The Trans Cordillera is one of the most popular treks in the Cordillera Real and you will almost walk from one end to the other, crossing several passes allowing you spectacular views of the Cordillera. You will see beautiful valleys, glacial lakes and wildlife and you will also have the opportunity to meet indigenous communities that are largely untouched by modern society. And you can easily combine this trek with climbing Huayna Potosi (6088m), one of the easiest 6000m plus mountains to climb in the world and is one of Bolivia’s most popular climbs.

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) – Sorata (2700m)

Our first day is the drive to Sorata. As we head out of La paz into the city of Al alto with have great views of La paz city and the surrounding mountains. Later we cross the Altiplano were we pass most of the Cordillera Real. After 2 hours we reach a pass which takes us down into the valley of Sorata. A long the way we stop for photos of Illampu, one of the most impressive looking mountains in the Cordillera Real. Once in Sorata we notice the climate is much warmer and is a great place to relax and drink a beer in the plaza. 3 – 4 hours driving (LD) Hostel

Day 2: Sorata (2700m) – Lachathiya (4200m)

We will start our trekking from Sorata. Following the small tracks and passing the campesinos (farmers) as they work in the fields, up to Lachathiya along the way we can see Illampu (6368m), Ancohuma (6472m) and Nevada Piramide (5097m). Near Lachathiya we will set up camp.
5 to 7 hours walking. (LD)

Day 3: Lachathiya – Ecia Utana Pampa, Ancoma (3800m)

In the morning we will have a 2 hour climb up to the pass of Abra Illampu (4749m), from where we will have our last good views of the north face of Illampu. Then we will have a long walk down to the old village of Ecia Utana Pampa, where we can see them growing potatoes. We will set up camp near this village.
5 to 6 hours. (BLD)

Day 4: Ancoma – Cocoyo (3600m)

First thing in the morning we have a good climb to the pass of Korahua (4480m). From where we can look down to the valley of Cocoyo. Then there will be a steep down hill to the bottom of the valley, where we will set up camp, just before the village of Cocoyo.
4 to 6 hours. (BLD)

Day 5: Cocoyo – Chajolpaya (4000m)

We start the morning with a climb up to the pass of Sarani (4700m) passing the village of Cocoyo and some old houses and mines. We will have lunch at the pass before heading down to the valley of Chajolpaya where the children always come out to have a look at the show.
5 to 7 hours. (BLD)

Day 6: Chajolpaya – Negruni (4000m)

It will be a long climb up to the pass of Negruni (5000m), where there might be snow. We will walk down the valley, where sometimes you can see womenweaving from the villages. We will make camp next to a small lake.
7 to 8 hours. (BLD)

Day 7: Negruni – Palca (4000m)

An easy day of walking as we will walk further down into the valley and pass the small community of Palca. At the church, we will climb for an hour to get to the start of the next pass for the following day.
4 to 5 hours. (BLD)

Day 8: Palca – Waraco (4000m)

A step climb first thing in the morning to reach the top of the pass. If you turn around at the lake you will have amazing views of Nevada Chachumani (6000m). We will continue down the other side of the pass to meet up with the road and we will make camp just before the next pass.
6 to 7 hours. (BLD)

Day 9: Waraco – Lake Quta Qutia (4000m)

This day is spent following the road, over the pass onto the Altiplano (4000m). We will continue to follow the road, and later in the day we will meet with the driver, who will provide us with fresh food for the rest of the trip.
NOTE at this point of the trip, if anyone is sick or injured etc. they can go back with the driver to La Paz.
6 to 7 hours. (BLD)

Day 10: Lake  Quta Qutia – Laguna Ajwañi (4200m)

We will leave the road and climb a pass, at the top where we will have our first views of Lake Titikaka (3810m). We will continue walking through the Altiplano, which is very open and dry. We will drop steeply down into a valley and then one last short climb before we make camp next to a small lake with lots of bird life.
6 to 7 hours. (BLD)

Day 11: Laguna  Ajwañi – Condoriri (4000m)

This day we will have to make an early start, we have three pass to cross and it’s a long day. At the second pass we will get our first views of the Cabaza de Condor (5648m), the Matherhorn of Bolivia. Crossing the last pass we will get to the base camp of Condoriri. The camp is in beautiful surroundings next to a lake with great views of the mountains and if we are lucky we can have fresh trout for dinner.
8 to 9 hours. (BLD)

Day 12: Condoriri – Ancoma (3600m)

We need to cross 2 passes today, from both we should have views of Huayna Potosi. After the second pass it is downhill to the end. We will stop by a small dam, set up camp and feel the warm air of the Yungas.
5 to 6 hours (BLD)

Day 13: Ancoma – Botilaca (3900m) – Refugio Huayna Potosi (4700m)

2 easy hours down hill to arrive at the village of Botilaca. We meet the driver and say good bye to the muleros (those looking after the mules). We will then drive for about an hour to reach the Refugio Huyana Potosi, from where we can see the route up Huyana Potosi.
2 hours of walking, 1 hour driving (BLD) Refugio

Day 14: Refugio Huyana Potosi – High camp (5200m)

In the morning we will meet the porters to take our camp equipment up to the high camp. We will walk through the rocks and moraine, and we will make our camp just below the snow line. In the evening we will prepare for the next days climbing.
4 hours (BLD)

Day 15: High camp – Summit (6088m) – High camp – La Paz (3600m)

An early start as it is a long day and it will be cold. With crampons on we start our day of climbing. The last section to the summit is great climbing. From the top we can see from Illimani (6439m) to Illampu (6368m). After we take our photo shot on top, we head back to high camp. There we pack up camp and the porters meet us to bring all the equipment and personal gear down. A short drive back to La Paz.
9 to 11 hours walking, 1 hour driving (BL)
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