BO-PAZ-10: La Paz | Huayna Potosí Adventure: 2 Days & 1 Night to Conquer the Andes

Your adventure begins early in the morning with a scenic drive from La Paz to Paso Zongo (4,700 m), the base camp of Huayna Potosí. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by breathtaking alpine landscapes, surrounded by towering snow covered peaks.

After settling in at the refuge, you’ll have lunch and prepare for a short yet essential glacier training session. Guided by certified mountain experts, you’ll learn to properly use crampons, harnesses, and ice axes on a nearby ice field—ensuring you're fully equipped and confident for the summit attempt.

In the afternoon, the 3 to 4 hour ascent to High Camp (5,150 m) begins. The trail follows a rocky ridge with panoramic views of the Cordillera Real. Once at the refuge perched on the edge of the glacier, you’ll rest, hydrate, and enjoy a warm dinner before an early night’s sleep, ready to take on the summit at dawn.

The adventure begins early, just after midnight, with headlamps lighting the path as we set off under the stars. We begin the long ascent to the summit of Huayna Potosí, crossing glaciers and navigating steep, snowy slopes. This challenging climb will take approximately 5 to 6 hours, with two particularly steep sections to conquer.

The first challenge comes at around 5,600 meters, known as Pala Chica, where you’ll climb through a small ice and snow wall (about 10 meters high). Once past this, continue ascending on the glacier until reaching the final section at 6,000 meters, where the summit (6,088 meters) comes into view.

As you approach the summit, the excitement builds, climbing the exposed ridge to the peak. From here, the panoramic views are truly spectacular: the vast Altiplano, the shimmering waters of Lake Titicaca, and the towering peaks of Illimani (6,439 m) and Illampu (6,368 m) stretch as far as the eye can see.

After celebrating your achievement and taking photos at the top, you will begin your descent, retracing the same route back to High Camp. After a short rest, you’ll continue down to base camp for a final break before heading back to La Paz.

Expect to arrive in the afternoon, with unforgettable memories of conquering one of Bolivia’s most iconic peaks.