.jpg) Janko
Uma; two aymara words that literally mean “white water”. It
is not difficult to imagine the respect and devotion that this mountain
must have produced in ancient cultures when they were farming its slopes
more than two millennia ago (certainly the glaciers were much larger in
those days). The image of a huge slow-motion cascade of white water turn
into ice comes to the mind after hearing its name. According to indigenous
traditions gods dwelt in this mountain; a sort of Andean Olympus.
The massif that Illampu
and Jankouma form is not only the largest in Cordillera Real, but without
any doubt one of the most majestic landscapes of the Bolivian Andes. Due
to its remoteness and the trips length, it is seldom visited and one finds
oneself alone on the mountain. This impressive mountain in Bolivia’s
third highest. There are several routes to achieve the Summit from which
we have chosen not only one of the easiest, but also the one that allows
a more progressive acclimatization.
We strongly suggest
to be fully acclimatized, ideally to have spent at least
3-4 days at the highlands and have already been higher than 5,500m (18,040ft)
before signing for this trip. For more information about this subject,
please refer to the page acclimatization at our website. Please consider
signing one of the following trip beforehand MECONDOR
or MEJKOTA.
|
Itinerary:
D1. Transp.to Sorata. Camp.
D2. Trek to Chillata lagoon. Camp.
D3. Trek to Laguna Glaciar. Camp.
D4. Trek to high camp.
D5. Climb of Janko Uma. Return to high camp.
D6. Trek to Chillata lagoon. Camp.
D7. Trek to Sorata. Transp.to La Paz. |
Highlights:
- Great sightseeing
of Sorata valley on the way in and out.
- Spectacular route
to JankoUma 6,368m (20,887ft).
- Visit of "Laguna
Glaciar" on the way to high camp.
|
| Day
1. Transport to Sorata. Camp. |
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Road pass 4,212m (13,815f)
Sorata 2,678m (8,783f)
Timing
Dricing 3-4 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
L,D |
Our vehicle takes us
first over the “Altiplano” bordering Lake Titicaca, and then,
through the mountain valleys towards the village of Sorata set at the foot
of the mythical mountain. After having lunch in a very spectacular view-up
point with great views of the mountains and the microclimatic valleys of
Sorata down below, we will drive to Sorata where we will stay in a hotel.
First think to do after arrival will be to meet our muleteers to get them
organized for the days ahead. Later at the afternoon, you can either explore
the town or visit the “San Pedro” caves to see the blindfish
living in its subterranean waters. |
| Day
2. Trek to Chillata lagoon. Camp. |
Elevations
Chillata lagoon 4,741m (15,550f)
Timing
Walking: 6-7 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
A long ascend to our
campsite located at the shores of Chillata lagoon, will allow us to experience
an abrupt change in the landscape and the climate. Our route will traverse
the northern slopes of Janko Uma massif following well-marked paths through
corn and barley fields.
|
| Day
3. Trek to Laguna Glaciar. Camp. |
Elevations
Laguna Glaciar 5,038m (16,524f)
Timing
Walking: 7-8 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Although, there is not
much elevation to gain, the route to the glacier is very steep and though
rough terrain across granite slopes washed by ancient glaciers, so we will
have the help of porters to carry our loads to the camps above. Unfortunately
porters in the region are very difficult to find, therefore, we may need
to climb our personal gear ourselves and let the porters carry the heavy
loads.
|
| Day
4. Trek to high camp. |
Elevations
High camp 5,462m (17,915f)
Timing
Walking: 5-6 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
After breakfast we will
leave campsite and start traversing through moraines to high camp, set next
to the glacier. The rest of the day will be spending resting and re-charging
our batteries for the grueling day that await us.
|
| Day
5. Climb of Janko Uma. Return to high camp. |
Elevations
Illampu 6,427m (21,080f)
High camp 5,462m (17,915f)
Timing
Walking: 10-12 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
At the first day light
and after a light breakfast we will leave campsite and enter onto the heavily
crevassed glacier searching the route through seraks towards the northwest
ridge that we will reach after climbing short sections on 45? to 50? ice.
Once there, we still have to climb a long ridge leading to the summit. The
reward after a long day will be the views from the summit; one of the most
extraordinary landscapes in the Bolivian Andes. After a short time at the
summit there we will start descending to the high camp where we will spend
a second night.
|
| Day
6. Trek to Chillata lagoon. Camp. |
Elevations
Chillata lagoon 4,741m (15,550f)
Timing
Walking: 5-6 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Together with the porters
we will descent all the way to Chillata lagoon where we will camp for the
night.
|
| Day
7. Trek to Sorata. Transport to La Paz. |
Elevations
Sorata 2,678m (8,783f)
Road pass 4,212m (13,815f)
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
Walking: 4-5 Hrs
Driving: 3-4 Hrs
Meals
B,L |
We have to descend to
Sorata and return to La Paz.
|
