Bolivia Classic Climbs

Overview | Full itinerary | Cost Includes

Our Mountaineering expedition to Pequeno Alpamayo (17,618 feet), Huayana Potosi (19,974 feet) and Illimani (20,201 feet), will confirm that some of the most dramatic alpine peaks in the Western hemisphere lie in Bolivia. We start our trip in La Paz, Bolivia where we spend a few days to begin our acclimatization process.

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Overview

We then head to Pequeno Aplamayo in the beautiful Condoriri Valley. Pequeno Alpamayo is a fun non-technical glacier climb and a great place to get well acclimatized for our next objective, Huayana Potosi.

We take a dramatic 4×4 drive accross the majestic Cordillera Real to the foothills of Huayana Potosi. The climbing includes is mostly moderate snow climbing to the top.

After our descent to Base camp, we head for La Paz, and a meal and a bath. Our final goal will be Illimani, the highest peak in Bolivia. We drive southeast toward the Cordillera Real, where we meat llamas to take our gear to Base Camp. The summmit ridge of Illimani offers spectacular views of the Andes.

Dates of Trips

2025-2026

May 24 – Jun 7, 2025
May 31 – 14, 2025
Jun 7 – 21, 2025
Jun 14 – 28, 2025
Jun 21 – Jul 5, 2025
June 29 – Jul 12, 2025
Jul 5 – 19, 2025
Jul 19 – Aug 2, 2025
Jul 26 – Aug 9, 2025

Rates

$5,300

Cost for reserving: $1,000

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Itinerary

DAY 1 Collapse

DAY 1

Group meets in La Paz, Bolivia’s capital city. La Paz is the world’s highest capital, over 10,000 ft in elevation, where you begin the process of acclimatizing as soon as you step off the plane. Gear check and an afternoon briefing will be at the hotel. Because acclimatization is crucial to a successful expedition, we highly recommend that you arrive 2 to 3 days earlier in La Paz, prior to the start of the expedition. Attractive day treks and tours can be arranged from La Paz.

DAY 2 Expand

DAY 2

Acclimatization day in La Paz. The main purpose of our second day is to spend another night above 10,000′. This is a great occasion to visit La Paz and its many colonial sites. DAY 3 Expand

DAY 3

Drive towards the beautiful Condoriri Valley to a small mountain village where we hire burros to carry our gear. A pleasant hike of about 3-4 hrs takes us to our Base Camp located by a beautiful lake surrounded with breathtaking views of the Condoriri massif. Our goal will be to climb Pequeno Alpamayo (17,618′ or 5,300 mts) the next day. DAY 4 Expand

DAY 4

Early Start, we follow the Condoriri Valley with our head lamps to start the gentle ascent up the main Glacier. After sveral hours of moderate hiking we arrive at the base of the steep pyramid of Pequeno Alpamyo. Spectacular snow and ice climbing to the summit. Descend to Base Camp. DAY 5 Expand

DAY 5

Descend to the trailhead, where we are picked up by a 4X4 and drive to where we will climb Huayna Potosi (19,974′). This is a dramatic drive across the majestic Cordillera Real. We arrive at the foothills of Huayna Potosi and begin our climb to Camp 1 the same day in order to not lose our acclimatization. We may have porters to help us carry community gear only.

DAY 6 Expand

DAY 6

Move to Camp 2, our High Camp. DAY 7 Expand

DAY 7

Early start toward the spectacular snowy Summit of Huayna Potosi. Moderate snow climbing will take us to the top. Descent to High Camp and possibly all the way to the base depending on our Group. If we do descend all the way, we will drive back to La Paz for a nice hardy meal and a bath, that same day. DAY 8 Expand

Day 08

Rest day in La Paz. We will shop for fresh food, clean gear and pack for Illimani, the highest peak in Bolivia, at 21,201 feet. DAY 9 Expand

DAY 9

Drive southeast towards Illimani. The highest peak in the Cordillera Real, it is a massive mountain with three spectacular summits above 20,000′. At the end of this rugged road we meet the llamas and their llama handler who will take our gear to our Base Camp at 15,000′. DAY 10 Expand

DAY 10

Carry a load to 18,000′, our High Camp, and return to Base Camp. Day 11 Expand

DAY 11

Move to High Camp (18,000′). From this camp we will have great views of the cirque of Illimani and across Lake Titicaca. Day 12-13 Expand

Day 12-13

Summit Day!! Weather permitting. Early start to tackle Illimani’s (21,201′) steep Southwest Buttress, interesting and careful glacier travel negotiating impressive crevasses. Before reaching the summit ridge we climb a beautiful 40-45 degree face. The gentle summit ridge offers spectacular views of the Andes. Day 14 Expand

Day 14

Descent to La Paz. Celebration Dinner. Next Day Expand

Next Day

Next day fly back home, or continue traveling in South America.

Cost Includes

• Professional Mountain Guides
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in La Paz
• all land transportation
• 4×4
• burros
• llamas
• porters (used in Huayna Potosi and Illimani)

• camp guardian
• cook
• meals while in the mountains
• all community gear (Base Camp tent, tents, stoves, cooking gear, ropes, ice screws, pickets, medical kit, satellite phone, radios, etc.)
• National Park fee.

You are responsible for

• Flights to La Paz
• any lodging excluding 2 nights in La Paz
• meals (except while you are climbing)

• personal equipment
• passport
• personal items and services (laundry, drinks, tips, etc.)
• expenses incurred in the event of a rescue.