In the middle of the Apolobamba Cordillera, two peaks are part of our favorites. These are Cololo and Huanacuni. They are accessible by the Laguna Pujo Pujo. A day’s walk is then necessary to reach an idyllic base camp at the edge of a turquoise lagoon. The Cololo massif is one of the most beautiful glacial environments of the Apolobamba Cordillera. First we have to cross a gigantic and aesthetic ice shelf. Then we will have to face its summit wall with a vertical drop of 150m inclined at 65º to reach its summit. Magnificent ascent for experienced mountaineers in love with the great wilderness!
6 days on the spot.
private vehicle
NA
IFMGA english speaking guide (subject to availibity)
5.925 m asl
From May to October
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 6
07:00 am
tent
lunch, dinner
9/10h
Departure north early in the morning to the Apolobamba Cordillera. After driving along Titicaca Lake, many passes and hairpin curves leads us to the high plateaux below the cordillera. We follow the cordillera to reach Pujo Pujo lake by the end of the day. Camp next to the lake.
8:00 am
tent
breakfast, lunch, dinner
8h
From the lake, it is an easy way up north-west to the next pass at 4950 m als. / 16 240 feet. Our Path goes on following a contour line, then get around a rock barrier and arrive at our last pass at 5000 m asl. / 16 404 feet, an incredible viewpoint on the mountain range. The view on Cololo (or Anta Kjawa) and Huanacuni glaciers are simply gorgeous. We have now to descend in a large valley on our left, cross a nice stream, and go up north-east into the valley on our right, towards the two glaciers. Then we follow a stream and some big lakes before setting up our camp on the shore of the third lake at around 4680 m.a.s.l./15350 feet of altitude. This place is definitely one of the most beautiful of the Cordillera, and the panorama is breathtaking.
Special information :
Change in elevation: +480 m/-450m
10:00 am
tent
breakfast, lunch, dinner
2/3h
From the base camp, the climb is easy to the north-east, towards the end of the valley. Then, we go up east in a perpendicular valley on the right. The progression is a little bit tricky through the “bofedal”. Finally, we reach the beautiful little lake at the foot of Cololo glacier (2h30 from the camp) The real name of this mountain is actually Anta Kjawa, Cololo being the name of the valley. Camp at the foot of the glacier.
01:00 am
tent
breakfast, lunch, dinner
11/12h
We reach the glacier at 5045 m.a.s.l./16550 feet of altitude. The way up is quite easy on the glacier (40º / 45º), but with some crevasse crossing slightly technical. After 3 hours ascent from the edge of the glacier, we arrive at a vast plateau. Now the main peak is on our right. Now we ascend on steep slopes (55º / 60º) until the ridges at the foot of the summit wall, which takes about 2 hours. It takes another 2 hours to climb this summit wall of 150 m of height difference and 70º of inclination. We reach the summit after about 6 hours walk. Descent by the same route (5 to 6h walk)
Special information :
Change in elevation: +1050 m/-1620 m.
8:00 am
tent
breakfast, lunch, dinner
8h
We take the same road back to the Pujo Pujo Lake.
Special information :
Change in elevation:+450m./-480m
07:00 am
none
breakfast, lunch,
8/9h
Departure in a 4WD vehicle early in the morning from Pujo Pujo Lake. We start a long crossing of the high plateaux. The panorama of all the Apolobamba range on our left is totally gorgeous. Then we go down towards the Titicaca Lake and reach La Paz by the end of the day.
