If you’ve been following our blog or newsletter, you may already know that we have not one, but TWO exciting adventures in Bolivia this coming year. In case one adventure isn’t enough for you, we’ve put them back to back so that you can join both!

Learning the ropes

The first trip is our new Bolivia Mountain School Program where you will spend seven days learning the ropes – literally. From rope and belay techniques to glacier travel and safety, this course is perfect for anyone looking to learn the foundational skills of mountaineering. Whether you’re new to the sport or you just want to brush-up on your skills and technique, you will be sure to walk away with practical knowledge that you can apply to your future pursuits on the slopes. At ten days in length, this trip is perfect for people who want to go climbing in South America, but have limited time off.

Camping on Sajama

Hiking to Condorii Base Camp

A joyful team of climbers

Our second trip is a Berg Adventures classic. First we climb world-class mountains in the Condoriri Range (usually Cerro Austria and Pequeno Alpamayo depending upon conditions) and then we continue on to climb Sajama, Bolivia’s tallest mountain at 21,486ft/6,549m. While the mountains are fantastic, we also take some time to explore the incredibly diverse cultures of Bolivla by visiting the city of La Paz and acclimatizing along the shores of Lake Titicaca. Last year this trip was featured in Outside Magazine, so you know it’s got to be good!

Check-out last year’s dispatches to see just how colorful and scenic Bolivia is!

To learn more, visit the Bolivia homepage or contact our office (Sara@bergadventures.com or 866-609-4148).

Upcoming Trip Dates*:

Bolivia Mountain School: June 1 – 10, 2012

Bolivia: Sajama and Condoriri: June 9 – 25, 2012

*Dates inclusive of international travel days.

Whether you are looking to refresh your mountaineering skills or to learn them for the first time, Berg Adventures Bolivia Mountain School will give you the confidence and competence boosts you need to make your climbing goals a reality. Both Seven Summit hopefuls and novice adventure seekers will find this trip exhilarating and rewarding. Regardless of your initial goals and intentions, you will most surely find that climbing world-class, high-altitude peaks can be addicting!

Join us for this unique opportunity to learn the history of basic climbing skills and techniques and practice them in the spectacular high altitude environment of Huayna Potosi, Bolivia. The knots, equipment, and procedures used in this course are universal standards that will enable you to climb anywhere in the world. Course objectives include:

• Self-arrest techniques
• Crampon technique
• Rope / belay techniques
• Snow anchors
• Rappelling
• Crevasse rescue
• Glacier travel and safety
• Route-finding and navigation
• Acclimatization and physical self-awareness
• Mountain decision-making

Contact our office or visit our Bolivia Mountain School webpage for more information about this one-of-a-kind adventure and learning opportunity: http://www.bergadventures.com/v3_trips/south-america/bolivia-mountain-school-description.php

If a week-long adventure isn’t enough, the Mountain School Program corresponds perfectly with our regular Bolivia itinerary and you are welcomed to join us as we venture to the spectacular Condoriri range of Bolivia where we climb the snowy ridge of Pequeno Alpamayo and other fascinating peaks in the area. Click here for more details on our regular Bolivia climbing itinerary: http://www.bergadventures.com/v3_trips/south-america/bolivia-description.php.

“Viva South America!” proclaims Outside Magazine writer Patrick Symmes as he describes some of the best and most unique things to do and places to stay on this vibrant continent. Included in his list, and at the top of ours, is the Berg Adventures trip to Bolivia. You’ll get to climb a number of mountains including Pequeño Alpamayo in the Condoriri group and Sajama, the highest mountain in Bolivia at 21,486ft/6,549m. The hiking, climbing and camping are all fantastically beautiful and feature wide-open plains, crystal clear alpine lakes, dramatic peaks and wild llamas. Aside from the awesome climbing and hiking, other exciting trip highlights include sightseeing in the world’s highest capital city, La Paz, two nights to acclimatize and explore the shores of Lake Titicaca, a day trip to the Incan ruins on Isla del Sol and a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs below Sajama to finish off the trip.

We still have a few spaces on our June 2011 trip, so don’t miss your chance to sign-up! If you can’t make it this year, the 2012 and 2013 trips are open for registration.

Trip Dates:

• June 10 – 26, 2011
• June 9 – 25, 2012
• June 8-24, 2013

You don’t have any mountaineering experience, but you want to go climbing in Bolivia? Stay tuned, because we are putting together our first ever Mountaineering School Program in Bolivia for summer 2012. If you’re interested, contact us!

For more information on the Berg Adventures Bolivia Trip, please go to our Bolivia trip description page.

To read about our past Bolivian adventures, check out the dispatches.

To register, give us a call or fax/email us your application forms found here.

The Bergadventures Bolivia climbing team is now gathering in La Paz, the highest capital city on the planet, preparing to attempt one of our favourite climbs, Sajama at 21,460ft/6,542m. Join our Berg Adventures guides Osvaldo, Juancho, and Sergio and trip leader, Leila, as they lead this group of explorers through the legendary culture of Bolivia, across its moonscapes and open high-altitude expanses, and to the summit of Sajama.

Read the expedition dispatches to follow the team’s climbing adventure.