THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A long, high-altitude day hike from La Paz that links Laguna Esmeralda (Charquini) with secluded lagoons on Huayna Potosí’s west face. Expect stark mountain light, short steep approaches, and a guided, 9–10 hour experience.
A long, high-altitude day hike from La Paz that links Laguna Esmeralda (Charquini) with secluded lagoons on Huayna Potosí’s west face. Expect stark mountain light, short steep approaches, and a guided, 9–10 hour experience.
The morning opens cold and thin above La Paz as a 4x4 noses out of the city and climbs into the high plateau. Altitude tightens the air; the Cordillera Real looms—white ridges pushing the sky—while a narrow track leads to the small parking bowl where hikers step out and meet the wind.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Explorando Bolivia · La Paz, La Paz
The morning opens cold and thin above La Paz as a 4x4 noses out of the city and climbs into the high plateau. Altitude tightens the air; the Cordillera Real looms—white ridges pushing the sky—while a narrow track leads to the small parking bowl where hikers step out and meet the wind.
Charquini’s “Emerald Lagoon” and the west-side lagoons of Huayna Potosí sit at altitudes near 4,900–5,010 m, carved into Pleistocene glacial basins and flanked by eroded volcanic and metamorphic rock. The route threads aqueduct terraces, stony puna grass, and compact moraine; the Milluni Cemetery and panoramic views of Chacaltaya and Imilla Apachita offer cultural and photographic stops that hint at the region’s Aymara heritage and 20th-century mountaineering history.
Expect clear, high-contrast light, wind that can change from a whisper to a shove, and pools whose color brightens with sun and falls to steel under cloud. The itinerary typically includes two hikes (roughly 4 km and 8 km round trips combined), a mountain brunch, and time for photos at Maria Lloko Lagoon and an optional approach to the Huayna Potosí glacier.
Practical notes: acclimatize in La Paz for 24–48 hours if possible, carry layered windproof clothing, and plan for 9–10 hours total including drive time. Footwear with firm grip, trekking poles, and water are essential; guide-led access reduces navigation stress and provides altitude contingency measures. For mountain lovers, it’s an accessible, high-altitude immersion—raw, exposed, and sharply rewarding.
Trails are moderate in technicality but strenuous because of thin air; expect slower pace and frequent rests—acclimatization helps.
The optional short approach to the west glacier may involve snow and ice; guides evaluate conditions—microspikes or crampons could be required in some seasons.
Yes—brunch and high-altitude snacks are included in the tour, typically eaten on the mountain during a scheduled break.
Pickup is coordinated from Miraflores, Sopocachi, San Jorge, San Pedro, downtown, or the bus station—confirm exact point when booking.
Explorando Bolivia operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The morning opens cold and thin above La Paz as a 4x4 noses out of the city and climbs into the high plateau. Altitude tightens the air; the Cordillera Real looms—white ridges pushing the sky—while a narrow track leads to the small parking bowl where hikers step out and meet the wind.
The morning opens cold and thin above La Paz as a 4x4 noses out of the city and climbs into the high plateau. Altitude tightens the air; the Cordillera Real looms—white ridges pushing the sky—while a narrow track leads to the small parking bowl where hikers step out and meet the wind.
Charquini’s “Emerald Lagoon” and the west-side lagoons of Huayna Potosí sit at altitudes near 4,900–5,010 m, carved into Pleistocene glacial basins and flanked by eroded volcanic and metamorphic rock. The route threads aqueduct terraces, stony puna grass, and compact moraine; the Milluni Cemetery and panoramic views of Chacaltaya and Imilla Apachita offer cultural and photographic stops that hint at the region’s Aymara heritage and 20th-century mountaineering history.
Expect clear, high-contrast light, wind that can change from a whisper to a shove, and pools whose color brightens with sun and falls to steel under cloud. The itinerary typically includes two hikes (roughly 4 km and 8 km round trips combined), a mountain brunch, and time for photos at Maria Lloko Lagoon and an optional approach to the Huayna Potosí glacier.
Practical notes: acclimatize in La Paz for 24–48 hours if possible, carry layered windproof clothing, and plan for 9–10 hours total including drive time. Footwear with firm grip, trekking poles, and water are essential; guide-led access reduces navigation stress and provides altitude contingency measures. For mountain lovers, it’s an accessible, high-altitude immersion—raw, exposed, and sharply rewarding.