Volcano Sahama


The highest mountain peak of Bolivia is Sahama, an extinct stratovolcano in Pune of the Central Andes, 16 km from the border with Chile. It was not possible to establish when exactly the last time it erupted, but scientists believe that it happened in the Holocene epoch.

Volcano Sahama is located on the territory of the same national park . At the foot of the mountain there are thermal springs and geysers.

Mountaineering routes

The first ascent to the summit was made in 1939 by Josef Prem and Wilfried Kym through the southeast ridge. Today the volcano also attracts a large number of climbers. Climbing its summit is considered a rather difficult task, primarily because of the high altitude of the volcano, and also because of the steep ice cap that starts at an altitude of 5500 m. From Bolivia, the ice cap is more powerful than on the side that faces Chile. The reason for this is the greater amount of precipitation falling here. Below the mark of 5500 m there is a meager semidesert vegetation. On the slopes are laid routes of varying degrees of complexity, with the most popular is the north-western side. At an altitude of 4800 m there is a stationary camp, in which there is even a toilet.

The routes start from several high-mountain villages, located on the slopes of the volcano - Sahama, Tameripi or Lagunas. The village of Sahama lies at an altitude of 4200 m. Officially, ascents are permitted between April and October.

How to get to the volcano?

It is possible to reach the foot of the Sahama from La Paz about 4 hours - the distance is 280 km. To go follows on the routes number 1 and RN4. Then you will need to get to one of the villages (the road can also take about 4 hours), from which it will be possible to start the pedestrian ascent.