| Along the way… |
This altitude trek (entirely comprised between 4500 and 5000 meters above sea level) requires a good acclimatization.
It takes us to the exploration of the nicest part of the Cordillera Real, across the sumptuous landscapes mountain ranges of Condoriri (el. 5648 m.a.s.l.), Maria Lloco (el. 5522 m.a.s.l.) and Huayna Potosi (el. 6088 m.a.s.l.). The path following the hillsides is dotted with lagunas where the llamas accompanying us on this short Andean crossing will quench their thirst.
Nothing can be better than to finish our adventure by the ascent of Huayna Potosi. From the summit, the view embraces the altiplano from La Paz to Lake Titicaca.
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| PROGRAM |
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 Day 1 : LA PAZ – LAGUNA KHOTIA – LAGUNA AJWANI (el. 4720 m.a.s.l.) |
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Difficulty: altitude trek with one or more passes of elevations superior to 5000 meters, each day. 4 to 6-hour walk a day. Good physical condition required.
Departure from the hotel at 8:30 a.m. in our private vehicle in the direction of the Cordillera Real (a 3-hour trip) and laguna Kothia, the start of our trek (el. 4470 m.a.s.l.).
We meet our team of muleteers and start hiking on the right side of the lake, on the Southwest slopes of the Cordillera. We clear the first pass (Paso Contador, el. 4760 m.a.s.l.) before crossing a swampy area, near laguna Surakhota. Alter about a 4-hour walk, we arrive at the laguna Ajwani (“lagoon of the birds”, el. 4720 m.a.s.l.).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +400m / -150m
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| Day 2 : LAGUNA AJWANI - LAGUNA JURIKHOTA (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.) |
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We start by following the hillside, clear a first pass at an altitude of 4920 meters (Paso Milluni), then we take our time to reach laguna Sistaña (el. 4660 m.a.s.l.).
In the afternoon we ascend to a second pass (Paso Janchallani, el. 4900 m.a.s.l.), before our last descent of the day towards Laguna Jurikhota (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +440m / -460m
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| Day 3 : LAGUNA JURIKHOTA – LAGUNA CONGELADA – PASO AUSTRIA - LAGUNA CHIARKHOTA (el. 4670 m.a.s.l.) |
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From Laguna Jurikhota we begin by ascending up a steep slope to reach 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, 5200 m.a.s.l.) 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.).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +460m / -490m
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| Day 4 : LAGUNA CHIARKHOTA – LAGUNA WICHU KHOTA (el.4680 m.a.s.l.) |
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We leave the Condoriri behind us, pass at the base of the Black Needle and eventually reach the Jallayko Pass (el. 5025 m.a.s.l.). We then drop into the very beautiful and steep Jistaña Valley, before ascending Tillipata Pass (el. 5000 m.a.s.l.). The spectacular scenery over the myriad of lagunas down below is ample reward for our efforts. Later on, another downhill takes us to Laguna Wichu Khota, where we set up our camp, at the foot of María Lloco (el. 5522 m.a.s.l.).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac
Hiking time: 7h; Elevation gain: +645m / -635m
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| Day 5 : LAGUNA WICHU KHOTA – LAGUNA GLACIAL - CAMPO CANAL (el. 4800 m.a.s.l.) |
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We progress amongst the lagunas, until the ancient camp for mine Santa Fe. A short detour to a small nearby summit dominating the camp allows us to get a nice view over all the lagunas. We then climb up to our camp, surrounded by the summits of Imilla Apachita, Maria Lloco and Huayna Potosi (el. 6088 m.a.s.l.). The view is superb (4/5-walk).
The most courageous will be able to hike over to Laguna Glacial del Huayna Potosi. The trail, an ancient dried out stone canal on the hillside, offers wonderful scenery (2-hour round trip).
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +320m / -200m
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| Day 6 : CAMPO CANAL – HUAYNA POTOSI SHELTER |
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After loading the gear on our llamas, we head for the Milluni pass that we reach in the middle of the morning (el. 5000 m.a.s.l). From there, we overlook the Milluni Valley. We keep on going towards our shelter by passing Huayna Potosi on our left. At this point the Andes abruptly drop into the Yungas, a green and tropical area. This is the end of our trek
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +200m / -300m. |
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| OPTION 1 : RETOURN TO LA PAZ |
A 4WD private vehicle takes us back to La Paz in the afternoon. End of day open.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +200m / -300m
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| OPTION 2 : ASCENT OF HUAYNA POTOSÍ / DAY 1 (el. 5100 m.a.s.l.) |
Grade II/AD, Max 50° - with mountain guide
We climb to the “Rocks Camp” (base camp – el. 5100 m.a.s.l.) on the edge of the glacier. Approximately a 2-hour walk to reach the glacier.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in shelter.
Ascent time: 2h; Elevation gain: +400m
Note: team of porters for the two-day climb.
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| Day 6: ASCENT OF HUAYNA POTOSÍ / DAY 2 (el. 6088 m.a.s.l.) – LA PAZ |
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Departure at 2 a.m. for a tentative ascent of the summit. Later on, we descend to the shelter (approximately 10h total). Return to La Paz with private vehicle.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel***.
Ascent time: 10h; Elevation gain: +1000m / -1400m
PHOTO ITINERARY, CLICK : Click here |
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Included
