Pico Austria Day Hike – Cordillera Real Adventure from La Paz, Bolivia

07:00 – Hotel Pickup & Drive to La Rinconada (4,400 m)
Your guide will meet you at your hotel/hostel in central La Paz. The 2-hour journey takes you through El Alto and across the windswept Altiplano, with views of mountain ranges emerging on the horizon. Upon arrival at La Rinconada, we prepare for the hike.

Morning Trek – Towards Laguna Chiarkhota (4,600 m)
The trail begins gently, passing through llama pastures with stunning views of the Condoriri range. After 1–2 hours, we reach the crystal-clear waters of Laguna Chiarkhota, the base camp for many high-altitude climbs. We enjoy a well-deserved break and an early lunch here.

Midday – Ascend to Paso Austria (5,000 m)
From the lagoon, the trail steepens as we head toward Paso Austria. Over the next 2.5 hours, you’ll gain 400 meters in elevation, walking along rocky mountain paths surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

Optional Summit – Pico Austria (5,320 m)
For those with the stamina, we continue 30 minutes further to the summit of Pico Austria, where 360° views extend from the Cordillera Real to Huayna Potosí and even Lake Titicaca on clear days. If the summit is too demanding, we rest at Paso Austria and enjoy the spectacular vistas.

Afternoon – Descent & Return to La Paz
We descend along the opposite side of Laguna Chiarkhota, completing a scenic loop. The return drive to La Paz takes approximately 2 hours, arriving between 18:00 and 19:00 depending on traffic and trekking speed.