Stand at the top of Huayna Potosi, Pico Austria, Piramide Blanca, Tarija and Pequeño Alpamayo with the aid of Guillermo, an AMGA certified guide. Also, explore some of Bolivia’s most praised treasures, including La Paz and Lake Titicaca.
Private and Group
Andes
14 Days
Jun, Jul
Fit
Intermediate
Would you like to join a high altitude expedition but have no experience? Don’t worry! This is the ideal trip for you. It is perfect for climbers who wish to reach their first summit in the Andes. So pack up your bags and join us on this journey to the top of Huayna Potosi (6,088 m), amongst other magnificent mountains.
Huayna Potosi is a majestic peak, northeast of Bolivia, 25 kilometers away from the capital city of La Paz. Its name comes from the aymara. And it means “young mountain”.
Due to its proximity to the capital and easy access via a normal route, it is one of the most important mountains in the Real mountain range. Also, its fame comes from the fact that it combines rock, ice and snow, and can be climbed from practically all its faces.
On this adventure we will climb Pico Austria and Piramide Blanca. We’ll also ascend Pequeño Alpamayo (Little Alpamayo) and Tarija. All of them are located in the Condoriri Group. These ascents are ideal for acclimatization. Thus they are the perfect way to start our adventure. After reaching the summit of Pequeño Alpamayo, we’ll head to the top of Huayna Potosi.
On top of reaching some of the most marvellous summits in Bolivia, there are more goals on this expedition. Some of them include developing alpine climbing skills, rappelling, hazard evaluation and self rescue. Moreover, my main concern will be to share my skills and training with you, making sure you are safe and having a great time.
Don’t miss this chance. Join us on this Bolivian Alpinist Expedition, and reach the summit of Huayna Potosi (6088m), amongst other dazzling peaks.
Would you like to live a completely different adventure? Check this 19-day trek to Everest Base Camp.
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Transportation start and back
- Transport during the trip
- Luggage transfer
- Permit and entrance fees
- Group porters
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
On top of the guide fee, the price includes: Hotel accommodations as indicated in the itinerary (double occupancy*); Park entrance fees and cultural guide in Titikaka; All group transportation in country; All group cooking, climbing and camping equipment. The price does not include: International airfare; Travel insurance and personal medical insurance; Passport and visa fees; Excess baggage fees & Departure taxes; Meals not included in the itinerary; Meals in La Paz (other than breakfast which is included at our hotel); Bottled water and personal drinks; Customary guide gratuities; Additional room charges including laundry service and other personal expenses; Medical, hospitalization and evacuation costs (by any means).
Arriving to La Paz is something unique. Either landing at El Alto airport, or driving by towards the center of La Paz is an experience hard to compare. And it is the perfect way to begin our adventure. However, the city rises at 3.640 m. Thus, everyone feels the effects of the altitude. So we’ll spend the next couple of days acclimatizing, taking tours of the city and around it.
We’ll begin our second day driving to Copacabana, at the shores of Lake Titicaca. A boat will be waiting for us to take us to the Isla del Sol (The Island of the Sun). After hiking across the main village on the island and its Inca ruins, we’ll check in at the Ecolodge for the next 2 nights. First day will be crucial for acclimatization. Then, on the second one we’ll keep exploring the island, and learning about its history and culture.
After our adventure at Lake Titicaca we’ll return to Copacabana, where a 4×4 vehicle will drive us to the trailhead that leads to the Condoriri Base Camp. We’ll load donkeys and begin our ascent, through glacial lakes. Then, we’ll head towards the Chiar Khota Lagoon (4,680 m), where we’ll set our camp on its far side, and at the foothills of Nevado Condoriri.
We will begin our acclimatization and practicing the mountaineering skills we’ll require for the ascent. So, we’ll go over techniques on cramponing, rappelling and self-belay, belaying on snow and ice, and anchors for fixed and running belays. Also, we’ll review ice axe positions and principles of glacier travel. And, we’ll practice crevasses rescue procedures, and route finding. We could also a climb at 5,200 meters, and hike towards Pico Austria. Finally we can return to base camp.
On this day we’ll climb Piramide Blanca. And we’ll cross a glacier on the way to the summit of Little Piramide Blanca, using the route up and back down.
We’ll use the day to rest and review other skills such as the selection and use of ropes, knots and harnesses, as well as design and selection of personal and technical gear.
To stand at the top of Pequeño Alpamayo, we’ll first need to reach the summit of Tarija (5,320m). After crossing an exposed and narrow ridge we’ll reach the top. Then, we’ll rappel a couple of sections down. And we’ll head back to base camp.
First we’ll pack our camp. Then, a vehicle will take us to La Paz, to the Rey Palace Hotel for two nights.
After a nutritious breakfast, we’ll drive to the Zongo Pass. Then, we’ll hike towards the Huayna Potosi High Camp, with the assistance of porters. Finally, we’ll use the afternoon to prepare for the ascent. And we’ll sleep under a dazzling bed of stars at high camp.
We’ll begin our ascent with a magnificent sunrise over the Amazon Basin. Then, we’ll pass by a roped up glacier travel area as well as intermittent sections of moderately steep terrain. We will climb via the North Ridge, and descend via an enchanting trailhead, where we’ll stop for lunch, before returning to La Paz. Finally, we’ll stay at the Rey Palace Hotel for the our last night.
Accommodation If you are a SINGLE TRAVELER who wishes to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate. If you wish to STAY ALONE, a supplemental fee will be charged for a single room. The single supplement is not available in huts, tents, or in all hotels. |
More info Group Size: 3 minimum, 6 maximum. We can arrange climbing Illumani, for which we should account for 4 extra 4 days. Familiarity with glacier travel techniques, basic snow and ice climbing skills and very good physical condition, previous experience such Ecuador or Mexico Volcanoes ideal, if you have climbed in the Alps, or in the Cascades, Shasta, Mount Baker or Rainier, then you will be fully equipped. |
Meeting point La Paz |
Twin brothers Damian and Willie Benegas are two of the most respected climbers and mountaineers that Patagonia has produced. They boast an impressive 20 years' experience climbing and guiding expeditions in the Seven Continents, including tailor-made trips and group tours.
Benegas Brothers Expeditions' track record is proven by its outstanding safety and summit rates and the fact that clients keep coming back year after year.
It was their father's love for mountaineering and the outdoors that inspired Damian and WIllie as children to pursue their own adventures. Aconcagua and the mountains in northern Patagonia became their training ground and the place where they established themselves as world-class alpinists.
BBE was founded in 1992 and over the course of 20 seasons has guided clients from all over the world around the 4 corners of the world. The Benegas Brothers offer personalized adventures by prioritizing small groups in which family values and environmentally-friendly policies are of essence.
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