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| Length - 7 Days |
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| Cost - $1120, or $1020 if combined with Part 2 ($4440 for all three parts). Prices are based on a minimum of 4 people per trip part. Call for pricing on smaller groups. |
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| Max Ratio - 8:1 |
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| Capacity - 14 |
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Location La Paz, Bolivia and Cordillera Real |
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| Aug 20 - Aug 26, 2011 |
| May 26 - Jun 1, 2012 |
| Jun 23 - Jun 29, 2012 |
| Jul 21 - Jul 27, 2012 |
| Aug 18 - Aug 24, 2012 |
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Bolivia Part 1 - La Paz and Remote Bolivia Trek |
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Trekking through the Cordillera Real with Illimani in the distance. Andrew Wexler
Here is a quick overview of our programs in Bolivia and Peru and how you can combine them to create the trip you want:
You can begin your program with either a three-day visit to the high mountain valleys and spectacular Inca sites in and around Cuzco and Machu Picchu in Peru, or our seven-day Bolvia Trek.
Join our Bolivia program to visit the heartland of South America's most traditional country, have direct contact with its Aymara people, trek amidst the vestiges of the Inca Empire, and climb some of the most beautiful peaks on the continent.
Outside magazine says, AAI's combined trekking and climbing program in Bolivia is the perfect introduction to high altitude. We agree, and having guided here since 1977, we believe it provides the richest cultural experience and highest quality glacier climbing in the entire range.
The program has three parts, and you can join us for one, two, or all three parts. Bolivia 1 (or Part 1) is a great mountain trip in itself as well as perfect preparation for the climbing in Part 2 and optional Part 3. If you have family members or friends who aren't climbers but who love to hike or trek, consider inviting them to join you for explorations in La Paz and the outstanding trekking in this seven-day program.
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
Bolivia Part 1 - La Paz and Remote Bolivia Trek (7 days total, 5 days trekking)
Bolivia is among the world's most varied countries,
and in its highlands alone it encompasses some of the
Western Hemisphere's most impressive alpine peaks and
traditional Indian peoples, as well as intriguing sites
of Aymara, Inca, and pre-Inca civilizations.
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.
Itinerary
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
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.
Into the Remote Bolivian Highlands
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.
Download Itinerary:Click Here Bolivia Part 2-Alpine Mountaineering and Ascents. Those participating only in
Part I can elect to join us for the first spectacular day
of Part 2 during which we make a trip by motor launch on
Lake Titicaca and drive up into the mountains to our
trailhead.
Pre-Trek Program
| Cuzco Tour: Cuzco, Machu Picchu and Urubamba |
| 3 Days |
Non-Technical |
Cuzco, Peru |
June - September |
| This program explores the most important sites of the Inca Empire and Spanish colonization in the central Andes, with particular attention given to Machu Picchu, one of the most impressive accomplishments of an ancient civilization in the world. |
Flight Information
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.
Land Cost Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions: Land transportation; hotel in La Paz and Cuzco and tents while trekking - all on a shared basis (available on a private basis, subject to availability and at added cost); meals while trekking; admissions to archeological zones; group cooking equipment; group trekking equipment.
Exclusions: Airfare; personal equipment; meals except while trekking; gratuities to guides; insurance; expenses incurred because of late arrival or early departure; evacuation costs; government and airport taxes; inoculations; excess baggage.
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Follow Up Programs
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| Alpinism 1 - Intro |
| 6 Days |
Beginner |
North Cascades, WA |
May - September |
| Spend one day on rock and five on the glaciers of Mt. Baker to acquire a full range of mountaineering techniques that will make you a skilled climber capable of making ascents of alpine routes of intermediate difficulty. Climb Mt. Baker. |
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| Argentina - Aconcagua Expedition |
| 21 Days |
Intermediate |
Argentine Andes |
December - February |
| Standing at a height of 22,842 feet, Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside of central Asia. The Upper Guanacos is a standard route, and the technical Polish Glacier route attracts experienced mountaineers from around the world. |
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| Ecuador - High Altitude Volcanoes Expedition |
| Part 1 - 10 days; Part 2 - 5 days (Chimborazo) |
Beginner & Intermediate |
Ecuadorian Andes |
November - June, May - July |
| With two days of skills instruction, those with little technical climbing experience have the opportunity to ascend Cayambe (18,997 ft), Cotopaxi (19,348 ft), and Chimborazo (20,703 ft) by way of classic snow and ice routes. |
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| Mount Whitney Skills & Ascent |
| 3-4 Days (depending on route and acclimatization) |
Beginner & Intermediate |
Eastern Sierra Nevada, CA |
June - September |
| Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states, and boasts several moderate rock climbs and scrambles of excellent quality granite. Avoid the crowds by climbing one of these three moderate alpine climbs. |
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| Southern Cascades Volcanoes Skills and Climb |
| 5 days |
None |
Washington |
May - June |
| Perfect for those curious to give climbing a try. This program introduces you to a variety of camping, mountaineering, and snow climbing skills. Ascents of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams included. |
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American Alpine Institute (AAI) |
1515 12th Street Bellingham, WA 98225 info@aai.cc |
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