Bolivia Exclusive

In the morning, private vehicle transfer to the village of Santiago de Okola located in a magnificent bay dominated by the Sleeping Dragon hill, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Welcome from the community with whom we share lunch.

In the early afternoon, we start our hike up Dragon Dormido with a climb to the Tunupa cave. Then we continue on a slightly steeper path to the summit which reaches 4095m. Magnificent view over Santiago bay. A more challenging descent on the other side… truly a beautiful hike not to be missed !

Hiking time: 3 hours
Elevation gain: +230m/-230m

Back at the village we meet a weaver from the village who teaches us the technique of traditional weaving. It sometimes takes a month to weave an aguayo, a traditional Andean fabric.

After breakfast, hiking along the shores of Lake Titicaca to reach Isla Tortuga. Along the way, opportunity to visit a small museum showcasing local culture. A beautiful hike that allows you to soak in the magic of the place. The view of the lake from the top of the island is impressive and gives the impression of an endless expanse of water.

Walking time: 3 hours

Return late morning to the Santiago de Okola community to enjoy a typical lunch.

Return by private vehicle to La Paz.

Transfer in private vehicle to El Alto airport for our La Paz - Sucre flight (variable schedules). Welcome by our driver at Alcantari airport and check-in to the hotel.

Rest of the day free.

Departure at 8am from the hotel to reach the imperial city of Potosí where we arrive late morning.

At 2pm, meeting with our guide at our hotel to discover the Casa de la Moneda, a museum that traces the history of the city through silver coins that were produced there during Spanish times.

A little anecdote: the mask of the main patio was sculpted in 1850 by the Frenchman Eugenio Martínez Mulón. For some, it represents Diego Hualpa, the native who, according to legend, discovered the vein of Cerro Rico. For others, it symbolizes Bacchus, the Greek god of wine and abundance. This is because of the bunches of grapes on his head.

Weather permitting, discovery of the city center.

In the morning, meet with our guide at 9am at our hotel. First, we head to the miners' market to buy coca leaves, cigarettes and alcohol that we will give to the miners. Then we start the actual visit to the Cerro Rico mines where the world's largest silver deposit was located (reduced activity on Saturdays and Mondays, no visits possible on Sundays).

Return to the city center late morning.

Free lunch and departure by private vehicle to the city of Uyuni.

Expedition by 4x4 vehicle. To begin, we visit the Train Cemetery located on the outskirts of the city. Most of the trains in this cemetery date back to the early twentieth century and were imported from England to transport ore to Chile. Crossing of San Cristobal, a village relocated following the arrival of a mining company. Discovery of the Valley of Rocks where erosion has created strange shapes several meters high. Some more notable than others, we can play at finding the resemblances! One of the rocks may perhaps have the shape of a world football cup or a camel.

Dinner and night at the Mallku Cueva ecolodge.

Our expedition of the day, by 4x4, will take us to discover the most beautiful Lagunas of the region. Journey to the Polques hot springs (4,000 m) where we have the possibility to swim with beautiful views of the Laguna Chalviri. Along the way, discovery of the famous "Dali Desert" with its surreal landscapes in light ochre tones. Finally, we reach the Laguna Blanca and especially the Laguna Verde (4,300 m) with its emerald color and the Licancabur volcano as a backdrop. We return by the same route before stopping at the "Sol de Mañana" site (4,850 m alt.), an area characterized by numerous geysers, fumaroles and mud pools. Arrival at the Laguna Colorada which hosts numerous colonies of pink flamingos parading before our eyes.

Walking time: approximately 4 hours

Night in the refuge located near the lagoon (very basic comfort, sleeping bag mandatory).

First of all, a stop is necessary in the Siloli Desert to admire among other things the stone tree. Then heading north via the Jewel Route, a series of several magnificent lagoons (Honda, Ch'arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa) some of which are home to colonies of pink flamingos. This is the ideal time for a selfie with a flamingo! A short break is necessary to admire the Ollaguë and Tomasamil volcanoes. We reach the Salar de Chiguana which closes this beautiful day.

Walking time: 4 hours

Arrival at the village of San Juan de Rosario, located between the salars of Uyuni and Chiguana, and accommodation in a simple lodge.

We are walking today on the mythical Salar d'Uyuni, which for many is none other than the most beautiful salt desert in the world. Crossing this immense immaculate surface, one of the most striking experiences of this trip that we will remember for a long time. This paradise on earth with its infinitely white landscape is simply magical. An island in a sea of salt, the Incahuasi Island or Casa del Inca, is astonishing with its many cacti so tall that they seem to touch the sky.

Night in the small village of Jirira, which borders the salar on its northern side.

Our destination for the day is Sajama Park. We first follow the Salar to the village of Salinas then reach Quillacas, from where we drive along Lake Poopo. We pass through the village of Orinoca, birthplace of Evo Morales, the first indigenous president in the history of Bolivie. Along the way, we discover beautiful sand dunes, on the edges of the almost dried-up Lake Poopo.

At Copacabanita, heading west towards Turco. Arrival at the Chullpares de Pumiri at 3960m. These are magnificent rock formations forming a City of Stones. Short hike through the maze of rocks.

We're heading back to the Sajama park. Night at the Tomarapi ecolodge.

Departure by private vehicle to the geysers and its boiling hot springs. Progressive and peaceful hike in the valley bottom to Laguna Khasiri. We observe giant coots (Ajoya in Aymara), whose nests are made of large floating platforms constructed from algae and grasses. Steeper ascent to a plateau where the beautiful Laguna Sorapata is nestled. We enjoy a beautiful view of the Condoriri Grande massif. Descent back to the geysers and drive to the hot springs.

Hiking time: between 4 and 7 hours
Elevation gain: +600m/-600m

Drive to La Paz and check-in at the hotel.

We depart in the morning towards Lake Titicaca and the north of Cordillera Real, then we descend to the village of Sorata, nestled at the bottom of a verdant valley at the foot of the Illampu and Ancohuma massifs.

Free afternoon in the magnificent tree-lined park of the Ecolodge Altai Oasis.

We begin our trek from Sorata along a well-marked trail that rises to the southeast through hamlets and cultivated land. Gradually the majestic Illampu massif reveals itself more and more and almost makes us forget the significant elevation gain of the day. Well, almost! 1525 m higher up, here is the Laguna Chilata, nestled on a small plateau overlooking the Sorata valley. Camp on the shores of the lake.

Departure: 8:00 AM
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation gain: +900m/-800m

We take a trail climbing toward the southeast, crossing a gap at 4400 m altitude, then running along contour lines on the western slope of the Illampu and Ancohuma massifs. We then continue with a steep climb through rocks to reach Laguna Glaciar (5045 m) where an enormous glacier tongue plunges into the water. The main peak of Illampu, a monster of ice, overlooks a rocky ridge that is both splendid and frightening. After the lake, we descend off-trail through a rocky chaos toward the southwest to Venado camp.

Departure: 8:00 am
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation gain: +900m/-800m

Our hike starts along a balcony trail along the mountainside heading south to a pass at 4350 m altitude. This pass overlooks a wide valley where the Mina Susana (4030 m) is located, a network of silver and tin mines. We continue with a descent on a track that offers views of the galleries carved by miners in the mountain. Before dropping down to the village of Millipaya (3475 m), we cross a stream to switch, heading due south, to the other side of the valley, then we climb on a trail, along the side, until Khota Pata lake (4052 m). The trail continues south, passes among other small lakes and leads to the place called Lojena, ideal for setting up camp above the Millipaya valley.

Departure: 8:00 AM
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation gain/loss: +670m/-610m

The trail continues along the mountainside with alternating climbs and descents. We can clearly see Lake Titicaca in the distance. A final climb takes us to the Chotanlona pass (4 910 m) which opens onto the massifs of Illampu, Ancohuma and even that of Chearoco not to mention the Kasiri and Calzada glaciers… We then descend eastward into the lovely valley hosting the turquoise lake of San Francisco near which there are hot springs that invite swimming. Bivouac on the shores of the lake.

Departure: 8:00 AM
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation gain: +760m/-510m

Today's program includes crossing 2 passes that reach nearly 5000 m altitude. The route heads southeast to Lake Ajoyan, above Lake Cacha, at around 4780 m altitude. Then it climbs northwest to the bottom of the valley where two turquoise blue lakes are located, Lake Chojña Khota (4720 m) and Carizal (4767 m), at the foot of the Calzada pass and its eponymous peak (5650 m). Camping by the lake, in one of the most beautiful "camping zones" of the royal cordillera!

Departure: 8:00 AM
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation gain: +760m/-510m

For the morning, we have two possible choices: relax in the sun on the shores of the lake or visit the Calzada pass. In the latter case, we head up towards Lake Carizal and then follow its right bank, continuing northeast to the Calzada pass (5050 m), wedged between the Kasiri and Calzada massifs, culminating at 5857 m and 5650 m respectively. We retrace our steps back to Laguna Chojña Khota.

After lunch, the afternoon objective is to reach the shores of Lake Jistaña Khota for our evening camp. To do this, we head south and cross a pass located at 5100 m altitude. We finish with a long descent into the valley to the shores of the lake. Throughout the route, the path is nothing but dust and the landscape a palette of grey tones!

Departure: 10:00
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Elevation gain: +350m/-510m

We set off on the mountainside, heading due west, then turn south to the small lake of Niquioyo Khota (4672 m), dominated to the east by Condor Jipina (5315 m). The balcony trail continues southeast and offers a wide panorama over the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca. We tackle a series of ascents and descents to cross two passes, the first at 4950 m altitude, the second at 5000 m. To finish the day, we descend through a steep scree field until we reach a valley that shelters the pretty little green lake of Chiscacalliuani.

Departure: 8:00 AM
Walking time: 7 hours
Elevation gain/loss: +840m/-580m

We join today the Chachacomani valley then the village of Cruz Pampa, which marks the end of our trek in the Royal Cordillera.

Departure: 9:00 AM
Walking time: approximately 2 hours
Elevation loss: -400m

Return by private vehicle to La Paz.