Code: MEJKOTA Duration: 5 days
This is an excellent alternative for those who want to enjoy climbing “small” peaks of about 5,500m or wants to get acclimatized in a less crowded area than Condoriri valley.
Although very little known and seldom visited, Janko Kota (White Lake) valley in Cordillera Real hosts several peaks at any level of difficulty: from granite spires and long rolling glaciers to steep snow and ice faces. The base camp is reachable by car in few hours from La Paz, so it is possible to climb a peak on the same day of arrival to the valley.
Among the numerous climbing possibilities in this valley we chose 5 peaks that could be climbed in a very intensive 5-day trip but this of course is just a rough pan that can be adapted to the client's endurance and expectations.
This is a trip designed for mountaineers with experience and not for beginners.
Please note that to take this trip alone, you must already be acclimatized to the highlands. This means that you must have spent at least 3-5 days at the highlands doing light physical activity. For more information about this subject, please refer to the page acclimatization at our website.
Short Itinerary
Day 1. Transport to Janko Kota Valley. Camp.
Day 2. Climb of Willa Llojeta. Camp.
Day 3. Climb of Janko Uyo. Camp.
Day 4. Climb of Willa Lloje. Camp.
Day 5. Transport to La Paz
Highlights
- Three ascends to: Willa Llojeta 5,244m, Jankho Uyo 5,512m and Willa Lloje 5,596m.
- Splendid views of Cordillera Real, the highlands, Lake Titicaca and the cloud forest.
Services Included
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary.
- Full land transportation during the trip.
- Common camping equipment: 3 season tents (one per each two people), dinning tent, kitchen stuff, and tableware.
- Common climbing equipment: ropes, carabiners, slings, snow stakes, ice screws.
- Professional bilingual UIAGM / IFMGA / IVBV certified mountain guide.
- Luggage transportation with porters and/or animals (15 kg/33 lb per person max weight).
- Cook when camping.
- National Park entrance fees.
Services Not Included
- Transfers IN/OUT to airports.
- International & local flight tickets & fees.
- Meals & accommodation while in La Paz.
- Personal camping equipment: sleeping bag, mattress, headlamps, and clothing.
- Personal climbing equipment: plastic boots, crampons, harnesses, ice axe.
- Insurance of any kind.
- Any expense due to a rescue operation (rescuers fee, transportation, or medical cost).
Day to day details
Early in the morning we leave La Paz heading east in the direction of Lake Titicaca, then at Peñas rocky range where we will make an acclimatization hike. Later we will continue driving north entering the valleys of the Janko Kota to set our camp near to the shores of Janko Kota lake (literally white Lake).
Overnight: Camping
La Paz: 3,650m (11,972ft)
JankoKota: 4,800m (15,744ft)
Driving: 4-5Hrs (104km)
Walking: 5-6Hrs (2km)
L,D
We will climb this peak as we revise the mountaineering techniques on the way. Two road passes flank Willa Llojeta peak, we usually drive to the Eastern pass and climb the mountain across towards the western pass. Once at the summit, the views of the surrounding mountains are just impressive.
Overnight: Camping
Wila Llojeta: 5,244m (17,200ft)
Janko Kota: 4,800m (15,744ft)
Walking: 9-10Hrs (13km)
B,L,D
After a short drive to Mullu pass following the road that heads to Amawaya, we will start ascending over granite boulders towards a snowy ridge overlooking to a wide glacier and leading directly to the summit. The views the rest of the Royal Range and the Bolivian Highlands are just breathtaking. From the summit it is possible to view almost all the mountain range, the highlands with Lake Titicaca in the background and the valleys leading to the cloud forest; and – in clear days – as far as Sajama volcano.
Overnight: Camping
Janko Uyu: 5,512m (18,079ft)
Janko Kota: 4,800m (15,744ft)
Walking: 10-12Hrs (10km)
B,L,D
After a long approach through a secondary valley at the western side of Janko Uyo, we will arrive to an abandon mining campsite and continue between blue-cobalt lagoons, and through moraines and loose rocks, strait up on a 45° wall leading to the col. Once at the col the route follows a narrow ridge towards our summit with views that top those we had previous days. There we can decide if returning to the campsite by the same way, or to take a more direct route down.
Overnight: Camping
Willa Lloje: 5,596m (18,354ft)
Janko Kota: 4,800m (15,744ft)
Walking: 10-12Hrs (8km)
B,L,D
After late breakfast resting of the previous days, we will leave back to La Paz and have lunch on the way back.
Overnight: None
La Paz: 3,650m (11,972 ft)
Driving: 3-4Hrs (99km)
B,L