Sajama and Acotango - 15 days

Itinerary

Sajama and Acotango - 15 days

Day 1 – Arrival to La Paz – Expedition briefing – 3800m

We’ll pick you up at the El Alto Airport and take you to the Hotel Sajama where you’ll meet the guides. Before dinner, we’ll have a short expedition brief regarding all expedition details. Drink plenty water tonight, remember you have just landed at 4100 and will sleep at 3800 metres!

Day 2 – Acclimatisation and Logistic – 3800m

This is our first acclimatisation day in La Paz so take it very easy! The guides will check all your climbing and trekking equipment. We can rent all the necessary equipment at the local stores.

Day 3 – Acclimatisation and Logistic – 3800m

We will spend another day in La Paz for acclimatisation. You can use that day to visit the ruins of Tiwanaku (about 50km from La Paz) or stay on the bolivian capital to visit museuns, or just walk and see the city landscape. There is lot’s to do in La Paz.

Day 4 – Climbing Chacaltaya – 5400m

After an early breakfast, we’ll try our first peak and return to hotel in the afternoon.

Day 5 – Drive to Villa Sajama – 4400m

After sorting out rentals and logistic details in the morning we’ll drive to Villa Sajama, 5 hours away from La Paz. Night in a basic hotel.

Day 6 – Acclimatisation Villa Sajama- 4400m

We’ll stay that day in Villa Sajama. You can enjoy the hot springs and the stunning view of the mountains.

Day 7 – Climbing Mt Acotango – 6083m

Acotango is a pretty high volcano but is known as the highest 6000m one can drive to: 5650. After a 2 hour drive from Villa Sajama, we’ll reach a large ridge by car and start the 4 hour walk to the summit. We’ll return to the car and drive back to Villa Sajama.

Day 8 – Rest day Villa Sajama 4400m

We need a day doing absolutely nothing!

Day 9 – Walk to Sajama Base Camp

Today we will walk up to Sajama’s Base Camp. It is only 2 hours walk on a pristine west andean landscape with stunning view to Parinacota and Pomerape Volcanoes. You can hire a mule to leave your back pack (not included).

Day 10 –  Walk to Sajama High Camp – 5650m

Today is one of the hardest days: 6 to 9-hour walk to High Camp at the base of a massive rock tower at nearly 5700m. After having an early dinner, we’ll hit the sleeping bags also pretty early for the big day tomorrow.

Day 11 – Summit attempt – 6538m

After leaving camp at around 1 am – we’ll climb through mixed terrain up to 6100 metres where a long ramp to the summit starts. From here the climb might take 2 to 4 hours. In total, we might climb up and down for about 7 – 9 hours.

Day 12 – Descent to BC and Villa Sajama – 4200m

We’ll break tents in the morning and descent to BC, then also walk for 45 min to the start of the trail where our driver will be waiting. Night at basic hotel.

Day 13 – Spare weather or acclimatisation day

Day 14 – Drive to La Paz – 3800m

Day 15 – Fly out back home

** The above itinerary is subject to change due weather conditions, performance of the group, political/administrative problems and any other events not described.

Equipment

Having good mountaineering equipment is one of the key points to have a successful expedition. Please note all your personal equipment will be checked by one of our guides in the hotel. You can easily rent or purchase all necessary mountaineering equipment in La Paz.

FAQ

Do I need visa to travel to Bolivia?

Bolivia requires visa on arrival to americans, south africans and some european countries. There are restrictions to Chinese citizens and to some african countries. Please read this article for more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Bolivia

How much equipment will I have to carry? Can I make it?

Your backpack will never weigh more than 15-18 kg. The most weight you will carry will be at Sajama and it won’t exceed 18 kilos.

I still think 18kg is too much. Can I pay a porter to carry my stuff?

Yes, a porter can take at least 20kg but you have to tell us in advance. They charge around U$50 to U$70 for a 20kg load depending on which mountain. They charge the same for the descent.

Do I have to carry tents and stoves?

All group equipment is purchased, carried, cleaned and assembled by our guides and porters, you don’t have to worry about it.

Which hotel will we stay in La Paz? Do I need to book it?

We’ll stay in a 3 star hotel named Hotel Sajama. It is located at the heart of the old centre of La Paz at the busy Illampu street. The area is well known by tourists and has many equipment shops, restaurants and travel agencies. The hotel has free WiFi and hot shower. They serve a very nice breakfast and the hotel has a large conference room which we’ll use for the theoretical classes. The rooms are double, triple or quadruple.

Are there any forms of communication on the mountain?

We take a satellite phone and SPOT devices to update our Blog and Facebook daily. At high camp there might be cell phone coverage that works under roaming for most worldwide networks. Other than that we have VHF radios and we can communicate with our base at any time of the day. We have satellite phone for emergencies.

Would you guys call my family and tell them I’m alright?

Of course! Even better! We have a blog that is updated every day! We normally post messages or photos about the expedition progress. Please visit our Facebook page and check the latest posts.

Do I have to share rooms with someone?

Yes. All the rooms in the huts are shared between up to 4 people. It is a mountain hut, not very luxurious but quite comfortable. Sharing rooms with someone creates an essential partnership to survive and succeed in these hostile environments that are the mountains.

Can I charge batteries or phones on the mountain?

There are no charging facilities on the mountains so you have to take extra batteries.

What if I abandon or quit the expedition?

If you quit the expedition 1 week before departure, it is possible to recover part of your investment. Contact us and find out more.

If you quit the expedition in La Paz, you can continue enjoying the services we provide you such as transportation and hotel. However we can not pay back the money you invested because logistics will already be hired.

If you quit the expedition after we left La Paz, you will have to cover individual transportation and accommodation costs. Everyone who leaves the expedition for personal or health reasons, should pay these costs.

If you give up during the summit attempt, you will never have to go down alone. Usually we coordinate your descent with more expedition members or also with guides from other known expeditions. One of the guides will always be with you.

What’s your philosophy?

We accept women and men of any age, experience or ambition. We ask our members to be patient, respect the leader’s decisions and never go up or down alone.

Remember that you don’t pay us to take you to the summit, you pay mountaineering professionals with several years experience to help you up and down a steep mountain in the safest possible way.

Our itinerary may seem slower than other companies, this is due to a longer acclimatisation plan based on safety. More days will actually improve the chance of reaching the summit!

How much money should I take?

We recommend you to take about U$700 to cover all your expenses. You will spend money on dinners and lunches in La Paz and Villa Sajama, equipment rentals, telephone bills, porters, tips, etc. You might also have extra expenses in case you decide to abandon the mountain. You might need to rent a down sleeping bag which costs U$20 for the whole trip and a down jacket which costs U$15.

Can I take my credit card or traveller cheques?

We do not recommend you to take debit/credit cards to Bolivia as banks can be unreliable. If you had no option but taking a debit/credit card, please know American Express cards do not work in Bolivia.

The best way is to take US dollars, Euro or Sterling pounds. These can be easily exchanged into local currency as there are several exchange offices in La Paz. Some cards are accepted in large stores. However do not forget to tell your bank that you will be traveling to another country so your card is not blocked. Prepaid cards might work in some ATMs in La Paz.

What is the experience I need to participate?

Although we don’t require experience on high altitude mountains, it would be ideal you have previous experiences on high altitude peaks. To climb Sajama we recommend you to have at least, experience on multi-day treks so you’re already familiar with camping techniques and the use of hiking backpacks, etc.

What is the training I need for big mountains like this one?

To mountains over 6000m, we recommend you start training at least 3 months before departure. Of course this depends upon your physical condition. Aerobic exercises like running and cycling are great. Ideally ask a professional to recommend you a good aerobic training program. Mountain hiking with a backpack is also a very efficient exercise.

It that true that I need yellow fever vaccination to go to Bolivia?

Theoretically yes, but in the last four years the authorities did not ask our students for proof of vaccination. Bolivia is one of the countries that require yellow fever vaccine to travelers transiting Chaco Boreal, so if you come by land, you will need one. Check your vaccination card if you have already taken the vaccine in the past. It is valid for 10 years. You will need an international vaccination card. If you do actually take the vaccine, we recommend you take it at least 1 week before the trip as your body might react to it.

How is the weather in Sajama?

Expect dry cold days and freezing nights. Also, west wind usually starts just before noon and goes on for the whole afternoon. If there are storms, they usually come in the afternoon, after 1 or 2 pm.

Is there drinking water at Sajama?

Apart from a few exceptions, there are 2 water streams at Sajama. We have to take most of the water with us. There is no water at high camp unless is very warm.

How much do I need to give tips?

Tips are voluntary and very welcome. They are not mandatory. However if you tip someone, that means you are very pleased with their job. If everyone agrees, what we usually do after the expedition is to have a ‘pool’ with everyone’s contributions. We then share it equally among local staff.

What if I have a health problem?

Our leader and guides have extensive experience in mountain medicine and will solve most of the health problems you might have. We have an massive medical kit and can handle most of gastrointestinal disorders, altitude diseases, allergies and traumas.

Moreover, even the local Bolivian guides are very well trained in this type of problems. In Bolivia there is a certification called UIAGM and almost all guides already have it or are on the way to have one. UIAGM guides are normally trained on WFR protocol.

What if I need a rescue?

All guides in Bolivia are trained in rescues and first aid in remote areas. Our guides are required to have a valid WFR certification.

Do you recommend the use of Diamox?

NOT for the Andes. In extreme altitudes like the Himalayas or Karakorum we do recommend using Acetilzolamide or Diamox. This drug seems to actually work during the acclimatisation period by increasing the breathing rate at night (reduces CO2 levels), and also is a diuretic which eliminates sodium out of your system. In the Andes mountains however, mountains are too dry and taking diuretics such as Diamox actually decrease your acclimatisation capacity.

I was climbing in Peru before and I had a hard time communicating to my guide. Do your guides speak any english?

Yes, our leaders speak fluent english. Please check our team’s information and find out about our guides’ communication skills.

What’s the temperature my sleeping bag should stand?

We recommend you to bring good down sleeping bags with comfort temperature of -15ºC. Please note there are 2 types of temperatures shown in most of sleeping bags. We’re focusing on the “comfort temperature”. You can rent a sleeping bag for U$20 in La Paz.

 

What if I have a special diet?

Please tell us in advance about any food issues you might have and also please remind our guides about it too. Unless you bring your own food, we cannot help you if you are macro-biotic, vegan or celiac due to extreme logistical difficulties. Contact us and let us know about your food restriction.

Map

Cost

Expedition cost is U$ 2550, contact us to know payment methods:

What’s included:

• Leadership of a Andes Specialist professional mountain guide;
• 1 assistant guide (UIAGM or UIAGM aspirant) for every 2 or 3 students;
• cooks and porters for group equipment (not personal equipment);
• Taxes and climbing fees;
• Transport to/from airport;
• Transport to/from Villa Sajama;
• Transport to/from Acotango;
• 4 hotel nights in a 3 star hotel (Hotel Sajama, La Paz) with breakfast included – rooms are shared;
• 3 nights in basic accommodation hostel at Villa Sajama;
• Tent at Sajama and Condoriri Range (tents are shared);
• All meals outside La Paz (details on itinerary);
• Use of ropes and snow/ice anchors;
• Use of first aid kit;
• Water from snow melting on all mountains;
• Assistance for renting/buying equipment in La Paz;

What is NOT included:

• Flights from/to La Paz;
• Immigration tax or visas (if any);
• Personal equipment (read the equipment tab);
• Money return in case you abandon the expedition;
• International travel insurance;
• Lunch and dinner in La Paz and Villa Sajama;
• Extra nights at Sajama Hotel (we include 5);
• Single room in case you don’t want to share;
• Tips (if you believe our staff deserves it)
• Reimbursement for loss or damage of your personal equipment