Cordillera Real and Sajama, Bolivia
Pequeño Alpamayo & Sajama Climb
Eleven days from La Paz: the elegant snow pyramid of Pequeño Alpamayo in the Cordillera Real, then Sajama (6,542 m), the highest mountain in Bolivia.
Eleven days from La Paz: the elegant snow pyramid of Pequeño Alpamayo in the Cordillera Real, then Sajama (6,542 m), the highest mountain in Bolivia.
Two very different mountains in one trip: the glacier lakes of the Condoriri group and the vast volcanic altiplano of Sajama, the highest peak in Bolivia.
Eleven days from La Paz: the Cordillera Real first to acclimatise, a rest day, then Sajama.
Pick-up at El Alto airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon we check your mountain gear; anything missing can be hired in the city.
A free day to adapt to the altitude. Optional ride on the cable cars, with Illimani in the background.
About three hours by private transport to Rinconada, then an easy three-hour walk, with mules carrying the gear, to base camp at Lake Chiar Khota below the Condoriri group.
An acclimatisation climb: a gentle ascent to a col and zigzags up to the summit, with views across the Cordillera Real. About 7–8 hours, back to base camp.
We leave at 2 am to climb Tarija, descend about 100 m and climb the steep, airy snow ridge of Pequeño Alpamayo. Back to base camp, down to Rinconada and to La Paz. About 9–10 hours on the mountain.
A day to recover. Optional visit to the Valle de la Luna.
About five hours across the altiplano, stopping at the colonial church of Curahuara de Carangas, known as the Sistine Chapel of the Altiplano. Night in a guesthouse.
By 4×4 to base camp, then up a long scree ridge to high camp, with porters carrying the camp gear. Early night.
We leave at 2 am over loose rock and a stony ridge to the snow, where there can be penitentes, and on to the huge, flat summit crater, with views of Parinacota and Pomerape. Down to base camp and to Sajama village, with a visit to the hot springs.
Return to La Paz by private transport, with time for some shopping.
Transfer to El Alto international airport.
Our departure is in June, the dry season in the Bolivian Andes. Days are sunny and clear, but it is the southern winter: nights at the Condoriri base camp are well below freezing, and on Sajama (6,542 m) summit day can be −20 °C or colder with the wind. Camping gear and the kitchen are included; your personal technical gear, sleeping bag and mat are not.
Technical gear, the sleeping bag and mat can be hired in La Paz: let us know in advance. Questions about your gear? Message us on WhatsApp.
An outstanding experience with Thin Air Trips! Isa and the team brought so much care, enthusiasm and professionalism to the whole adventure. Their thoughtful planning, clear communication and attention to detail made everything feel smooth and well organised, allowing me to relax and enjoy the experience.
What stood out most was the personal approach. Isa was approachable, helpful and always happy to answer questions. You could really feel her passion for the mountains and her commitment to making the trip special.
A fantastic team that I would happily recommend to anyone looking for a memorable trekking or mountain adventure. Thank you, Isa and Thin Air Trips—I would love to join you again!
I’ve now travelled with Thin Air Trips twice — to Torres del Paine and Kyrgyzstan — and both trips were absolutely incredible. Two very different destinations, but equally unforgettable adventures!
One of the best things about travelling with them is that they take care of everything. From planning the itinerary to organising accommodation, transport and all the logistics along the way, they make the whole experience feel easy. There’s so much that goes into organising trips like these, and having it all managed means you can relax, enjoy the adventure and focus on the places you’ve come to explore.
Torres del Paine was spectacular, and Kyrgyzstan was another amazing experience, with breathtaking mountains and landscapes that will stay with me for a long time. Both trips gave me so many special moments and memories that I’ll always treasure.
For me, the real value of Thin Air Trips is being able to experience these extraordinary destinations without the stress of coordinating everything myself. You get all the excitement of an adventure, with the reassurance that the details are taken care of.
The fact that I booked a second trip after my first probably says it all! I would happily travel with them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a well-organised, memorable adventure. An easy five stars!
Fuimos con ellos al Ararat y todo perfecto, organización de 10, muy buena comunicación antes y durante el viaje, y muy buenos guías. Repetiremos!
I had a fantastic experience travelling to Russia to summit Mt Elbrus. Isa has been really communicative and helpful. I had a lot of hestitations about travelling to the region, but all went smooth and the entire trip was amazing. The team on ground were also just as professional and helpful, really helping to take off the logitical pressure and allowing me to focus on the summit.
Espectacular!!la ruta , la organización , la gente…repetiré sin duda!
Viaje top y equipo mejor aún!
More dates from May to September on request.
Bring a friend: $100 credit each towards your next trip
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It is a serious one. Pequeño Alpamayo has a steep, exposed snow ridge to the summit, and Sajama is a long day above 6,000 m over scree and snow, sometimes with penitentes. You need very good fitness and experience with crampons and an ice axe.
The dry season, from May to September. Our departure is in June, with cold, stable weather.
Yes, or you can hire it in La Paz: crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet and mountaineering boots. Ropes and snow stakes are included.
From $1,765 per person, with guide, cook, porters, hotels and entrance fees included.
Fly to El Alto international airport, which serves La Paz, usually via Lima, Santiago or Bogotá.
Yes. If someone books a trip on your recommendation, you each get $100 credit towards your next trip with Thin Air ($50 if the trip they book costs under $1,500). The credit isn’t taken off the trip being booked now: it’s used on the following one. They just need to mention your name when booking.
Pequeño Alpamayo & Sajama Climb · 19 – 29 Jun 2027