Cordillera Real - Bolivia

[ProfetaP]

Hi all,

After my trip to Ecuador in Jan 2024 to climb Cayambe and Antisana, I am looking for my next stepping stone which I believe is the Mountains of Bolivia. At the moment, I am looking to climb Pequeño Alpamayo, Huayna Potosí, and Illimani, but I am not certain which guide service to go with.

I have been looking at Alpenglow expeditions because I would like to see how they operate before taking on a bigger expedition with them such as Peak Lenin. Has anyone climbed with them before and what are your thoughts?

I also thought it may be better to go with a local guide as they would know the mountains better - I found https://bolivianmountaineering.com which has a ton of great reviews, and they are also cheaper and offer more climbs in Bolivia such as Chachacomani & Chearoco (Don't know much on these mountains or if they would be a better stepping stone then the ones listed above).

Does anyone have insights on the two guiding services listed above or know of other options that could be better?

Thanks in advance!

[Scott P]

Bolivian Mountains is supposed to be a good company, but I haven't used them myself.

[mikemalick]

A friend of mine just this past June used the local Bolivian company Jiwaki https://jiwaki.com/ for Huayna Potosi and he said he was very pleased with the guides and the overall experience. I personally have no experience with them though.

[Scott P]

If a local company has great reviews then chances are it is reputable. Maybe just look at the reviews from other climbers and decide based on reviews and prices.

Also look at Explore Share as they will have a lot of different companies for comparison and they will have a lot of reviews.

[shredthegnar10]

No experience with either of those two companies but I used Bolivian Mountain Guides for logistics support last summer and they were great (and the prices seemed reasonable). Not sure if you're looking to go fully guided (they do offer this, we just didn't really use them for that) or logistics support only but they were really good about accommodating itinerary changes (i.e. we wanted to push our HP climb back a day so we could climb on a day when the winds were forecasted to be much lower). I didn't get a response using the contact form from their website but if you email them directly ( eduardo@bolivianmountainguides.com ) they respond pretty quickly.

[ProfetaP]

No experience with either of those two companies but I used Bolivian Mountain Guides for logistics support last summer and they were great (and the prices seemed reasonable). Not sure if you're looking to go fully guided (they do offer this, we just didn't really use them for that) or logistics support only but they were really good about accommodating itinerary changes (i.e. we wanted to push our HP climb back a day so we could climb on a day when the winds were forecasted to be much lower). I didn't get a response using the contact form from their website but if you email them directly ( eduardo@bolivianmountainguides.com ) they respond pretty quickly.

I appreciate your feedback, this helps out a ton! I am going to go full guided on Illimani, but I did end up moving forward with Bolivian Mountain Guides. They seem really friendly so far and the prices are great compared to American mountain guides.

[ProfetaP]

No experience with either of those two companies but I used Bolivian Mountain Guides for logistics support last summer and they were great (and the prices seemed reasonable). Not sure if you're looking to go fully guided (they do offer this, we just didn't really use them for that) or logistics support only but they were really good about accommodating itinerary changes (i.e. we wanted to push our HP climb back a day so we could climb on a day when the winds were forecasted to be much lower). I didn't get a response using the contact form from their website but if you email them directly ( eduardo@bolivianmountainguides.com ) they respond pretty quickly.

I also see you climbed Manaslu, what were your thoughts on it from a technical aspect? Leaning towards making this my first 8000m peak. Did you go guided and if so who with?

[mithar]

Just got back from Bolivia, and climbed Parinacota with Pedro at Bolivian Mountaineering amongst other things...https://bolivianmountaineering.com...Great trip. Try to make it to Isla del Sol if you have time. Also, Patio de Piedra Hotel in La Paz was outsanding. Have a great time!

[ECF55]

I have never used Bolivian Mountaineering (or been to Bolivia), but I have a good friend that spent a couple weeks down there last June in the Cordillera Real high country and he had a very good experience with those guys. [His guide was Pedro's cousin Jose.] The pictures were amazing, but it's clearly a different level of mountaineering from Colorado's 14ers...

[ProfetaP]

Just got back from Bolivia, and climbed Parinacota with Pedro at Bolivian Mountaineering amongst other things...https://bolivianmountaineering.com...Great trip. Try to make it to Isla del Sol if you have time. Also, Patio de Piedra Hotel in La Paz was outsanding. Have a great time!

Appreciate your reply and the recommendations, it helps out a ton! I was originally going with Pedro, but then he never responded after I told him I wanted to move forward with the itinerary.. I hope you had a great trip and glad you got back safely.

[ProfetaP]

I have never used Bolivian Mountaineering (or been to Bolivia), but I have a good friend that spent a couple weeks down there last June in the Cordillera Real high country and he had a very good experience with those guys. [His guide was Pedro's cousin Jose.] The pictures were amazing, but it's clearly a different level of mountaineering from Colorado's 14ers...

I appreciate you letting me know about your friends experience with Pedro and his cousin.

Yes, it is. But, that is exactly what I am looking for! On the road to 7000m and 8000m peaks