The national park of Sajama is located on the border with Chile. Dotted with volcanoes and geothermal springs, it is a place of legends and traditions, both of which are still very much alive.
From La Paz, we cross the Urus country where we see some “chullpas”, Carangas sepultures. The Aymara village of Sajama is the perfect base camp for the ascents of the surrounding volcanoes. And best of all: after the effort, the hot springs await us!

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.

Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in a private vehicle for the beautiful traverse of the altiplano until we reach the entrance of Sajama National Park (around 4 hours) via the village of Curahuara de Carangas, with its colonial church known as the Sixteen chapel of the Altiplano (because of its perfectly preserved intricate frescoes). On the way, we stop at the chullpas (carangas sepultures) empty today after their systematic pillaging. We enter the park by a dirt road taking us to the village of Tomarapi. The wildlife is abundant and varied: alpacas. Vicuñas and ñandus (a parent of the ostrich) if we are lucky, as well as some flamingoes on Laguna Huaña Khota that we skirt before arriving at the Hot Springs, at the base of the volcano Sajama.
Lunch on the way. All included. Night at Doña Teodora’s near the Hot Springs (Basic comfort)

On foot, we head to the abandoned church of Casilla. The clear air makes the appreciation of distances difficult. The vicuñas and alpacas (and even the ñandus, cousins of the ostrich) that we cross on our way don’t seem to be affected by the altitude. A “llameros” trail climb to Laguna Chiar Khota, where we set up camp. We will certainly have to share it with a couple of Huallata, inseparable Andean geese.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Note: During the trek, our vehicle will transport our bags.
Hiking time: 5h; Elevation gain: +750m

We put our shoes on once again for a day-hike through the natural gem that is Sajama National Park. We first make our way to Laguna Kasiri Khota, before descending a very beautiful valley that takes us to the geysers. The llamas seem to appreciate the heat that radiates from them: this particularly active area offers indeed, a surprising show of boiling baths spread over a few hundred square meters. We can try cooking eggs in one of these slightly sulfuric caldrons. We return to the village of Sajama crossing through the bofedals where alpacas graze (6-hour walk).
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Doña Isabel and Don Marcelo’s in the village (basic comfort).
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: -750m

In the morning, we climb to the mirador of Huasilla just above the village, to contemplate the rising sun over volcanoes Parinacota and Pomerape. Then we take a walk through the queñua forest. These remarkable trees, with their bark similar to cigarette paper, are the only ones able to survive at such altitudes. We return to the village for lunch.
In the afternoon, we take our 4WD and take the direction of Parinacota and Pomerape. The vehicle drops us off at 4750 m.a.s.l. A 2-hour walk enables us to reach the base camp at 5200 m.a.s.l. For Acotango, the vehicle takes us all the way to the camp.
All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 5h; Elevation gain: +600m / -150m (apart for Acotango)

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In the morning, drive along the base of volcano Sajama, revered by the local population like a god, to reach laguna Huaña Khota. The fauna is abundant and varied: flamingoes, alpacas, vicuñas and ostriches (if we are lucky). We then visit the village of Tomarapi, and its charming church of a peculiar Andean style.
In the afternoon, return to La Paz (3/4h) via the small village of Curahuara de Carangas and its colonial richly decorated church (perfectly preserved frescoes). On the way, we stop to visit chullpas (carangas tombs) now empty after their systematic pillaging.
End of day open.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.