Along the way

The Cordillera Real is like a string of summits where “6000” meters peaks are strung like beads; A 150 km barrier between Sorata and La Paz that separate the desolate expanse of the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca from the Amazon Basin which receives runoff water from snow melt.
Over 8 years of experience in this area gives us the opportunity to offer you today this unique itinerary: in seldom visited areas of this mountain range (mountaineers having climbed in this area can be counted on the fingers of one hand!), far from human presence, the most secret confines of the Cordillera are yours.
We start by a moderate acclimatization trek at Lake Titicaca. We then head for the Condoriri range and its interesting summit after which the range was named: the central summit looks like a condor’s head and the two adjacent summits like its two folded wings. There, we do our first three warm-up ascents (between 5400 and 5700 meters above sea level).
We then begin our self-sustained crossing of the Cordillera on foot, which will take us first to Chachacomani (el. 6050 m.a.s.l.) and then to Illampu (el. 6380 m.a.s.l.), highlight of our adventure.
For experienced alpinists in good physical condition thirsty for unspoiled ground and open space. An unforgettable experience.

Daily program

Day 1: LA PAZ - ARRIVAL

Pick up at the airport (flight number and arrival time to be confirmed) and transfer to hotel (check in time 12 p.m.; if you wish to have a room upon arrival, it is possible to pay for one extra night, check with us).
Rest of the day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 2: LA PAZ / PANORAMIC TOUR – VALLEY OF THE MOON – ANDEAN MARKETS

Meeting in the hotel hall at 9 a.m. for a discovery, in private transportation, of the most spectacular viewpoint over the city, unbelievably located at the bottom of the Choqueyapu river canyon, with the Royal Mountain Range “Giants” as the background: Huayna Potosi, Mururata and Illimani.
This tour, particularly designed for photo lovers, first takes us to the Jach´a Apacheta Mirador, on the edge of the precipice of the city of El Alto. Then we go to the K´Illi K´Illi Mirador and to the Laykakota Park (closed on Mondays), on the Northwestern side of the city. Afterwards, we cross the Americas Bridge to go to the “Plaza de España” Mirador, in the colonial neighborhood of Sopocachi. From there, an abrupt descent leads us to the “South Zone”, passing through Llojeta and the “Garden Cemetery”, and finally to the Valley of the Moon, a place where we will be able to walk between psychedelic looking limestone formations.
In the afternoon our vehicle brings us back to the City Center and drops us off in the heart of the colorful and animated Andean market of La Paz. Return to the hotel on foot, accompanied by our guide. Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day 3: LA PAZ - COPACABANA – TREK YAMPUPATA - ISLA DEL SOL – CHALLA

Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in our private vehicle. We skirt Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real to reach Copacabana (3 ½-hour drive).
A motorboat takes us to the Virgin of Lourdes fom where our trek on the village of Yampupata starts. A boat awaits us there to take us to the nearby Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) (1-hour crossing). In the village of Cha´llapampa we visit the little museum of Marka Pampa before admiring the sunset over the Cordillera Real.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host (basic comfort). Note: During the following 2 days a boat will be at our disposal to transport the group as well as the gear during the walks.
Hiking time: 5h ; Elevation gain/loss: +250m/-250m

Day 4: CHALLA - CHA´LLAPAMPA - TREK ISLA DEL SOL – YUMANI - COPACABANA

In the morning, our motorboat takes us to Cha’llapampa.
We climb to the ruins of Chincana (“the labyrinth” in Aymara) and the sacred rock of the Puma, from where God Viracocha created his son Manco Capac, the first Inca. A very nice hike following the crest takes us to the village of Yumani at the Southern point of the island. We then go down the 500 steps of a stone staircase all the way to the pier of the “Fuente del Inca”.
A short hop by boat takes us to temple Pilkokaina, built by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui for his pilgrimages on the Isla del Sol. Our boat then takes us back to Copacabana (1h crossing). We climb up the hill of the Way of the Cross to watch the sun set. Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel / lake view.
Hiking time 3-4h ; Elevation gain: +450m / -450m

Day 5: COPACABANA – LAGUNA TUNI – LAGUNA WICHUKHOTA (4680 m.a.s.l)

Difficulty: Daily 4 to 6-hour walk. Good physical condition required.
Departure from Copacabana at 9 a.m. in our private vehicle for the village of Tuni, the starting point of our trek (a 4-hour trip).
We slowly climb to the lagunas Suri Kota and Wichu Kota, between which we set up camp, at the foot of María Lloco (el. 5522 m.a.s.l.). Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 2h; Elevation gain: +200m

Day 6: LAGUNA WICHU KHOTA - LAGUNA CHIARKHOTA (el. 4670 m.a.s.l.)

We leave Huayna Potosí and María Lloco behind and drive along the steep hillsides leading to the Tillipata pass (el. 5000 m.a.s.l.), from where the view of the myriads of lagunas down below makes our efforts all worth it.
Descent to the beautiful narrow valley of Jistaña, before ascending to the Jallayko Pass (el. 5025 m.a.s.l.) at the foot of the Black Needle. The base camp for the ascents of Condoriri at the laguna Chiarkhota is now very close.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 7h; Elevation gain/loss: +635m/-645m

Day 7: ASCENT OF EL PEQUEÑO ALPAMAYO (el. 5410 m.a.s.l.)

Grade III/AD+, Max 55° - with mountain guide - nomal or direct route
Start at 5 a.m. to attempt the summit (normal route / 4-5 hours) and then descend to Laguna Chiar Kota.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 7h; Elevation gain/loss: +740m/-740m

Day 8: TUNI - LAGUNA CHIARKHOTA (4670 m alt.)

After an Andean breakfast (local products), we follow our local guide on an excursion in the village surroundings (stroll at the foot of the Andes) that will take us to an active tin mine, located at an altitude of about 4500 m.a.s.l. This is the opportunity to understand the importance of the mountains for the Aymaras (natural resources, their relation to them, traditions and legends).
Return to the village at mid-day. You will be invited to participate in the preparation of the meal following local methods, in the company of the village women. The meal is based on local and seasonal products (dried llama meat, sheep milk, quinoa, chuño, potato, local herbs,). You will be pleasantly surprised by the originality of the Andean “table”.
From the time we enter the valley, the Cabeza de Condor, or the Condor’s Head also known as El Condoriri, dominates the scenery (el.5648 m.a.s.l.). It forms, with the two adjacent summits, the Condoriri range, in the shape of a condor with tucked wings.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 3 h; Elevation gain: +300m/-75m

Day 9: ASCENT OF CONDORIRI (el. 5700 m.a.s.l.)

Grade III/AD+, Max 55° - with mountain guide
Start at 4 a.m. Summit attempt by normal route (5-6 hours) then descent to Laguna Chiarkhota.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 8h; Elevation gain/loss: +1030m/-1030m

Day 10: LAGUNA CHIARKHOTA – PICO AUSTRIA - LAGUNA CONGELADA – LAGUNA JURIKHOTA (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.)

Departure in the morning for the Austria Pass (el. 5160 m.a.s.l.). A little detour will take us to the peak of the same name (el. 5350 m.a.s.l.), from where we can see La Paz and lake Titicaca.
We then descend towards the laguna Congelada (where two glaciers meet in its freezing water), jewel nested at an elevation of 4900 meters above sea level, at the foot of the left wing of El Condoriri. Then we descend to laguna Juri Khota, where we set up camp.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking: 6h; Elevation gain/loss: +490m/-460m

Day 11: LAGUNA JURIKHOTA - LAGUNA SISTAÑA – LAGUNA PALCOCO (el. 4650 m.a.s.l.)

We clear our first pass (Janchallani, 4910 m.a.s.l.) in the morning to reach Laguna Sistaña (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.). We then circumnavigate the Wawanaki mountain range before slowly descending to the laguna Palcoco. We set up camp near the abandoned barracks of the ancient mine.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain/loss: +260m/-310m

Day 12: LAGUNA PALCOCO – QALA UTA SHELTER (el. 4450 m.a.s.l.)

Today we have to cross the Cordillera, there is no way around it. We do it by the remote pass of Chiqapa (el. 5100 m.a.s.l.), from where we descend to Qala Uta (stone house, in Aymara). The community, in cooperation with the PRAIA foundation, built there a beautiful shelter. A successful project of community ecotourism.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in the shelter.
Hiking time: 7h; Elevation gain/loss: +450m/-850m

Day 13: QALA UTA SHELTER – MINA FABULOSA - HUIYNARA (el. 4550 m.a.s.l.)

We depart in the direction of mina Fabulosa. We start the long traverse across the hillsides that will take us to our camp in the evening, located across the Ankhohoyo glacier (“White Enclosure”). We spend the night at the base of Jankho Laya, in a place called Huiynara.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain/loss: +300m/-200m
Note: Supplies in fresh products. Option to evacuate potential sick trekker.

Day 14: HUIYNARA – PASO HUARACO – LAGUNA LECHE (el. 4900 m.a.s.l.)

We leave the dirt road of Hankolakaya and clear the Huaraco Pass (el. 4775 m.a.s.l.), before descending towards Laguna Cotapata (“the high laguna”, el. 4685 m.a.s.l.). We turn to the South in the direction of Laguna Leche, owing its name “glacial milk” to its emerald color.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain/loss: +570m/-220m

Day 15: ASCENT OF CHACHACOMANI (el. 6050 m.a.s.l.)

Grade III/AD+, Max 55° - with mountain guides

Equipment check. Start at around 1 a.m. Summit attempt, then descent to base camp.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Note: Chachacomani was climbed for the first time in 1947, by Dr. Federico Fritz’s expedition. Like a lot of little known summits in the Cordillera, its exact altitude is not yet known.
Ascent time: 12h; Elevation gain/loss: +1150m/-1150m

Day 16: ASCENT OF CHACHACOMANI (extra day)

All included. Bivouac.

Day 17: LAGUNA LECHE – NEGRUNI (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.)

We hike along the hillsides of the Tres Marías mountain range towards the North, to reach the Chiquini Valley that we follow to our camp. This could be the wildest and the prettiest part of the Cordillera. Our camp is nicely tucked between the Negruni and the Chajowara mountain range.
The glaciers surrounding us have, unfortunately, diminished a lot during the last 50 years… And in the last 10 years their recession had been even more noticeable!
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain/loss: +720m/-920m

Day 18: NEGRUNI – CHAJOLPAYA (el. 4090 m.a.s.l.)

We follow the slopes of the Chearoko and Calzada mountain range. After clearing Negruni Pass (4930 m.a.s.l./ snowed in 9 months out of 12), our trail slowly descends towards the hamlet of Chajolpaya.
We set up our camp in this beautiful open valley, near the river, where we notice numerous holes dug in the grass: they are used to hydrate the “kaya”. The tubercles of Oca (close cousin of the potato) are immersed in these pools for 30 to 40 days, until the first frost of the year (June 24).
Then they are simply spread out on hay where they are left to dehydrate and become kayas. It is the most nutritious and the most common aliment of the Cordillera.
Similar method to produce the tunta, made from a white potato, stomped on as it is dehydrating.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 5h; Elevation gain/loss: +230m/-840m

Day 19: CHAJOLPAYA – PASO SARANI - COCOYO (el. 3540 m.a.s.l.)

We leave the “medieval” village of Chajolpaya behind and head up to the Sarani pass (el.4520 m.a.s.l.) before descending towards the village of Cocoyo, which owes its growth to the tin mine of Candelaria, still exploited. We set up camp a ways from the village Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain/loss: +430m/-970m

Day 20: COCOYO – KHORVASINI PASS- ESTANCIA UTJAÑA PAMPA (el. 3900 m.a.s.l.)

We clear the Khorvasini pass in the morning (el. 4475 m.a.s.l.) and descend towards the estancia Utjaña Pampa (el. 3900 m.a.s.l.).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain/loss: +925m/-625m

Day 21: ESTANCIA UTJAÑA PAMPA – AGUAS CALIENTES (el. 4200 m.a.s.l.)

We ascend to the Illampu base camp, called “Aguas Calientes” (4h – el. 4200 m.a.s.l.). But don’t let this name fool you: there is no hot spring in the area.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac (camp II of the Illampu ascent by the normal route).
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +300m

Day 22: ASCENT OF ILLAMPU / DAY 1 (el. 5600 m.a.s.l.)

Grade III+ /D, Max 65º - with mountain guide

We hike towards the glacier and traverse it on the right; 7 to 8-hour hike before reaching the high camp, at 5600 meters of altitude, just under peak Schulze and from where we can see the Northwest face of Illampu.
Note: Porter team for the 2 days of the ascent.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 7h; Elevation gain: +1400m

Day 23: ASCENT OF ILLAMPU / DAY 2 (el. 6380 m.a.s.l.)

Early start for the summit attempt. From the high camp, the normal route follows the West arête. To access it, climb over the 300-meter wall of snow and ice. Before reaching the apex, climb over a steep ice face (65 º) and summit after 4 to 6 hours of climbing. Descent in the afternoon all the way to Aguas Calientes.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 10h; Elevation gain/loss: +1000m/-2200m

Day 24: AGUAS CALIENTES – ANCOMA – SORATA – LA PAZ

We walk down to Ancoma where a vehicle awaits us to bring us back to Sorata and then to La Paz (6 to 7-hour trip). Evening open.
Cold lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel.
Hiking time: 2h; Elevation loss: -350m</p>

Day 25: LA PAZ

Day open. Meals open. Hotel.

Day 26: DEPARTURE

Pick up at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport / international flight number and time to be confirmed.
Meals open.

IMPORTANT
LIMIT THE WEIGHT OF YOUR PERSONAL EFFECTS TO 30 lb / PERSON FOR THE TREK

Included

- Mountain guide (one for 3 clients) / trekking guide
- Cook starting at 4 people (if less than 4, the guide does the cooking)
- Meals mentioned
- Collective trekking and mountaineering equipment (tents, cooking gear, ropes, etc…)
- Portage of equipment (mules / llamas).
- Entrance to cultural sites, mentioned visits.
- Transportation / Spanish-speaking driver
- 2/3-star hotel in double rooms with breakfast
- Night in the home of a local host

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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