from $3,700* per person | 15 Days | April-August |
Comfort accommodations
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Exertion level: 3
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Operator: Aventuras Patagonicas |
12 people max
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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.
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 4x4 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.
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Locations visited/nearby
Bolivia, South America
Itinerary
Day 01
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 02
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 03
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 04
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 05
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 06
Move to Camp 2, our High Camp.
Day 07
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 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 09
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'.
Bolivia Classic Climbs Full Itinerary
Day 10
Carry a load to 18,000', our High Camp, and return to Base Camp.
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
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
Descent to La Paz. Celebration Dinner.
Next Day
Next day fly back home, or continue traveling in South America.
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