Day 1

We drive from La Paz across the flat desert-like Altiplano, stopping en route to explore ruins and tombs from the Chipayas culture. We leave our luggage in Sajama town and go for a short acclimatisation walk before dinner and bed.

Day 2

After breakfast, we drive to nearby geysers where we prepare for a 5-hour hike to stunning high-altitude lagoons near the Bolivian-Chilean border. As we return to our accommodation we’ll see the sun setting on the arid landscape.

Day 3

Today we climb Acotango (6052m). We start early, and take a 4WD to an amazing 5,500m! From here, the summit is 3 to 4 hours on foot. Depending on snow conditions, we might need to use crampons, but never snow axes. Having summited we return to the car and to our hostel.

Day 4

Today we take a 4WD to Parinacota’s high camp (5100m), where we set up camp and prepare for the big day tomorrow.

Day 5

We start our summit attempt early, initially on mixed terrain (volcanic rock and sand) and then on snow ice. We will need crampons and the route reaches a maximum of 45° inclination. It will take 6-7 hours to reach the Parinacota’s summit (6348m), which rewards us with amazing views of the surrounding national park as well as the volcanic crater at our feet! We return to the car by the same track and drive back to Sajama town.

Day 6

Today is a rest day. We will visit the nearby hot springs to relax our tired muscles and prepare for the main challenge: Sajama itself!

Day 7

After breakfast we drive to the Wincurata valley (4450m) where we load our equipment onto donkeys start our 3 to 4 hour hike towards Sajama base camp (4800m).

Day 8

Today we transfer our equipment from donkeys to local porters and hike for 4-5 hours to Sajama high camp (5700m).

Day 9

We start our summit attempt at 1am, initially over mixed rock and ice (up to 50°) until an altitude of 6000m, at which point the route flattens somewhat and we start crossing Sajama’s glacier until we reach the summit (6549m), the highest point in Bolivia! We return to the high camp for a short rest and then continue down to the basecamp where we spend the night.

Day 10

We hike back to our car in the Wincurata valley and return to La Paz, stopping on the way by the hot springs for a well-deserved soak!