chacaltaya ski resort

I did a half day trip to the Chacaltaya. I paid 100 Bobs for Mt Chacaltaya and Valley De La Luna. First of all its not a ski resort anymore. Not much snow. I made the mistake of not acclimatizing to the high altitude before i went for this. I did this on my second day in south america. Even though it is not a tough hike, it would have been much more enjoyable if i had waited couple of days. Overall a very beautiful place, nice views of the flat city and La paz. Even though the road to the mountain is rough its well worth it.

This is a full day trip from La Paz,Getting out of La Paz is crowded.The drive to Chakaltaya is again as most of it in Bolivia through open bare lands with views of hills and ranges of the Andes.The last hour of drive is uphill through old mining ares laid bare by excavation for precious metals. The landscape is with various colors of earth.It was overcast as we reached the last point on the road,There is a lodge here ,which serves food and hot beverages - welcome in this weather.we decided to climb up the slope to the top evn in this cold it was a task we couldnot resist,As we covered a distance it started snowing - for us from semi tropics it was a great experience,making us forget the cold for a while.The view from the top was great,it is said that on a clear day it is awesome.A great place to go to.

The ride was incredible, we would go by bus and keep on going up for a long time. But when we arrived we saw a not well taken care of place that leads you to the Chacaltaya mountain. The level of climbing is very easy, luckily it wasn't that cold nor windy, that could be a crucial factor in the experience. We took like 30 minutes going at our own pace and arrived to the first peak. The second peak is farther away and it is very satisfying to get there, since you get more views and you are able to see the way to the northern part of La Paz. We were able to see a green lagoon, which seemed awesome. When we got back we had a nice cup of hot coffee in a room with warmer temperature. Very cozy indeed. My personal recommendation is to bring a nice pair of boots, a poncho and a llucho (The traditional hat used in Bolivia, you can get them in Sagarnaga Street).

Chacaltaya its not WHITE ANYMORE, but the view is nice, just remember to get there you have to cross the ALTO

In La Paz, I went through Julius Tours, to book this day trip. We traveled up a mostly windy dirt road, with very nice views to the old ski resort. The trip took about 2 hours. Then from the resort, we walked up to the first summit, and a handful of us to the true summit, the hike took about 30 minutes or so. It was quiet difficult, because the altitude was about 5400 meters, so it made it hard to breath. However, it was definitely worth the exhaustion as once on top, you were met with breathtaking views of alpine lakes, Grand Canyon-looking scenery, snow capped peaks, and a view of La Paz city off in the distance.

It was back in 2005 in one of my tours in Bolivia.I had a group of about 28 people and 20 of them want to visit Chacaltaya.So i organized the visit.We left La Paz by 4x4 and we arrived at the small ski resort.Then we had to climbe the last aprox.300 meters to the top.Everybody was in good condition exept myself and Tassos (heavy smokers).Step by step I got about 20 meters from the top.I was feeling my lunges burning.My brother Sotiris who is a pneumologist from the top was yelling at me to turn back.I loked back and I desided to keep go.It took me another 20 minutes for those 20 meters.at the top I layed down for a couple of minutes but when i got up I was with God.The view is something you cant imagine.At the resort after lots of coca leaves and jokes about me and Tassos.I 'll never forget that group and that visit followed by another 4 visits at Chacaltaya

Our vehicle couldn't go beyond the snow at 16,000 ft., so off we went up the road to the old ski resort. the total hike was about 5 miles round trip. We went to the false summit where the old lift started then down and up to the summit at 17,250 to 17,700 depending on what you read, but our altimeter read 17,350. Wonderful views of the Andeas Juana Potosi and Illumani and Lake Titicaca, don't miss this close, easy, climb or hike. A stop at the sill manned chalet for a cup of coco or coca tea and view the old ski pictures is nice too. A small fee is charged for the hike at the chalet.

I remember the tow rope that pulled me to the peak. It was the only way to ascend to the top. From the summit one can look out at some of the most magnificent views on earth. I was traveling with a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer. After catching our breath, we took the plunge down, atop some of the softest snow I'd ever felt under my skis. It's sad to know the snow has disappeared, but the view will still be there. I'm returning to Bolivia soon, after a 48 year hiatus, and Chacaltaya is number one on my list of things to do. If you go, prepare yourself for the altitude. It can be brutal for the inexperienced: headaches, bloody noses and vertigo. You can locate medicine in La Paz. ¡Buena suerte!Tío Paco

When you´re in La Paz don´t miss it, only 35 km from city, search for the travel agencies in the streets near San Francisco church and choose the one you like best, the tour starts at 08:00 - 08:30 AM and is about 25 to 30 US$. Up there the view is amazing, it´s possible to see Titicaca lake which is 100km away. Be prepared for the cold, even if it´s warm in La Paz at Chacaltaya may be below zero due to the wind.April to May and September to November are the best time to go, in winter time June to August there migth be clouds and would block the amazing view.Only go there after being a few days in La Paz or near to climatize with high altitud because is 5300m high where just walking can be very tiring with low oxigen, but don´t worry...the travel agencies take people in a bus near the top and the bus trip through the tortuous road is an attraction apart.

At 5000m plus this is the highest point I have ever been too & I certainly noticed the air thinning as we climbed higher. We took an organised trip that included this, the bus takes you quite a way up but there is still a considerable trek to the top. There was snow on the route on the day we went & I would dress accordingly. The views are fantastic on a clear day.

We hired a 4x4 from La Paz, which was very good value. The drive after El Alto city onwards is fantastic. First of all a high plain, then you can see a lake with different colours due to the minerals, then the road starts the steeper ascent, with various small lakes up to the old ski resort at 5300m. There has been no snow up there since 2006, but the ski resort managers still live there and are very interested in telling you the history of the place. You can hike the last 80m to the top without getting lost, though it's exhausting. There are views (from the ski resort) to various mountains, lake titicaca, El Alto city etc. It was worth the drive.

Interesting and dramatic mountain scenery, cool ski lift - but the snow here disappeared a long time ago!

I took a day tour from La Paz which included a trip to Chacaltaya. It is the highest I have been with the peak at 5360m. the bus takes you to the ski resort which is now pretty much derelict although it looked although there was a sort of hostel there. The toilets were awful. You have to pass through the ski resort building and then from there you can climb up to the peaks. The first peak is quite steep and actually the climb to the top peak is much easier. The views are out of this world. You can see Lake Titicaca and La Paz as well as the snow capped mountains and valleys in the more immediate vicinity.

It is a two hours ride to the ski resort with some vertiginous views. We went there in a shared minivan (bought for 75 Bs p.p.) on Sagarnaga street (11 people + guide + driver).At 5300m, the view is absolutely gorgeous. You can walk maybe 2 km in total (they let us ramble for 90 minutes) once there. There are other mountains around, you see Illimani in the horizon. It is a beautiful sidetrip from La Paz.

Once the highest altitude ski resort in the world, it is probably a shame that the glacier has receeded so much that skiing stopped several years ago.These days it is interesting to visit to see the day lodge at 5300 metres, which was built in 1943. A few locals were overnighting there the day we were there, so we could have a good look around inside.The views back over La Paz are stunning. Unfortunately, the wind was so strong we couldnt walk up higher.