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One of the best hikes in the world is the
Laguna Glacial
Also known as:
- Laguna Glaciar
- Laguna Glaciar and Chillata
The peak Jankhouma is also referred to as:
- Ancohuma
- Janq'uma
- Ancouma
 Bolivia should be one of the best hiking countries in the world. But government instability & a lack of infrastructure delay the arrival of that glad day. Trekking in Peru is far easier.
Note: This page is a stub. You can expand it by e-mailing comments, recommendations and links in the appropriate sections below. Our editors will add your comments. Thanks for your help!
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
- frozen Laguna Glacial is very high — 5038m (16,529ft)
- one of the highest lakes in the world
- ducks, hummingbirds and seagulls above 5000m!
- visit traditional villages en route
- start and finish in Sorata 2695m (8,842ft)
- the pretty trailhead mountain town has a million dollar view
- astonishing vistas of massive Nevado Illampu 6368m (21,220ft) and Jankhouma 6429m (21,092ft)
- guides and pack animals available but not needed if you can carry your own pack up a mountain
- no permit is required as yet
- easy access from the capital, La Paz
- easy to hike independently
- travel in Bolivia for as little as US$20 / day (2005). It's the least expensive country in South America.
- much longer, tougher alternatives are the Illampu Circuit & the Transcordillera trek, also with trailheads in Sorata
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CONSIDERATIONS
- this is demanding high altitude walking
- straight up from 2700m to 5038m
- pack animals are inexpensive and easy to organize in Sorata
- altitude sickness is your biggest worry
- relief is easy, however. Turn back.
- happily, most hikers are acclimatized from days in La Paz 3810m (12,500ft)
- tent camping only, no mountain huts
- be self-reliant & carry a good first-aid kit
- be prepared for temperatures well below freezing
- the comparatively good weather in Sorata may lull you into a false sense of security.
- best time to hike is during the Andean dry season, May to September
- good UV rated sunglasses recommended
- best to bring everything with you from La Paz though some gear is available to rent in Sorata
- a multi-fuel stove is recommended (fuel is available in La Paz and Sorata) though you can buy propane/butane canisters in La Paz
- sadly, this popular trail is littered
- police & military roadside checkpoints require you carry your passport to this hike
- a good reason to avoid Bolivia altogether are frequent strikes, demonstrations & even states of siege
- you can survive in La Paz and on this trek without being able to speak Spanish, but you wish you could
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ROUTES
- standard route is 40km (24.9mi) Sorata return with a number of interesting alternate routes and sidetrips
- 3 days, 2 nights in the tent is the norm
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LOGISTICS
- it can be dangerous to fly to La Paz directly — it has the highest international airport in the world 4050m (13,287ft)
- slightly better is to fly to Cuzco, Peru 3326m (10,912ft) to start acclimatizing. Later travel to La Paz by bus or plane.
If you sign on with a guided trip, logistics will be organized for you. This section is for independent hikers.
- in La Paz it is reasonably easy to find transport to Sorata at the far western end of the Cordillera Real (Royal Mountains)
- Unificado Sorata is a recommended bus company
- Sorata is 4hrs drive from La Paz or 2hrs from Copacabana, Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian border
- Sorata is one of the best places to relax in Bolivia. There are a number of good gringo hostels & restaurants.
- even one night overnight is long enough to organize pack animals for departure next day
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INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED?
You will have no problem in La Paz signing on with one of the many trekking agencies on Calle Sagarnaga. But better is to bus to Sorata and organize it there.
If you hire help yourself in Sorata, budget approximately:
- arriero (mule driver) = US$12 / day
- pack animals = US$12 / animal / day
- porter = US$12 / day
- guide = US$25-50 / day
- tip = about 25% if you are happy with service
Do you know the current fixed rates in Sorata? If so, please email to update this section.
Actually, we recommend you hike Laguna Glacial independently if you are comfortable carrying your own pack. Almost certainly you will share the trail with others.
You might need a local to show you the correct paths out of town.
LOCAL INFORMATION
In La Paz, the trekking agencies on Calle Sagarnaga are happy to supply information.
BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS
BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS
Most travellers prefer Lonely Planet. But many swear by Footprint Guides which, sadly, include advertising.
OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
BEST MAPS
The simple trekking guidebook maps are useful as are on-line maps to help plan your trip:
BEST WEBSITES
After this page, the best links are not much help. The trip reports are more useful.
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
MOVIES, VIDEOS, DVDs
- Bolivia , 2005, feature film directed by Adrián Caetano
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