Illimani
Illimani is the undisputed guardian of La Paz.
Your adventure starts here!
Technical Details
Illimani is the undisputed guardian of La Paz. With its silhouette of three snow-capped peaks, it is not only the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real, but also a cultural and spiritual symbol deeply rooted in Bolivian identity.
Altitude: 6,438 meters (South Peak, the highest). Location: Cordillera Real, about 60 km from La Paz.
Difficulty: AD (Somewhat Difficult) / PD+. Technically not extreme, but the altitude and the length of the summit day make it very demanding.
Main peaks: It has 4 main summits; South Peak is the true summit, followed by North Peak (Kuhm) and Central Peak (La Paz).
ROUTES
Standard 4-Day Climb
Approach: A 3-4 hour drive from La Paz to the village of Pinaya. From there, it’s a 3-hour hike to the “Puente Roto” Base Camp (COP 4,500 at sea level).
Condor’s Nest: This is the High Camp (COP 5,500 at sea level). The route is a steep climb up a rocky moraine. It’s a spectacular spot but very exposed to the wind.
Summit Day: The ascent begins at 1:00 AM. The route crosses crevassed glaciers and snow slopes of up to 50°. The final section, the “Stairway to Heaven,” is a sustained ramp leading to the summit ridge.
Descent: After reaching the summit, descend directly to Base Camp or even to Pinaya.
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