Cordillera Royale and South Lipez

180km, 3 hours drive. Overnight at the hotel.

Island of the Sun (Isla del Sol)
Day 3: In the morning, crossing by motorboat to the Island of the Sun (2 hours of navigation). Discover the island on foot, night at the hotel on the island in the village of Yumani (4000m).

Day 4: Isla del Sol, hike and drive to Lapaz
Descent the almost 500 steps of the magnificent stone staircase that leads us to the Inca Fountain, then to the boarding pontoon, where we meet our boat again. After a short stop in the south of the island to visit the Pilko Kaina Palace, continue sailing (20') to the Yampupata peninsula. Hike to the Virgin of Lourdes, then return by vehicle to Copacabana. 4 hours of walking, 250m altitude difference. Road to La Paz, political capital of Bolivia. 150 km, 3.5 hours drive. Free dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: La Paz
Free day in La Paz. The Bolivian (administrative) capital is between 3000 and 4000 m high, with the Illimani glaciers in the background. Free visit to the colonial part, Murillo Square, the cathedral, the sorcerers' market, the gold and textile museums. Free meals. Overnight at the hotel.

Cordillera Royale Trek (5 stages)

Day 6: Departure by minivan to Lake Khotia, located at an altitude of 4450m in the Bolivian Andes of the Cordillera Real. First stage of our trek is an ascent to a pass at 4700m, offering a beautiful view of lakes Khara and Khotia and the snowy peaks of Warawarani. Crossing descent, a bit vertiginous in places, on the Taypi Chaka and Sora Khota lakes (4300m). Last climb to our camp near Lake Ajwani.
Height difference +600m/-450m, 3 to 4 hours of walking. Night in a tent at 4600m.

Day 7: The Tira Kkollu passes and the Jachcha Jipiña pass
A great stage with 2 passes on the program. First the Tira Kkollu pass (4830m), before a descent to Lake Sishtaña (4650m). Then, after the picnic, the Jachcha Jipiña pass (4900m). A fairly steep, but fast and pleasant descent down a sandy slope on Lake Juri Kkota. Very nice camp facing the lake and the Condoriri. Height difference +600m/-500m, 5h30 of walking. Night in a tent at 4700m.

Day 8: Paso Austria (5140m), and descent to Laguna Chiarkhota (4700m)
In the morning, a slightly steep climb (rope passage) leads us to Laguna Congelada (Frozen Lake), at an altitude of 4880m. The place is splendid, with the Condoriri glacier ending its course in the turquoise waters of the lake. After a good break in this magical place, climb to Paso Austria (Austrian Pass, 5140m). From the pass, it is possible (optional but recommended) to make a detour to Peak Austria (5300m). Hard climb in a scree, but at the top the view is breathtaking on the Condoriri glacier massif. Descent to Laguna Chiarkhota, base camp of Condoriri and Pequeño Alpamayo.
Minimum altitude difference + 500 m/- 450 m 6 hours of walking. Night in a tent near the lake at 4700m.

Day 9: Cerro Aguja Negra Pass (5000m) and Lake Tuni (4450m)
Long and magnificent stage, which begins with a climb to the Cerro Aguja Negra pass (5000m). Long descent on a gentle slope in the direction of Lake Tuni (4450m). A crossing takes us to the abandoned mine of La Esperanza. Picnic in a region of lakes with magnificent colors, then a long climb up a beautiful glacier valley. 7:30 walk. Night in a tent (4700m) facing the vertical wall of Wayna Potosi.

Day 10: Tajlla Whillki Pass (5000m) and Milluni Lake (4600m)
Last stop, only in the morning. Steep climb to Tajlla Whillki Pass (5000m), fabulous views of the Altiplano and the city of El Alto, above La Paz. In the distance you can see Lake Titicaca, as well as the large volcanoes Sajama (6540m) and Parinacota (6350m) on the Chilean border, 300 km to the south. Descent back to the abandoned mine of Lake Milluni (4600m) where our vehicle awaits us. 3 hours of walking. Picnic and return to La Paz (40km, 2 hours drive). Free dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Flight to Sucre
Transfer to La Paz airport and flight to Sucre. Free visit to the colonial districts of the constitutional capital of Bolivia, listed as a World Heritage Site. The “city of eternal spring”, located at 2700 m, has a very pleasant climate. Free meals. Overnight at the hotel. (NB: depending on the availability of flights, departure possible D10 in the afternoon).

Day 12: Potosi
Bus line to Potosi (150 km, 3 hours flight). With its silver mines and its numerous Baroque colonial churches, Potosi is part of the “Heritage of Humanity”. Visit the mines of Cerro Rico, the “rich mountain”, which dominates the city. At the time of the conquest, these mines gave wealth and power to the Spanish Empire. In the afternoon, visit the Casa de la Moneda, where silver coins were minted. Free meals. Overnight at the hotel.

Salar de Uyuni
Day 13: Bus line to Uyuni (4 hours drive), then departure in 4x4 for the Salar d'Uyuni (3650m), the largest salt desert in the world. In the heart of the Salar, visit the island of Incahuasi, of volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites and giant cacti.
Crossing the Salar to its northern end, at the foot of the Tunupa volcano, before arriving in Jirira. 4 hours away. Night in a refuge in Jirira (3700m).

Day 14: Departure in 4x4 to the South.
En route, before leaving the Salar, visit a salt farm in Colchani, the “salt hotel”, then the locomotive cemetery in Uyuni. Along the Cordillera, arrive at the first “lagunas” of South Lipez, rich in minerals, and populated by pink flamingos and other birds of altitude. 6 to 7 hours of driving in 4x4. Night at the refuge in Quetena or Villamar (4150m).

Day 15: South Lipez - Ascension (optional) of the Uturuncu volcano (6008m)
Early morning, and transfer by 4x4 by an old track joining a sulfur crater up to an altitude of 5400m. Departure on foot, following more or less the track up to a pass at 5700m. The ascent is easy with spectacular views of the altiplano and the lakes. After the pass, the path becomes steeper, before softening again. The breath is getting shorter, but we are acclimatized and there are few who do not make it to the top. From the highest point, we enjoy a 360° view of the altiplano. Quick and easy descent, often cutting directly into the ash. 3 to 3 hours and a half hours of walking, 700m altitude difference. Return in 4x4 and night at the refuge in Quetena. 3h30 of 4x4 return.

Day 16: Laguna Colorada
Departure in 4x4 to Laguna Colorada (4300m), a red lake (sometimes bright orange and sometimes burgundy) which is home to a colony of several thousand pink flamingos. Crossing a pass at nearly 5000m, before stopping at the Sol de Mañana site (4850m), renowned for its geysers, fumaroles and mud pools. On our way, the famous Salvador Dali desert and its supernatural landscapes in light ocher tones dotted with isolated rocks. Arrival at the thermal springs of Polques (bathing possible). Night in a refuge (4400m).

Day 17: Laguna Verde and passage to Chile
In the morning, a short hike on the banks of Laguna Verde (4300m) at the foot of the Licancabur volcano (5916m).
In the early afternoon, departure to Chile. After a last pass, cross the Bolivo-Chilean border and descent to the village of San Pedro de Atacama (2400m), a large town of about 5000 inhabitants, which has kept its mixed, colonial and Indian character. 2 hours to 3 hours away. Free dinner. Overnight at the hotel in San Pedro.

D18 - Salt Mountain Range and Moon Valley (Chile)
Free morning in San Pedro. In the afternoon, excursion to the Salt Mountains and the Moon Valley. Walk in a magnificent landscape composed of dunes and jagged limestone mountains. Return to San Pedro. 2 to 3 hours drive.
At the end of the day, transfer to Calma, and departure by comfortable night bus to Arica, on the Pacific coast in the extreme north of Chile. Free meals. 700km, 9 hours drive, night on the bus.

Day 19: Visit Arica and back to Peru
In the morning, visit the Arica market and the geoglyphs of San Miguel d'Azapa. In the afternoon, walk in town and on the fishing port, then transfer to Tacna in Peru. 2.5 to 3 hours drive. Free meals. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 21: Arrival of the flight.


The course of this program is indicative. It may undergo modifications or adjustments, depending on technical criteria, safety requirements or the climatic conditions of the moment. In this case, only those responsible for UCPA supervision are authorized to take the necessary decision (s).