Cordillera Real Illampu Circuit

At 07:00 am we leave La Paz, passing along the beautiful landscape of the Cordillera Real, close to Lake Titicaca. Then through the towns of Achacachi and Warisata, from where the imposing nevadas of Ancohuma and Illampu can be seen. Then we reach the beautiful mountain town of Sorata, altitude 2,700m, where we pack the mules and start the trek through beautiful rural scenery around Sorata, and enjoying many views of the imposing nevada Illampu. Then we reach the first camp at Lachathiya, altitude 3,850m, where we rest for the first night.

We leave in the morning and continue climbing up to the Ancohuma pass, altitude 4,749m, from where the scenery of the high valleys of Sorata, a lot of Andean flora and fauna can be seen. Then we descend to 3,900m, camping at Janq’u uma.

A two-hour walk takes us to the Kurahuasi pass, altitude 4,479 m, before we descend to the river, and pass through the village of Cocoyo, continuing to the campsite at altitude 3,850m, a total six hours of trekking.

With a 2-hour ascent to 4,500m, we reach the Sarani pass. From where we can see the nevadas of Warani Wara (Negruni) and also the river Chajolpaya. From there we can see the nevado Calzada, and a variety of flora and fauna of the area.

After breakfast, we continue the 3 hour trek to the Sarani pass, altitude 4,900m, near the glaciers of Kasiri and Calzada. Then then we continue down to the campsite at laguna Chujna Quta, altitude 4,100m and make camp close to the mountains.

After breakfast we start the trek to the beautiful laguna San Francisco, where we have lunch near the hot springs before continuing to the other camp site at Wara Warani, a walk of around 6 hours.

In this last day of trekking, we prepare all the camping gear and begin to descend towards the village of Millipaya, passing by abandoned mines, and small mining towns that are dedicated to agriculture and livestock. Thus we reach the small village of Milliapaya where transport awaits us for the return to La Paz in the afternoon.