The 8 Best Huayna Potosi Climbs & Andean Treks

1.Charquini Mountain Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 287 reviews · 8 hours · from $39Our pick

Travel from La Paz to Nevado Charquini with a Spanish or English-speaking guide such as Manuel, Paty, or Juan. Stop at Apacheta Jilarata, Milluni Cemetery, and Laguna Milluni before hiking from 4,600 to about 5,024 meters. The route is short but demanding because of the altitude, with spectacular views of the Andes and Laguna Esmeralda.

“Very good guide, good route and very informative. Safe and effective journey to see the best parts of Charquini Mountains and the Laguna Esmeralda. The guide cares about everybody and the trip was safe for everyone.”

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2.Full day Tour Charquini and Laguna Esmeralda

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $55

This private 8 to 9-hour trip from La Paz visits Milluni Cemetery, red Laguna Colorada, and Nevado Charquini before a high-altitude hike to emerald Laguna Esmeralda. Guides such as Cristian, Patti, Marco, Cassandra, and Giovana have been praised for patience and support. Expect cold, thin air, rough roads, snacks, and about 2 hours of hiking.

“The van had very small seats and it was quite uncomfortable considering you have to drive for longer than 1 hour on a bumpy road. Altitude was a major issue, I felt very ill and went straight to the hospital after the tour. Plus, the day after I had to go to a chiropractor as I put my back out due to the very uncomfortable seats in the van. A complete nightmare..”

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3.Day Trip to Chacaltaya and Moon Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 65 reviews · 8 hours · from $40

Travel from central La Paz to Moon Valley’s clay spires, then continue to abandoned Chacaltaya ski resort at about 5,300 meters. You’ll walk toward the summit in severe altitude and wind, with a bilingual English and Spanish guide, entry fees, and city-center pickup included. Guillermo has led some departures.

“Really enjoyed the short Chacaltaya hike, the views were incredible. Guillermo was also an excellent guide”

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4.Climbing Huayna Potosí

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $230Top rated

You’ll climb Huayna Potosí with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, practicing ice skills on day one before sleeping at 4,700 and 5,130 meters. The summit push begins at 1:00 a.m. and reaches 6,088 meters. Guides Johnny, Jhonny, and Cristian have been singled out for patient instruction and strong summit support.

“Great experience! The tour agency was great at predicting the best day of the week to summit and there was lots of gear and extra stuff to choose from. The guide Jhonny from the base camp onwards was obliging and patient in showing me to wear my gear and to use it right at the training glacier. He showed genuine compassion and fun to track that mountain again with us and at times of struggle he was with empathy and gave us great motivation to make it up to the Huayna Potosi summit. Thanks Jhonny!”

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5.Huayna Potosí Mountain 3-Day Ice-Climbing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 21 reviews · 3 days · from $344

You’ll train on a glacier, sleep two nights in mountain refuges, and make a pre-dawn summit attempt on Huayna Potosí. Guides such as Francisco, Andrés, Macario, and Gabriela have been praised for calm support, English skills, cooking, and careful pacing. Expect a serious 9 to 13-hour summit day, cold nights, and demanding altitude.

“Andres our guide was fantastic! Excellent guide and cook. Extremely knowledgeable and encouraging!”

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6.Huayna Potosí 2-Day Climbing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · 2 days · from $319

You’ll drive from La Paz to Paso Zongo, hike to a 5,150-meter refuge, then climb Huayna Potosí by glacier under an English or Spanish-speaking guide. Expect a 9 to 13-hour summit day, steep snow and ice sections, an exposed ridge, and wide views toward Lake Titicaca, Illimani, and Illampu.

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7.Austria Peak One-Day Climbing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 1 day · from $188

Leave La Paz by vehicle for the Condoriri range, then hike from Laguna Chira Khota toward the 17,388-foot Austria Peak. A professional English- or Spanish-speaking guide sets the pace, provides clothing, trekking poles, transport, and a boxed lunch. You need strong fitness and prior acclimatization, but no technical climbing skills.

“To be upfront: we didn't reach the peak. We did do a lovely alternative hike on lower altitude. My boyfriend and I are both 23 and normally fit. We acclimated for 5 nights at spots between 3600-4100 metres. However, once we arived the 5000 meter I was to nauseous to continue, because of the altitude. Boy boyfriend was fine: you never know what the altitude will do to you. The nice thing about this hike is that when it does get to you, you can make a beautiful other hike around the lake at 4300 metres. We ended up having a great day regardless!”

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8.GUIDED TOUR CHACALTAYA + VALLEY OF THE MOON

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 3 reviews · 1 day · from $50

This full-day La Paz outing pairs a walk from Chacaltaya’s ski refuge to a high mountain viewpoint with the strange clay formations of Valley of the Moon. You get private round-trip transport, hotel pickup in central La Paz, and an English or Spanish guide. Bring warm layers, sun protection, and extra money for food and admission fees.

“Teurer Taxitransfer zu den Spots. Eintritte kommen noch hinzu. Englische Tour gebucht, leider Umsetzung stark verbesserungswürdig.”

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