Chaupi Orco (6044m) is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Apolobamba mountain range in the northern part, near the Peruvian border and commands all views in this area. The Cordillera Apolobamba runs from just north of Lake Titikaka (3810m) and up towards the Peruvian border. Chaupi Orco also has one of the largest glaciers in the world. This is still a very remote area of Bolivia, it is beautiful, and life continues in a traditional way with the area largely being untouched by modern society, which makes for a memorable experience.

Please check the gear list to see what you will need to bring for the trip.

For further general information on Bolivia please also look at our fact file.

Day 1: La Paz (3600m) – Pelechuco (3400m)

We will travel from La Paz up to El Alto and across the Altiplano, passing through the Area Protegida Apolobamba before arriving in the colonial village of Pelechuco, where the main economic activity is gold mining. We will spend the night here in Pelechuco.
8 hours of driving (LD) Hostel

Day 2: Pelechuco – Near Paso Sanches (4500m)

We will walk out of the village and walk along the valley of the Rio Sanches Cuchu, also known as the Rio Macara. After passing the small village of Macara, we will head up to the Paso Sanches at 4840m, and then descend past derelict farmland before making camp for the night.
5 – 6 hours (BLD)

Day 3: Near Paso Sanches – Lago Soral (4120m)

We start the day by descending to a stream before heading up to Paso Yanacocha (4760m) and continuing steeply downhill until we reach a river. Then its back uphill over another pass and eventually on the other side of this pass we will reach the large and sedimented Lago Soral (4120m). We will camp close to this lake.
6 – 8 hours (BLD)

Day 4: Lago Soral (Base camp) – High camp (5200m)

We will start the day by following a moraine ridge, and then up to another moraine ridge which divides 2 glaciers. After walking along this ridge we will drop down to walk across the glacier, as far up as we can. We will make camp here.
5 – 7 hours (BLD)

Day 5: High camp – Summit (6044m) – High camp – Base camp

Today we will try for the summit, we will take the East Ridge Route which will take us through a crevasse field, to the ridge which will lead us up to various false summits and then eventually the true summit. We will walk the same way back down, stopping at high camp to meet the porters and then continue down to Lago Soral, where we will camp for the night.
10 – 12 hours (BLD)

Day 6: Base camp – Near Paso Sanches

We will walk the same way out from Lago Soral, over several passes and then stopping for the night near Paso Sanches.
6 – 8 hours (BLD)

Day 7: Near Paso Sanches – Pelechuco

Again the same walk back to Pelechuco crossing several rivers. We will spend the night in Pelechuco where we can have a well earned beer and hot shower.
5 – 7 hours (BLD) Hostel

Day 8: Pelechuco – La Paz

We will drive back to La Paz.
8 hours driving (BL)
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