Huayna Potosí: 3-Day Climb with Guide & All Equipment

Summary

Climbing Huayna Potosí from La Paz with glacier practice and summit sunrise

You’ll feel every shift in altitude as you climb Huayna Potosí from La Paz—with glacier practice, nights in mountain shelters, and a summit push before sunrise. Expect laughter with your guide, moments of silence above the clouds, and simple meals that taste different at 5000 meters. If you want a real mountain story (and yes, all gear is sorted), this is it.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re sure you want to do this?” That’s what our guide Marco asked, grinning, as we zipped up our jackets at the base camp of Huayna Potosí. I could smell something like diesel mixed with cold stone in the air—maybe just nerves. The drive from La Paz had been a blur of winding roads and sudden bursts of color from market stalls in El Alto. We stopped for photos over the city (I almost dropped my phone, hands already shaky), and then kept climbing until the air felt thinner and everything went quieter except for our own boots crunching on gravel.

Base camp was at 4700 meters, which sounds just like a number until you try to sleep there. Lunch tasted weirdly sweet—altitude does that?—and later we practiced on the old glacier. Marco showed us how to use crampons; I tripped once, got snow up my sleeve, everyone laughed (including me). There’s something about learning to walk again as an adult that makes you humble real quick. At night it was so silent I could hear my own breath echo off the walls of the shelter.

The second day we checked every bit of gear three times (“Don’t forget your gloves,” Marco said, looking right at me). The walk to high camp took four hours but felt longer—my backpack seemed to gain weight with every step. We ate dinner at 5:30 pm; it was dark by then, and someone started telling stories about past climbs that made us all a little nervous. Sleep didn’t really happen. At 1 am we were up again, fumbling with headlamps and laces in the cold.

The climb itself is kind of a blur—six hours moving through snow under stars that looked almost fake. When we reached the summit just as the sun came up over Bolivia, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry (so I did both). My hands were freezing but I couldn’t stop staring at everything below: glaciers glowing pink, clouds rolling over La Paz way in the distance. The descent back down was quiet; everyone lost in their own thoughts or maybe just too tired to talk much. It’s hard not to replay that sunrise even now—I still think about it when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to base camp and acclimatize

• Start at office at 9:00 a.m.
• Drive from La Paz to El Alto
• Stop for panoramic photo in El Alto
• Continue to base camp via Milluni lagoon
• Arrive at base camp and have lunch
• Practice on old glacier for acclimatization
• Sleep at base camp (4700 m)

Day 2 — Hike to high camp at 5200 m

• Have breakfast at base camp
• Check equipment with guides
• Wait at base camp until lunch
• Hike 4 hours to high camp carrying equipment
• Dinner at high camp at 5:30 p.m.
• Rest for summit climb next day

Day 3 — Summit climb and return to La Paz

• Wake up at 1:00 a.m. and prepare equipment
• Have breakfast
• Climb 6 hours to summit
• Enjoy summit views at 6088 m
• Descend 2 hours to high camp
• Descend 1.5 hours to base camp
• Return to La Paz, arrive around 13:30

Top questions

How difficult is climbing Huayna Potosí?

It’s considered one of Bolivia’s most accessible peaks but still requires acclimatization and basic glacier training; guides help manage risks.

Is equipment included for the Huayna Potosí climb?

Yes, all climbing equipment is provided as part of the tour package.

How long does it take to climb Huayna Potosí from La Paz?

The full trip lasts three days including transport from La Paz and acclimatization time.

Are meals included during the Huayna Potosí tour?

Yes, meals are included throughout the tour—lunches and dinners at camps are provided.

What is the highest altitude reached on this trip?

The summit of Huayna Potosí is 6,088 meters (19,974 feet) above sea level.

Is prior mountaineering experience required?

No advanced technical skills are needed; guides provide glacier training on day one.

Where do you sleep during the climb?

You’ll spend two nights in mountain shelters—one at base camp (4700m) and one at high camp (5200m).

Does this tour include pickup from La Paz?

Yes, private transport from La Paz to base camp is included at the start of your trip.

What’s included

Your three-day adventure includes private transport from La Paz through El Alto up to base camp, all necessary climbing equipment fitted by your guide (who stays with you throughout), two nights’ accommodation in mountain shelters at high altitudes, full meals cooked onsite—even glacier training before your summit attempt—and return transfer back into town after descent.