Bolivia offers one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world, the amazing Cordillera Real. Its name given due to the stunning appearance when seen from the altiplano. This program has been elaborated for climbers from begginning to advanced experience ,combining the hight altitude mountaineering with the development and practice of technical skills , while exploring the mystery of the mountains and the mistic of the Inca culture. Day 1 Arrive La Paz -City tours- We meet at the International airport El Alto located at 4058 m/ 13390 ft for a 20 minutes drive to La Paz, the highest city of the world located at 3600m / 11880 ft. arriving at Hotel Ritz. After a short morning rest we begin our acclimatization visiting the Old Town of La Paz, where the San Francisco church and main plazas have combined the traditional Inca and Aymara culture with the Spanish conquest. Walk along Mercado de Hechizeria (Witches' market) where charms and herbs are sold. You can find great piles of Llama fetuses which are used to protect from evil spirits. Continue to the Valley of the Moon with an spectacular scenery where the erosion and high winds have created impressive moon landscapes. Begin our hydration !! Lots of liquids is recommended. Dinner and return to Hotel.
Day 2 - Lake Titicaca - This amazing sapphire-blue lake limits the northern border of Bolivia with Peru and is located at 3856 m/ 12725 ft. It is the highest navigable lake in the world. We will drive along the Altiplano, following the shores of Titicaca approximately 3 hours to the attractive town of Copacabana (Quichua word "cota cawaña" which means "to overlook the lake"). Copacabana has 5 thousand inhabitants of indigenous origin. They speak Spanish and Aymara (the language of the indigenas of this region) and have their local traditions mixed with the introduced European, Christian culture. We will visit the Moorish-style Cathedral, the ruins "Asientos del Inca" (Inca Seats), the hill "Calvario" and the "Horca del Inca" (Astronomic Observatory) where we begin our acclimatization with a 2/3 hour hike . Dinner and night at Hotel Rosario located at the shore of this enchanted lake. ( BL )
Day 3 -La Isla del Sol- Titicaca Lake - After an early breakfast we will have our first acclimatization hike for approximately 4/5 hours. We will sail approx 45 minutes to la Isla del Sol , our hike takes place through villages, terraces and Inca stairs which still remain intact and are in use by locals. Our highest point at 4100 m /13500 ft offers the views of the Royal Range with the contrast of the Titicaca lake combining the impressive mountains with the traditional Bolivian culture. Return to Copacabana where a sunset over the lake delights us before dinner . ( B ) ( BL )
Day 4 - Condoriri base camp - 4650m/15300ft . Start our drive from Copacabana to the village of El Tuni approximately 2 hours, here we meet our porters and mules to start our hike along Altiplano fields and stunning lakes for approximately 3 hours to Condoriri base camp located at 4600m/15200 ft altitude and surrounded by the amazing Condoriri ( head of a condor ) group of mountains located at the east of La Paz .This will be our home base playground for the next days where hydration will be one of the main keys for our acclimatization before our first impressive climb, Pequeño Alpamayo. ( BL ) ( D )
Day 5 - Glacier skills - 4800m/15800ft , After our breakfast our acclimatization begins with an hour hike to the base of the glacier, school practice - anchors for fixed and running belays, principles of glacier travel, belaying techniques on snow and ice, cramponing techniques, crevasses rescue procedures, ice axe positions, rappeling, self-belay, route finding. Return to campsite. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
Day 6 - Piramide Blanca - 5230 m /17159 ft , We start with an early breakfast heading out from our campsite climbing approximately 3/4 hours to the summit enjoying the views of the Cordillera Real, during this climb we will review and put in practice the glacier school skills preparing for our main peaks. We review beginners and intermediate glacier skills of American, German, and French techniques on snow and ice. Use of second ice tools, protective systems, operation of belays for steep and exposed terrain , cramponing techniques on steep snow and ice to gain confidence and move with efficiency for safe climbs. Back to campsite . ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
Day 7 - Rest Day Campsite -Today we have a rest day staying at our campsite where we will review some more skills; practice anchors for fixed and running belays,selections and use of ropes, knots and harnesses, design and selection of personal and technical equipment , rest and prepare for our first climb Pequeno Alpamayo.
( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
Day 8 - Pequeño Alpamayo -5370m/17700ft Our next challenging mountain Pequeño Alpamayo is a good 5-6 hours climb , the route will go over the range and an impressive ridge This route requires good technical skills due to the inclination of this pyramid mountain. Front pointing techniques , and anchor belaying systems will make this 200m/660ft pyramid an enjoyable ascent , the summit ridge will amaze us with the views of the Royal range- Huayna Potosi, Ilimani, and the Amazon basin welcomes us to summit.. Return to campsite after a 3 hour descent following the same route. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
Day 9 - Campsite -La Paz - Breakfast and pack all our camping gear for our porters and mules to bring back to El Tuni, our hike will be approximately 2 hours where we meet our vehicle to return to La Paz. Dinner and good night rest at Hotel Ritz.
( B ) ( BL )
Day 10 - Tiwanaku Archaeological site- Start our morning with a well deserved rest day visiting a major archaeological site, Tiwanaku which was once the capital of an ancient civilization and the inspiration for the Inca empire. The ancient city of Tiwanacu must have been an impressive sight to visitors with its skyline dominated by great pyramids, temples and palaces. The two largest edifices- the Kalasasaya temple (means standing stones) and the Akapana pyramid were constructed from massive blocks of andesite. Admire the impressive Puerta del Sol (Gateway of the Sun), this massive carved portal was elaborated from one single block of stone, the central motif puma faces, condor faces, two left hands and snake with human face which is believed to have been part of a solar calendar back in 600 B.C. Lunch at one of the restaurants around the area , return to La Paz. Dinner and night at hotel Ritz. ( BL )
Day 11 - Huayna Potosi high camp- 5130m / 16920 ft . Our day starts with a good breakfast for our final climb. We will drive from La Paz to the village of Zungo for approx 2 hours ,as we see Huayna from the Altiplano it is an imposing ice pyramid while we approach it the view of the mountain changes becoming more elongated and impressive. Our 2/3 hour hike to highcamp will be assisted by porters, the terrain is a rocky trail on the base of the morraine towards the East ridge below the glacier. Prepare for summit attempt, night at high camp. ( BL ) ( D )
Day 12 - Huayna Potosi climb - 6088m/19980ft , Climb our main goal, Huayna Potosi with an early 3am start for a 5/6 hour climb traversing on a 40 degree glacier towards the final 250 m / 700 ft headwall on a 50/55 degree slope where running belays and cramponing techniques on steep snow and ice ,will make this 1-2 hour ascent a physical high altitude challenge leading us to the summit ridge , where the imposing west face of Huayna Potosi rewards us with stunning views of the Bolivian mountain Range . Our 3hour descent follows the same route back to high camp , where we meet our porters for our final 1 hour hike to the base of the mountain . Drive back to La Paz for a well deserved rest and celebration dinner . Night at Hotel Ritz. ( B ) ( BL ) ( D )
Day 13 - Extra summit day- This extra day is highly recommended as local weather patterns could be affected by prevailing winds, or low pressure systems from the Amazon basin; alternatively the group stays in La Paz for physical recovery due to the demanding conditions of climbing at high altitude. This day could be used before or after our before or after our summit attempt on Huayna Potosi according to the needs and interests of the group members. Free afternoon/day for last minute souvenir shopping , sightseeing and finish packing ! The group will join again in the evening for a farewell dinner. Night at Hotel Ritz.
Day 14 - AIRPORT OUT - END OF EXPEDITION PRICE INCLUDES :
- Airport Transfers
- Hotels based on double occupancy , mountain refuges and huts.
- Meals on the mountains , hikes and climbs. as described in the itinerary.
( B ) – breakfast ( BL ) - boxlunch ( D ) dinner
- Certified bilingual Mountain Guide ASEGUIM (Ecuadorean Association of Mountain
Guides) .
- Glacier climbing ratio : 2 climbers / 1 guide
- Climbing permits
- Entrance fees to all the mountains .
- Porters , mules and cooks.
- Group technical climbing equipment .
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE :
- International flights and travel insurance
- Personal climbing gear ( check climbing list)
- Meals in hotels and rest days.
- Money transfer fees if applicable.
14 DAY EXPEDITION QUOTE Price per climber : US 2100 Extra fee for private accommodations : US $100 Prices quoted on 2 passengers minimum
PAYMENTS
DEPOSIT US $ 300 with registration form .
includes a $ 200 non refundable registration fee .
BALANCE due 90 days before climbing trip departures.
Regular climbing departure dates, special group prices and customized expeditions available, please contact us for more information
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