SAJAMA THE HIGHEST SUMMIT IN BOLIVIA, 4 Days
 Code: MESAJAMA

Sajama is the highest summit in Bolivia, am impressive cone-shaped volcano covered by glaciers located in the middle of a flat land near to the border with Chile.

Dates: Upon request
Price: Upon request More information about prices (land services only)
Single Room Supplement: N/A More information about prices
Difficulty: Moderated More information about Difficulty grading
Accommodation: 3 nights camping.
 

High altitude vegetation near Sajama base camp (J.Camarlinghi)A very old legend recounts that in times when there were no humans on the earth and only the mountains wandered over the highlands Mururata was the highest and most beautiful of the Andes. One day he contemplated his reflection in Lake Titicaca and his ego expanded to the extent that he wanted to be emperor of the earth. Wiracocha, the supreme god of the universe, did not take a liking to this rebellion so sent a warrior to behead Mururata (that literally means without head). It is said that - when cutting the mountain’s head -, the warrior said the Aymara word “Sarjam” (that means get away), so the head that landed hundreds of kilometers to the south was named as Sajama.

Today we can see Mururata to the northwest of Illimani with its flattened top, and his head; Sajama As an isolated cone nears the border with Chile. Nevertheless Sajama is still the highest mountain of Bolivia, actually an old volcano covered with glaciers.

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 Sajama National Park. Trek to base camp.
D2. Trek to high camp.
D3. Climb of Sajama. Trek to base camp.
D4. Trek to Sajama National Park. Transp.to La Paz.

 Highlights:
  • Sightseeing of the highlands and Sajama National Park on the way in and out.
  • Climb of the northwest ridge to Sajama 6,549m (21,480ft).

Day 1. Transport to Sajama National Park. Trek to base camp.
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Sajama base camp 4,800m (15,744f)
Timing
Driving: 4-5 Hrs
Walking: 2-3 Hrs
Meals
L,D
A pleasant drive traversing the flat lands will take us to Sajama National Park. After lunch, the muleteers will be ready to head off towards the base camp located at the foot of the impressive west face. The trail takes the basin of a narrow valley surrounded by the highest ‘forest’ of the planet. The local species of trees are called keñuas (Polilepsis Tarapacana). The camp is close to the only fresh water spring in the area.
Day 2. Trek to high camp.
Elevations
High camp 5,700m (18,735f)
Timing
Walking: 5-6 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
With the help of the high-altitude porters we will negotiate our way through moraines, loose rocks, ashes and sand towards the high camp. The campsite is composed by few small platforms build over the steep slopes of the north ridge. Although somehow protect from the winds by a rock pillar, the camp can get very windy sometimes. We will probably have to work on the sandy slopes to build platforms for the tents.


Day 3. Climb of Sajama. Trek to base camp.
Elevations
Sajama 6,549m (21,480f)
Sajama base camp 4,800m (15,744f)
Timing
Walking: 8-10 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
An early alpine start will take us through the last sand and rock slopes. At dawn and after having climbed the only steep section of the route (up to 40?), we will reach the top of a rocky ridge that we will scramble towards the glacier. The ensuing walk over the snowfields and small crevasses will steadily take us to the summit. Depending of the season the route may be filled with “penintentes” (icy formations like standing feathers) that can make the climb a nightmare. The summit is flat and big as a football pitch and one does not realize where is the highest point until you see the south face sweeping down to the lower flat lands on the other side. High up there it is usually so cold that just a few minutes are spent to take photos and the descent starts right away. Certainly you will be very tired back at high camp but better keep going down rather than spend another night at this altitude, after a very welcomed hot soup and a short rest we will get down to base camp.


Day 4. Trek to Sajama National Park. Transport to La Paz.
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
Walking: 2-3 Hrs
Driving: 4-5 Hrs
Meals
B,L
The hike down to the head trail where our vehicle will be waiting will fell really short after yesterday’s long journey. Since, the mules usually take much longer (at least one hour) than the rest of the group, our suggestion would be to keep walking towards the hot springs where besides having a well-deserved relaxing hot bath, we can have lunch and wait for the car to take us back to La Paz.


ALTITUDE CHART

SERVICES

Included

Not included

MORE INFORMATION

Please get into our “Resources” page in our website, there you will find plenty of information about pre-departure, National Parks, suggested reading, useful links and much more.

If you would like us to make additional hotel reservations besides the accommodation that is included in your trip, please get into our Reservations page