Huayna Potosi 3 Day Climb

From June to end Sept is high season for climbing in Bolivia and all prices rise . The current price is the low season price.

This climb will leave for a minimum of 2 persons. If you are just one person and wish to climb please contact us and we can let you know when others are booked so you can join a group.

A beginner level climb over a 3 day period including basic training, equipment and a rare chance to get over 6000 meters without being an experienced climber.Highly Recommended

Don’t believe how easy the guidebooks make this climb seem! Anything over 6000 meters is difficult and climbing for 7 or 8 hours is tiring for anyone at high altitude. That said if you are well acclimatized, quite fit and very determined then there is a good chance you will make it and have an unforgettable experience of a lifetime - you do not need to have experience. If you underestimate  the climb, have not spent at least several days at altitude, try to save a few dollars by attempting a  2 day trip – then you will likely not make it to the top (its possible but your chances are much slimmer). Make no mistake – you need determination to climb this mountain and although physically demanding the mental challenge is just as tough if not tougher!

WARNING – SOME AGENCIES MIGHT TRY TO GET YOU TO CLIMB IN 2 DAYS BUT WE RECOMMEND AGAINST THIS. MANY MORE  PEOPLE FAIL ON 2 DAY TRIPS AND IT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO ASCEND SO HIGH SO QUICKLY IF NOT EXTREMELY WELL ACCLIMATISED – ON 2 DAY TRIPS YOU LEAVE LA PAZ (3600M) 8AM, ARRIVE AT THE FIRST REFUGE (4700M), HAVE LUNCH, TREK TO THE HIGH CAMP (5200M) ARRIVING AROUND 6 PM. THIS IS ALREADY A HEIGHT GAIN OF 1600M. YOU THEN SLEEP UNTIL 1AM (ONLY 7 HOURS MORE) BEFORE STARTING TO CLIMB TO 6088M IN APPROX 7 OR 8 HOURS. IF YOU MAKE IT YOU HAVE ASCENDED NEARLY 2500M IN JUST OVER 24 HOURS WHICH IS USUALLY NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR YOUR BODY TO ADJUST. BEST CASE SCENARIO -YOU WILL FEEL TERRIBLE, WORST CASE – SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES.

DAY 1 – Climbing School and Acclimatization
Set off from La Paz around 8.30 AM you will head off towards the mountain range but first with a stop off at the equipment store to try on boots, jackets and trousers etc that you will need on the climb. Arrive after 2 hours or so driving to the refuge and have some lunch before heading off for some practice/training on the lower glacier. You will learn how to fall correctly with an ice axe, climb/walk using crampons and general mountain safety. Guides are Spanish speaking only so it is advisable to have some Spanish to get the best from this but they can instruct you in these techniques visually to some degree.
DAY 2 – A simple day that involves a short trek of 2 or 3 hours up to the high camp at 5200 meters. You eat around 5 or 6 pm here and then sleep early before the early start for the climb.
DAY 3 – Wake up around 1am and start the climb. It is cold, dark and slow progress but you will experience some great moments along the way including seeing the night lights of El Alto and La Paz from above, climbing a 30 meter ice wall, jumping over a crevasse or two . The last 200 meters involve forcing yourself up a 45 degree wall of compressed snow which will be tough going after the climb up and the altitude effects – this is where you need your mental toughness but it will be rewarded by incredible views of the cordillera mountain range and a sense of achievement you will never forget.