Tuni – Laguna Chiarkota – Laguna Esperanza + Climbing Huayna Potosí

5 Days / 4 Nights

La Paz being the synthesis of Bolivia is an appropiate site to undertake endless hikes in the Cordillera Real (mountains), the Yungas Valleys, and the semitropical and tropical zones of this Department.
There are hikes starting in the Cordillera from about 4800 m and descending to 1500 m. They have a great contrast of landscapes and ecological zones that can be observed on the journey. Within these areas there are hikes that are highlighted by the Pre-Columbian roads (Choro, Takesi, Yungas Cruz), where the cobblestone paths that were built and used by pre-Incan cultures in order to trade edible products with the communities in the different geographical zones of the Department are still preserved.

1st Day:
The tour starts at 08:00 when you are picked up from your hotel (only down town hotels) where we then head in a private vehicle to the village of Tuni (4400 m) which takes 2 hours. When we arrive at this village the trekking starts in direction of Chiarkota Lagoon (4650 m) on a simple path where we see some lagoons surrounded by mountains of the Bolivian High Plateau. After 45 minutes walking we arrive at a plateau where we admire the Andean fauna and at midday we will take a break to have the lunch, after that , we will continue our walk following a path we get to a river, a suitable place for a 15 minute rest. Afterwards we continue the tour on the same path until we get to Kallan Kkota Lagoon and finally around 15:00 we arrive at Chiarkota Lagoon (4650 m) which is located in the foothills of Condoriri Mountain, where we will have free time to enjoy the views while the guide sets up the tent to spend the night and makes dinner.

2nd Day:
We begin at 07:30 with breakfast. An hour later we head to the mountain called Aguja Negra (Black Needle). Around 10:30 we pass the summit of Jisthaña at 5000 meters. Continuing with the hike we arrive at a plateau where we have lunch at midday. After an hour we head towards Esperanza Lagoon and arrive there around 16:30. The guide sets up the tents and prepares dinner while we take advantage of our time to admire the view. At 18:00 we have dinner and then rest.

3rd Day:
This day begins at 06:15 with breakfast. We start the hike for 2 hours towards Milluni Peak (4800 m) we will cross the summit and then we will get down for another 2 hours and half to reach to the base camp of Huayna Potosi (4700 m). Around 11:30 we have lunch. After lunch the hike to the glaciar Viejo (old glacier) begins which takes 1 hour and a half. There we practice climbing on the ice using all the equipment we have. After 1 hour of practicing we return to the base camp around 16:00. At 18:00 we have dinner and rest in a refuge.

4th Day:
This day starts at 08:00 with breakfast. The free time after breakfast can be used, for example, for a walk. Around 11:30 we have lunch and then we climb to the High Camp at 5200 meters. We arrive there after 3 hours and stay in a refuge. Dinner will be at 17:00 and around 18:00 we rest and sleep until midnight.

5th Day:
This day starts very early at midnight with breakfast. We start the ascent to the summit of Huayna Potosi at 01:00. Starting at the High Camp we climb the glacier, the path has a slope of 35 – 40 degrees on average and the ascent takes 4 to 7 hours on average. The tourist is attached to the guide with a rope; the first part is relatively easy until 5500 meters, from this point we climb a wall of 50 meters of length whose inclination is 55 – 60 degrees on average. Once on 5800 meters you get to a plateau and keep walking on an edge which will take you to the summit.
Around 06:30 we arrive at the summit (6088 m) where we can admire all the beauty of the Cordillera Real of the Andes. After 15 minutes we return to the High Camp in 2 hours, pick up the equipment and after we descend to the base camp in 1.5 hours, from where we return to La Paz arriving at the hotel at 14:00 hours.

The tour includes: Private transportation, complete board on the tour, insulation mat, tent, refuges and guide.
The tour does not include: Sleeping bag, headlamp, 2 liters of water (first day), entrance fees, personal porter.

Price per person: 354 USD (private or shared tour).

For tours that start within 48 hours please send us an e-mail