Description

I already remarked on the similarity between Kathmandu and La Paz. But when I was in Nepal, it took me almost three weeks, most of them walking, to reach Kalla Pattar, just above the Everest Base Camp at some 5,600 meters. La Paz offers a half-day tour up to 5,400 meters, and most of the way is made by car. The Chacaltaya was, till a few years ago, the highest developed ski area in the world, but the global warming has left only a few patches of an unfed glacier without any snow. There is no public transport there; thus, you must take a tourists’ minivan till the hut at 5,300 meters and from there walk to the summit.

The hut was the ski service centre, but nowadays it just charges an entry fee (10BOB, $1.25) and offers hot drinks. From the hut, you clearly see a summit with the cable tow--this is the false summit at 5375m, and behind it and out of sight is the real summit at 5395m. To reach the real one, you start climbing the false summit and take the left side of the fork in the path. The beautiful Huayna Potosi, 6088m, is close enough to touch, and you may use the opportunity to inspect the eastern path leading to its top. Treks of three days there are easily available. The Illimani and the Mururata can be seen in a clear day, the last one revealing its duo of peaks, which are only hinted from the city views. Beyond the Huayna, you may see the Condoriri and Illampu in humble side views.