Minimum age: 14 years old – Must have parents permission
Maximum age: 65 years old – Medical proof of optimum health status

Day 1: La Paz (3600m) – Paso Zongo (4700m)

The day begins when we depart from La Paz, and drive to Paso Zongo (4700m). Once at Paso Zongo, we’ll drop our gear off in the hut and have some lunch. After lunch, we’ll walk to the lower glacier, where the guides will explain and show some basic techniques for ice climbing and mountaineering. You’ll have the chance to practice these techniques with the guides, and use our climbing equipment. Later in the day, you will practice ice climbing techniques on small ice walls with safety ropes in place. After, we’ll walk back to the base camp where we’ll sleep in a refuge.

Accommodation: Base camp's refuge (basic, with bunk beds and a bathroom (but no showers), electricity, tables for dining and outhouses. There will also be a couple of big tents for dining and cooking.

Day 2: Paso Zongo (4700m) - High camp (5200m)

Today you have a relatively easy day up to high camp. High camp is on a rock buttress, at an altitude of 5200m, and at the base of the glacier. The walk up is on a well-used rock path. Once at high camp, we’ll need to get our gear ready for the next day, as we have an early start in the morning. You’ll also have time to rest and rehydrate. It’s an early night tonight where we sleep in the refuge.

Accommodation: High camp's refuge (basic, with bunk beds and cushions, tables for dining, and outhouses).

Day 3: High camp (5200m) – Summit (6088m) – High camp (5200m) - La Paz (3600m)

It’s a very early start, as we’ll leave at around 1:00am in the morning. It will be cold so you’ll want to dress well. The climb commences on the glacier, and so we will begin with our crampons on, and the rest of our climbing gear. The ascent is mostly following a trail on the glacier. There’ll be 2 steep sections, one at around 5600m, called the Pala Chica. The trail goes through a snow and ice wall. Once through this part, we’ll keep following the trail on the glacier up to 6000m. From this point, you’ll be able to see the summit. The last section up to the summit is great climbing on an exposed ridge. From the summit, you’ll get a nice view from Illimani (6439m) to Illampu (6368m). Following our photo shot at the top, we’ll make our way back down the same route to high camp. Upon arrival to high camp, you’ll be able to take a short rest and pack up the gear. We’ll then make our way down to base camp to meet our transport, and head back to La Paz.

Important: If you want to do this tour, you must have insurance. You must go to Climbing South America's office the day before your tour starts for your mountain gear safety fitting.

Note: Tour given in Spanish. Minimum 2 passengers for this tour.

Note: This tour has different prices for high season and for low season. High season runs from April-September. Low Season is from November-March there is lower demand with less travellers in Bolivia at this time of year thus the prices are lower.

DAY 1/ 08:30 - 09:00

Meeting point at Climbing South America office

---

DAY 1/ 09:15 - 09:30

Depart from La Paz

---

DAY 1/ 12:00

Arrive in Paso Zongo and have lunch

---

DAY 1/ 13:30

We walk to the lower glacier, and the guide will give a briefing about ice climbing and mountaineering. Then we will practice some techniques and ice climbing later in the day

---

DAY 1/ 16:30

We walk back to the base camp where we sleep in a refuge

---

DAY 2/ 08:00 - 12:00

We walk up on a well-used rock path

---

DAY 2/ 12:00 - 13:00

Go to high camp where we sleep in the refuge

---

DAY 3/ 01:00

Depart from high camp

---

DAY 3/ 02:00 - 11:00

We start the climb on the glacier. We have 2 steep sections: one at 5600m (Pala Chica) and one at 6000m

---

DAY 3/ 11:00

We head back to high camp, where we will have a short rest and pack up our gear

---

DAY 3/ 12:00

We head back down to base camp

---

DAY 3/ 14:00

Return to La Paz

---

- Professional Spanish speaking mountain guide (with basic English)
- Meals (1st day: lunch and dinner, 2nd day: breakfast, lunch and dinner, and 3rd day: breakfast and lunch), snacks and water
- Private transport
- Entrance fee to Huayna Potosi mountain
- Cook
- 2 night’s refuge (base camp and high camp)
- All equipment for the mountain, ropes and protection
- All technical climbing gear and clothing (double boots, crampons, ice axe, jackets, pants, helmet, etc)
- First Aid kit

- Personal insurance
- Extra services not mentioned in the program
- Tips
- One backpack 50L (rent 20 Bs per day)
- Sleeping bag (rent 25 Bs per night)
- Porters ($30USD one way - carry up to 20kg)

- Passport, or a copy of it
- Bottle of water 2L (for the first day)
- Personal insurance
- Warm and thermal clothes: thermal underwear (top and bottom), 2 pairs of socks (one thin and one thick)
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Extra cash
- Extra snacks
- Backpack (approx. 50L)
- Sleeping bag

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

SEASONAL PRICES
High Season: 1st April - 30th Sep
Low Season: 1st Nov - 31st Mar

EXCLUSIONS
This tour is not possible to operate for children under 14 years old, people with physical conditions or disabilities, or pregnant women.

Cancellation or changes of this tour:

CHANGES: If you cancel before 3:00 pm (La Paz time) the day before the tour, an 18% administration fee will apply.

No Shows & Cancellations of this tour - If you cancel before 3:00 pm (La Paz time) the day before the tour or earlier, a 30% administration fee (+ the card fee). After this time, there is a 100% no show or cancellation fee.

You must email bookings@findlocaltrips.com (include the name of the tour and the reservation number) to cancel this tour or to make any changes.

1. Do I need insurance?

   Yes, you must provide us with your insurance details in order to do this tour.

2. Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

   Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick in high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time, 1 to 2 days for most people. If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, do not fly directly into high altitude - proceed slowly, allowing your body time to acclimatise as you ascend gradually. However, for many that is not possible, so it’s important to drink lots of water, and to slow down! This sounds simple, but both of these things are very important. Your body is struggling because you don’t have enough oxygen, so avoiding any strenuous activity is a good idea. Chew some coca leaves - the native people of South America have been chewing coca for centuries, thanks to its ability to alleviate mild altitude sickness symptoms. Coca leaves can be bought in any supermarket, and even souvenir shops or street stalls. Take altitude sickness pills (Soroche): these are sold over the counter all over Peru and Bolivia, and are just a few dollars. If you are flying straight into altitude over 2500 metres without spending any time at an intermediate elevation, and you’re worried about getting sick, you can ask your doctor for more specific and stronger altitude sickness medication in advance. In the rare case that your symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness, you should descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.

3. Why should I climb Huayna Potosi?

   Huayna Potosi is a mountain and National Park in the La Paz Department of Bolivia. It's located about 30 km north of La Paz, and the mountain reaches 6088 metres above sea level. About 1000 climbers make it to the summit every year, and it is said to be an "easy" peak. Base Camp and the obvious entry point for treks in the park is at Zongo Pass (4700 m), on the way to Zongo. Rock Camp (5130 m) offers great views, and is the place from where climbers make their ascent of the peak.

4. When is the best time to climb?

   The best time to climb is during dry season, which is from May to September. It is colder during these months, but this means you will have clearer skies, and less loose snow to slow your ascent. It is still usually possible to climb during the months of March, April and November, but the weather is less guaranteed.

5. What should I bring to the tour?

   Bring a warm sleeping bag, a backpack (around 50L), a headtorch with spare batteries, sunscreen, sunglasses with UV protection, a 2L bottle of water (for the first day), a camera or video camera, extra cash, and most importantly, bring your passport or a copy of it. Take clothes for very cold temperatures (possibly down to -15ºC): you are going to need a good pair of thermal underwear or a base layer. It needs to be tight, or fit close to the skin to take the moisture away from your body, and help keep you warm. For summit day, three layers are recommended: thermal underwear, a pair of trekking pants, and a wind shell. If you get cold easily, then another pair of thermal pants is needed. Use a thermal top as your base layer, one or two polar jumpers/pullovers, a fleece/softshell jacket, and a windproof shell. Carry one warmer down jacket or something similar. A balaclava will help seal the top of your jacket, and stop the wind from coming in. Also, you will need gloves with a waterproof cover, 2 pair of socks (one thin and the other thick), warm headwear, and a sun hat/cap.

6. Do I need prior experience of climbing mountains?

   Huayna Potosi is a technically easy climb, and can be scaled by complete beginners. If you are new to mountain climbing, the 3-day version of the trip is highly recommended, so that your guide can show you the basic climbing techniques needed throughout the climb on the included practice day. However, we recommend you have a moderate fitness level, and some basic climbing skills.

7. What kind of weather can we find in Huayna Potosi?

   November is warmest, with an average temperature of 11.2°C at noon. June is coldest, with an average temperature of -10.9°C at night. Nevado Huayna Potosí has no distinct temperature seasons, the temperature is relatively constant during the year. Temperatures drop sharply at night. Winter has prolonged freezing periods, with the coldest month most often being July. May is on average the month with most sunshine. Rainfall and other precipitation peaks around January. The time around July is driest.

8. Who can do this tour?

   Everyone who has a moderate fitness level, except for children under 18 years old, people with physical conditions or disabilities, or pregnant women.

9. What sanitary facilities are there?

   There is a bathroom in the base camps of Huayna Potosi.

10. What security measures are implemented? What are the evacuation procedures if someone gets hurt?

    All our guides are well trained, and take a complete first aid kit with them. We use a mobile phone and radio with which we can communicate with the city of La Paz, and proceed with the evacuation protocols.

11. What type of food is served at the camps?

    During the expedition, you are given full board, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast: tea, coffee, milk, chocolate, juice. Toast, butter, jam, cereal, oatmeal, eggs, pudding, cookies. Lunch: pasta, grains, meats, vegetables, fresh fruits and salads. Dinner: soups, stews, grains, meats, vegetables and fresh fruit, dessert.

12. Why book with FindLocalTrips.com?

    Apart from our low-price guarantee, with us you can be 100% assured that your booking is made. We provide instant email confirmation, and have live spaces and availability for each tour. You are in the capable hands of our team here on the ground, with 20 local experts who speak perfect Spanish and English, always ready with a quick response to any of the questions you might have. Tour operators are experts at operating their tours, and we are the experts at reservations, organisation, and assistance with your plans for these tours.