CHACALTAYA 5421 m.

Full day

The highest former ski resort on Earth!

Chacaltaya is a mountain located in the Cordillera Real of Bolivia, until 2005 it was the highest ski slope in the world, as well as the closest to the equator. In recent years it has been losing snow drastically due to global warming. Chacaltaya today is a pile of moldy rocks with hundreds of cold-resistant flames, but it used to be a tongue of glacier.

Acclimatization Tours

Highlights

  • It is one of the highest viewpoints, with many memories of the former highest sky resort in the world. It is located in the middle of the royal mountain range to appreciate the peaks of the nearby snow-capped mountains.You feel like you were on the top of the world and  you can touch the sky.

Technicality

  • It is a basically simple trek, it does not require special mountain equipment, except for some trekking shoes.
  • The ascent has between 40 to 50 degrees of inclination.

DIFFICULTY

incluDed

  • Trekking guide.
  • Private round-trip transportation.
  • Snacks.
  • Entrance fee.

not incluDed

  • Extra drinks.
  • Extra snacks.

itinerary

blank_itinerario
day 1.

Our adventure begins at 8:00 AM, departing from downtown La Paz towards the city of El Alto, the highest and youngest city in Bolivia, located at 4,100 meters above sea level. During this stretch, we will enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city and the majestic Cordillera Real, which accompanies us along the way.

After approximately two hours of driving, we arrive at the historic Chacaltaya refuge, an iconic spot situated at 5,200 meters above sea level, which was once the highest ski resort in the world. This refuge offers a glimpse into the past, when Chacaltaya was a hub of international skiing activity.

From the refuge, we begin our hike through mountain trails. The ascent to the first peak, reaching 5,330 meters, takes between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on the group's pace. As we climb, the landscape transforms: the air becomes clearer, and the views more breathtaking, with the Andean sky as our backdrop. Along the path, we can admire the majesty of the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

Once at the top of the first peak, we take a short break to enjoy the scenery and regain energy. If the group’s physical condition allows, we continue the challenge towards the second peak, located at 5,421 meters above sea level. This additional section takes about 20 more minutes of ascent, but the reward is unmatched: from the summit, we are greeted with an impressive view of Huayna Potosí (6,088 meters), one of Bolivia’s most iconic peaks, as well as an exceptional panorama of the Cordillera Real.

After enjoying the views and taking photos, we begin our descent back to the refuge, where the vehicle will be waiting to return to La Paz, arriving in the city at approximately 2:00 PM.

Photo gallery