Cordillera Real 3 peaks Climbing Expedition

General Description

A great expedition along the unspoiled western and eastern sides of the Cordillera Real de Bolivia, an amazing mountain range which stretches for about 100 miles/160 kilometres from the IIlampu-Ancohuma Massif in the northwest ending at Mount IIIimani, southeast of La Paz.

We climb the 3 main peaks of the Range starting by the Pequeno Alpamayo (5400 mts/17,704 feet) one of the most beautiful mountain of Bolivia

Then we continue by the Huayna Potosi (6094 ms/19,974 feet)which name means "Young Riches", a beautiful and massive glaciated peak that dominates the view as you arrive in La Paz. Multiple routes choices are available, ranging from a number of standard routes on the beautiful east face to the most direct on the imposing west face that might be the most challenging found anywhere in the Andes.

Finally we challenge the Illimani (6462 ms/21,125 ft), the highest peak in the Cordillera Real that dominates the skyline just outside of La Paz. This glaciated massif is topped by five imposing summits and rimmed with numerous glaciers. The approach through the Valley of the Spirits reveals some of the most interesting landscapes in Bolivia. Like its sister peaks of the Cordillera Real, Illimani is a demanding high-altitude challenge.

Itinerary

DAY 1:
Arrival at La Paz airport. Transfer to the hotel. In the evening, briefing with the guides.

DAY 2:
Visit of La Paz. The high altitude of the city (between 3700 and 4200 mts) allows your organism to acclimatise itself to the high altitude. Lodging in Hotel.(B).

DAY 3:
Drive from La Paz City to Copacabana on the shores of lake Titicaca (3820m). Lodging in Hotel. (B).

DAY4:
We cross the lake by boat to Sun Island, the sacred place of the Incas, scatterred with many Inca remains. Trek around the island and return to Copacabana in the evening (B L).

DAY 5:
Drive from Copacabana to Tuni Village, gateway to the Condoriri National Park. We then drive to Plaza de Llamas (3900 m), a place located near the Tuni Condoriri reservoir where we meet the llameros (llamas drivers) and our staff. Here, we make our first camp to get acclimatised to the altitude. (B L D)

DAY 6:
After breakfast, we start a gradual up-hill hike to Condoriri Base Camp. On the way, we can spot herds of llamas and alpacas enjoying the magnificent scenery. There is plenty of time to photograph the snow-capped mountains of Condoriri, Pequeno Alpamayo and Aguja Negra among others. (B L D).

DAY 7:
Climb to Point Austria (5300m). (B L D).

DAY 8:
The day is spent training on the glacier with crampons, ropes and ice peak. (BLD).

DAY 9:
Ascension of Pequeno Alpamayo (5,400m). Probably one of the best days of the expedition!!. (B L D).

DAY 10:
Trek back to Tuni with lamas support and drive to Huayna Potosi Base Camp at Zongo Dam (4700m).(B L D).

DAY 11:
Climb to Huayna Potosi Campamento Argentino High Camp (5400m). Porters help us with general equipment.(B L D).

DAY 12:
Huayna Potosi Summit attempt (6094 Ms.) and trek back to Zongo. (B L D).

DAY 13:
Drive from Zongo to La Paz. Lodging in Hotel.(B).

DAY 14:
Rest day in La Paz. Lodging in Hotel.(B).

DAY 15:
Drive to the village of Unna from where we trek to Illimani's Base Camp at Puente Roto (4450 Ms.). (B L D).

DAY 16:
Climb from Puente Roto Base Camp to Nido de Condores Camp (5000ms). (B L D).

DAY 17:
Illimani Summit attempt (6462ms). (B L D).

DAY 18:
Extra day in case of bad weather, and/or descend to Puente Roto Base Camp. (B L D).

DAY 19:
Return trek to Unna and drive back to La Paz. Lodging at Hotel.(B)

DAY 20:
Transport to the airport.(B)

General Information and Price

Photo Courtesy of Willy Kenning.

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Rated: Extreme.


Fixed Departure dates
This journey was suspended for the current season and will be replaced by a similar one. Do not hesitate to contact us in case you are interested in climbing expedition in Bolivia

Tour Tariff
	Per person
USD	-
EUR	-
GBP	-

(*) Price last updated on 14 March 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 a physical 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, ropes, snow stakes, ice screws and all general climbing equipment
Lamas and donkeys for cargo transportation from Tuni to Condoriri Base Camp and back and from Unna to Puente Roto on Illimani's Base Camp and back, porters to carry tents and food from Base Camps to High Camps on Huayna Potosi and Illimani
VHF radio

Personal climbing equipment is not supplied: Crampons, ice peaks, ski-poles ... can be rented in La Paz at a price ranging from $ 25 to $ 35 per item. Guides will provide help and expertise but we strongly advice participants to bring their own equipment as quality is low in Bolivia.
Remark: Renting some equipment requires a credit card or travellers checks as a guarantee.

Guiding
* The tour leader is a High Mountain and Trekking Guide since 1988 and leads our expeditions on the Aconcagua.
* He climbed the Aconcagua 34 times by four different routes.
* He also did twice the very challenging climb of the Normal Route from Plaza de Mulas Base Camp to the Summit in only 6 hours with 7 minutes (record time on that moment).
* In 1993/94 he climbed the Cho Oyu (8201 metres) and the Shishapangma (8027 metres)in the Himalaya
* Since 1994 he has been guiding the expeditions to Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.

Included: Lodging in Camp or refuges, 7 nights in hotel in double room, full board on the mountain, breakfasts only in La Paz and other urban centers, transport in 4wd or minibus,transfers airport/hotel/airport, common camping equipment (including cook and luggage keeper, kitchen and mess tent with tables and benches), high mountain guide and assistants in relation to the final number of people on the team (one guide per 2/3 participants)

Not included: Other meals, drinks, all the expenses produced due to the abandoning of the itinerary personal mountain equipment, travel assurance (mandatory)

Special services:
Vegetarian catering: U$S 100.- per person.
Single Room Supplement: U$S 150.- (Available in La Paz Hotels).