Illimani 6439m. – 3Days

3 Days 2 Nights

Climbing Illimani, Bolivia Rising to 6,438 meters (21,122 ft), Illimani is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real and the second-highest peak in Bolivia. Revered as the guardian of La Paz, Illimani dominates the skyline and can be seen towering above the city from countless viewpoints. Illimani is an imposing massif with several snow-capped summits and vast glaciers. The ascent to its highest peak is both demanding and spectacular, offering breathtaking scenery throughout. Due to its steep, icy, and heavily glaciated terrain, Illimani is recommended only for climbers with prior high-altitude and technical mountaineering experience. Physical Requirements Climbing Illimani is extremely physically demanding, primarily due to its high altitude. A very high level of physical fitness and proper acclimatization is essential to make the climb safer, more manageable, and enjoyable. To prepare for Illimani, the following climbs are excellent acclimatization and training options:

Huayna Potosí – 6,088 m.
Pequeño Alpamayo – 5,450 m.

Climbing Route Most climbers ascend via the West Ridge of Pico Sur, which is the normal route. This route involves a steep and challenging climb across a heavily crevassed glacier, requiring solid glacier travel skills and confidence on steep snow and ice. Weather Conditions Due to its extreme altitude and location in the Cordillera Real, Illimani is cold year-round. Temperatures frequently drop below 0°C, especially at night and during summit attempts. Best Season to Climb Illimani The best time to climb Illimani is during Bolivia’s dry season, from May to October. These months typically offer the most stable weather and optimal climbing conditions.

Summit altitude

Summit 6439m.
Transportation

Private Transport for the group

ITINERARY:

Day
1

La Paz City (3,600m. / 11,811ft.) to Base Camp (4,700m. / 15,419ft ).

At 9:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel and depart by private transport on a scenic 3-hour drive to the village of Pinaya, enjoying views of the Andean landscape along the way. Upon arrival, we will hike 3-hours toward Illimani Base Camp. The trail gradually ascends through high altitude terrain, offering impressive mountain views and opportunities to acclimatize. Illimani Base Camp is located at (4,700 m / 15,419 ft), where we will set up camp. after dinner we will rest in tents, preparing for the next day.
Day
2

Ascent from Base Camp (4,700m. / 15,419ft ) to High Camp. (5,500m. / 18,045ft)

We will spend the day hiking around five to six hours traversing gradually across the lower slopes of the mountain until a climb of the final exposed rocky ridge brings us to Nido de Condores (Condor’s Nest) from the Base Camp (4,700m. / 15,419ft ) to High Camp (5,500m. / 18,045 ft). We will spend the night at Nido de Condores Camp in tents.

Hiking time with breaks: 5- 6 hours
Distance: 3.9 km
High point: 18,045 ft / 5500 m
Total elevation gain: + 3,295 (+1004 m)
Day
3

Summit attempt High Camp. (5,550m. / 18,208ft) - Summit (6,439m. / 21,125) and - La Paz City (3,600m. / 11,811ft.)

Our day will begin very early. Wake up time will be in the early morning hours and we will get dressed with the climbing clothing and equipment and have breakfast. Once prepared, we will begin the ascent. We will have short breaks to rest and eat chocolates and drink water during the ascent. On the way we climb up icy ridges and weave around crevasse hazards before reaching the most difficult section, a 200 meter slope with an inclination of around 50 degrees. After completing the rising traverse to the summit (6,439m. / 21,125) , we enjoy views of the Andean plateau, the surrounding peaks of the Cordillera Real, and the surrounding lower peaks of the Illimani massif. Our descent to high camp will take around 3 hours and upon arrival we will have soup and hot drinks. At the high camp we will re-pack our backpacks and make the descent to base camp. We will then return directly from base camp to La Paz via (3,600m. / 11,811ft.) our private transport.

INCLUDED:

A Professional Mountaineering Guide for every 2 customers
Experienced, certified guide for the entire ascent.

Technical Mountain Equipment:
- Crampons
- Harness
- Double boots
- Ice axe
- Gaiters
- Helmet

Optional Clothing (We recommend bringing and wearing your own clothing based on your personal preferences.)
no worries, if you don’t have your own — we provide:
- Windproof jacket
- Windproof pants
- Mittens (mitts)
- Flecce Pants
- Facemask
- Flecce Jacket

Private Transportation
- La Paz City – Pinaya Town
- Horse or Transport from Pinaya Village to Base Camp to transport meals, kitchenware, climbing gear and personal belongs of customers.
- Base Camp - La Paz City.
All meals included during the tour (breakfast, lunch, and dinner):
- Day 1 (lunch, hot drink in the afternoon, dinner).
- Day 2 (breakfast, lunch, hot drink in the afternoon, dinner).
- Day 3 (breakfast, lunch).
Porter
- Porter will be provided to transport meals, kitchenware, and tents from Base Camp to High Camp to Base Camp.
Accommodation:
- Fist Night at Base Camp ( Mountaineering Tent).
- Second Night at High Camp (mountaineering Tent).

Packing List (Required for All Participants):

To sleep:

Sleeping Bag (–15°C to –20°C rating): A high-quality, cold-weather sleeping bag designed to keep you warm during the night.

Backpacks:

Daypack (35 liters) – for summit day.
Bagpack (55 - 70 liters) – used at from Base Camp To High Camp. (If you here your own personal porter, you can use a backpack or duffel bag for the porter to carry).

Headwear:

Beanie – should be warm, breathable, and moisture-wicking, made from materials like merino wool or synthetics to keep your head and ears insulated and dry in cold, high-altitude conditions.
Buff - A must-have for all outdoor activities
Sun Hat - Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well
Sunglasses – with strong UV protection
Headlamp –A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 200-300 lumens of output.

Handwear:

lightweight liner gloves
Insulated mittens or expedition gloves, no worries if you don’t have your own—we provide them.

Clothing (Layered System for High-Altitude Climbing):

Base Layer – thermal underwear (top and bottom)
Mid Layer – fleece or insulated jacket and pants
Outer Layer – waterproof and windproof jacket and pants
Down Jacket – for cold summit conditions

Footwear:

Socks – Bring three pairs of light–midweight wool hiking socks, plus one heavyweight pair for cold weather.
Hiking Shoes – sturdy and broken-in for comfort
Mountaineering boots
- We Recommend to bring your own muntaineering boots, because as you’re already accustomed on them and they will be more comfortable during the climb.
  - However, no worries if you don’t have your own—we provide a suitable pair for you.

Accessories & Essentials:

Sunscreen – high SPF
Personal Medication – any prescription or altitude-related meds
Toilet Paper – personal supply
Personal Hygiene Items – toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.

Other Items:

Snacks – energy bars, nuts, dried fruit for the summit attempt
100 BOB (Bolivianos) – entrance fee for the national park
Cash for Guide Tips – tipping is appreciated and customary

Optional Rentals (If Needed):
- Sleeping bag (-15 °C): USD 30
- Trekking poles: USD 30
- Personal porter: USD 100 , up and down from Base Camp to High Camp.

Gear fitting for climbing Huayna Potosi

Gear fitting is usually done the day before the start of your trip. At our office betweem 10:00 am to 18:00pm, where you will try clothing and doublé boots to make sure you will get right zise. At that time, we will help you with all your enquiries or questions that you got. If you do not have time to come the day before of your trip for gear fitting at our office. Do not worry, you can do it on the same departure day. Just come 30 minutes before of the meeting hour at our office. (Meeting hour is usllualy at 9:00am) NOTE: in case you do not have place where you can store your personal gear during the trip. Always we have space at our workshop where you can leave your personal gear during the trip also we can lend you a bag to store it. Maybe you got some mountaineering chothing by your own, bring them you can use during the tour. In case you do not know what to bring for trip, from your personal gear like clothing, just bring everything that you got and at our office we will help to chose the right gear or clothing.

CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

The mountaineering and hiking tours that we offer are highly risky, the customers decides to take the tour with their own experience and travel under our conditions. 1.- Confirmation and payment:

After confirming the tour with payment. The confirmation is valid for the date and time indicated on it.
The customer is responsible for the tour and must prevent factors that can make themselves sick or injure that can cause to loss the trip

2.- Tour cancellations :

12 days before trip day 30% penalty from total price.
7 days before trip day 45% penalty from total price,
a day before trip day 60% penalty from total price,
on departure day 100% penalty from total price,

3.- Postponements:

7 days or more before the tour day 30% penalty from total price,
A day before tour day 40% penalty from total price,
on departure day 100% penalty from total price

4.- Insurance:

The customer will make the tour on his/her own and full responsibility.
The price does not include travel insurance against accident, life and medical expenses of any kind.

5.- Climatological Factors: The customer is responsible for choosing his/her travel date. If, because of bad weather, the tour can not be completed. there is not refund. 6.- Equipment losses or damages during the tour:

The customer is responsible for taking care of all the equipment that we provide.
- In case of damages or losses of any of the gear, the customer must pay for it at the end of the tour.

Jiwaki is a Mountaineering and trekking tour operator in Bolivia. Jiwaki means beautiful in Aymara, the native language of the Bolivian Andean highlands. We created Jiwaki to share the beauty of the Bolivian Andes with you. We have a passion for mountains, trekking, and unique adventures. Our priority is sharing Bolivia with you.

See it online https://jiwaki.com/trip/climbing-illimani-bolivia/