An invigorating two week trek among Bolivia’s best mountain scenery and the sacred Lake Titicaca.
You hike high, on passes which are old Inca pilgrim routes.
Much of the time you trek more than 4,500 metres above sea level. This allows great close up views of amazing snow-capped peaks. There is Chearoco at 6,104 metres and Mount Huayna (6,111 metres) – Bolivia’s most climbed peak.
Outline itinerary – day 1
Arrive La Paz, transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner and briefing session.
Day 2
Morning departure from La Paz. Our vehicles take us across the altiplano to the shores of Lake Titicaca. Crossing the Tiquina strait by ferry we continue to the northern end of the Peninsula of Copacabana. After having lunch at the outskirts of the Indian village of Yampupata, we board our canoes and start paddling. If we are lucky we can take advantage of the wind and hoist our sails. We camp on a white sandy beach at the bottom of the ruins known as the “Chincana” (The labyrinth).
Day 3
In the morning we walk along the Inca Trail that used to bring pilgrims from the south. At the end of our short hike we visit a local museum in the village of Challapampa. After lunch, we get back into the boats and head for Yampupata. Our vehicles take us to Copacabana. We take a short visit to the town and later head to our next campsite at the top of a ridge from where we enjoy the magnificent views of the Cordillera Real.
Day 4
We drive along the south-eastern side of Lake Titicaca before entering the mountain valleys that lead to the temperate valley of Sorata at 2600 m. Sorata is a small market town nestled at the foot of the foot of a mythical snow-peak of Illampu 6,368 m. We spend the night in a small hotel.
Day 5
Early next morning we continue by vehicle to the eastern side of mount Illampu, to the Andean village of Cocoyo 3,539 m. Total driving hours: 4 – 5 driving hours. After lunch we start trekking. Today is quite a gentle start. The trail climbs gradually, following a narrow valley. After 4 hours we reach a wide plateau surrounded by steep rocky cliffs. We set up our first camp at 4,317 m.
Day 6
We start the day climbing to the Sarani pass at 4,512 m. Then the trail drops down 500 m to the Chajolpaya valley. On the flood plain of this meandering river we have lunch. In the afternoon we continue trekking up a narrow valley called Negruni (Black Place). At 4,666 m we set up our second camp, at Tarakhala, a small flat area between large boulders.
Day 7
The trail is faint to begin with, but climbs rapidly so that soon we are high above last night’s camp where our team will still be packing up our equipment. In a maximum of 3 hours we reach the Negruni pass, the highest on the whole trek, at 4,918 m. The way down into the next valley is very beautiful: we encounter several glaciated mountains, steep peaks and small Indian communities. Another giant of the Andes watches over us for most of the day, mount Chearoco, 6,104 m. We camp at the junction of two rivers, at Palca at 4,003 m.
Day 8
The way down into the next valley is very beautiful: we encounter several glaciated mountains, steep peaks and small Indian communities. Another giant of the Andes watches over us for most of the day, mount Chearoco, 6,104 m. We camp at the junction of two rivers, at Palca at 4,003 m.
Day 9
Today we cross two mountain passes. The first one is close and easy to get to at 4,667 m. Then we descend to the beaches of Kenasani Lake, and later follow another valley which leads to our second pass at 4,877 m. The trail descends steeply to a large grassy plateau, our next camp site 4,542 m.
Day 10
A long traverse takes us to the next valley. We pass by the only tin mine that is still working in the Cordillera Real. In the afternoon we follow the line of a valley overlooked by imposing granite peaks. After crossing the next pass at 4,720 m we will set up camp overlooking the magnificent rocky mountains of the Condoriri massif. 4,720 m.
Day 11
We continue with the descent following the Willa Llojeta (The Red Cliff) river valley. We have two mountain passes to cross again today. The first one at 4,429 m and the second at 4,523 m. In about 5 hours we will have crossed both of them. Our camp is at Uma Palca (Water Junction) valley at 3,959 m. This is the first time since the start of the trek that we will have been at below 4,000 m.
Day 12
We walk close beneath rocky peaks. We cross another two passes at about 4,229 and 4,482 m. The last descent brings us to the northern slopes of Mount Huayna Potosi. At 6,111 m this is the most climbed peak in Bolivia. We camp on the western side of the range at 4,379 m
Day 13
Today’s lofty passes (two again and one of them the highest of the trek) are at 4,932 m and 5,031 m. both on the eastern side of the range. In the distance we can see the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca again. In the afternoon we reach the base camp of Condoriri where we will probably meet some climbers. The camp is on the shores of Lake Chiar Kota (Black Lake), 4,666m
Day 14
Today is the last day of our trek. We follow a trail down to Plaza de Llamas. There we have lunch and rendezvous with our vehicles that take us back to La Paz and our hotel. Farewell dinner.
Day 15
Transfer to airport. End of services.
Check our Books and Maps section where you will find a range of literature to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
Included
Transfers in La Paz, welcome dinner & farewell dinner, 3 nights hotel during the tour (3***), English speaking trek guide, professional mountain guide, bus transfer to Yampupata/Copacabana, kayaks, food throughout the 15 day expedition, local bus to Huarina + private transport to Sorata, private transport from Jankokhota to La Paz, Transport from La Paz to Tuni + Tuni to Plataforma Zongo & La Paz, mules or llamas for kit transport. Cook and dining tent, camping equipment, one night in a family house on Island of the Sun, 1 night in hostel in Sorata.
Not included
International flights (we can look for these for you), insurance, any extra nights hotel in La Paz (various options available), meals in La Paz, camping mat, sleeping bag, tips, laundry, meals in towns, personal expenses.
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