Sajama Volcano Expedition

General Description

With its 6540 ms/21,464 feet, Sajama is Bolivia's highest peak. It stands alone as an eroded volcano, dominating over all other mountains in the area. This is a truly beautiful climb and a slightly harder ascent in icy years than any of the other major peaks in the Cordillera Occidental. Although most routes on this mountain are straightforward, strong winds and high altitude make this a challenging summit. A unique approach, through desert to an altogether different high Andean mountain, makes Bolivia's highest summit, a worthwhile climb.

Itinerary

DAY 1:
Reception at Iquique airport (Chile). Transfer to Chusmisa, a small village located in a fertile valley. Overnight close to the natural thermal baths (3000m).(L D).

DAY 2:
We dire to the altiplano and ride to the Surire Salt Lake, a fantastic white salt lake, where hundreds of animals like flamingoes, lamas, pumas, condors, etc... live. We camp near the thermal baths (4100m). (B L D).

DAY 3:
We cross the famous Lauca National Park. We meet the local fauna, and visit Parinacota. Finally, we arrive at Lake Chungara, from where we can see Sajama (6520m). Camp (4500m) (B L D).

DAY 4:
We leave Chile and cross the Bolivian border to reach Sajama village (4300m) where we camp. We prepare the expedition (mules, equipments, etc...) and take the best pictures of the volcano at sunset. (B L D).

DAY 5:
Long walk to reach Sajama base camp on the South-West side of the volcano. Mules carry all our equipments and finally we reach our camp at the base of the mountain (4700m).(B L D).

DAY 6:
Ascent to camp 1 (5600m). We set the camp up the last rocky part, just at the beginning of the main glacier that reaches to the top of the mountain. (B L D).

DAY 7:
Ascent of Sajama (6520m). Back to camp 1 (5600m). (B L D).

DAY 8:
Walk back to Sajama base camp (4700m). (BLD).

DAY 9:
Walk back to Sajama village (4300m). (B L D).

DAY 10:
Long drive down to Arica. We visit Putre and the Copaquilla Fortress and admire the strange candelabrus cactus and the geoglyphs of the Lluta Valley. Arrival at Arica. Transfer to the hotel. (B L).

DAY 11:
Transfer to the airport. Flight back to Santiago.(B)

General Information and Price

Rated: Extreme


Departure dates

2005: July 16 - August 20 - September 10 - October 29
2006: June 17

Tour Tariff
N° of Participants	2	3	4	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 1917	$ 1981	$ 1552	$ 85
EUR	€ 1591	€ 1644	€ 1288	€ 71
GBP	£ 1073	£ 1109	£ 869	£ 47

(*) Price last updated on 06 April 2005. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request


Physical and Medical Certificates: This mountain expedition requires physically qualification to be accepted. Everybody will be asked to answer and send ahead a short questionnaire in order to evaluate his/her physical condition and gain an idea of his/(her) probable performance on the mountain. All expedition members need to bring a medical certificate, that certifies him/her can safely attempt the physical challenge under severe climate and altitude conditions.

Equipment Supplied: Pots, stoves, fuel, food and tents for the High Camps, first aid kit, climbing equipment (ropes, crampons, ice peaks....)

Included: Lodging in Camp or refuges, 1 night in hotel, full board on the mountain, transport, common camping and mountain equipment, high mountain guides

Not included: Other meals, all the expenses produced due to the abandoning of the itinerary, tips, sleeping bags, travel assurance (mandatory)