (3h30), isolated village on the slopes of Illimani, at 3900 m of altitude. We meet our team of muleteers and start trekking towards the base camp of Illimani, known as Puente Roto.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 3h; Elevation gain: +650m
Note: mules and porters for the 3 days of the ascent.

DAY 2 :ASCENT OF ILLIMANI / Day 1 (el.5450 m.a.s.l.)

Grade II/AD, Max 50º - with mountain guide.
Equipment check. From Puente Roto, we climb to the “condor’s nest” (el.5450 m.a.s.l.) where we usually reach the snow line after about 5 hours of hiking on steep terrain.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Note: Porter team for the 2 days of the ascent.
Ascent time: 5h; Elevation gain: +900m

DAY 3 :ASCENT OF ILLIMANI / DAY 2 (el. 6450 m.a.s.l.)

Early start for the summit attempt (about 7 hours). Then 4 hours of descent to Puente Roto. Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 11h; Elevation gain: +1000m / -1850m

DAY 4 :PUENTE ROTO – PINAYA (el. 3900 m.a.s.l.) – LA PAZ

We descend through the village of Pinaya and return to La Paz in a private vehicle (3h30). Afternoon open. Cold lunch (included). Dinner open.
Hiking time: 3h; Elevation gain: -700m

 

PROGRAM # 2: ACCLIMATIZATION TREK AND ASCENT, 6 DAYS

DAY 1 :LA PAZ – TREK MURURATA - TUTURAL PAMPA (el. 4000 m.a.s.l.)

Difficulty: difficult trek between mountain and jungle. 5 to 7 daily walk. Good physical condition required.
We depart from La Paz at 8 a.m. in our private transport for the village of Gutural Pampa (3h30), located at an altitude superior to 4000 meters in the valley separating Illimani (el. 6432 m.a.s.l.) and Mururata (el. 5870 m.a.s.l.), two giants of the Cordillera Real.
We leave for a short hike on the slopes of Mururata, to a first laguna (el. 4200 m.a.s.l.), with option to keep on going to a second laguna at (el. 4450 m.a.s.l.) depending on each trekker’s physical condition Descent to Tutural Pampa where we set up camp. Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac near the village.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +450m / -450m

DAY 2 :TUTURAL PAMPA – MINA AGUILA (el. 4400 m.a.s.l.)

We climb the slopes of Illimani, peak emblematic of La Paz. We clear a pass (el.4800 m.a.s.l. about) then descend towards our bivouac (el. 4400 m.a.s.l.), near mina Aguila (6/7-hour walk). Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +800m / -400m

DAY 3 : MINA AGUILA – PUENTE ROTO (el. 4550 m.a.s.l.)

We clear a first pass (el. 5000 m.a.s.l.) before continuing on the ancient track to the mine on the West slope of Illimani. The glacier is right there. Alter about a 6-hour walk, we reach the base camp for the ascent of Illimani, at a place called Puente Roto. Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +600m / -450m

DAY 4 : ASCENT OF ILLIMANI (el.5450 m.a.s.l.)

Grade II/AD, Max 50º - with mountain guide. Equipment check. From Puente Roto, we climb to the “condor’s nest” (el.5450 m.a.s.l.) where we usually reach the snow line after about 5 hours of hiking on steep terrain.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Note: Porter team for the 2 days of the ascent.
Ascent time: 5h; Elevation gain: +900m

DAY 5 : ASCENT OF ILLIMANI (el. 6450 m.a.s.l.)

Early start for the summit attempt (about 7 hours). Then 4 hours of descent to Puente Roto.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 11h; Elevation gain: +1000m / -1850m

DAY 6 : PUENTE ROTO – PINAYA (el. 3900 m.a.s.l.) – LA PAZ

We descend through the village of Pinaya and return to La Paz in a private vehicle (3h30). Afternoon open. Cold lunch (included). Dinner open.
Hiking time: 3h; Elevation gain: -700m

 

Included

- Trekking and mountain guide (one for 2 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 gear (high altitude porters/ mules / llamas)
- Private transport / Spanish - speaking driver
- Meals mentioned

Not Included

- Individual equipment (for camping we can provide the sleeping pads)
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Drinks
- Tips
- Open meals mentioned, (from 3 to 8 € 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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