A trek through the remote and fascinating regions of the Cordillera Real, led by a mountain guide and a French-speaking guide. Everything is arranged: mule hire, bivouac equipment, meals, site entrance fees, and private transport.
Day 1, La Paz (3,600m) - Ajwani Lagoon
Departure by private transport towards the Cordillera Real and Kothia lagoon to begin the trek (4,470m alt.).
Meeting with our team of muleteers, then departure along the right side of the lake, on the southwest slope of the range. We cross a first pass (Paso Contador, 4,760m alt.) before crossing a semi-marshy area, near Surakhota lagoon. After about 4 hours of walking, we reach Ajwani lagoon (“lagoon of birds”, 4,720m alt.).
Day 2, Ajwani Lagoon - Jurikhota Lagoon
We continue along the mountainside. We cross a first pass at 4,900 meters altitude (Paso Milluni), then continue to Sistaña lagoon (4,650m alt.). Then we cross another pass (Paso Janchallani, 4,950m alt.) before descending towards the splendid Jurikhota lagoon (4,720m alt.).
Day 3, Jurikhota Lagoon - Chiarkhota Lagoon
From the lagoon, we climb the moraine up to Congelada lagoon (two glaciers literally plunge into its frozen waters), located at 4,900 meters altitude, at the foot of Condoriri (5,650m alt.). A 1h30 climb.
We cross a new pass (Austria, 5,120m alt.) before descending towards Chiarkhota lagoon (4,670m alt.), base camp for the ascent of Condoriri and Pequeño Alpamayo. Before the pass, it is possible to climb Pico Austria (5,300m alt.), from where the view of Condoriri and the Cordillera Real is sublime.
Day 4, Chiarkhota Lagoon - Wichu Khota Lagoon
We leave Condoriri behind us and head towards the foot of the Aiguille Noire, up to Jallayko pass
(5,025m alt.). About a 2-hour climb. We then descend into the very beautiful, steep-sided valley of Jistaña. From there, the view of Tuni lagoon below rewards our efforts. We descend to Wichu Khota lagoon to
set up camp.
Day 5, Wichu Khota Lagoon - Campo Canal
We make our way among the lagoons, up to the former Santa Fe mine camp. A short detour to the small summit overlooking the camp allows us to admire the full array of lagoons once again. We then climb gently up to our campsite, surrounded by the peaks of Imilla Apachita, Maria Lloco, and Huayna Potosí (6,088m): the view is breathtaking.
Day 6, Campo Canal - La Paz
After gathering and loading our mules, we cross Milluni pass (5,000m) mid-morning. The Milluni valley then opens up before us. We skirt the Huayna Potosí massif on our left, before reaching the valley, which we follow to the Huayna Potosí base camp refuge.
At this exact spot, the torrent plunges literally into the green, tropical Yungas region.
Arrival at Huayna Potosí base camp and return to La Paz by private transport.
Dinner on your own in La Paz.
