The Institute also offers expeditions for experienced alpinists to four of the most important summits on the continent. The Ancohuma/Illampu Expedition in Bolivia runs simultaneously with Bolivia Part 2 and can also be preceded by the Cuzco / Machu Picchu trip and the Bolivia Part 1-La Paz and Remote Bolivia Trek. Expeditions to Huascaran and Alpamayo in Peru follow the Cuzco and Machu Picchu tour. AAI also leads two-week trips of first ascents and new routes for experienced climbers in remote areas of Bolivia's Cordillera Real.

Aymara village. Dunham Gooding

No countries in the world have greater geographical diversity than Bolivia and its neighbor Peru. Lying within their borders are deserts, lush jungles, dry altiplano, fertile valleys, and numerous glaciated mountain ranges. But while the scenery is spectacular, the startling physical contrasts of each area have put different requirements upon humanity and have offered varied possibilities for life. While geographical differences and physical barriers normally isolate civil groups, develop in each distinct cultural characteristics, and make them independent if not hostile to one another, in Bolivia and Peru their challenge to humanity brought development of one of the world's most sophisticated civilizations.

In contrast, modern times have been typified by a complexity of political problems. In 15 to 20-year cycles we see South American countries that were thought of as stable fall to the trials of hyper-inflation and to ruling bodies that are either too laissez-faire or too heavy handed in their government, while at the same time we see countries that seemed condemned to insurmountable problems make remarkable progress and install governments of fairness and foresight.

The regularity of change in Bolivian governments used to make that country the butt of jokes and earned for it the informal designation as the world's least stable political arena. Military coups d'etat occurred on an average of every 11 months, and while they were almost always peaceful, they nonetheless prevented any long-term policy planning to be put in place and never fostered the development of any visionary government. Since 1982, however, the country has been governed by a multi-party democracy, and it now enjoys its highest degree of stability in this century.

Day 1: Arrive this day (Saturday) or very early the next morning.

Day 2: La Paz exploration and city tour, 12,500 feet.

Day 3: We leave La Paz early in the morning and head to the Cordillera Real. The trek starts by hiking up to a high plateau with amazing views of the antiplano and distant views of Lake Titicaca. From here we drop down into an alpine valley where we camp for the night. Approximately a 4 hours trek.

Day 4: We climb out of the valley and over a 15,000 foot pass with views of Hayna Potosi and the peaks of the Condoriri region of the Cordillera Real. We stop for lunch at an alpine lake, and then continue down to our next camp. Approximately a 6-hour trek.

Day 5: Trek over several beautiful mountain passes and past another alpine lake to a camp very close to the Condoriri camp.

Day 6: We walk for a few hours to the Plaza de Lama where we meet the bus for the ride back to La Paz.

Day 7: Day in La Paz‚ to prepare for the mountains.

This program can be taken by itself as an introduction to one of South America's most remarkable historic, cultural, and geographical regions, or it can be used as preparation for Bolivia Part 2-Alpine Mountaineering and Ascents, or for the Ancohuma/Illampu Expedition. It may also be preceded immediately by a tour of Cuzco and Machu Picchu in Peru.

La Paz is the highest capital in the world (12,300'/3750m), and we keep our pace moderate on our first day of activity, visiting historical sites and the city's busy traditional markets, run by bowler-hatted Aymara women. Native handicrafts, especially weaving, are the finest of their type in South America.

The next morning we head north to the central part of the Cordillera Real. As we start our trek we can see distant view of Lake Titicaca and native flora and fauna including condors, gulls, and the large Andean geese. . On our trek we move through a series of valleys and over several passes, each of which reveals a new group of amazing Cordillera Real peaks. From here, we drop down into an alpine valley where we camp for the night.

On our way into the Cordillera Real, we gain tremendous views of Illimani. Andrew Wexler

We use mules burros and horses to carry most of the load. Having adjusted to La Paz's altitude, on this trek we are able to sleep comfortably at altitudes up to 14,500 feet (4420m), while in the day we cross passes up to 15,500 feet (4725m).

Some of the world class, close-up views we enjoy include the Condirori group and the amazing West Face of Huayna Potosi. We meet our vehicle at the end of another road on our last day, and then make the drive back across the Altiplano to La Paz for a hot shower and a festive meal in the city.

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Pre-Trek Program

Flight arrangements should be scheduled so that you arrive in La Paz on the first scheduled day of the trip. Please schedule your departure so that you leave the day after the last scheduled day of the trip. Please contact our Travel Coordinator if you need assistance with travel arrangements.