we organized our travel to Bolivia with Andean Summits for climbing Parinacota. We met very nice people and we would like to thank Jose for the general information provided, Augustin, the driver and the cooker for their kindness. Nevertheless our...
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Pristine Summits of Apolobamba
Code: MEAPONOR Duration: 15 days
| Price: | US$ 2,009 |
| Single Room Supplement: | US$ 273 |
| Technical Difficulty: | Strenuous |
| Accommodation Type: | Camping - Hotel - |
| Trek Type: | Mountaineering |
| Location: | Bolivia / Apolobamba mountain range |
| Duration Days: | 15 |
| Duration Nights: | 4 hotels, 10 camping |
| Suggested Seasons: | Autumn - Winter - |
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The word Apolobamba (originally spelled Apullupampa) comes from the words Apu=Gods in the Indian religion and Pampa=flat land, literally meaning the flat lands where the mountain gods live.
These lands have hosted several cultures through the centuries, the most known the Kallawayas, itinerant healers that still survive in the lower mountain valleys. To travel to this area is like traveling to the past ... almost to another dimension where time and space have different measures.
In the recent past, Apolobamba National Park, Ulla Ulla Vicuña Reserve and Madidi National Park have been engulfed into one huge protected area which covers all of the ecological steps in the Andes and the Amazon: from the high glaciated mountains down into the very Amazon rain forest.
The expedition starts with an initial acclimatization process hiking Lake Titicaca shores and islands, then we head towards Apolobamba for the high-altitude acclimatization in a very seldom visited region, to finish climbing Chaupi orko - the highest peak in Apolobamba - by the a new route we recently open vie the south ridge.
Short Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in La Paz. Transfer to Hotel.
Day 2. Visit of Tiwanaco. Transp. Transport to Yampupata. Boat to Sun Island. La Estancia Ecolodge.
Day 3. Trek to along the island. Transport to Puerto Perez. Hotel Las Balsas
Day 4. Transp.to Mina Cerro Hermoso. Camp
Day 5. Mountaineering techniques Practice. Camp
Day 6. Climb Cerro Hermoso. Trek Flor de Nevado mine. Camp
Day 7. Climb of Azucarani. Transp.to Suches. Camp.
Day 8. Rest day. Camp.
Day 9. Trek to Chucuyo. Camp.
Day 10. Climb to High Camp. Camp.
Day 11. Climb of Chaupi Orko. Trek to Chucuyo. Camp.
Day 12. Trek to Suches. Camp
Day 13. Transp.to La Paz. Hotel
Day 14. Free in La Paz. Hotel.
Day 15. Departure. Transfer to Airport.
Highlights
- Acclimatization sightseeing Lake Titicaca & surroundings.
- Rock & ice practice and instruction before the climbs.
- Ascents to two pristine summits in Apolobamba: Azucarani and Chaupi Orko 6,088m (19,968 ft).
- Traveling through the land of the famous Andean witch doctors; the Kallawayas.
Services Included
- All transfers IN/OUT to airports.
- Meals mentioned on the itinerary (three meals per day, snacks and boiled water).
- Full land transportation on the trip.
- Hotel accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Common camping equipment: 4 season tents (one per each two people), dinning tent, kitchen stuff, and tableware.
- Common climbing equipment: ropes, carabiners, slings, snow stakes, ice screws.
- Professional bilingual UIAGM / IFMGA / IVBV certified mountain guides.
- Luggage transportation with porters and/or animals on trekking & climbing trips (20 kg / 44 lb per person max weight).
- Cook(s) when camping.
- National Park entrance fees.
Services Not Included
- International flight ticket.
- Local flight tickets.
- International & local airport fees.
- Meals and accommodation in La Paz and other main cities.
- Personal camping equipment: sleeping bag, foam pad, headlamps, and clothing.
- Personal climbing equipment: plastic boots, crampons, harnesses, ice axe.
- Insurance of any kind.
- Any expense due to a rescue operation (rescuers fee, transportation, or medical cost).
More Information
Please get into the following pages to search information about:
- The region in “travel info” pages
- The country in "pre-departure" pages under "destinations".
- The links under "useful links" will take you to the best websites for additional information.
To confirm this trip or any other service, please get into our Reservations page
Day to day details
Trip Day:
Day 1. Arrival in La Paz. Transfer to Hotel.
Brief Description:
Arriving in La Paz, what impresses the most is the crisp clear sky of the highlands. In a normal winter day it is possible to see over a distance of 200Km (120mi). The cold and dry air feels good after so many hours of treated pressurized cabin air. The airport is located in the city of “El Alto” the highest international airport in the world from here you will be transferred to your hotel descending approximately 30 Min. into La Paz city canyon. Do not stress much about the altitude, our program has been designed to get you gradually acclimatized. At the beginning we strongly sug gest you to take it very easy, drink plenty of water and eat lightly (get into out Acclimatization page for more information). You will have the rest of the day free. At early evening we will have a briefing meeting and a welcome dinner.
Day Elevations:
El Alto: 4,100 m (13,450 ft)
La Paz: 3,650 m (11,972 ft)
Timing:
Driving: 30 min
Meals:
None
Trip Day:
Day 2. Visit of Tiwanaco. Transp. Transport to Yampupata. Boat to Sun Island. La Estancia Ecolodge.
Brief Description:
Traveling through this land you will understand how important the shores of Lake Titicaca have been in the origin of the Andean cultures. Surrounded by desert like hills and snow caped mountains, lake Titicaca offered, and still offers, rich lands and a mild climate. Tiwanaco used to be a port, an important ceremonial center and a huge urban establishment. After an illustrative tour through the ruins and museums, we will drive back to La Paz (El Alto) and from there to the southern shores of the lake. On the way to the Island of the Sun, we will be culturally transferred to the past as we go by Aymara villages where Indians have been keeping their lifestyle for centuries.
Day Elevations:
El Alto: 4,100 m (13,450 ft)
Lake Titicaca: 3,810 m (12,497 ft)
Timing:
Driving: 5-6 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 3. Trek to along the island. Transport to Puerto Perez. Hotel Las Balsas
Brief Description:
Today we will trek the length of the island admiring the Inca terraces, many of which are still used, passing through villages and walking along sandy beaches. Our objective is to reach the north-west end of the island where we can visit a sacred rock, which was worshipped as the birthplace of the first Incas: Manco Kapac and Mama Okllo, son and daughter of Viracocha. We will also have time to visit the ruins of Chincana (the labyrinth). The bravest may try a bath in the cold waters of the lake. At mid afternoon we will retrace our way to mainland. Our vehicle will take us to another Indian Village at the lake shores: Puerto Perez. The mountains will “grow” in front of us dominating the landscape and the glaciers will get “tanned” by the late afternoon light as we approach to our hotel.
Day Elevations:
Lake Titicaca: 3,810 m (12,497 ft)
Timing:
Walking: 2-3 Hrs
Motor boat: 1 Hr
Driving: 1 Hr
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 4. Transport to Mina Cerro Hermoso. Camp.
Brief Description:
Normally driving all day long could be really boring and tiring, but not towards Apolobamba. The road follows the eastern shores of Lake Titicaca and afterwards gets into the rolling hills of Muñecas mountain range. As the rocks change colors and the lakes shown their colored waters, the car runs into the Ulla Ulla plateau, the largest Vicuña reserve in Bolivia. Thousands of wild animals run in front of glaciated peaks and colorful lakes. Finally the road passes in between the glaciated mountains and descends to the mining campsite of Cerro Hermoso.
Day Elevations:
Pelechuco pass: 4,860 m (15,946 ft)
Cerro Hermoso camp: 4,200 m (13,482 ft)
Timing:
Driving: 7-9 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 5. Mountaineering techniques Practice. Camp
Brief Description:
In order to start our acclimatization process and to standardize the climbing techniques to be used during our expedition, today we will spend part of the day practicing on a glacier of the lower slopes of Cerro Hermoso & Katantica mountains. Some subject to be review are: rope handle and knots, crampon and ice axe techniques, and – if there is some time left -, some crevasse rescue techniques. At the end of the afternoon we will get back to our camp.
Day Elevations:
Glacier: 5,000 m (16,050 ft)
Cerro Hermoso camp: 4,200 m (13,482 ft)
Timing:
Climb practice: 6-7 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 6. Climb of Cerro Hermoso peak.Trek to Flor de Nevado mine. Camp.
Brief Description:
After hiking up through moraines, we will arrive to the upper glacier plateau of Cerro Hermoso, cross it and climb a steep wall towards the main ridge. Today’s climb will allow you to test your performance at high altitude and to put in practice everything what you have reviewed the day before. Later we drop down to the other side of the mountain to our new campsite located near the road to “Flor de Nevado” mine.
Day Elevations:
Cerro Hermoso: 5,320 m (17,077 ft)
Flor de Nevado camp: 5,100 m (16,321 ft)
Timing:
Climb: 7-8 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 7. Climb of Azucarani Peak. Transport to Suches. Camp.
Brief Description:
Today we will make an early start because of the long day we have ahead. First we have to cross a large glacier plateau towards the base of Azucarani, climb its northwest ridge and return almost the same way to our campsite. Later, after taking a short rest we have to break the campsite and prepare our gear that our vehicle will transport to the next campsite. Our vehicle will follow a track in a extremely rough mountain terrain, depending of its conditions we may need to hike to our at the head of Lake Suches.
Day Elevations:
Azucarani peak: 5580 m (18302 ft)
Flor de Nevado: camp 5,100 m (16,321 ft)
Suches camp: 4,700 m (15,421 ft)
Timing:
Climb: 7-8 Hrs
Walking: 2 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 8. Rest day. Camp.
Brief Description:
A well-deserved rest day will allow regaining our strength and getting ready for the following days. The activities of today can be hiking the campsite surroundings; play cards, or just relax and read.
Day Elevations:
Suches camp: 4,700 m (15,421 ft)
Timing:
None
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 9. Trek to Chucuyo. Camp.
Brief Description:
The approaching route towards Chaupi Orko base camp goes through a very rough terrain that is very seldom visited by foreigners. As far as we know, all attempts to climb this mountain are organized by the eastern slopes following the traditional but not necessarily easier or most scenic route. Our campsite will be located at the shores of a beautiful glacier lagoon in a remote hidden valley on the southern slopes of the peak.
Day Elevations:
Chucuyo: 5,100 m (16,321 ft)
Timing:
Walking: 5-6 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 10. Climb to Chaupi Orko High camp. Camp.
Brief Description:
After organizing our loads with the high-altitude porters, we will start the ascent first between rocks and moraines, and later to the edge of the glacier from where we will rope-up and continue ascending towards our high camp.
Day Elevations:
Chaupi Orko HC: 5,500 m (18,040 ft)
Timing:
Walking: 6-7 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 11. Climb of Chaupi Orko. Trek to Chucuyo. Camp.
Brief Description:
We have to make an early alpine start if we want to get back to the base camp tonight. And normally that is what everyone wants after spending an uneasy night at high camp. After traversing a glacier plateau, we have to descend to the base of the southeast ridge. The route on this ridge is very long but, most of it is not really technical. There we do not expect many technical complications but this will depend on the ice and snow conditions. The crux of the route is an open bergs rung just before a steep icy slope at 60º. In the case that we return to the high camp too lake in the evening, we may need to spend a second night there.
Day Elevations:
Chaupi Orko: 6,088 m (19,968 ft)
Chucuyo: 5,100 m (16,321 ft)
Timing:
Walking: 10-12 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 12. Trek to Suches. Camp.
Brief Description:
With the help of our muleteers, we will retrace our steeps back towards Lake Suches where our campsite will be ready. If we arrive to Suches camp early in the day, we may consider moving the campsite closer towards La Paz city.
Day Elevations:
Suches camp: 4,700 m (15,421 ft)
Timing:
Walking: 4-5 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 13. Transport to La Paz. Hotel.
Brief Description:
Our vehicle will take us back to La Paz following the same route we came in … it always seems it was long time ago.
Day Elevations:
Road pass: 5.100 m (16,728 ft)
La Paz: 4,650 m (15,252 ft)
Timing:
Driving: 8-10 Hrs
Meals:
B,L,D
Trip Day:
Day 14. Free day. Hotel.
Brief Description:
Free day in La Paz to rest or enjoy shopping in La Paz markets. At early evening we will have a farewell dinner and celebrate all together.
Day Elevations:
La Paz: 3,650 m (11,972 ft)
Timing:
None
Meals:
B
Trip Day:
Day 15. Departure. Transfer to Airport.
Brief Description:
Transfer to airport. End of services.
Day Elevations:
El Alto: 4,100 m (13,450 ft)
Timing:
Driving: 30 min
Meals:
B
