Illampu trek
We offer you to make the complete tour of this sumptuous massif formed of the "Giants" of the Cordillera : Illampu (6370m) and Ancohuma (6430m).
It is a trek altitude, with passage of 4 passes between 4000 and 5000 m.
Starting from Sorata, a charming colonial village located at only 2700 meters above sea level, it leads us to a part of the Cordillera still very little frequented, where we will have the opportunity to see condors, if we are lucky !
MAP
PROGRAMME DAY TO DAY
DAY1
Sorata
Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. with a private vehicle for a trip to Sorata (approx. 3h30), a quiet village in a green valley at the base of the majestic Illampu (el. 6368 m.a.s.l.).
With good weather we can perfectly see the snowy summits over the palm trees of the village square, at an altitude of 2700 meters.
Night at the Las Piedras hotel**.
DAY2
Sorata - Lacatiya
Difficulty: altitude-trek. Daily 5 to 7-hour walk. Good physical condition required.
In the morning we meet our team of muleteers on the outskirt of the village. The trek starts by a long uphill to the village of Lacatiya (el. 3900 m.a.s.l.), our first bivouac. Illampu dominates us all day from its 6430 meters height.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac in the community.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +1200m
DAY3
Lacatiya - Utjaña Pampa
We start the day by climbing to Paso Illampu (el. 4750 m.a.s.l.), from where we can admire the mastodons that are the North Peak of Illampu (el. 6370 m.a.s.l.) and Pico Schulze (el. 5950 m.a.s.l.). We then descend on the Northern slopes of the Cordillera, to Estancia Utjaña Pampa. Some old fashion gold mines still exploited can be found in this area.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +850m / -850m
DAY4
Utjaña Pampa - Jiska Cocooyo
In the morning we climb the Khorvasini Pass (el. 4475 m.a.s.l.). We then descend towards the mining village of Cocoyo, located at the bottom of a green valley (el. 3500 m.a.s.l.). After we pass the village, the beautiful valley of Sarani appears on our right. We climb to our camp, located half way up the pass.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +975m / -975m
DAY5
Jiska Cocooyo - Valle Chajolpaya
In the morning we climb the Sarani Pass (el. 4520 m.a.s.l.) by following the Umajalanta range (el.5730 m.a.s.l.). The descent brings us into a beautiful open valley, and to the hamlet of Chajolpaya (el.4090 m.a.s.l.). We turn right and continue along the river of the same name uphill until we reach our camp.
Cold lunch. All included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +900m / -450m
DAY6
Valle Chajolpaya - Laguna Chojña Kota
We follow the valley before starting to ascend towards Calzada Pass (el. 5050 m.a.s.l.), tucked between Peaks Kasiri (el. 5860 m.a.s.l.) and Calzada (el. 5650 m.a.s.l.). We are now back on the Southwestern side of the Cordillera. The descent first takes us to Laguna Carizal and then to Laguna Chojña Kota, where we set up camp.
Cold lunch. Everything included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 6h; Elevation gain: +700m / -350m
DAY7
Laguna Chojña Kota - Laguna San Francisco
We slowly ascend towards a first long pass at 4980m. Then we descend a first valley (4870m), the a second one (4980m) before ascent a last pass at 4920m. The view on the Ancohuma mount gets free and we are surrounded of amazing glaciers. We arrive close to the San Francisco Lagune where we can enjoy some hot springs.
Cold lunch. Everything included. Bivouac.
Hiking time: 7/8h; Elevation gain: +510m / -745m
DAY8
Laguna San Francisco - Lojena
We start an Accent to the Chotanlona pass located at 4910m. Then, we follow to walk in the mountain and we will see different lagoon until the place called Lorena.
Cold lunch. Everything included. Bivouac.
DAY9
Lojena - Sorata
From Lorena, we join Millipaya, where we meet our vehicle to take us back to La Paz (3 hours).
