16-Day Climbing Expedition in Bolivia

Join IFMGA-certified mountain guide Rodrigo on an incredible 16-day mountaineering journey to three of Bolivia´s most notorious peaks: Illimani, Ancohuma, and Illampu.

Andes

16 Days

Jun - Sep

High

Intermediate

Description

Conquer the highest peak in the Cordillera Real on an amazing expedition in Bolivia! See three of the country´s mountains on a 16-day trip that is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression!

In western Bolivia, the Cordillera Real make up a sub-range of the Andes mountains. Their proximity to La Paz and Lake Titicaca has played a role in the culture throughout history, and their impact can be felt across the region and the entire country.

The mountains are made primarily of granite, with glaciers, high passes, and a proximity to the equator. The mountains and the surrounding countryside have a lot of natural gems to offer explorers, and the sweeping evocative views across the different continental landscapes are breathtaking.

The three tallest peaks of the Cordillera Real, in order, are Illimani (21,201 ft), Ancohuma 21,095 ft), and Illampu (20,873 ft). Each offers an exciting ascent, with different technical features to their unique climbs. Illimani is a great way to get accustomed to the altitude and the climbs that the more challenging peaks offer in the following days.

Ancohuma and Illampu have steep ice and snow climbing, but the effort is worth the reward at the peaks. The views of eastern Peru, the Amazon Basin, Lake Titicaca, and the rest of the mountain range are unbelievable.

With regards to mountaineering, there couldn´t be a more heart-stopping and thrilling adventure to undertake in Bolivia. And to complete this circuit in justo ver two weeks is an incredible feat!

This is a sustained trip that will require a high level of fitness and mental preparation. You should be in good shape, and be ready to take on a challenge that will last more than two weeks.

Book this mountaineering experience now and see the life-changing views from Bolivia´s highest mountains!

I can also take you to Aconcagua on a 17-day trip! Or we can have another classic Bolivian expedition!

Price includes

Guiding fee
Breakfast
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Permit and entrance fees
Porters

Price details

This is the price to join one of our group tours.
The price includes the guiding fee, two nights in a hotel in La Paz, transportation during the trip, burros / llamas, porters, camp guardian, cook, meals while in the mountains, group equipment (ropes, ice screws, pickets, etc.), group camping gear (tents, cooking materials, etc.), and the National Park fee.
The price does NOT include flights in and out of La Paz, any additional lodging outside of the two hotel nights, meals when you are not climbing, emergency services, personal equipment and gear, personal items, laundry services, tips, and personal snacks and drink(s).

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in La Paz

We will meet in the capital city of Bolivia to get settled in, check our gear, and go over the itinerary. If you are able and willing, you can certainly arrive sooner before we meet. Acclimatization is crucial, so more time getting used to the environment, the better.

Day 2: La Paz

We will use this day to acclimatize ourselves to the area in preparation for our high climbs. Steeped in history, this is a perfect time to discover the rich culture of La Paz.

Day 3: Heading to Illimani

We will meet the llamas and their handler as we make our way to the Base Camp at 15,000 feet.

Day 4: Carry Load to High Camp

We will take some gear to the High Camp at 18,000 feet before returning to the Base Camp.

Day 5: Move to High Camp

This is a great day to take in the views of the region as we get ready for our summit.

Day 6: Summit Illimani

We start early for the Southwest Buttress, moving across glaciers, and make our way to the stunning top of Illimani.

Day 7: Descending Illimani

We return to La Paz to rest for the next leg of our journey.

Day 8: Heading to Ancohuma

We will make our Base Camp beside a lake at 15,400 feet.

Day 9: Camp I

We slowly progress to Camp I, a higher camp at 17,200 feet.

Day 10: Camp II

Further still, we carry on to Camp II at 18,900 feet across a glacier.

Day 11: Summit Ancohuma

You will use every tool available as you climb snow, ice, glacier, and an amalgamation of them all. Our trek to the top includes a steep exposed ridge with spectacular views.

Day 12: Descent to Base Camp

We will return to Base Camp for our final goal of the journey.

Day 13 to 15: Illampu

We will first head to Base Camp, then the High Camp the following day. For our ultimate day, we will enjoy amazing mixed climbing and steep faces to reach the summit of Illampu.

Day 16: Return to La Paz

We descend down to La Paz and finish our amazing adventure!

About the guide

-Rodrigo

5.0

(8)

Mountain Guide

An Internationally Certified UIAGM / IFMGA Mountain Guide, Rodrigo has been a guide for 30 years. He has led 24 expeditions to Denali and 28 expeditions to Aconcagua — the highest peaks in North and South America, respectively. He has been a member of expeditions to Shisha Pangma and Cho Oyu in the Himalaya, and his climbs in Patagonia include the North and Central Towers of Paine, Agujas Guillaumet and Poincenot, as well as Cerro Torre attempts. He’s made Patagonian Ice Cap explorations including the first east-west traverse of the northern Ice Cap. He holds first ascents in Antarctica, the Andes and Alaska; speed ascents of Denali, Aconcagua, and Juncal. He’s guided the Ellsworth Mountains and Mt. Vinson in Antarctica and has extensive climbing and guiding experience in Yosemite and the Alps, including Frendo Spur and the Grand Jorasses. He’s a former Technical Committee member for the American Mountain Guides Association and a Senior Guide at Exum Mountain Guides in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rodrigo speaks fluent English, French and Spanish.

Certificates

ANGM | UIAGM

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What people are saying about -Rodrigo

Tanguy

Wonderful memories!!!

Great guides, great equipment, amazed about how good food was. All round a very experienced and top end operator who know what they are doing and will maximise your chances of getting to the summit. Reaching top Aconcagua was one of greatest highlights of my life thank you Aventuras Patagonicas.

From the start Aventuras Patagonicas was welcoming, which set the trip up on the right foot. The guides, Wes, Lucia and Sebastian were all excellent and worked very hard to get the group of climbers safely up and down the mountain. The food was excellent and well organized. The gear provided on the mountain (tents) were also of good quality. I would climb again with Patagonicas.

I did a 20 day climb of Aconcagua with this company. The guides were excellent and made the trip as enjoyable as possible. We had hot meals every evening and morning. Aconcagua is a hard mountain and it takes a great deal of effort to reach the top. The guides at Patagonicas are committed to each client's safety on the mountain. I would recommend them over any other company on the mountain.