Huayna Potosí, one of the most iconic peaks of Bolivia’s Cordillera Real, is the most popular mountain among climbers due to its easy accessibility from La Paz (just 2 hours by transport) and its comfortable refuges. After proper acclimatization in La Paz (3,655 m), ideally over 5 days, the Base Camp at 4,750 m offers an excellent opportunity to further adjust to the altitude.
From the Base Camp, the elevation gain to the summit is only 1,338 m. However, even with good acclimatization, the climb can still take your breath away, as the combination of altitude and physical exertion challenges all adventurers who dare to conquer this imposing snow-capped peak.
Climbing the Normal Route is not extremely technical (Grade II/AD) and takes approximately five to six hours to summit from the High Camp. With only two technical faces, the steepest reaching 55°, only a classical ice axe is required. Thousands of tourists annually call this mountain their first 6000’er!
We depart at 9:00 a.m. from downtown La Paz, passing through the historic Milluni Cemetery on our way to Base Camp (4,750 m), a journey that will take approximately 2 hours by vehicle.
After preparing our gear at Base Camp, we begin a 3.5-hour hike to High Camp (5,250 m). Once at the camp, we will enjoy a well-deserved rest, followed by an early dinner. The day will end with a breathtaking view of the sunset over the vast Amazon Basin, an unforgettable moment at high altitude.
We wake up between 12:00 and 1:00 a.m. to begin the exciting ascent to the summit, fully equipped with all the necessary mountain gear. The climb is a continuous challenge, where a slow but steady pace will take us 5 to 6 hours to reach the 6,088 m peak. The effort is rewarded by a sense of accomplishment and the vastness of the landscape, which encompasses the Cordillera Real, Huayna Potosí, and, on clear days, even the expansive Bolivian altiplano.
After enjoying the summit, we descend to High Camp in approximately 2.5 hours, where we will recharge with a light, hot soup. Then, we begin the return to Base Camp (a 2-hour walk). There, our transport will be waiting to take us back to the city of La Paz, with an estimated arrival around 2:00 p.m.
Note: Climbers have a higher success rate in summiting with the three day schedule, mostly due to the gradual acclimatization.
+591 76563939
+591 76563939
altitud6000mountaineering@gmail.com
Av. Illampu Nro. 815, galería Bella Vista of.4