Plan your trip · Guide

Bolivia

What to know before climbing in Bolivia: getting to La Paz, entry, altitude, money and weather.

01 · The basics

Before you go

Our expedition starts in La Paz, at about 3,640 m, the perfect base to start acclimatising.

At a glance
Getting there	International flight to El Alto airport (above 4,000 m), which serves La Paz, usually via Lima, Santiago or Bogotá.
Entry	Citizens of many countries, including the EU, the US and the UK, can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. Check the requirements for your nationality.
National park	Sajama is inside Sajama National Park, the oldest in Bolivia; the Condoriri area is in the Cordillera Real. Entrance fees are included in our trip.
Currency	Boliviano. Carry cash: cards are not accepted everywhere outside La Paz.
Weather	In the dry season, clear days and very cold nights, well below freezing at the high camps, and often strong wind on Sajama.
Plugs	Types A and C, mostly 230 V and 50 Hz. Some places in La Paz use 115 V; check your chargers.

02 · The trip

Best time: the dry season, May to September.

Eleven days from La Paz: Pico Austria, Tarija and Pequeño Alpamayo in the Cordillera Real, then Sajama (6,542 m), the highest mountain in Bolivia.

All dates are in the departure calendar.

03 · Health and insurance

Altitude: our trips are designed to give you proper acclimatisation. Safety comes first, and with altitude we don’t take chances. If you have any questions, just ask us. More in altitude sickness and acclimatisation
Insurance: it’s mandatory. It must cover the activity you’ll be doing, based on the maximum altitude and whether technical gear is involved, as well as helicopter rescue and evacuation and repatriation. Before departure you’ll also sign a waiver
Vaccines: requirements depend on the country you’re travelling from. Check the latest on your country’s official health website or with a travel health clinic, or ask us
Physical preparation: you don’t need to be an athlete, but arriving prepared means you’ll enjoy the trip much more. If you need it, we can help with a training and nutrition plan tailored to you. See how it works

Questions?

If you’re thinking about climbing in Bolivia, write to us and we’ll reply by email.