Bolivia offers many opportunities to climb mountains over 5000 m (17,000 ft). Most of the Bolivian mountains are not technical demanding, however, climbers may find them physically challenging because of the altitude. These snowed peaks offer a great opportunity to gain more confidence and experience in mountain climbing.

Itinerary: 

Day 1: Arrive in La Paz 3800 m – 12,567 ft. 
Since most of the flights arrive early in the morning, we’ll dedicate the rest of the day to a gear check and to visit the local markets in the city. This day also will start the acclimatization process.

Day 2: Fly to Salar de Uyuni 3650 m – 11,975 ft. 
This day we'll visit Tihuanaku ruins, one of the most ancient civilization ruins in South America. These are located close to Lake Titicaca, the highest and largest lake in South America. We will fly to Uyuni in the evening.

Salar de Uyuni (the famous Bolivian salt flats) is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Visiting these ancient sea surfaces at this elevation is a very exciting experience and helps to build our acclimatization for the upcoming climbs.

Day 3: Colchani Valley 3650 m – 11,975 ft.
This day we’ll visit Colchani valley and Ica Huasi Island. It is a great opportunity to see the largest high plateau area (altiplano) in Bolivia (over 10,582 square kilometers). We’ll visit part of Eduardo Avaroa reserve, see giant cacti and the beautiful desert scenery. We will spend a night in the salt flats. 

Day 4: Salar de Chalviri and Lakes 3650 m – 11,975 ft. 
We’ll drive early in the morning and visit Damas del Viento Valley and the Colorada and Verde lakes, where we’ll see flamingos and other bird species that live in the area.

Day 5: Fly back to La Paz and hike to Chacaltaya 5200 m – 17,060 ft.
The flight leaves early in the morning (9:30 am) and gets La Paz by 10:30. A private transportation will pick you up and drive to Chakaltaya ski resort. This place used to be the highest ski resort in the world, but, now it is closed due to the snowmelt. We'll drive to the car park and hike for 30 minutes to the summit. The top of this mountain is a great point to see most of the Cordillera Real Bolivian range. Night in La Paz.

Day 6: Chiar Khota Lake 4630 m – 15,190 ft.

On this day we will depart La Paz and drive north to La Rinconada ranch where the vehicle will drop us off. Then, after rounding up a team of mules for our gear, we have a 2-hour hike to the Chiar Khota Lake (4630 m – 15,190 ft), where we will set up our base camp under a beautiful mountain circle.

Day 7: Climbing Pico Austria 5260 m – 17,257 ft.
This ascension through a rocky moraine takes about 4 hours to the summit. The view from the summit of Austria peak is impressive. You can watch the entire massif of Condoriri and more. After climbing this beautiful mountain, we’ll come back to the base camp.

Day 8: Pequeño Alpamayo 5425 m – 17,798 ft.
This peak is impressive, beautiful, and justifiably popular. From base camp, you can see only the top part of the summit, but the view of the mountain from Pico Tarija is amazing. The pyramid of snow and rock looks much harder to climb than it is and the ridgeline up the summit is one of the most aesthetic lines in the whole massive.

We will begin our summit day with an early departure (1:00am). Our first route is to climb Pico Tarija (5300 m – 17,388 ft) beyond which we will continue down then back up to Pequeño Alpamayo (5425 m – 17,798 ft). After what is hopefully a successful summit bid, we will return to camp.

Day 9: Copacabana 3800 m – 12,567 ft.
In the morning after breakfast, we will break down camp and return to La Rinconada where our vehicle will be waiting to drive us to Copacabana, a charming town located beside the Lake Titicaca.

Day 10: Isla del Sol 4000 m – 16,404 ft.
This day is a full resting day. We'll visit Isla del Sol, the largest island in Lake Titicaca, where the locals believe the first Inca was born. From Copacabana, we'll take a boat for 45 minutes, visit the island, and return to the Copacabana town. Our private transportation will be waiting for us to drive 3 hours to Huayana Potosi base camp (4800 m – 15,748 ft).

Day 11: Huayna Potosi Hut 5200 m – 17,060 ft.
After a late breakfast, we'll pack our climbing gear, and start a 3 hour hike to Advanced Base Camp. We'll get to Huayna Potosi hut in the afternoon. We will have an early dinner and rest until midnight.

Day 12: Summit Huayna Potosi 6088 m – 19,973 ft.

We will rise and shine at midnight to make our way to the summit. This climb is not technically demanding, but it is physically demanding since it is a long climbing day. From the top of the peak we will be able to enjoy views of the Bolivian Altiplano (high plateau), valleys entering the jungle, Lake Titicaca, and the entire Cordillera Real range. We will then start our descent to base camp and onward to the parking lot Zongo, where our vehicle will be waiting for us to return to La Paz.

Day 13: Rest Day 
Rest day in La Paz

Extension Ilimani (or fly home)

Day 14: Ilimani 6438 m – 21,122 ft. 

Base Camp 4400 m – 14,435 ft
The mountain Illimani (6438 m – 21,122 ft) is a beautiful peak overlooking the city of La Paz. Many stories and songs have been dedicated to this mountain, considered to be the guardian of the city. The mountain itself has many permanently snow capped peaks. Three of the peaks are above 6000 m (19,000 ft) and the highest reaches an astounding altitude of 6438 m (21,122 ft). This mountain is for determined climbers, as it is a technical climb and very demanding. 

We will depart from La Paz by private vehicle toward the small village of Pinaya (3.5 hr trip). From there we start a 3 hour approach hike to Puente Roto, the base camp of Illimani. 

Day 15: Nido De Condores, Advanced Base Camp 5400 m – 17,716 ft.
We have a five-hour trek mostly on rock to high camp - the Nido De Condores "Condor's Nest." It is a long hike on the moraine and scree. Porters will help us to carry the camping supplies.

Day 16: Ilimani Summit Day 6438 m – 21,122 ft.
We will have an early start (1.00am) over glacial terrain to the summit. After reaching the second highest Bolivian peak, and celebrating our success, we will return to the high camp, break camp, and continue to base camp. We will stay a night at base camp in tents. 

Day 17: La Paz
Return to Estancia Pinaya where our vehicle will be waiting, and return to La Paz.

Day 18: Fly out
End of the trip

Trip Includes: 

• All in-country private transport during the trip
• Flights to Uyuni 
• Hotel accommodation in La Paz, Uyuni, Copacabana and hut accommodation in Huayna Potosi
• Professional local guide for the Uyuni tour
• Professional, English speaking IFMGA-UIAGM certified mountain guide for the mountains in a 1 to 2 guide to client ratio. 
• Professional outdoor cook, 
• 3 healthy meals a day plus snacks during the wilderness components 
•  All park entrance fees 
•  All camping & cooking equipment 
•  Donkeys and porters where applicable 
•  Sleeping tents 
•  Cook tent & eating tent, tables, chairs, and bathroom tent (where applicable) 

Not Included: 

• International flights
• Personal clothing and climbing equipment 
• All dinners in La Paz 
• Incidental personal expenditures, including emergency evacuations and medical expenditures 
• Travel, personal, and/or medical insurance
• Tips

I highly recommend Travelex Insurance or similar to protect your trip and to provide emergency medical coverage. Travelex also includes coverage of pre-existing conditions if booked within 21 days of trip deposit.