National park · Bolivia
Huayna Potosí
Go only if you have 3–4 acclimatised days in La Paz first: day trip to Zongo Pass (4,700 m) for the glacier view, or a guided 2–3 day climb to the 6,088 m summit; skip the summit if you flew in this week.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
200 km²77 sq mi
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 200 km²77 sq mi
- The park boundary is drawn around the massif and the Zongo valley; published figures vary (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- La Paz
Huayna Potosí is the closest glacier summit to La Paz: a 6,088 m peak in the Cordillera Real, about 30 km north of the city up the Zongo valley, and the reason most visitors come is the climb rather than a park visit. The road ends at Zongo Pass (4,700 m), where day visitors can walk to the lake and moraine for ice and valley views without gear. Above that, the route runs past Refugio Huayna Potosí to Rock Camp (5,130 m) on the moraine ridge, then across a crevassed glacier on the normal route — straightforward by alpine standards, which is why roughly 1,000 climbers reach the top each year, but still a roped, guided ascent with a steep section near 5,600 m. The first ascent was in 1919 by Rudolf Dienst and Adolf Schulze. There is no large national-park infrastructure: expect a small local charge near the pass, a bunk at the refugio, and buses back down the valley in the afternoon.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
200 km²77 sq mi · national park since 1970
The park boundary is drawn around the massif and the Zongo valley; published figures vary (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: La Paz.
Why go
- A 6,088 m glacier summit that is technically straightforward on the normal route, which is why about 1,000 climbers reach it each year.
- Zongo Pass at 4,700 m is a half-day trip from La Paz: ice, rock and the sea of clouds over the Yungas, no climbing gear needed.
- Rock Camp at 5,130 m is a high camp with views of the Cordillera Real, reached on foot in about four hours from the road.
- The Zongo valley below the ice holds green dammed lakes and the road to the old hydro scheme.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanWet season; cloud, fresh snow, avalanche risk
- FebWet; routes often in poor condition
- MarTransition; snow still deep
- AprDrier; cold nights
- MayDry, clear, stable snow
- JunMain climbing season; coldest nights
- JulDry and sunny; −15 °C at night is normalDry and sunny; 5 °F at night is normal
- AugDry; busy on the normal route
- SepStill dry; wind picks up
- OctClouds return; snow can fall any time
- NovWetter; summit chances drop
- DecWet season; poor visibility
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condors and other high-altitude birdsApr–Oct · Most visible on clear, windy mornings. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Llamas, sheep and alpacas grazing the passAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mice around Rock CampAll year · Hang or box your food. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From La Paz
Taxi or agency minibus north through El Alto and up the Zongo valley road to Zongo Pass.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From El Alto
Green micro to Plaza Ballivián, then the 05:00 minibus or 06:00 bus toward Zongo; get off at base camp or the refugio.Green micro to Plaza Ballivián, then the 5:00 AM minibus or 6:00 AM bus toward Zongo; get off at base camp or the refugio.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Zongo Pass back to La Paz
Afternoon buses returning down the valley, or a taxi called by the refugio (Bs 150–180).
1.5–2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Zongo Pass and base camp | Road end at 4,700 m, lake, parking and the start of the walking routes. | Open; day visitors and climbers. |
| Refugio Huayna Potosí | Lodge 2 km past the lake with bunks, food and a warden.Lodge 1.2 mi past the lake with bunks, food and a warden. | Open; pay per bed. |
| Rock Camp | High camp at 5,130 m on the moraine ridge, tents only. | On foot; no facilities. |
| Glacier and summit | The normal route across the glacier to 6,088 m. | Roped and guided; crevasses. |
Sketch map
- 1Zongo Pass base camp · Gate≈-16.277, -68.139Road end at about 4,700 m.Map ↗
- 2Refugio Huayna Potosí · Sleep≈-16.272, -68.142Approximate; 2 km past the lake.Approximate; 1.2 mi past the lake.Map ↗
- 3Rock Camp · Sleep≈-16.266, -68.150Approximate; high camp at 5,130 m.Map ↗
- 4Huayna Potosí summit · Summit≈-16.262, -68.1546,088 m.Map ↗
- 5Plaza Ballivián, El Alto · Ranger station≈-16.504, -68.173Approximate; buses to Zongo leave from here.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry at Zongo Pass | BOB 0–30 | person | 2026 estimate; a small local charge is sometimes collected — check on the day. |
| Guided 2–3 day summit climb (agency, from La Paz) | BOB 1,800–3,500 | person | 2026 estimate; includes transport, guide, group gear and meals. Gear rental extra. |
| Refugio Huayna Potosí bed | BOB 80–150 | person | 2026 estimate; dormitory bunk, bring a warm sleeping bag. |
| Taxi La Paz – Zongo Pass (one way) | BOB 200–400 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; drivers open high, settle under Bs 200 if you can. |
| Taxi El Alto – Zongo Pass (one way) | BOB 100–150 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; bargain at Plaza Ballivián. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Summit climb permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Climb the glacier only with a licensed guide and full glacier kit; the normal route is crevassed.
- Camping
- Tents at Rock Camp and base camp only; no fires, carry out all rubbish.
- Food storage
- Keep food sheep-proof at base camp and mice-proof at Rock Camp.
- Altitude
- Do not sleep at Rock Camp on your first days in Bolivia; acclimatise in La Paz first.
Where to stay
In the park
Refugio Huayna Potosí
Bunk beds and simple meals at 4,700 m, 2 km past the lake.Bunk beds and simple meals at 4,700 m, 1.2 mi past the lake.
In the park
Rock Camp tents
High camp at 5,130 m; bring a warm sleeping bag rated well below freezing.
Near the park
La Paz
Full range of hotels and hostels, 1.5–2 h away, and where you acclimatise.
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Crevasses on the glacier high
Cold medium
Losing the path on the descent medium
Getting stranded at the pass low
Accessibility
- The Zongo Pass road end and the lake shore are reachable by vehicle with short walks on rough ground.
- The moraine route to Rock Camp and the glacier are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish back to La Paz; there is no collection at Rock Camp.
- Use the refugio's facilities rather than burning or burying waste on the moraine.
- Book climbs with agencies that limit group size and pack out human waste from high camp.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Huayna Potosí?
There is no big national-park ticket office: a small local charge of roughly Bs 0–30 per person is sometimes collected near Zongo Pass (2026 estimate, check on the day). The real cost is the climb — a guided 2–3 day summit trip from La Paz runs about Bs 1,800–3,500 per person, plus gear rental. A taxi from La Paz to the pass is Bs 200–400 per vehicle.
What are the best hikes in Huayna Potosí?
For non-climbers, the walk from Zongo Pass toward the lake and moraine gives glacier views in a half day. The classic route is base camp or the refugio up the moraine ridge to Rock Camp (about 4 hours up, 2 hours down, steep gravel). Above that, the normal route to the 6,088 m summit is a roped glacier climb, not a hike, and needs a guide.
When is the best time to visit Huayna Potosí?
May to August is the main season: dry, sunny and stable snow, with very cold nights (down to −15 °C or lower). April and September are workable. December to March is the wet season, with cloud, fresh snow and poor summit chances.
Can I climb Huayna Potosí without a guide?
It is a crevassed glacier with a steep section near 5,600 m, so a licensed guide and full glacier kit (rope, harness, crampons, ice axe) are the sensible choice. If you have the skills, go with at least one experienced partner and rescue gear.
How do I get to Huayna Potosí from La Paz?
Buses to Zongo Pass leave Plaza Ballivián in El Alto daily, a minibus around 05:00 and a larger bus around 06:00; get off at base camp before Lake Zongo or at the refugio 2 km further. By taxi it is 1.5–2 hours from La Paz (Bs 200–400) or about 1.5 hours from El Alto (around Bs 100 after bargaining).
Do I need to acclimatise first?
Yes. The pass is 4,700 m and Rock Camp 5,130 m. Spend 3–4 nights in La Paz before going higher, and do not sleep at Rock Camp in your first days in Bolivia.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go