×

Bolivia🇧🇴 | national parksTuni Condoriri National ParkCondoriri glaciers, Chiar Khota camp, Pequeño Alpamayo, llama pastures | things to do and best time to go

Explore Torotoro National ParkExplore Carrasco National Park

Backpacking in Tuni Condoriri
👀 For curious travelersnational park ranked #15
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Tuni Condoriri is a high-altitude glacier park, and the Condoriri peaks are climbed with ropes and crampons, not strolled up from the road. The park sits in the Cordillera Real of Bolivia, north of La Paz. Book a licensed agency or guide for any glacier work, and arrive acclimatized, or altitude will eat your days. I expected silence at the Tuni reservoir; instead, llama herders were shouting across the water, their voices bouncing off the rock walls. Skip cheap gear rentals with worn boots. Best for trekkers who love thin air and ice, and a poor fit for anyone wanting easy, flat strolls.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Bolivia Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #15 national park in BoliviaReasons people choose to explore here

Tuni Condoriri National Park gives you big-mountain Andes without the expedition price tag, and you can organize most of it yourself. The draw is the Cabeza de Cóndor massif, whose three-armed glacier outline gives the range its name, plus Huayna Potosí looming nearby. Camps sit beside Laguna Chiar Khota, where the base camp is a short walk from the water. Independent trekkers can pitch tents, hire a local muleteer and cook their own meals, while climbers will want a guide for the glaciers. Trails stay uncrowded compared with the Illimani or Huayna Potosí routes, and the altitude keeps the pace honest and slow.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Cabeza de Cóndor (Condoriri massif): The park’s signature sight. Its jagged ridge and glaciers form the outline of a condor’s head and outstretched wings, best seen from the lake camp.
  2. Laguna Chiar Khota: A dark, glacier-fed lake at roughly 4,650 meters, and the usual base camp. Reflections of the peaks sit still at dawn.
  3. Pequeño Alpamayo: A steep, pyramid-shaped snow peak around 5,400 meters, famous among climbers for its fluted face and a guided ascent.
  4. Tarija Peak: A popular beginner glacier climb at about 5,200 meters, giving broad views of the whole range and Lake Titicaca on clear days.
  5. Tuni Reservoir: The wide water at the trailhead, where the high plain meets the mountains. Llama herds graze its shore.
  6. Llama and vicuña country: Grazing herds cover the high pastures, and Andean condors ride
… read more 👉
  1. Cabeza de Cóndor (Condoriri massif): The park’s signature sight. Its jagged ridge and glaciers form the outline of a condor’s head and outstretched wings, best seen from the lake camp.
  2. Laguna Chiar Khota: A dark, glacier-fed lake at roughly 4,650 meters, and the usual base camp. Reflections of the peaks sit still at dawn.
  3. Pequeño Alpamayo: A steep, pyramid-shaped snow peak around 5,400 meters, famous among climbers for its fluted face and a guided ascent.
  4. Tarija Peak: A popular beginner glacier climb at about 5,200 meters, giving broad views of the whole range and Lake Titicaca on clear days.
  5. Tuni Reservoir: The wide water at the trailhead, where the high plain meets the mountains. Llama herds graze its shore.
  6. Llama and vicuña country: Grazing herds cover the high pastures, and Andean condors ride the thermals above the cliffs.
  7. Huayna Potosí views: The big glaciated summit rises nearby, framing the southern horizon from the higher ridges.
The highlights fit into a three-day trek, though acclimatizing first adds a couple of days.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Tuni Condoriri National Park

Bike Down the Road of Death

Bike Down the Road of Death

5.0(32)
From €84
per personViator
Ventanani Glacier Hike, Cordillera Real, Private Tour from La Paz

Ventanani Glacier Hike, Cordillera Real, Private Tour from La Paz

5.0(29) 11h
From €168
per personViator
Discovering the Ajayu/Soul of La Paz

Discovering the Ajayu/Soul of La Paz

5.0(19) 5h
From €91
per personViator
Shared Full Day Tour Charquini Lagoon and Hiking

Shared Full Day Tour Charquini Lagoon and Hiking

5.0(19) 8h 30m
From €35
per personViator
Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class

Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class

5.0(17) 4h
From €36
per personViator
Smells like La Paz spirit: Walking & artistic city tour

Smells like La Paz spirit: Walking & artistic city tour

5.0(11)
From €30
per personViator
Private. Valley of the Souls and Moon, Uni Mística Indigenous Viewpoint

Private. Valley of the Souls and Moon, Uni Mística Indigenous Viewpoint

5.0(11)
From €71
per personViator
3-Day Climbing Huayna Potosi from La Paz

3-Day Climbing Huayna Potosi from La Paz

5.0(10) 72h
From €319
per personViator
La Paz Political Tour : History, Politics & Culture

La Paz Political Tour : History, Politics & Culture

5.0(10)
From €32
per personViator
Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels

Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels

5.0(9)
From €25
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (May to September): Stable skies for the Condoriri massif and Huayna Potosí approaches. Days reach 8 to 14°C (46 to 57°F) at base camp (about 4,700 m), nights fall to -10 to -5°C (14 to 23°F). Daylight runs about 11 hours.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Fewer climbers, mostly workable weather, with afternoon snow showers building by October.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Heavy snowfall, cloud and avalanche risk. Temperatures sit around 2 to 10°C (36 to 50°F). Guides and agencies cut back trips, though prices rarely move much.
June to August is busiest, so book a guide a few weeks ahead and aim for midweek departures.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
bolivia-national-park-tuni-condoriri-national-park
© Google | Hector Macias

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutBolivia Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Bolivia
The digital guide (262 pages) contains:
✅ 76 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

No hotels exist inside Tuni Condoriri National Park, so most backpackers sleep in La Paz and join a tour or arrange a driver. Sopocachi and the streets around Calle Sagárnaga hold the hostels, and many agencies there pick you up at the door. The main base is Tuni, a high lake village on the Cordillera Real, where agencies run basic refuges and a few simple rooms. Beyond that, the Condoriri base camp (Laguna Chiar Khota, about 4,700 m) is tent-only, often with a cook tent supplied by your agency. Bring a sleeping bag rated to at least -15°C (5°F). El Alto sits between La Paz and the park, but it … read more 👉
No hotels exist inside Tuni Condoriri National Park, so most backpackers sleep in La Paz and join a tour or arrange a driver. Sopocachi and the streets around Calle Sagárnaga hold the hostels, and many agencies there pick you up at the door. The main base is Tuni, a high lake village on the Cordillera Real, where agencies run basic refuges and a few simple rooms. Beyond that, the Condoriri base camp (Laguna Chiar Khota, about 4,700 m) is tent-only, often with a cook tent supplied by your agency. Bring a sleeping bag rated to at least -15°C (5°F). El Alto sits between La Paz and the park, but it offers little for visitors beyond cheaper beds near the airport.
Best hostels in Bolivia


Best quality hotels in Bolivia

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Expect to spend about US$75 to 110 a day on a guided trip to Tuni Condoriri National Park, with a high-season total of US$110. Prices below are typical for independent travelers booking through La Paz agencies; payment is in bolivianos or dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$3 to 6Usually collected at the Tuni community post or folded into your agency package.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 25Refuge bunk or tent at base camp, often included in tour prices; La Paz hostel beds are cheaper.
Local transportUS$10 to 30Shared transfer from La Paz takes about 2 hours; private 4x4 costs more per person for small groups.
Food and suppliesUS$10 to 20Agency cooks cover meals on trips; bring snacks and electrolytes from La Paz.
Guide and gearUS$45 to 80Licensed guide, boots, crampons
… read more 👉
Expect to spend about US$75 to 110 a day on a guided trip to Tuni Condoriri National Park, with a high-season total of US$110. Prices below are typical for independent travelers booking through La Paz agencies; payment is in bolivianos or dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$3 to 6Usually collected at the Tuni community post or folded into your agency package.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 25Refuge bunk or tent at base camp, often included in tour prices; La Paz hostel beds are cheaper.
Local transportUS$10 to 30Shared transfer from La Paz takes about 2 hours; private 4x4 costs more per person for small groups.
Food and suppliesUS$10 to 20Agency cooks cover meals on trips; bring snacks and electrolytes from La Paz.
Guide and gearUS$45 to 80Licensed guide, boots, crampons and ice axe rental per day for glacier climbs.
Total Daily BudgetUS$110Based on high-season rates, mid-range guided trip.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Tuni Condoriri: routes, terrain, and sights

Tuni Condoriri National Park is trekked mostly as a short, high loop from the Tuni reservoir, with the classic route heading to the Chiar Khota base camp.
  • Tuni to Chiar Khota Camp: About 10 to 12 km, 4 to 6 hours. Moderate to hard because of altitude, over grassy moraine and rocky trail, with condors and llamas on the way.
  • Tarija Peak ascent: A full day with a guide, often a predawn start. Difficult, with glacier travel, crampons and an ice axe required.
  • Pequeño Alpamayo climb: A technical snow and ice route for experienced climbers, usually 8 to 10 hours round trip from the camp.
  • Lake viewpoint walks:
… read more 👉
Tuni Condoriri National Park is trekked mostly as a short, high loop from the Tuni reservoir, with the classic route heading to the Chiar Khota base camp.
  • Tuni to Chiar Khota Camp: About 10 to 12 km, 4 to 6 hours. Moderate to hard because of altitude, over grassy moraine and rocky trail, with condors and llamas on the way.
  • Tarija Peak ascent: A full day with a guide, often a predawn start. Difficult, with glacier travel, crampons and an ice axe required.
  • Pequeño Alpamayo climb: A technical snow and ice route for experienced climbers, usually 8 to 10 hours round trip from the camp.
  • Lake viewpoint walks: Short, easy to moderate wanders around the camp lake, an hour or two, ideal for acclimatization.
Wildlife includes vicuñas, viscachas, llamas and condors. Weather shifts fast, and snow can arrive in any season. Getting there takes a private or shared transfer from La Paz, since public transport to the trailhead is limited. Crowds stay light compared with the more famous peaks. Entry costs a small fee, typically around US$3 to 6, paid at the trailhead, and guides and porters are hired locally.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Tuni Condoriri

Altitude is the main issue here, since base camp sits near 4,700 m and the peaks pass 5,600 m. Spend two or three days in La Paz first, drink plenty of water and climb slowly. Weather turns fast, with whiteouts and afternoon snow, so start early and turn back when clouds close in. Glacier routes such as Pequeño Alpamayo need crampons, ice axes, ropes and a licensed guide; crevasses are real. Trails near the lakes are straightforward, but loose moraine rewards good boots. Llamas and vicuñas are harmless if you keep your distance. Sun at this height burns quickly, so bring a high-SPF cream and glacier glasses.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 3 days for Tuni Condoriri National Park, with 2 to 3 more in La Paz beforehand to acclimatize. A typical trip is a 2 to 3 day trek to the Condoriri base camp, and climbing Pequeño Alpamayo adds a day. La Paz is about 2 hours away by road.
Visiting Tuni Condoriri National Park without a car is possible, but you need a tour or a hired driver, since no scheduled bus enters the area. Agencies in La Paz run shared transfers for roughly US$10 to 30 per person, reaching Tuni in about 2 hours. Minibuses toward Milluni leave from El Alto but stop far short of the trailheads.
Tuni Condoriri National Park charges a small community fee, typically around US$3 to 6, paid at the Tuni post or included in agency prices. No separate government permit is required for trekking. Guides are required for glacier climbs, and licensed guide costs run about US$45 to 80 a day.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Bolivian national parks near Tuni Condoriri

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Bolivia including Tuni Condoriri and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all national parks

Or checkout all Bolivia has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Bolivia
Country photo of Bolivia
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Tuni Condoriri National Park pairs well with a few days of acclimatizing in La Paz and a Huayna Potosí climb, or with the Lake Titicaca shore afterward. I would spend the first night low, hire a local porter, and keep the glacier days for the end.

✈️ When did I visit Bolivia?
Bolivia I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Bolivia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story