Mountain Climbing in Bolivia: Tackling the Icy Peaks of the Cordillera Real

Bolivia is a popular mountaineering destination thanks to its relatively cheap prices and its diverse options which can accommodate a range of skill levels. The country boasts over a thousand summits surpassing 5000 meters, where intrepid travelers can watch endangered Andean condors soar around icy peaks. May and June are the best months to climb, although the official climbing season continues through September.

The Andean Cordillera Real offers a variety of peaks for beginners and experienced climbers. Huayna Potosí is a great mountain for beginners (as well as for experienced climbers who’d like to acclimatize before tackling other peaks). It requires no previous experience, which is perhaps why it is the most climbed mountain in Bolivia. Even if you don’t know how to climb, you can conquer Huayna Potosí and get above 6000 meters for perhaps the only time in your life, enjoying privileged mountain climbers’ views! From Huayna Potosí’s summit, you can look over the rest of the Cordillera Real, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, and the high Andean plains.

Those who opt for a Huayna Potosí trek leave La Paz for the Zongo Pass base camp in the morning, and after lunch commence practicing climbing and safety techniques as well as how to use crampons and an ice axe on the lower glacier. This also allows some extra time for acclimatization. The following day you hike several hours to reach high camp, which is located on the snowline. You have to go to bed quite early, because on the third day you rise at 1am to tackle the summit. Along the way, you see the night lights of El Alto and La Paz and tackle ice walls, crevasses, and on the final stretch a 45 degree slope of compressed snow.

For a greater challenge, climbers turn to the six peaks of Mt Illimani, the iconic mountain which defines the La Paz skyline. The base camp is surrounded by scenic hills and streams  with roving llamas and sheep. From high camp, you’ll enjoy unencumbered views of the summit. Yet again, the journey from high camp begins just after midnight, with the clouds below and the moon overhead, because snow and ice conditions are best before the sun come out. The views become more spectacular the higher you climb, especially as the sun comes up. At the summit and during the morning descent, La Paz, Lake Titicaca, and the Cordillera Real will appear before you.

Although it’s more of a trek than a hike, for awesome views and a unique adventure, check out our post on the Trek to Glacier Lagoon. If you have any questions about activities that you can undertake in La Paz, feel free to contact pirwatravel@gmail.com for assistance.