Nevado Illimani
The Guardian of La Paz
The mystical mountain
View our image Gallery
Tour Summary
Lying to the south of La Paz, Illimani is an imposing presence on the skyline from everywhere in the city.
This enormous massif is over 8km long has 4 peaks over 6000m; the southern ‘true’ stands at 6442m.
This mountain is only recommended if you are very well acclimatized and have previous mountaineering experience.
DID YOU KNOW?
Due to climate change Illimani’s glacier shrinks year-on-year. The ascent becomes correspondingly more challenging every season.
Illimani is considered to be the guardian spirit of La Paz. As part of Aymara tradition, in August gifts and offerings are made to Pacha Mama (mother nature) at the base of Illimani.
Illimani has unfortunately been the site of an increasing number of mountaineering accidents in the last couple of years. Please use a certified professional guide!
Day 1
We leave La Paz and drive for 3 hours to Pinaya (3800m) where we load our equipment onto donkeys and continue on foot to the base camp (4600m). This hike takes roughly 3 hours.
Day 2
After breakfast we organize our equipment for and give it to local porters. We then hike up a moraine and rocky ridge 5 hours to reach Nido de Condores (5550m), our high camp at the base of Illimani’s glacier.
Day 3
We start our summit attempt at 1AM, aiming to reach the summit between 7 and 8AM. The route zig-zags up the glacier with inclinations up to 50° before reaching a ridge which takes us to the summit - the highest point in the Cordillera Real (6442m)! We return by the same path, pack up our things at the high camp, and return to base camp. This is a long but rewarding day.
Day 4
We have a large breakfast before packing our equipment and returning to Pinaya where our car will be waiting to drive us back to La Paz.
Bilingual Mountain guide (Spanish- English)
Private transport
Food during the expedition.
Logistics transport equipment (donkeys / mules/porters)
Camping tent (NORTH FACE OR SIMILAR)
Cooking utensils
THERMAREST PLUS ROLL MAT
Dinning tent at base camp
National park tickets
Mountain Equipment/ Helmet,Ice axe,Harness,Gaiters,Ropes,Mountaineering boots.
Please take with you:
Rucksack (35Lts)
Big Rucksack or duffel bag (To be carried by porters or mules)
All season´s sleeping bag
Trekking boots
Waterproof gloves
Winter Underwear
Water proof pants and jacket
Sunscreen
Sunglasses with UV filter
Bottle of water (NALGENE)