Your day begins early as we pick you up from your La Paz hotel at 6:00 a.m. and set off on a scenic 2‑ to 2.5‑hour drive toward the Condoriri / La Rinconada area of the Cordillera Real. We’ll cross high Andean landscapes and traditional villages before reaching the trailhead near 4,500 meters (14,764 ft) above sea level.

​

Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a light breakfast and prepare for the trek ahead. The trail begins with a gentle ascent across high‑altitude valley terrain, passing small lakes and wide alpine views as you gain your first taste of Bolivia’s rugged mountains. After about 1 hour of hiking, we arrive at Laguna Chiar Khota (4,650 m / 15,256 ft) — a stunning high‑altitude lake that serves as a natural rest point and a perfect spot for photos.

​

From there, the route becomes steeper as we climb toward Austria Pass (~5,150 m / 16,896 ft) and continue on to the summit of Pico Austria (5,350 m / 17,552 ft). The uphill effort of roughly 3–4 hours is rewarded with breathtaking 360° panoramic views of the Cordillera Real, including the snow‑capped peaks of Condoriri, Huayna Potosí, and distant Lake Titicaca on clear days.

​​

At the summit, you’ll have time to rest, take photos, and enjoy a simple lunch with views like no other. After soaking in the panorama, we begin our descent via the same route, returning to the trailhead in approximately 2 hours. Once back at the vehicle, we’ll start the drive to La Paz, arriving in the late afternoon with memories of an epic high‑Andean trek.

​

Quick Details

Elevation Gain: ~900 m / 2,950 ft
Trailhead Elevation: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highest Elevation: 5,350 m / 17,552 ft
Difficulty: Moderate (high‑altitude trek)
Total Distance: ~9–10 km / 5.6–6.2 miles round trip
Trek Time: ~6–7 hours (ascent + descent, excluding transport)
Total Day: ~10–12 hours including transport and breaks