Best Illimani Climbing Guides 2025

I went on a 15-day expedition with Bolivian Mountaineering back in June 2023. We successfully summited Pico Austria, Pequeno Alpamayo, Huanya Potosi, Illimani, Parinacota, and finally Condoriri / Cabeza de Condor. Pedro was great to work with while planning for the trip and great to meet in person when I arrived in La Paz. We made some adjustments to my itinerary based on condition reports that Pedro had heard from the prior week or so of my arrival. My guide, Jose, was awesome! I had a bit of mountaineering rust to shake off (it had been a few years since I climbed a glaciated peak), and I think it showed on Pequeno Alpamayo. But Jose helped me through that and I could tell his confidence in me grew throughout the trip. The trip culminated with a successful summit of Cabeza de Condor which was definitely on the edge of my comfort zone, but was absolutely amazing. I also want to shout out Pepe who was a great cook in Condoriri and Huayna Potosi. Overall I was very happy with Bolivian Mountaineering. Since that trip I've definitely looked back at photos wanting to be back in the Cordillera Real. Contemplating going back in a couple years to climb some of the other peaks in that range, and maybe tackle harder routes on a couple of the mountains we climbed this last trip. And if I end up doing that, I'll definitely be going with Bolivian Mountaineering again.

The boss Pedro does this job in the 3rd generation and it shows. From the start everything went totally smoothly. Every question was answered quickly, clearly and in flawless English. I didn't only go to Illimani with them (summiting was unfortunately not possible due to very bad weather) but also to Sajama. The guide and porters were incredibly nice people, tents and other gear were fine and most important of all I felt perfectly safe all the time. To top it of all of this was done at half the price that some other operators asked for. Whether you're a beginner or an highly experienced mountaineer, Bolivian mountaineering is the team you want to climb with.

2 friends and I completed the classic summits of Bolivia trip with Bolivian Mountaineering. 6 summits in 18 days,a very ambitious program. What a great company. Good communication, great experience and the staff were second to none. We started our trip with a cultural tour of Tiwanaku and lake Titicaca, part of the acclimatisation process. Mabel our guide was a wealth of knowledge. A boat trip to sun and moon island was one of the highlights. We then headed to the mountains, the Condorirri. Pico Austria was the first peak and ticked off by all three of us. Pequeno Alpamayo was second with my 2 friends successfully summiting. We then moved on to Huayna Potosi which I successfully summited. Illness was taking its toll but the small group nature of this trip and having 2 guides maximised our success. We then enjoyed some well earned rest in La Paz before heading to Illimani. Again because Bolivian mountaineering is so flexible one of our group was only participating in the first 12 days and 4 peaks. After Illimani we headed off to Sajama National park. The original plan was Parinacota and Sajama, however we altered this and climbed Parinacota and Acotango instead. As a group we didnt all summit every peak but as a group we put at least one person on every summit, my friend and I both climbed 4 peaks, 4 of which were over 6000 metres. A very successful trip. This trip felt so easy as the logistics, the flexibility and organisation were all handled so well. There are probably cheaper options but who wants to be tied into a rope with 5 total strangers where if one of the 5 gets sick all 5 have to descend. this was a great value for money trip that was tailored to our needs and maximised our success. Would definately use these guys again if I was to return to Bolivia.

We have done several tours with Pedro and Pepe in October (9th -19th October). We have climbed together Pico Austria, Pequeño Alpamay, Huyana Potosí, Acotango and Parinacota. Pedro and his team took really good care of us and he has a lot of mountaineering experience. We felt always safe and could trust him with every tour we have made. Unfortunately we could not climb Illimani because of bad conditions. But his assessment of the situation was very professional and we can only recommend to book tours with his organisation. They are reliable, professional and experienced. We can totally recommend to book a tour with them!

As an expat living in La Paz, I've developed a great relationship with Pedro and his team over the past two years that I've lived here. Last year, I climbed Pico Austria, Tarija Peak, Pequeno Alpamyo and Illimani with Pedro and Jose, another excellent guide and it was a wonderful experience. This year, I wanted to test my mountaineering skills a bit more, learn some basic techniques, and take it up a notch. Pedro organized a guided trip for us to do some ice climbing to warm up, followed by an ascent up Pequeno Alpamyo's Southeast face - a much more challenging and technical route than the normal route up the summit ridge. Here, I was able to gain confidence and practice climbing up a steep wall, even leading the last part ascending to the summit. The following day we traveled to Huayna Potosi's high camp, and climbed the very direct French Route, up a much longer and steeper wall, finishing it off with a traverse from the south to north summit. Pedro was encouraging, professional, and a calming, comforting presence the whole way up and down. Recently, we completed the trip with a climb up the Cabeza del Condor, one of the most beautiful and imposing mountains in the Cordillera Real. Once again, we scrambled through dirt, snow, rock and ice to make the final ascent to the summit - a spectacular finish to a great season of climbing. Pedro and his entire team are some of the most friendly, positive, professional and competent guides I've ever consulted with. I've been on trekking, rafting and other trips throughout the U.S. and South America, and Bolivian Mountaineering is the best in the business. Pedro makes sure you have everything you need to make a successful summit to just about any mountain, safely, and help you realize your full potential along the way.

Bolivian Mountaineering provided excellent top notch logistical and guiding for Pico Austria & Pequeño Alpamayo including airport pick up, hotel arrangements, refuge stay and all transportation and food for a great price. All in all Bolivian Mountaineering provided expert guidance. I look forward to using them again for future climbs on Huayna Potosi & Illimani

I did Pequeno Alpomayo and Illimani with Pedro and his team, and could not have asked for a better experience. As a business owner, Pedro is extremely professional. He's incredibly responsive and gives great details in all communications. He took time to meet with me twice before our trip and explain all details thoroughly. You can tell he takes his job and business seriously. He has a vision for his company and for La Paz's climbing culture, which is really cool. Before we climbed Pequeno Alpomayo, Pedro was sure to watch me and recommend the right preparation beforehand, which was a day hike up Pico Austria. The next day climbing the mountain, Pedro was very patient and sure to explain every part of the climb before we tackled it. Since Alpomayo is a very physical and varied climb, there are lots of obstacles and sections where you have to improvise and think on your feet, not to mention mentally prepare. Pedro guided me through it all, all the way to summit! I climbed Illimani with Pedro's cousin Jose who is also an excellent guide. Very approachable with many many years of climbing experience under his belt. The day of, Pedro took the time to came with Jose to pick my wife and I up on our way to Illimani, and made sure we had everything we needed. He even lended me his boots and crampons for the climb. Illimani was a fantastic experience. Jose provided everything we needed, and was always checking on us. On the way up to high camp, he guided my wife up the tougher parts of the climb where you have to scramble a bit. The entire way up Illimani he was extremely patient and knowledgeable of the route and conditions. We summitted in about six hours and the views were incredible. All in all a very rewarding experience with two great guides! If you are considering climbing around La Paz, highly recommend these guys!!!

Put briefly, don’t hesitate to book with Pedro. Amazing guide (friendly, safe, conscientious, and knowledgeable). By far the best I saw in Bolivia. Amazing climbs. Beautiful country. I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience climbing outside the United States. Pedro always goes above and beyond and is one of the nicest guides I’ve ever climbed with. He is very safe without making you feel like you’re being babied or pulled up the mountain. He always has hot food and drinks available. And he’s constantly checking to make sure you’re comfortable. I got a small stomach bug early in my trip and he completely changed the food menus to accommodate me, which got me back to full speed in no time. I saw plenty of parties climbing with other guides, and Pedro clearly had the best gear, was the most attentive, and cared the most for his client. He even took the time to drive me to the airport at 2am the day I left, despite having a full schedule of acclimatization hikes the next day. He also takes a ton of photos, which I really appreciated. I hiked/climbed 5 peaks with Pedro: Pico Austria, Charquini Peak, Huayna Potosi, Illimani, and Sajama. The schedule he put together was perfect, giving me plenty of time to acclimatize and rest but not wasting any of my days there. All of the climbs were rewarding and different in their own ways. I highly recommend a trip with all of those climbs. If I were to add any others, I think Parinacota might be cool to pair with Sajama (if you like volcanos). Otherwise, peaks like Ancohuma and Illampu would give you a great view of the Cordillera Real. Bolivia is also a great place to travel. It’s certainly a poor country, but everyone is very friendly, the countryside has unparalleled beauty, and the mountains are stunning. Again, don’t hesitate to book with Pedro. You will have no regrets.

After reviewing the positive feedback on TripAdvisor, I decided to book my first mountaineering experience with Bolivian Mountaineering in mid July. Pedro was accommodating with specific date arrangements and itinerary to suit my experience level. Good communication prior to commencing the trip considering he's in the mountains most of his time. I ended up climbing Pequeño Alpamayo and Illimani. Both climbs were well organized with all aspects accounted for making the trips enjoyable. Will certainly be returning to climb with Bolivian Mountaineering in the near future.

super good agency. I wanted to climb Illimani with a friend, but the day before I got sick. My friend was still able to climb the mountain and I got most of the money back, although many of the Ahency expenses remained the same (travel, tent, porters, etc.) The entire process was very simple and the employees were always friendly. My friend's experience on the mountain was also very good and the guide seemed extremely prepared and experienced. Overall, absolutely recommended!

We went to Climb Huayna Potosí, Illimani, a professional job, thank you William for the work, the personalized attention, top-notch team, we all reached the summit, happy for the experience, our guide was always with us, he encouraged us a lot to continue, and that's how we managed to reach the Summit, we highly recommend Southtreks

Great profesional and friendly staff at the agency, they all know their job and answer all technical questions (on the contrary of other agencies in the same Sagarnada street), high expertise of the guide Limper. I had three different expeditions with SouthTreks and plan to come back to climb Illimani with them in September 2023. Thanks to Nicole for her flexibility :)

I spoke with William on the phone before my arrive to La Paz, he was patient and explained everything to me. When I arrived, he welcomed me like a member of his family and we spoke about my plans to climb 4 summits of 6000m. We started with 1 day of ice climbing in Huayna Potosi with Javier the guide. Javier was amazingly professional and patient and took the time to explain the technical part. I continued to climb with Javier Illimani and he stopped me before I hit the ground when I fell face first. After Illimani we continued to climb the French route in Huayana Potosi and after that we went to climb Pomerape. We also tried to climb Sajama and Illampu but the conditions were very bad so we had to go back. Javier is an amazing guide and extremely professional I highly recommend him and The agency of William! They make you feel like family and they will always take care of you!!

William was really helpful and made great efforts to make my ascent of Illimani happen . The 3-day climb was a success thanks to my guide Luis who was very attentive and profesionnal. Go with your eyes closed ! (not on the glacier obviously).

I climbed Pequeno Alpamayo (5440m) and Illimani (6460m) with Bolivian Mountains in September 2015. I met Jon and my guide José before my climb and they talked me through the route. We also sorted out our kit. The equipment standard was very good, not brand new, but very good. I had a private tour because it was just coming to the end of the season. My guide José could not do enough for me to make the trip what it was. He smiled and joked all the way up the mountain and all the way down. He was safe, calm, professional and great fun. The food was cooked by Habidio who was also fantastic. Very tasty food, plenty of it and very accomadating. He also smiled and joked the entire time. I would recommend bolivian mountains for an amazing all round experience. Thanks for getting me to the top of both.

I did two day climbs of both Illimani and Cabeza del Condor respectively. Illimani was super challenging especially in such little time, but with the motivation of my guide I was able to make it. On Cabeza del Condor we had to turn back after the incredibly steep and technical canaleta, a 100m chute as steep as 70°. Unfortunately the wind was just too strong, and given that the final section is a steep and narrow ridge with fatal drops on either side, it was too dangerous to continue. Having said that, I enjoyed the company and efforts of my guide, Theo, who seemed really eager for us to make it to the summit and was happy to wait to see if the wind would die down. All in all I was really happy with the service I received from Inca Land, and delighted that I got to summit one of the highest peaks on the summit, as well as climb the entirety of the nerve racking canaleta. The owner of the agency is also very friendly and personable, so I highly recommend booking a tour with them.

We had a great time climbing Illimani with Ramiro and Teo. They are very professional with good knowledge of the mountain. Everything was arranged for us, plenty of food, and appropriate equipment in good conditions. Also the supporting team was very supportive. Thank you for the magnificent experience! Highly recommended.

The agency is good, but be careful with the Guide Ramiro, who is the one they normally put to climb Illimani, he can be a good guide in terms of strength, resistance, condition and technical mountaineering skills, but his ego is too big, it is unprofessional and immature and forces his client to continue at 6400m in dangerous conditions, in addition, his treatment of the client leaves much to be desired, he took photos with his cell phone that he never handed over and ignores the messages, however, he publishes on his networks, It's outrageous that they put people like that to work. All work in customer service must be based on good experience and good treatment of people. NOTE: DO NOT AGREE TO GO WITH THAT GUIDE