Very few places in Bolivia are as raw, authentic and welcoming as the
region of the Sajama National Park . From the ruins of the Jesuit church,
the geysers, thermal lagoons and Llamas hear that prevail in the region,
everything makes this arid landscape astonishes to the expeditionaries
who observe as the locals live in an absolute communion and peace with
the environment.
The Volcano Sajama or rather Sarjama, is the "top of Bolivia" (6520m).
It´s located into the Sajama National Park in the Caraguara province
of Carangas in the county of Oruro near the frontier with Chile, and to
approximately 20 km to the northeast of the Payachatas which means in
Aymara" Little White". (Parinacota and Pomerape). The park was constituted
in 1939 and it is the oldest of Bolivia, although the limits has not been
established officially yet, the park, is about 200.000 Hectares.
One of the main attractiveness are the thermal lagoons and geysers,
cause the therapeutic properties anDayn excellent place to rest after
the expeditions, for its recovery effects.
Our proposal is the climb through the Normal route, less technical variant
of ascent, it doesn't present particular difficulties except for a couple
of steps where we should use fix ropes to protect the ascension, which
are previously placed for the guides crew.
Day 1: An AEA
Expeditions representative will met you at the airport and take you to
a good hotel in the city center. Where you are going to stay for tonight.
During the afternoon, we´ll check equipment, and if necessary rent
few last time details always in companies of your guide. During the night
we use to gather all the group for dinner, to begin to establish the friendship
relationships and instill confidence.
Day 2: Private transfer in 4wd up to Sajama Village,
where we will spend the night in refuge, or, if overbooking in big sleeping
tents.
Day 3: Commence of the trek, until the AEA Expeditions
Base Camp, all our gear will be carry by mules, so we will be only concentrate
in enjoining the amazing views of the surrounded peaks and volcanic-evidences
around the track.
Day 4: following the system of "ladder", we will
carry loads up to the high camp, and return to base camp for overnight.
To get a proper and delicious meal to recover energies and stamina to
achieve our objectives.
Day 5: Acclimatization programmed day, we will
just take a ride around the area to improve adaptative mechanisms, and
most of the time we will dedicate our efforts to rehidration and eating
properly...
Day 6: Move up to High camp. During the late afternoon, depending of conditions,
the crew will fix the lines prior to our ascension, to guarantee the faster,
safer and easier climb of all the members upon the top.
Day 7: Summit day!!! Weather permits, we will
procure to have the best conditions, so we will depart around 3 AM, to
get the best temperature rates during the climb, in the way up and during
descent. If everything goes right, we will be getting the summit before
noon and returning the high camp before 3 Pm, and depending of conditions,
we may get Sajama to celebrate at night!!. If not we will spend the night
at High camp.
Day 8: Contingency day in case of ad weather
or not getting the summit.
Day 9: Walk out to Sajama Town and transfer to
La paz, where we use to met for a farewell dinner.
Two hotel nights accommodation in La Paz, continental breakfast included.
Private transfer in truck to La Paz-Sajama Village-La Paz.
One night in refuge at Sajama town, Half Board.
All the meals during the mountain itinerary.
Certified English speaking Professional High Mountain guides.
Complete Base Camp service (accommodation tents, cooking gear, stoves)
Mules gear transfer up to 20 kg. each person way up and back.
Common climbing equipment ( Ropes, snow staques, ice screws)
You are responsible for
Personal equipment or gear.
Extra expenses to desert itinerary or in case of a rescue
Porters
Transport equipment charges exceeding 20 kg.
Extra food and or beverages
Even there is not any kind of
sanity control office, which requires sanity and vaccination certificates,
it´s highly recommendable to prevent such few complications that
could be avoided without much problems, before getting bolivia and may
become a reason to ruin your loved and long planned vacations.
There are no reasons to worry about Yellow fever up on the mountains,
thus, there is no reasons to avoid being vaccinated. In case of you plan
to visit the Yungas, you will be asked if you have taken the proper immunization,
and it´s for your own benefit you absolutely need to be protected.
So many climbers plans t visit the Yungas once being in La Paz, to avoid
Crows, or even to recover after a long climbing season.
There is also some risk of getting hepatitis, Tetanus, due to lack of hygiene in some of places which are far apart of what we expect in our own countries. And treatments to solve this diseases are not always handy in terms of time or reliability.
Diarrheas are common in most
of developing countries.As a matter of fact we can consider we will have
it once in a trip, and we need to be prepared for this beforehand.
One of the most important spread ways is the water. DRINK ALLWAYS BOTTLED
AND SEALED WATER Or carbonated soft drinks, do not accept open bottles
due to often they are refilled and the sanity conditions are not a issue
in some places . Soft drinks are almost 100% safer, due to the CO2 which
decreases PH and kills germs. Take care about food, specially if street
cocked, the only change of habits may be a cause of diarrheas, and the
excessive deep fried cocking style might be a cause, that even mild will
ruins a part of your trip.
Always pack in your kitbag one or two rehydration salt sachets, such Gastrolite,
and check out with your doctor about medication doses and treatment in
case of diarrheas. As a manner of information, and without any intentions
of replace a professional opinion, Ciplofloxacine( antibiotic) and Loperamide(antidiaroheic)
are the two most common drugs used for travelers to remote areas..
Even when Security at Bolivia are not a big Issue, and it´s pretty
safe to walk round, we were seeing how every year, the criminality are
raising and there are more stories about pickpockets and robberies to
tourists. Bolivians are great people and honest, but influences are making
it change, so take care specially if you are traveling by yourselve with
a big luggage.
We expect form you to get this following gear list
During the Walk
In ( Approach)
Long shirt
Long trekking trousers
Sun Hat and neck shade cover
Walking poles( highly recommendable)
Trekking boots
Head gear
Balaclava
Fleece cap ( Biny)
Fleece neck less
Hands
Fleece or windstopper gloves
Liner thin gloves
Mitons and Gore tex or similar one, over mits. Note: It´s definitely
not allowed to bring gloves and overmits.
Torso
Capilene, thermal, or polypropylene liner top
Two fleece jumpers
Down jacket
Shell jacket
Legs
Capilene, thermal, or polypropylene liner bottom.
1 pair minimum
Fleece trousers
Shell trousers
Foot
Expedition Socks: 2 pairs min ( one Reserved
for summit day in a sealed bag)
Liner socks
Plastic double Boots
Gaiters (highly recommendable super gaiters)
Hardware
Semiautomatic Crampons
Long Ice Axe with wrist strap
Pelvic Harness
Helmet
Head Torch
Sun glases (a very good ones)
Sun glases extra pair
Goggles.
Expedition Kitbag. (Duffel)
St. Steel Vacuum Bottle 3/4 or 1 Lt
Water bottles 2lts cap in between
Backpack at least 80 + 10 Lts
A swiss knife or multi use tweezes
A lighter
Accessories
Personal hygiene kit
Personal First aid kit.
Sun Screen SPF 40 Or higher.
Alarm Waterproof watch.
Sleeping gear
Sleeping bag 1kg Down
Rubber Sleeping Mattress
Documentation
Passport and/or permit entrance.
Optional equipment(*)
Walkman
a book to read at basecamp
satelital phone
a towel to use at basecamp
Pen and notebook
Agenda
Film camera
Video camera
Gps
Match cards
A pair of strap sandals
And secret pocket for your values and goods