SAJAMA – 6542m – All Transport Tour Operator

Photo Author: Michel Lagarde

This is the highest mountain in Bolivia standing at an impressive 6542 meters (21486 feet). The mountain itself is is located on a plain and is a neat conical shape. The openness of the plain can mean this climb can get quite windy sometimes but also means the views can be fantastic.

The area of Sajama is sparsely populated and you will only see a handful of dwellings outside of the small village of Sajama.

In the area the main activity is Alpaca and Llama farming. Nearby there are natural hot springs, “Chullpas” burial chambers and also other great mountains to climb such as Parinacota and Pomerata (The Twins).

Sajama National Park was one of the first parks established in Bolivia.

It was founded in 1939 with an extension of 120,000 hectares to protect the fauna endemic to the Bolivian High Plateau such as: vicuñas, pumas, Andean geese and a variety of birds and plants. This park is crossed by the western cordillera of the Andes whose peaks over 6000 meters are dormant volcanoes.

The Sajama Volcano (6542 m) forms part of this mountain range. It is the highest mountain in Bolivia and is a coveted goal of many local and foreign climbers who year after year try to conquer its summit.

To climb this mountain you do not need any experience and be very well acclimitised. We recommend that you have spent at least 7 days above 3000 meters (we recomend Trekking) and have done some high altitude trekking or climbed another 5500 meter plus peak.

Dificult: ─ Duration: days night

Day 1 - Go to Village Sajama

We begin this day at 07:00 when you are picked up at the hotel and then we head to the village of Sajama in private transport on the highway to Oruro arriving in Patacamaya (village between Oruro and La Paz) after a trip of an hour and a half.

Afterwards we take the detour towards Tambo Quemado. On the way we have lunch around midday and arrive in Sajama (4200 m) around 15:00. We stay overnight in a local house, have dinner and rest.

Day 2 - Base camp - High Plateau

Day 3 - Ascent to High Camp

This day starts at 09:00 with breakfast. At 10:00 we start the ascent to the High Camp (5750 m) for a period of 6 hours. The path is difficult because it is sandy and rocky.

After 2 hours we have lunch and around 13:00 we continue with the ascent arriving at the High Camp at 17:00 where the guide puts up the tent and prepares dinner while we have leisure time. After dinner around 18:00 we rest.

Day 4 - Summit - Return

This day starts 02:00 with breakfast. Around 03:00 we begin the ascent towards the summit of Sajama (6542 m) by way of the glacier which takes 6 hours.

At an altitude of 6000 meters there is a wall with a slope of 50° and a height of 100 meters. From this point we use the ice ax with more frequency. After this stretch we arrive at a relatively simple path and afterwards we reach the summit where we rest for 15 minutes which is suitable to appreciate the unique landscape of the volcanic mountain range.

Afterwards we descend towards the High Camp in 2 and a half hours where we have lunch and pick up all the equipment. At 13:00 we return to the village of Sajama and return to the city of La Paz.