Special Trek Transcordillera Tour

Itinerary in Brief

This special trekking tour starts off in the Bolivian administrative capital Nuestra Señora de La Paz known simply as La Paz. We start our acclimatization between 3.600m/11.810ft and 4.200m/13.780ft by visiting Copacabana and going for a trek on the banks of the lake before sailing on Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world. We visit the famous Sun Island where we also trek from the south to the north to the Inca labyrinth.

Our tour continues to Sorata from where we start our 12-day trekking adventure between 4.000m/13.120ft and 5.000m/16.400ft across the Royal Cordillera and we admire the grandeur of the scenery, the numerous lakes, the impressive mountains, and summits like the Illampu, Ancohuma, Chachacomani, the Condoriri, and the Huayna Potosi.

We discover the uses and customs of the inhabitants of the region and we appreciate the local fauna. After this Andean adventure, we return to La Paz for a farewell dinner with our guide.

Day 1. Arrival in La Paz

Today you arrive in La Paz. Flying into La Paz is always an experience; if you arrive at night you can admire the lights of the city between the mountains or during the day you might get a view of Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world. Once arrive at the International Airport of El Alto which is also the highest commercial airport in the world our team will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

After a short briefing, there are no more activities planned and you can take the time to acclimatize to the altitude and explore La Paz on foot.

Day 2. La Paz – Copacabana

We leave the hotel at 07h30 and after approximately 3½ hours we arrive in Copacabana. After getting installed in the hotel we leave to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana which is a 16th-century church that houses the image of the patron saint of Bolivia. The church attracts thousands of local tourists throughout the year and it remains one of the two principal sacred places both for indigenous people and Catholics.

After lunch, we have the option to climb to the Calvario from where we have a beautiful view over the lake and the village, or climb to Intiwatana or Horca del Inca which is believed to have been an astronomical observatory. If time permits we can visit both the Calvario and the Horca del Inca and the rest of the day is free to enjoy Copacabana.

Day 3. Copacabana – Trek Yampupata – Isla del Sol (Sun Island)

In the morning a boat brings us to the Lourdes cave from where our trek on the Yampupata peninsula starts.

We pass the lost village of Zampaya where time seems to have come to a halt and we also follow the Copacabana peninsula (4 – 5 hours trek) until we reach Yampupata where a boat brings us south of the Sun Island to Yuman. We get off at the Inca ruins of Pilkokaina which is an old Inca palace and from here another 30-40 minutes on foot brings us to the village where we spend the night in an eco-lodge.

Day 4. Trek Isla del Sol (Sun Island) – Copacabana – La Paz

After breakfast, we start a trek that brings us from the south to the north of the island by following the crest all the way to Challapampa. During our trek we have an unobstructed view of the sacred Lake Titicaca and if the weather permits in the background the Royal Cordillera with its snow-capped peaks. We visit the archaeological ruins of Chincana also called the Inca Labyrinth as well as the museum at Challapampa before heading back to Copacabana by boat. Upon arrival in Copacabana, we return to La Paz and the evening is free.

Day 5. La Paz - Sorata (2.700m/8.858ft)

We leave La Paz in a private vehicle around 08h00. Our destination is the small village of Sorata situated at the bottom of a green valley at the foot of the imposing Illampu Massif (6368m/20.892ft). If the weather permits we can see its snow-clad peak from the main square in Sorata.

Day 6. Sorata - Laguna Chilata (4.200m/13.780ft)

We get up early to meet our team of mule drivers and their animals because we have a long trekking day ahead of us (5-7 hours). We encounter a few obstacles on our way like small climbs on the slopes of the Illampu. After passing by an Inca cemetery surrounded by Chullpares (pre-Colombian burial chamber) we arrived at the Laguna Chilata where we set up camp for the night.

Day 7. Laguna Chilata - Lacatiya - Paso Illampu - Utjaña Pampa

We start early by climbing to the Paso Illampu (4.750m/15.580ft) from where we can see the Pico Norte (north peak) of the Illampu and the Pico Schulze (5.950m/19.520). We walk down the northeast slope of the Illampu until we reach the Estancia Utjaña Pampa an area in which we can find many gold mines still being exploited.

Day 8. Estancia Utjaña Pampa - Jiska Cocoyo (3.600m/11.811ft)

We start our hike after breakfast, around 8h00, bypassing the Khorvasini mountain pass (4.475m/14.682ft). From here we descend to the village of Cocoyo close to the Candelaria mines, from where we can see the Sarani Valley to the east. To reach our camp we have to ascend another 400m/1.312ft. before we can relax.

Day 9. Jiska Cocoyo - Paso Sarani - Valle Negruni (4350m/14.272ft)

After breakfast, we start by passing the Sarani mountain pass (4.520m/14.829ft) on the slopes of Wiluyu Janq’uma. From here our descent takes us through a large valley to reach the village Chajolpaya from where we continue through the valley of Negruni, deeply embanked between the massifs Warawarani (5.390m/17.684ft) and Filo Rumca (5.510m/18.077ft), to finally arrive at our campsite in the middle of the valley.

Day 10. Valle Negruni - Paso Negruni - Palca (3.985m/13.074ft)

After breakfast, we start by passing the Negruni mountain pass (4930m/16.175ft), covered in snow 9 months out of 12. From here a long descent along the rivers Chiquini and Waraco awaits us until we reach our campsite on the river bank.

Day 11. Palca - Paso Waraco - Vinuara (4.540m/14.895ft)

In the morning we leave for the small lake Cotapata (4.685m/15.371ft), before making a small detour to see the Laguna Leche (the milk lake) and the majestic Chachacomani (6.047m/19.839ft). Before we walk down the road to Jankho Laya (3.380m/11.089ft) we pass the Waraco mountain pass at 4.775m/15.666ft. We walk up the valley until we reach our campsite, in front of the Ankhohoyo (white wall) at the foot of the massif Jankho Laya.

Day 12. Vinuara - Paso Moro Khala - Laguna Kotia (4.540m/14.895ft)

A new ascend is waiting for us and after breakfast we climb to the Paso Moro Khala (5.000m/16.404ft), to cut across the Cordillera between Cerro Jankho Laya and Cerro Mullu Apachita. We continue on the southwest mountainside and start descending in an area filled with small lakes until we reach the Laguna Kotia.

Day 13. Laguna Kotia - Laguna Sistaña (4.660m/15.092ft)

After breakfast, we start by passing the mountain pass Contador (4.660m/15.289ft) before we enter a muddy zone between the Lagunas Sorakhota and Ajwani. Later we pass a second mountain pass (Milluni 4.920m/16.142ft) before arriving at the Laguna Sistaña where we install our camp on the banks.

Day 14. Laguna Sistaña - Laguna Jurikhota - Laguna Chiar Khota (4.670m/15.322ft)

Today we also pass two mountain passes and the first is the Janchallani mountain pass (4.910m/16.109ft), which we cross in order to reach the Laguna Jurikhota. A steep slope brings us to the small Laguna Congelada at the foot of the Condoriri and we pass the second mountain pass of the day, the Austria mountain pass (5.160m/16.929ft), before we walk down to the Condoriri base camp by the Laguna Chiar Khota.

Day 15. Laguna Chiar Khota - Laguna Wichu Khota

We leave the surroundings of the Condoriri and walk to the foot of the Aguja Negra crossing the mountain pass Jallayko (5025m/16.486ft). In the Jistaña valley, we change mountainsides and climb to the Thipala mountain pass (5000m/16.404ft). After having enjoyed the wonderful view of the lakes we walked down to the Laguna Wichu Khota where we set up camp in front of the Maria Lloco (5522m/18.117ft).

Day 16. Laguna Wichu Khota - Cerro Santa Fe – Maria Lloco

We advance in between the lakes until the old campsite for the Santa Fe mine, at the foot of the Imilla Apachita (5184m/17.008ft). From the headland above the abandoned mine, we have a wonderful view of the lakes, and from here we walk down to our campsite at the feet of the summits Imilla Apachita, Maria Lloco, and Huayna Potosi.

Day 17. Maria Loco – Huayna Potosi Shelter – La Paz

In the morning we go to the glacier lake of Huayna Potosi. The trail leading there is a dried-out canal on the mountain slope, and it is one long viewpoint (2½ hrs return). We then return to the path that brings us to the Milluni mountain pass (5000m/16.404ft) and from here we walk down to the valley which we follow to the Huayna Potosi shelter. From here we can see how the river literally falls into the green and tropical Yungas. This is also where our trek ends. A car will be waiting for us to take us back to La Paz in the afternoon and the evening is free to relax after our long trek.

Optional: Climb off the Huayna Potosi

For the participants that have chosen the extra option to climb the Huayna Potosi, you will continue to the high camp where you spend the night and get ready to attempt to reach the summit of the Huayna Potosi.

Day 18. La Paz Leisure Day and Farewell Dinner "Despedida"

The day is free to discover La Paz and in the evening we meet with the rest of the group and our guide for a farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants in La Paz.

For those that have chosen the option to climb the Huayna Potosi: High Camp – Summit attempt Huayna Potosi – La Paz

We get up very early to attempt to reach the summit at 6.088m/19.973ft. After reaching the summit the descent takes approximately 6 hours to the Huayna Potosi shelter where the car will be waiting to bring us back to La Paz. In the evening we meet with the rest of our group and our guide for a farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants in La Paz.

Day 19. La Paz Departure

According to your time of departure, you are transferred from the hotel to the airport in El Alto. For international flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours before the scheduled departure. End of our services

Important: The itinerary can change as a result of weather conditions and some sights are not accessible at all times – Lipiko Tours cannot be held responsible for any changes in itinerary and sights not visited as a result.

General Information

Highlights: Escorted Group Tours in Bolivia, Lake Titicaca, Sun Island, Sorata, Royal Cordillera, Illampu, Ancohuma, Condoriri, Huayna Potosi, La Paz

Support Team: English-speaking tour leader for the entire tour for groups of 4 people or more. For smaller groups, it is possible to book this tour without a tour leader. Instead, you would have guided visits with a local guide in your chosen language. Please contact us directly to receive a personalized quote.

Guaranteed departure: from 4 people

Group size: 4 to 12 people

Flights: Prices are valid only in certain tourist/economy classes which serve this destination. Therefore prices are subject to changes in case of unavailability at the time of reservation.

Accommodation: 5 nights in a hotel/hostel, 2 nights in Ecolodge, 11 nights in camping

Porterage: Your luggage will be transported either by plane, car, boat, bus, or mules/porters. You will have to carry the personal belongings (camera, water, etc.) which you need during the day.

Tour Leader: In groups of 4 to 12 people you will be accompanied by a tour leader in the chosen language. His role is to make sure that everything goes smoothly during the tour and that each individual and the group as a whole are safe. Don’t hesitate to ask him if you are unsure of anything and, very importantly, follow his advice.

Included in the Price:

- Water and land transfers as indicated in the program
- Accommodation in hotel/hostel in double rooms, Ecolodge, shelter, home stay, camping, bus, and plane as indicated in the program: 5 nights in hotel/hostel, 2 nights in Ecolodge, and 11 nights camping
- Meals as mentioned in the program
- The assistance of specialized local English-speaking guides, their fees, and expenses
- The assistance of our local teams; driver(s) and logistics department (24/7)
- Visits as outlined in the program

Not Included in the Price:

- Entrance fees to sites visited, national parks, and museums as indicated in the program are payable per person – this is an estimate and actual prices may vary)
- Meals not mentioned, drinks, tips, individual equipment, everything not mentioned in “included in the price” and all personal expenses
- Individual obligatory personal travel insurance (this could be included with your credit card – please check with your credit card provider)
- The supplement for a single room: Please contact us for the price. (subject to availability, must be reserved and paid upon reservation).

Attention; No single room is available for the nights with accommodation in a shelter, homestay, or camping.
- Possible visa expenses
- International flights