Lagunas de Altura Hike – Sajama National Park Bolivia

Sajama National Park in Bolivia is a breathtaking destination known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the remarkable Lagunas de Altura. Taking its name from Nevado Sajama, the highest mountain in Bolivia (6,542m, 21,463ft), the park is nestled near the Chilean border. It offers adventurers the chance to explore the beauty of the Andes while immersing themselves in the unique ecosystems of this high-altitude region. Here’s a comprehensive guide to hiking the Lagunas de Altura in Sajama National Park Bolivia.

Sajama National Park Bolivia

Established in 1939, it is the country’s first national park and spans over 1,500 square kilometers. Dominated by the majestic Sajama Peak, Bolivia’s highest mountain at 6,542 meters, the park is a haven for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Its unique landscape features high-altitude grasslands, striking volcanic formations, and serene lagoons all set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Overview of Lagunas de Altura

The Lagunas de Altura hike in Sajama National Park takes you to three high-altitude lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks and expansive altiplano. Among the snow-capped peaks, you’ll see a few mountains above 6000m: Nevado Sajama, the highest mountain in Bolivia, and the twins Volcan Pomerape (6,282m) and Volcan Parinacota (6,348m), which are sitting right on the border with Chile (you’ll cross the border shortly on day two of the trek, to visit laguna #1 & laguna #2). It’s a high-altitude hike, so expect to be above 4200m for the full trek.

Along the trail, you will visit a field of geysers (day one) and there is the option to reach hot springs on day three. You may encounter local wildlife, including flamingos, llamas, vicuñas, and various bird species, making it a unique experience in Sajama, Bolivia.

Preparing for Your Hike in Sajama National Park

Best Time to Visit Sajama National Park, Bolivia

The best time to hike the Lagunas de Altura is during the dry season, from May to October. This period is colder than the wet season, but offers clear skies and stable weather, enhancing your experience in this stunning region of Bolivia.

Be prepared for every weather

Even in the dry season, be prepared for varied weather conditions. During our hike at the beginning of October, we experienced warm sun during the day but temperatures at night were going down as low as zero degrees Celsius and we even had snow one of the nights! Layering your clothing is essential to adapt to changing temperatures, ensuring you stay comfortable regardless of the weather.

Altitude Considerations

The hike starts at 4,200 meters and reaches altitudes of over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), making acclimatization essential. Spend a few days in high altitude (for example in Sajama village – 4,200m), to adjust to the altitude before starting your trek. Without proper acclimatization (and sometimes even with), every step above 5000k feels like 10 steps at sea level. Hydration is crucial; drink plenty of water to help prevent altitude sickness. Bring Coca leaves to chew or make tea. You can get a small bag for 5 BOB in any mercado before heading to Sajama.

Essential Gear for Hiking in Sajama

• Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots.
• Clothing: Layered clothing suitable for varying temperatures, including a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating layer, and a waterproof shell.
• Tent: A durable, lightweight tent and cold-weather mattress and sleeping bag are essential.
• Water Filter: A portable water filter is highly recommended for safe drinking water from natural sources. We use a Sawyer Squeeze ¹(keep it in your sleeping bag at night so it won’t freeze).
• Offline Maps App: Download an offline maps app like Mapy.cz to help navigate the trails without cell service.
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Food & Snacks: Take a stove and lightweight meals, as well as snacks. Best to buy everything before Sajama, as options here are quite limited to a few small tiendas with only basic supplies.

Getting to Sajama Village

From La Paz

From La Paz, there are 2 options to reach Sajama Village:

• Catch a bus heading for Arica, Chile: Buses heading from La Paz to Arica, Chile are passing through the Sajama junction, 10 km from Sajama village. You can tell the driver to get off here and either hike to the village, take a taxi, or try to hitchhike. We didn’t go this route and are not sure about prices. Please let us know in the comments if you did.
• First to Patacamaya, and from there to Sajama Village: You can take a bus or colectivo from La Paz to Patacamaya. This should take about 1 hour. From Patacamaya there is only one daily minibus heading to Sajama Village – see next section for directions.

From Oruro

From Oruro, you’ll have to go to Patacamaya first. Colectivos leave from the old terminal of Oruro when full and cost 15 BOB per person. Find out how to go from Patacamaya to Sajama in the next section:

From Patacamaya

From Patacamaya there is only one daily minibus (Trans Sajama) heading to Sajama Village. You can find the minibus in front of the restaurant Capitol from around 9:00 am and it leaves for Sajama at 12:00 pm. The cost is 40 BOB per person and the drive takes about three hours. Make sure to be in Patacamaya on time.

You can reserve the bus in advance by any of the following numbers (picture below), but be aware the best seats are taken by those who come early and put their luggage on them.

Entrance Fee for Sajama National Park

Once you reach the entrance of Sajama Village, all foreigners have to pay the entrance fee for the National Park (even if you only want to visit the village of Sajama…). The fee is 100 BOB per person.

The Lagunas de Altura Trek

The Lagunas de Altura hike in Sajama National Park usually takes 2-3 days, depending on your pace and chosen route:

• In 2 days: This is for the fit and only if you are well-acclimatized to the height. You will go on day 1 up to the second lagoon and sleep there at a height of approx. 4900m. So be prepared for a cold night! Consider organizing transport to the geysers and starting the hike from there to save a few kilometers. Day 2 will bring you back to Sajama Village.
• In 3 days: If you allow 3 days for the trek you don’t have to rush and you will sleep both nights at about 4600m.

We did the hike in 3 days and here is a breakdown of our itinerary:

Day 1: Sajama to Camp-1

• Distance: Approximately 12.5 km
• Duration: 4-6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 400m elevation gain, 50m elevation loss
• Highlights: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Sajama volcano and the twins: Volcan Pomerape (6282m) and Volcan Parinacota (6348m). Experience the boiling water and the steam at the geyser field.
• Map of our trek on Wikiloc: here
• Water: The track leads you up the valley along Rio Junthuma Khuchu. We would not fill water below the geysers as it has quite a smell of sulfur, but the more you go up the clearer it gets. Make sure to filter the water as there are animals around.
• Camp-1: At 4600m, right next to Rio Junthuma Khuchu (so you’ll have access to water) you can find a cave, where it is possible to pitch a small tent or a bit more down a stone wall which offers wind protection. See the exact location of the camp in the wikiloc gps-trek.

Day 2: Through the Lagunas, Camp-1 to Camp-2

• Distance: Approximately 9 km
• Duration: 4-7 hours
• Elevation Profile: 600m gain, 600m loss, maximum height: 5060m
• Our recorded trek of day 2 on Wikiloc: here
• Highlights: Today you will visit all three lagunas. Highlights are the snowcapped peaks reflecting in the water, as well as flamingos you might meet in Laguna #3. And saying you visited Chile 😉
• Water: The water of the lagoons seemed not the best for drinking. Especially the second lagoon is very shallow. Between the lagoons, you will encounter streams that looked ok to us (again, make sure to filter the water). However, we suggest filtering from the stream near camp 2, which originates from the snow peaks.
• Camp-2: After visiting the third lagoon, you’ll start heading down again in the direction of Sajama. After some descent, Rio Milluni starts to form next to the trek (looks like it starts from some snow fields above). In the beginning, the valley is too steep for camping and once it becomes flat there are llamas and their poop. So the sweet spot for camping is right before this. We found some leveled places to put the tent but it was quite exposed to the wind (See the location on the wikiloc trek). For less wind, it might be possible to go a bit more down, just before the flat part of the valley starts.

Day 3: Return to Sajama

• Distance: 13 – 17 km (depending if you want to visit the hot springs, or want to return directly to the village)
• Duration: 4-7 hours
• Elevation Profile: 70m gain, 420m loss
• Our recorded trek of day 3 on wikiloc: here (it includes the way to the hot springs “Doña Theodora”)
• Highlights: Retracing your steps back to Sajama, impressive Volcán Sajama is always in view. Soak your exhausted body in one of the many hot springs.
• Water: There are lots of llamas (and their poop) around, so we suggest to fill and filter all the water you need for this day in the morning (in Camp-2).
• Hot Springs: On the way back, you can do a detour to one of the many hot springs in the area. We decided to visit the Baños Thermales Doña Theodora, because it was included in the hostel price. On the way, we got a bit lost and needed to cross some fences but in the end, we reached the hot spring. This particular one is more like a hole in the ground (see the picture below). But we liked the privacy (it was only us there) and the closeness to nature. Other hot springs in the area are more developed if you’d prefer, but cost 30 BOB.

Safety Tips for Hiking in Sajama

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness.
• Know Your Limits: Listen to your body and take breaks as needed.
• Navigate with Care: Although we hiked without a guide, having a map and a good understanding of the trails is essential for safety and navigation.

Conclusion

The Lagunas de Altura hike in Sajama National Park, Bolivia, is an unforgettable experience, blending stunning natural beauty, unique wildlife, and the thrill of high-altitude trekking. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a novice, this trek will leave you in awe of the majestic landscapes of Sajama, Bolivia. Note the proper preparation and respect the environment (someone left some trash next to the second lagoon 🙁 ).

Don’t forget to explore the intriguing Sajama Lines while you are in the area, adding a touch of history to your adventure. Happy hiking!

More things to do around Sajama National Park, Bolivia

Sajama Lines in Bolivia

While exploring Sajama, take into account the fascinating Sajama Lines, ancient geoglyphs etched into the landscape. These mysterious lines are believed to hold cultural significance and are actually 15 times larger than the Nazca lines in Peru! Though not so-easy to spot, you can read more here.

Climb Nevado Sajama

From March till October, it’s possible to climb Volcán Sajama in a three-day excursion. Some La Paz agencies offer guided climbs or check for a local guide in the village of Sajama.

Laguna Huanakota

This lake is about 12km north of Sajama. It’s an easy hike, following the gravel road from the village. At the laguna, you can often spot flamingos.

Quenua Forest

On the flanks of the foothills of Nevado Sajama, you can find dwarf quenua trees. These are forming the world’s highest forests. These trees are only growing a few centimeters per year and though this knowledge is impressive, the forest itself is less impressive 😉

More Hikes in Bolivia

• Dayhike near Samaipata: Codo de los Andes Hike without Guide
• Multidayhike from Sucre: Maragua Crater Hike without a Guide
• Near La Paz: How to hike the Condoriri Trek and climb Pico Austria without a Guide
• El Choro Trek, Bolivia: How to do it Self-Guided (2024)

---

1. This is an affiliate link. We will earn a small commission if you purchase anything through this link. There is no additional cost for you. ↩︎