Laguna Khotia – Huayna Potosí 8-day hike

Jaime, IFMGA certified mountain guide, takes you through this beautiful 8-day itinerary in Cordillera Real, discovering Laguna Khotia and many other sites!

Andes

8 Days

Apr - Oct

Description

Laguna Khotia is one of the stunning lakes in the area of Huayna Potosi. In addition, it's one of the main highlights of this trip. During 8 beautiful and exciting days we will explore this area of the Cordillera Real. It's not to far from La Paz, one of the main cities in Bolivia.

It will be a high altitude hike. In fact, we ascend to a few passes above 5000 meters. We will reach at least one pass per day. On average we walk 4-7 hours per day, therefore you need to be in good physical shape.

During the tour we will visit several Lagunas (lakes) besides Khotia. Some of them are Laguna Ajwani, Laguna Jurikhota, Laguna Chiarkhota. In addition, the trip includes the optional ascent to the incredible glacial lake of Huayna Potosí (6088m).

Do you want to join me in this 8-day hiking trip in Bolivia? Then contact me for more information! There are many possible itineraries to discover this impressive area. Check out this other one, also in 8 days.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Transportation start and back
Permit and entrance fees
Porters

Itinerary

Day 1: Casani - Copacabana - Laguna Khotia (4470m)

We meet at Casani, where a vehicle waits to take us to Khotia (3:30h drive).
Lunch not included.
Walking time: none
D +600/-150m

Day 2: Laguna Khotia - Laguna Ajwani (4520m)

We leave at 8:30AM with the mule carrying team. We go by the right shore of the lake, on the southwest side of the Cordillera. We reach the first pass: Contador (4760m) before crossing a marshy area. We are neat the Laguna Surakhota. After around 4 hours hiking, we reach the Laguna Ajwani, “the bird’s lake” (4720m).
Walking time: 4-5 hours
D +500/-300m

Day 3: Laguna Ajwani - Laguna Jutikhota (4700m)

We continue on the mountainside. We reach the Milluni pass (4900m), then we walk until the Laguna Sistaña (4650m). Then we reach the Janchallani pass (4950m) in the afternoon, and go back to the splendid Laguna Jurikhota (4720m).
Walking time: 5-6 hours
D +665/-560m

Day 4: Laguna Jurikhota - Laguna Congelada - Austria pass - Laguna Chiarkhota (4670m)

From the lake, we ascend a steep slope to reach the small Laguna Congelada. Two glaciers literally fall into its frozen waters. It’s a jewel at 4900m, at the foot of Condoriri (5650m). Then we reach the Austria pass (5120m), and go back down to the Laguna Chiarkhota (4670m). It’s the base camp for the ascent of Condoriri and Pequeño Alpamayo. Before the pass, we can ascend the Austria peak (5300m), from where there are sublime views of Condoriri and the Cordillera Real (45 min ascent and 20 min descent).
Walking time: 6 hours
D +645/-670m

Day 5: Laguna Chiarkhota - Tuni (4400m)

We leave Condoriri behind and go to the foot of the Black Needle, until the Jallayko pass (5025m). We will be in the beautiful Jistaña valley. We descent to the valley of Laguna Tuni and the town of Tuni at noon.
Walking time: 4-5 hours
D +300/-340m

Day 6: Rest day in Tuni

Day 7: Tuni - Maria Lluko (4700m)

We go from Tuni to the middle of the lakes, until the ancient camp of the Santa Fe mine. Then we do a short hike to the summit dominating the camp. It will be a new opportunity to admire all the lakes in the area. Then we ascend until our camp, surrounded by the summits Imilla Apachita, Maria Lluko and Huayna Potosi (6088m). The views are breathtaking!
Optional: continuing until the glacial lake of Huayna Potosí. The path is a tru belvedere.
Walking time: 6 hours
D +320/-200m

Day 8: Maria Lluko - Laguna Milluni - La Paz

In the mid morning we reach the Milluni pass (5000m).We can see the Milluni valley. We go arpound the Hauyna Potosi massif, to our left, before reaching the valley, that we follow until the refuge. It’s the end of our trek. A 4×4 private vehicle takes us back to La Paz.
Walking time: 4 hours
D +200/-300m

Details

More info

We will have a cook and there is an option for vegetarian food.

Meeting point

At Casani.

About the guide

-Jaime

4.9

(25)

Mountain Guide

IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide from Bolivia.

I organize mountaineering and trekking trips in different regions of Bolivia, and community tourism as well. I spend my free time exploring new destinations and discovering new mountains and cultures in remote regions.

I have more than 20 years of experience working in Cordillera Real, and I live in Tuni, Condoriri. I worked as mule driver, porter, cook, trekking guide assistant, trekking guide, and finally became IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide in 2008.

I made several ascents in Bolivia and neighboring countries like Argentina, Chile and Peru. Some of them: Ojos de Salado, Wallatiri, Urus, Azangate, Huayna potosí, Illimani, Chir oco, Chachacomani, Sajama, Illamapu, Acohoma, Chapi orco, Acotango, Parinacota… These experiences prepared me to organize and guide expeditions.

I like to provide a top level service to people from all around the world, help them get in contact with the local culture, and of course help them reach their objectives in the mountains.

Languages

French | English | Spanish

Certificates

IFMGA | AGMTB

Request more information

What people are saying about -Jaime

Warren

For those wishing to trek in the Andes, without mountaineering, this is an excellent trek, it offers plenty of challenges, but you are rewarded with plenty of amazing and varied sites. Jamie took me out of my comfort zone a few times, but the reward was worth it, I thoroughly recommend this hike. Jamie is an excellent guide, this is his backyard and he is very enthusiastic, keen to show it off. He loves his music and football, and is also passionate about his work. I had the benefit of meeting his family in Tuni which added to , what was a great experience. I would recommend Jamie and this hike to anyone.

Great memories of this trek with Super JAIME

Very nice trip for you. This message is nice for JAIME because the pandemic had to stop tourism, which remains his bread and butter. Indeed, the landscapes are exceptional, sumptuous We went there 3 years ago and were very, very warmly welcomed by JAIME and MARIE-SOL, his wife. Those were unforgettable moments! As you say, Jaime's French is perfect, which greatly facilitated our exchanges.

Nathalie

Immersive journey ... shared with the all Jaime's family at the village ... the small hotel is a paradisiac place where customers can enjoy together the diary, in an incredible and very quiet, majestic and preserved scenery at 4400 mt. of altitude...🤩🤩🕉

Nobuo

Jaime was a great professional, I really appreciate his help and patience, which made me reach summit of Huayna Potosi and return safely. Before my arrival, he viewed my itinerary of red-eye arrival on the 1st day morning, and proposed to switch first day plan to have better rest. On the summit day, he didn't forced me to walk faster, I could walk in my own pace and able to take pause almost each 10 minutes. We were the last team arrived summit, however, we could have whole view from summit only for ourselves. In return, he pushed me to walk bit faster, to avoid eventual risk of melting snow (ice). Also, thank you for explore-share team made me meet Jaime and have great experience.