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. Pequeño Alpamayo (5370m) is part of the Condoriri Massif and is one of the most popular peaks in the massif to climb, and one of the most beautiful.

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: 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: Laguna  Ajwañi – Condoriri Base camp (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 Matherhorne 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 11: Condoriri

A rest day in the base camp, and a chance for us to prepare for the following days climbing.
(BLD)

Day 12: Condoriri – Pequeño Alpamayo (5370m) – Condoriri

An early start in the morning for the accent of Pequeño Alpamayo, after only an hour of walking we will reach the glacier. Here we will need to put our crampons on, and head up the glacier. First we have to climb Mt Tarija (4200m), going over the top and down a little way on the other side. Last 100m of climbing is good fun with views of Huayna Potosi (6088m). Same route back down.
7 to 8 hours (BLD)

Day 13: 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 14: Ancoma – Botilaca (3900m) – La Paz (3600m)

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). A two hour drive back to La Paz passing Huayna Potosi along the way and seeing other climbers climbing.
2 hours walking, 2 hours driving (BL)