The volcano Sajama is the highest point in Bolivia that it dominates from its 6542 meters. A real Giant!
It is located at the heart Sajama National Park, containing as in a concentrated way a sample all the marvels of the Altiplano: colorful bofedals where alpacas come graze, an abundant wildlife, hot springs and other geysers… It also offers an impossible to equal panorama of perfectly conical volcanoes: Parinacota, Pomerape, Acotango…
Our efforts will be largely rewarded; just the view from the summit is breath taking. And then upon return, the delight of the hot springs…

Warning : Although of an accessible technical level, this expedition is nonetheless reserved to passionate in perfect physical condition.

Grade II/AD, Max 50° - with mountain guide –normal route
Departure from the hotel with our private vehicle at 9 a.m. We cross the altiplano until we arrive at Sajama national park (about 4-hour). After lunch, we check our equipment and walk about 2 hours, with our mules to the base camp (el. 4800 m.a.s.l.).
All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 2h; Elevation gain: +450m
Note: mules and porters for the 3-day ascent.

Very early in the morning and with the help of porters, we begin our ascent to the high altitude camp of Sajama (el.5450 m.a.s.l.). Five hours walk on volcanic screes on the North side of the valley. Once we reach the Northwest crest we follow a passageway between two former lava streams. From there we reach the high-altitude camp, behind a rock pinnacle.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac at times in snow.
Ascent time: 5 h; Elevation gain: +650m

We wake up at 4 a.m. and leave our camp for a tentative ascent of the summit (approximately 6h/7h). We follow the arête on snow or scree. We end up on the glacier and head for the summit. After a descent of about 5 hours we reach our vehicle and head for the local Hot Springs where we take a well-deserved bath before driving to the village of Tomarapi, where we spend the night.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging Ecolodge of Tomarapi (comfort of a 2 stars hotel).
Ascent time: 12 h; Elevation gain: +1090m/-2190m

In the morning, we get back on the dirt road and head to the nearly abandoned village of Oxany. There are only two inhabitants left in this village, prosperous before the construction of the new-asphalted road to Chile turned it into a ghost town. Option to do a short hike in the rocky chaos surrounding it, before returning to the international road.
We head back to La Paz. On the way, we stop in the village of Curahuara de Carangas, well known for its well-adorned colonial church (perfectly preserved frescoes). Further on, we discover the chullpas (carangas sepultures) empty today after their systematic pillaging.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.
IMPORTANT
LIMIT THE WEIGHT OF YOU PERSONAL EFFECTS TO 30 lbs / PERSON