Cordillera Real, Illampu Circuit

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The Cordillera Real or Royal Range stretches 200 kilometers northwest from La Paz . We explored the southern end of the range with a day trek out of La Paz to the Condoriri base camp and the northern end with a week of trekking near Sorata around the base of Nevado Illampu. This photos shows Illampu on the far left and Condoriri on the far right.

Sorata is a small town in a valley at the base of Illampu. At 8,000 feet in elevation the climate is milder than the higher altiplano.

Our plans were to hike the Illampu circuit a seven day hike around the third highest peak in Bolivia and a popular trek. The Sorata Association of Guides advised against the circuit since the fifth day involves hiking into a province less friendly to tourists. We had heard rumors of this and didn’t feel the need to take the risk. We ended up hiking the first two days of the circuit and then back around the front to avoid problems.

Heading out of Sorata was challenging as we ascended nearly 5,000 feet the first day. It was a beautiful day though and the views over the Lllampu valley were gorgeous.

On the first night , from our camp above the village of Lacatilla, we could see the pass we would head through the following day - the notch just above the shadow on the right.

The sun setting on Illampu that night was beautiful.

Once we crossed over the first pass we headed into the Ancoma valley

Another great sunset on Illampu the second night.

Our third day was the most challenging as we treked up a long valley to the second pass above 15,000 feet - the red spot in the background..

Finally, we reached the top of the pass in the early afternoon and could look back on the ground we covered.

On day 4 we headed back around the small town of Lacatilla on our way to Lake Chillata.

We arrived at camp early that day with plenty of time to relax at the lake and enjoy the views of Illampu.

Our final destination on day 5 was Laguna Glacier. Just above 16,000 feet it iss a 4 hour hike from Lake Chillata. Laguna Glacier sits between Nevado Illampu and Nevado Ancohuma.

The view back on the trail up to Laguna Glacier. We passed through the notch in the middle of the ridge where the shadow is.

Illampu peak up close.

At Laguna Glacier.

The view to the west gave us a great look at our next destination, Lake Titicaca.

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