The most fabulous of all cordilleras, the Cordillera of the Andes, traverses South America from one end to the other. In Southern Peru and Bolivia, the cordillera splits in two, forming the depression of the Altiplano between the two ranges.
The Cordillera Occidental, at the frontier with Chili, is entirely volcanic with numerous active volcanoes (Guallatiri, Ollagüe…), geysers, hot springs… a real gem sheltering an exceptional fauna.
The objective of this expedition is the ascent of four of the most beautiful volcanoes of the region, reaching an altitude of over 6000 meters and located nearby in Sajama National Park. Highlight of our adventure: the ascent of the Sajama Volcano, Bolivia’s highest peak with its elevation of 6542 meters above sea level! Warning: even though the technical level is accessible, this expedition is reserved to trekkers in good physical condition.

Airport pick up (flight number and arrival time to be confirmed) and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel at 8:30 a.m. in our private vehicle, to discover the most spectacular viewpoint over the city, unbelievably located in the “pit” 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 K´Illi K´Illi Mirador and to the Laykakota Park, 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 sandstone formations.
Return downtown in the afternoon. Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in a private vehicle. We follow the Cordillera Real until we reach the village of Huatajata (1h), where we can try one of their delicious trout, gastronomic specialty of the lake.
We embark in one of their authentic and colorful fishing boats and navigate the lake at the whim of the winds until we reach one of the small nearby islands: Suriki or Kalahuta known for their handicraft make out of reeds (between 2 and 4 hours depending on the wind’s mood...).
All included. Bivouac.

We cross towards the Tiquina Straits, separating the larger from the smaller part of the Lake. After a 3 to 5-hour crossing (depending on the weather conditions), we land on the South shore, not too far from the village of Tiquina, where our private vehicle awaits us to take us to Copacabana (45 min).
In the afternoon we visit the most interesting sites in town: Horca del Inca, cathedral… We climb the Way of the Cross to view the sunset (remember to bring a headlamp for the descent).
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel ** / lake view.

In the morning, a motorboat takes us to the Northern side of the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), at the Inca site of Chincana. We begin the trek that follows the crests and takes us to the south side of the Island and to the village of Yumani (3 to 4-hour walk).
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging at María and Ismael’s house (basic comfort).
Note: During the 2 following days a boat will be at our disposal to transport the group as well as the backpacks during the walks.

In the morning we descend the 500 steps to the pier of the Fuente del Inca (Fountain of the Inca), where our boat awaits us to take us to the peninsula of Yampupata (20 minutes). Trek along the peninsula to the Virgin of Lourdes, by way of the remote village of Zampaya (about 4 to 5h). We then get back on our boat for the return journey to Copacabana and then to La Paz with a private vehicle (3h30).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +100m / -200m

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 it’s 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 fauna 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 take the direction of 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 of walking through this jewel of nature that is the 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 lamas 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.

We take the direction of the South to enter the country of Urus following sandy and treacherous dirt roads. After crossing Río Lauca, appear some polychromatic chullpas, the most beautiful of Bolivia (chullpas were tombs of the Aymara lords; pre-Inca time). We can take a walk through this site between lagunas and volcanoes.
After lunch we get back to our vehicle. The road climbs the hillside of volcano Acotango, to an abandoned sulfur mine, located at 4800 m.a.s.l. We keep on going on a rocky track until we reach our camp.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.

Grade II/AD, Max 40° - with mountain guide
Start at around 2 to 3 a.m. We follow the crest along a rocky trail, before reaching snow line. We rope up until we arrive at the crater. This is not the end of our efforts; the summit is actually located on the other side of the crater (6/7 h of hiking).
The view from the top is magnificent; we are surrounded by the most beautiful volcanoes of the Cordillera Occidental: volcano Guallatiri, active and blowing sulfuric fumes, Parinacota, Pomerape and Sajama while shimmer on the Chilean side, the turquoise lagunas of Cota-Cotani and Chungara.
Return to the village of Sajama in the afternoon.
All included. Night at Doña Isabel and Don Marcelo’s in the village (basic accommodations/el. 4300 m.a.s.l.).
Ascent time: 10h; Elevation gain: +850m / -850m

In the morning, we take a trip to the geysers. This particularly active area offers a unique display of bubbling baths spread over hundreds of square meters. We can try cooking eggs in their slightly sulfuric water.
We meet our team of porters. A 2-hour walk enables us to reach the base camp at 5000 m.a.s.l.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.

Grade II/AD, Max 40° - with mountain guide
Early departure for a tentative ascent of the summit. No technical difficulty but specific equipment is required (ropes / crampons / ice axe.) Approximately 8-hour round-trip, depending on weather and physical condition of each participant.
From the base camp, it is a 45-minute walk with porters to return to the vehicle.
At the end of the day, return to the village of Sajama by 4WD for a well-deserved bath in the hot springs.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging in Doña Teodora’s house, near the Hot Springs (basic comfort).
Ascent time: 8 h; Elevation gain: +1090m / -1540m

Morning open. In the middle of the day, we arrive at a place called Inkamarka, at 4750 m.a.s.l.
We meet our team of porters. A 2-hour walk enables us to reach the base camp at 5200 m.a.s.l.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 2h; Elevation gain: +450m

Grade II/AD, Max 40° - with mountain guide
Early departure for a tentative ascent of the summit. No technical difficulty but specific equipment is required (ropes / crampons / ice axe). 6 to 8-hour round-trip, depending on weather and physical condition of each participant.
From the base camp, it is a 45-minute walk with porters to reach our vehicle in Inkamarka.
Descent to the village of Sajama by 4WD for a well-deserved bath in the local hot springs.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging in Doña Teodora’s house near the hot springs (basic comfort).
Ascent time: 8 h; Elevation gain: +1150m / -1600m

Grade II/AD, Max 50° - with mountain guide - normal route
Rest in the morning. In the afternoon, we perform our equipment check then walk about 2 hours on easy ground to reach the base camp (el.4800 m.a.s.l.). Mules carry our gear.
All included. Bivouac.
Ascent time: 2 h; Elevation gain: +450m
Note: mules and porters for the 3 days of the ascent.

Very early in the morning and with the help of porters, we begin our ascent to the high altitude camp of Sajama (el.5450 m.a.s.l.). Five hours walk on volcanic screes on the North side of the valley. Once we reach the Northwest crest we follow a passageway between two former lava streams. From there we reach the high altitude camp, behind a rock pinnacle.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac at times in snow.
Ascent time: 5 h; Elevation gain: +650m

We wake up at 4 a.m. and leave our camp for a tentative ascent of the summit (approximately 6h/7h). We follow the arête on snow or scree. We end up on the glacier and head for the summit. After a descent of about 5 hours we reach our vehicle and head for the local Hot Springs where we take a well-deserved bath before driving to the village of Tomarapi, where we spend the night.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging Ecolodge of Tomarapi (comfort of a 2 stars hotel).
Ascent time: 12 h; Elevation gain: +1090m/-2190m

Return to La Paz in the morning (3/4h trip). Afternoon open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Day open. Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

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.