Bolivia: Cordillera Real Trek Planning
BoliviaPaperwork
Please return the requested paperwork as soon as possible.
- Application
- Flight itinerary
- Passport Copy
Trip Insurance & Evacuation Coverage
We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance. Even with the best planning, unexpected circumstances — such as an injury or family emergency — may prevent you from joining your trip.
Trip Insurance Info (opens in new tab)Meet Times & Transport
Flight reservations for your expedition should be made as soon as possible. If you would like the assistance of a travel agency, we can recommend our friends at Exito Travel. We recommend using our travel agent as they can best facilitate changes. Please forward a copy of your flight itinerary before final purchase so we can review departure and arrival dates.
Alpine Ascents can make pick-up, hotel, and transport arrangements to meet individual itineraries.
Flying to La Paz, Bolivia
Arrival: Fly to La Paz, Bolivia. Almost all flights to La Paz arrive in the middle of the night. Plan to arrive prior to 7:00 AM on Day 1 of your trip itinerary in order to meet the group for an orientation and gear check mid-morning. Those arriving on the scheduled date will be met at the airport by an Alpine Ascents guide or representative and taken to the hotel. Please look for an Alpine Ascents sign upon leaving customs.
Early Arrival/Late Departure: For acclimatization purposes and in case of lost luggage, arriving a
day early is highly suggested. We are happy to arrange an airport pick up for you if arriving early. For those arriving early or departing after the scheduled itinerary, we can make hotel arrangements at an additional cost. Please contact our office in advance if you would like us to make additional reservations.
Missed Flights: If you miss your flight or if your flight is significantly delayed, please contact Gordon Janow by calling our Seattle office (206) 378-1927 and follow the prompt for 24-hour contact.
Visas & Passports
As of December 2025, US citizens no longer require a visa for entry to Bolivia for the purpose of tourism. Citizens of Canada and Australia also do not require a tourist visa for entry to Bolivia.
Visa rules vary for citizens of other nationalities, including for citizens of some European countries. Alpine Ascents is happy to work closely with all climbers to determine visa/entry requirements.
Entry Requirements:
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- All visitors entering as tourists need a passport that is valid for at least six months after arrival.
- Be prepared to provide your address of stay in country to immigration officials:
Hotel Europa
Calle Tihuanacu
No. 64
La Paz- If you will be arriving using a passport other than US, Canada, or Australia, please let us know as soon as possible
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A yellow fever vaccine is only required if a visitor will be traveling to or from yellow fever endemic areas. The Alpine Ascents itinerary does not include any yellow fever endemic zones.
Please contact us any time for questions.
Lodging
Hotels
We usually lodge at the Hotel Europa while in La Paz. On occasion we may switch hotels; we will inform you if we make this change.
For climbers who prefer single room accommodations, these arrangements can be made for an additional fee. Be aware that private rooms are available at hotels during our trip, but not on the mountain.
For climbers choosing double room accommodations every effort will be made to pair you with another climber. A Single Room Supplement Fee will apply if a match cannot be made or there is a last minute cancellation. This will help keep our overall program pricing down since unlike other companies we do not charge more for smaller groups.
In La Paz
Hotel Europa
Calle Tiahuanacu No. 64
Phone: (591-2) 2315656
Website: hoteleuropa.com
Gear List
Please refer to your Gear List:
Bolivia Cordillera Real Trek Gear List (opens in new tab)
You are required to bring every item on this list as described, so be as precise as possible when packing. We are happy to work closely with you on finding the proper gear.
If you plan to rent gear, your rental form must be submitted at least a month prior to expedition start date. Please call our office or e-mail [email protected] with any questions.
Gear Lexicon
If you’re confused by items and/or language on the Gear List, we encourage you to refer to our Gear Guide for explanations on layering systems, differences between boots, etc.
Gear Guide (opens in new tab)
Other Resources
Below are articles written by veteran Alpine Ascents guides that you may find helpful in preparing and packing for your expedition.
Medications & Prescriptions for Mountain Climbing
Not on the Gear List, but in our Backpacks
Packing Tips
People generally take too much “stuff” rather than too little. Study each item before you pack it. Eliminate redundant items, extra changes of clothing, and excessive “nice to have” luxuries. You will benefit from traveling light because of the costs of excess baggage and because of the frequent loading and unloading of bags. Remember to review your airline’s weight limits and pack accordingly. Traveling light may be your key to summit success. Take everything on the required equipment list and little else.
Organizing Luggage
Stage 1 – Travel to Bolivia
Pack everything (except for a few items mentioned below) into your large duffels and check it in with your airline. We recommend packing your empty trekking pack inside one of these duffels.
Pack your small duffel as your carry-on, and remember any usual comfort items for international air travel. Staying relaxed prior to your expedition will contribute to your enjoyment of the trek!
Stage 2 – Trip Prep in La Paz
It’s nice to have a small selection of town clothes with you, suitable for touring the city, going out to dinner, etc. While in La Paz, we complete a thorough gear check and reorganize our luggage. Here’s how we pack:
- Small duffel – anything not coming into the mountains, like your town clothes. You’ll check this in with your hotel and it will be stored until you return.
- Trekking duffel – 1 large duffel of the gear you need at night while on the trek.
- Trekking pack – the gear you will carry on your back while trekking.
Stage 3 – Trekking
While trekking, you will have access to all your gear except the small duffel of items left at our hotel in La Paz. Your guide will advise on what gear to pack each day for the rest of the trip.
Expenses
We recommend using a combination of cash and credit cards for purchases and extra expenses in Bolivia. Credit cards are generally only accepted at the hotel and at upscale restaurants in La Paz. Expect that most other transactions will require cash. You will need to change a small amount (calculate amount to exchange using further information below) of US Dollars to Bolivianos, which you can do in country at our hotel in La Paz or at banks or exchange kiosks. When exchanging money, request some change in small denominations as change for larger notes is scarce outside big cities. Note that money changers in Bolivia give better rates for larger bills ($50 and $100) and will only exchange newer bills with no tears, damage, or stains.
Meals in La Paz are not included in the trip cost, aside from the hotel buffet breakfast. Expect to spend about $100 US for these meals. You may also wish to budget extra for souvenir/Bolivian handicrafts shopping.
Early Departure/Evacuation
If you need to leave the expedition early, you are responsible for all incurred expenses (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc). A comprehensive trip insurance plan is recommended, which can cover these costs in the event that they occur.
Tipping
Our guides make every effort to ensure your climb is risk aware, successful, and as enjoyable as possible. If you have a positive experience, gratuities are an excellent way to show your appreciation. It’s difficult to recommend a specific amount as we believe tips should be based on level and quality of services, as well as an amount that meets your budget. Please consider the information below to be a general recommendation.
10 -12% of the total trip cost is a standard guideline for the whole guide team. Any contribution to the guides’ tip pool can be given directly to your lead guide and will be appreciated by the entire team. We additionally recommend a tip of about $80 for your mountain cook staff team. Please note that tips in USD currency are of the most value to local staff.
On the Mountain
Physiology Of Mountaineering
Dehydration, hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude illness are all important health conditions to be aware of while climbing. Please read our overview of these physical factors:
Physiology Of Mountaineering (opens in new tab)
Food & Water
We are aware of the potential monotony of expedition food and Alpine Ascents makes every effort to make meals a positive part of the climb. We take great care in our meal preparation, understanding the importance staying healthy, fueling effectively, and enjoying your food. Whenever possible, we use fresh ingredients from local markets in our pre-planned meals.
Alpine Ascents guides will sterilize all water and climbers will fill water bottles at breakfast and dinner.
Health Tips
You may want to consult your physician for advice on treatments for gastrointestinal upsets that you may encounter on your trip. In the past, climbers have relied on antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin. Your doctor may recommend medications such as Lomotil or Imodium to stop diarrhea, and Compazine to prevent nausea.
Leave No Trace
Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. Before your climb, please become familiar with Leave No Trace:
7 Principles of Leave No Trace
As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before.
Conversely, there is nothing more disheartening than working hard to climb a mountain, reaching a site and encountering trash, food waste, and toilet paper. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.
