long the way...

This tour offers an unforgettable encounter with the community of Uma Palca. Its inhabitants have set up a community project and they invite you in their very charming stone shelter (Qala Uta means “stone house” in aymara). Enjoy the beautiful bolted routes facing the shelter or one of the beautiful hikes to the laguna Tres Picos. The best acclimatization possible!

We then continue our trek to the village of Tuni where another encounter awaits us, the community of Tuni.
Tuni is an Aymara hamlet of a dozen families, perched at the foot of the Royal Cordillera, at an altitude of 4400 meters (12,900 feet) above sea level.
The village is located 2 1/2 –hours away by 4WD from La Paz, tucked between Lake Titicaca and one of the most impressive ranges of the Royal Cordillera: the Condoriri range. It is therefore accessible not only by seasoned trekkers but also by a wider public, even familial.
The inhabitants of this small community of about 50 souls take us to the discovery of their daily way of life in the heart of the Cordillera.
Regulated by the rhythm of the “pastoreo” of the unavoidable llamas, the gathering of medicinal plants, the legends associated with all the surrounding summits, the traditional cuisine, the work in the mines, etc…

PROGRAM

DAY 1 : LA PAZ – LAGUNA KHOTIA – SANTOS MOUNTAIN SHELTER (el. 4400 m.a.s.l.)

Departure from the hotel at 7 a.m. in our private vehicle towards the Royal Cordillera (5/6-hour drive) and the laguna Kothia. We clear the Mollo Pass (el. 5000 m.a.s.l.) at the foot of Wila Lluxita Glacier (el. 52444 m.a.s.l.) before descending towards Mina Fabulosa and reach the Chiqapa Jawira Valley where is located the refuge Santos. The community of Uma Palca has built this beautiful stone shelter in this magnificent valley. They, also, have bolted some climbing routes on impressive granite blocks dominating the valley right across form the shelter.
Cold meals. All included. Night in the shelter.

DAY 2 : CLIMBING DAY

Day dedicated to rock climbing under the supervision of a mountain guide.
The site offers numerous climbing routes right across from the shelter. The routes are all bolted and vary in grades (5 to 7 French grades / 5.6 to 5.12 US grades). The re is also a bouldering area nearby. Cold lunch. All included. Night in the shelter.

DAY 3 : SANTOS MOUNTAIN SHELTER – LAGUNA TRES PICOS (el. 4640 m.a.s.l.) – LAGUNA KHOTA PATA (el.4460 m.a.s.l.) – SANTOS MOUNTAIN SHELTER

Difficulty: 5 to 6- hour hiking. Good physical condition required.
We reach the river bellow the shelter and start ascending towards the Wilallojje Valley across from the shelter. An hour climb, leads us to a steep trail heading to the left through the rock formations until we reach the pass at el. 4740 m.a.s.l. after an hour more of effort. Beautiful view over the laguna Tres Picos or Kunuijitinta (signifying snow avalanche in Aymara) located at the base of the glacier Tres picos. We head on, staying level until we reach this beautiful laguna where we stop for lunch.
We then follow a steep trail downhill towards laguna Khota Pata; about an hour walk. There we can try to catch trout. Return to the mountain shelter from the laguna in 2 hours.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in shelter.
Hiking time: 5/6h; Elevation gain: +690m / -690m

DAY 4 : SANTOS MOUNTAIN SHELTER (el. 4400 m.a.s.l.) – PASO CHIQAPA - LAGUNA AJWANI

Difficulty: altitude trek including numerous passes over 5000 meters of altitude (at least one pass a day). From 6 to 8 hours walk a day. Good physical condition required.
We leave the mountain shelter behind to slowly climb the valley. The long climb is moderate and the trail is paved at times. It takes us to a pass located at el. 5050 m.a.s.l. (2½-hour climb). A steep stretch allows us to access the next valley, leading to Mina Palcoco and laguna Alka Quta. We reach laguna Alka Quta in about 2 hours before continuing our ascent towards laguna Ajwani (2 more hours). Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 7h; Elevation gain: +890m / -650m

DAY 5 : LAGUNA AJWANI - LAGUNA JURIKHOTA (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.)

We start by following the hillside, clear a first pass at an altitude of 4920 meters (Paso Milluni / 1h45), then we take our time to reach laguna Sistaña (el. 4660 m.a.s.l. / 45mn).
In the afternoon we ascend to a second pass (Paso Janchallani, el. 4900 m.a.s.l. / 1h30), before our last descent of the day towards Laguna Jurikhota (el. 4700 m.a.s.l. / 1h).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 5/6h; Elevation gain: +665m / -560m

DAY 6 : LAGUNA JURIKHOTA – LAGUNA CONGELADA – PASO AUSTRIA - LAGUNA CHIARKHOTA (el. 4670 m.a.s.l.)

From Laguna Jurikhota we begin by ascending up a steep slope to reach, an hour and a half later, the Laguna Congelada, (two glaciers literally fall into its icy waters), a jewel nested at an altitude of 4900 meters at the foot of El Condoriri (el. 5650 m.a.s.l.).
From there we keep climbing to a second pass (Paso Austria, 5120 m.a.s.l. / one hour ascent) before descending on the other side towards El Condoriri and El Pequeño Alpamayo base camp, at the edge of Laguna Chiarkhota (el. 4670 m.a.s.l. / 1h30 descent).
Just before reaching the pass, we have the option to climb Pico Austria (el. 5300 m.a.s.l.) to admire the incredible views it offers over the Cordillera Real (45-minute climb, 20-minute descent) Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +645m / -670m

DAY 7 : LAGUNA CHIARKHOTA – LAGUNA WICHU KHOTA – TUNI (el. 4370 m.a.s.l.)

We leave the Condoriri behind us and skirt the base of the Aguilla Negra (Black Needle) to Jallayko pass (el. 5025 m.a.sl.). Before climbing up Tillipata Pass we pass through the beautiful valley of Jistana (where we can admire a myriad of lagunas). We then descend to Laguna Wichu Khota, at the foot of María Lloco (el. 5522 m.a.s.l.) and continue on to the the community of Tuni.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in the shelter or in a local’s home.
Hiking time: 7h; Elevation gain: +850m / -1250m

DAY 8 : TUNI / Cordillera Real

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 et 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”.
In the afternoon, the ones in need of a digestive rest can stroll in the village. The others will leave for a new excursion near the village where they will learn about the importance of the llama in the local lifestyle (portage, wood, dried meat, heating, etc…).
Dinner will be accompanied by a group of musicians from the nearby village of Chuñawi. Authentic evening and why not… a little dancing. Meals included. Night in the shelter or in a local’s home.

DAY 9 : TUNI – LA PAZ

In the morning, we share the village life and learn about the local activities: The importance of the llamas, the education of the children, beliefs and ceremonies, social organization of an Aymara village. We leave the community at 2 p.m. in our private vehicle, after taking a nice Andean lunch. We skirt Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real until we arrive in El Alto and starting our impressive descent into La Paz (2-hour about).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel.

Included

- Spanish-speaking trekking guide
- Mountain guide for climbing day
- Cook for groups of more than 4 people (for groups smaller than 4, the guide will be the cook)
- Collective equipment for trekking (tents, cooking gear, etc…)
- Portage of luggage (mules / Llamas)
- Entrance to parks, cultural sites and visits mentioned
- Private transport / Spanish - speaking driver
- Meals mentioned

Not included

- Individual equipment (Mandatory sleeping bag; for camping we 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.

Contact us to get the fares