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.

Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in a private vehicle for the beautiful traverse of the altiplano until we reach the entrance of Sajama National Park (around 4 hours) via the village of Curahuara de Carangas, with its colonial church known as the Sixteen chapel of the Altiplano (because of its perfectly preserved intricate frescoes). On the way, we stop at the chullpas (carangas sepultures) empty today after their systematic pillaging. We enter the park by a dirt road taking us to the village of Tomarapi. The wildlife is abundant and varied: alpacas, vicuñas and ñandus (a parent of the ostrich) if we are lucky, as well as some flamingoes on Laguna Huaña Khota that we skirt before arriving at the Hot Springs, at the base of the volcano Sajama.
Lunch on the way. All included. Night at Doña Teodora’s near the Hot Springs (Basic comfort).

On foot, we head to the abandoned church of Casilla. The clear air makes the appreciation of distances difficult. The vicuñas and alpacas (and even the ñandus, cousins of the ostrich) that we cross on our way don’t seem to be affected by the altitude. A “llameros” trail climb to Laguna Chiar Khota, where we set up camp. We will certainly have to share it with a couple of Huallata, inseparable Andean geese.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Note: During the trek, our vehicle will transport our bags.
Hiking time: 5h; Elevation gain: +750m

We put our shoes on once again for a day-hike through the natural gem that is Sajama National Park. We first make our way to Laguna Kasiri Khota, before descending a very beautiful valley that takes us to the geysers. The llamas seem to appreciate the heat that radiates from them: this particularly active area offers indeed, a surprising show of boiling baths spread over a few hundred square meters. We can try cooking eggs in one of these slightly sulfuric caldrons. We return to the village of Sajama crossing through the bofedals where alpacas graze (6-hour walk).
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Doña Isabel and Don Marcelo’s in the village (basic comfort).
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: -750m

Grade II/AD, Max 50° - with mountain guide –normal route
In the morning, we climb to the mirador of Huasilla just above the village, to contemplate the rising sun over volcanoes Parinacota and Pomerape. End of the morning open.
After lunch, we check our equipment then start the 2-hour approach (with mules) to the base camp (el. 4800 m.a.s.l.), through the queñua forest. These remarkable trees, with their bark similar to cigarette paper, are the only ones able to survive at such altitudes
All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 3h; Elevation gain: +500m / -50m
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