Cordillera Real Express

Tour Overview

Bolivia Cordillera Real, this trek is a genuine classic, keeping to high trails and crossing 3 passes over 5,100m (16,728ft). Our route provides a great diversity of scenery, including lovely alpine valleys with picturesque lakes, snow-capped peaks and scattered Aymara Indian villages. Since the heavy gear (including all cooking and camp equipment) is carried on llamas, it is not necessary to carry a heavy pack. In fact, a medium-sized rucksack, with foul weather clothing, water, your lunch for the day, and other miscellaneous items you may want, is all you need to carry.The rewards of this hike are numerous and incluce incredible solitude, beautiful natural phenonmena and very rewarding cultural interactions. This is the most beautiful treking region in the Andes.

    Highlights

  • High-level trek heading into the heart of the Cordillera Real.
  • Superb mountain views from several high passes.
  • Two passes over 5,100 m (16,728 ft).
  • This trek takes you closer to a glacier than any other trek in the Cordillera Real.
  • Challenging high altitude trekking.
  • Deserted trails.
  • One of the finest mountain walks in the world.
  • Ideal for acclimatization.

    • Suitable for:

  • Average fitness.
  • Acclimatized and determined people.
  • Beginners to experienced climbers.

    Land costs include:

  • Transportation. Bolivian Journeys has a private driver to provide in country transport, thus ensuring our safety and facilitating an independent schedule that does not depend on public transportation.
  • Food. We eat high quality meals using fresh local ingredients.
  • All group climbing gear.
  • Mules.
  • Professional mountain guide.

    • Land costs do not include:

  • Meals except while climbing.
  • Park fee .
  • Gratuities to guides and staff.
  • Insurance.
  • Rescue or medical expenses that may occur during the trip.

  • Day 1

    We depart La Paz in the morning bound for trailhead at the Laguna Kothya 4,500m (14,760ft). The drive in takes us across the broad and expansive high altiplano, passing the original sight of the city of LaPaz. Free afternoon to explore the area.

  • Day 2

    Today we meet our team of "arrieros" (muleteers) and we will begin the trek to discover the south west side of the Cordillera Real. We will cross the pass of Janchillani at 4,800m (15,744ft) before crossing a swamp area in the vicinities of the Lago Sistaña.

  • Day 3

    We begin our day walking through the foothills of the mountain. We will cross a first pass located at 4,900m (16,072ft) before arriving to Laguna Jurikhota. We will begin the ascent up a steep slope to reach the Laguna Glaciar, (two glaciers literally fall into their icy waters), a jewel located at the foot of Mount Condoriri. We cross a second pass 5,100m (16,728ft) before descending again to Laguna Chiarkhota 4,650m (15,252ft).

  • Day 4

    After a hardy breakfast, we slowly work our way up toward our next pass at 5,000m (16,400ft) where you will see the Huyna Potosi and the Condoriri group mountains, and after crossing a number of silt laden streams arrive at Maria LLoco. We make camp right in front of the impressive Huayna Potosi's west face; great photographic opportunities.

  • Day 5

    We begin our trek moving up and out of Maria Lloco valley on a steep trail for the last pass at 5,100m (16,728ft) next to the Huayna Potosi mountain 6,088m (19,968ft). In the afternoon arrive to Laguna Milluni. Return travel to La Paz, along the way you will see wild llamas and alpacas, last breathtaking view of Huayna Potosi.

    Tops

  • 2 lightweight, long sleeve polypropylene shirts
  • 1 medium weight fleece shirt or wool sweater
  • 1 fleece jacket
  • 1 expedition down parka with hood
  • 1 outer shell jacket with hood

    • Bottoms

  • 1 pair long underwear bottoms
  • 1 pair wind pants
  • 1 pair synthetic trekking or around camp pants

    • Footwear

  • 1 pairs wool socks
  • 1 pair light weight trekking

    • Boots

  • 1 pair trekking boots
  • 1 pair sandals for hanging around in camp

    • Hand wear

  • 1 pair fleece mittens
  • 1 pair overmitts

    • Head gear

  • 1 wool hat
  • 1 pair glacier glasses
  • 1 sunhat

    • Sleeping gear

  • 1 down or synthetic sleeping bag (rated to 15 F) *
  • 1 full length closed cell foam pad

    • Pack

  • 1 daypack for approach hike and possible use on summit day and carry-on bag
  • 1 large (7,500+ cu.in.) duffle bag for gear, include small padlock

    • Misc

  • 1 first-aid kit
  • 1 headlamp, include extra batteries *
  • 1 one quart water bottle
  • Lip balm (spf 30) and sun screen (spf 40)
  • Pocket knife
  • Adjustable ski poles (highly recommended)*

( * ) Items can be rented from Bolivian Journeys

Contact Us

Tour details:

Days: 5 days

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Cordillera Real