West of La Paz, near the Chilean border, lies Parque Nacional Sajama which is in the northern part of the Cordillera Occidental. By attempting Parinacota (6330m) first, this combination allows you to acclimatise before climbing Sajama (6549m). Parinacota is a volcano that forms part of ‘The Twins’ – Parinacota and Pomerata (6200m), which can be seen from Sajama. Sajama is another snow-capped cone volcano and although it is a relatively straightforward climb, Sajama’s high altitude and ice conditions make the peak more challenging than it initially appears.

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) – Sajama village (4220m)

We will drive from La Paz through El Alto and onto the Altiplano (4000m), which is open and dry. We will see people in this area living and herding their llamas. One hour before the village we get our first views of Sajama, lonely by itself. We will stay the night in the village of Sajama and have the chance to visit the hot springs.
4 - 5 hours driving (LD) Hostel

Day 2: Sajama village – Base camp Parinacota (4500m) – High camp (5200m)

We will drive out to the base camp of Parinacota. You can only drive out by 4x4 as the sand is deep and soft. Once at the base camp we have a 2 hour walk to the saddle of Parinacota and Pomeratea were we make our high camp.
4 - 6 hours (BLD) camping

Day 3: High camp Parinacota (5200m) – Summit (6330m) – Base camp – Sajama village

We start early in the morning climbing slopes at an inclined at 33 degrees which makes the climb easy, but it is a long way. Later in the season we need to fight our through the Penitents, which does make it harder. However, from the summit we will be able to see Sajama and Cerro Guallatiri (6063m) in Chile.
10 - 16 hours (BLD) Hostal

Day 4: Sajama village – Base camp (4600m)

We will head north from the village of Sajama, walking across the open lands, with views of Sajama in front of us. After a fairly short days walk we will reach base camp.

3 - 4 hours (BLD) camping

Day 5: Base camp – High camp (5450m)

Walking on rock and moraine we will cross up over a ridge and continue to climb up to high camp. We will make our high camp on a ridge next to a rock tower and have views of the Altiplano.

4 - 6 hours (BLD) camping

Day 6 High camp – Summit (6549m) – High camp - Base camp – Sajama Village

An e arly start from our high camp as it will be a long day, and we will leave wearing our crampons. We will follow the ridge and climb through snow fields, to finally reach the summit. Where we can see The Twins and on a clear day we can see the Cordillera Real. After a short break we start the descent, stopping at the high camp to meet the porters who will carry all the equipment and personal gear. We will finish back at the Sajama village

10 to 16 hours (BLD) Hostal

Day 7:Sajama village – La Paz

In the morning a short visit of the hot springs. After lunch we will drive back to La Paz

3 - 4 hours driving (BL)

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