National park · Bolivia
Sajama National ParkParque Nacional Sajama
Go if you want to walk at 4,200 m+ without a guide: base in Sajama village, hike Huisalla or the Tres Lagunas trail, and soak at the geyser field. Skip if you need easy altitude or reliable transport.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,000 km²386 sq mi
approximate
Established
1939
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
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
- 1,000 km²386 sq mi
- Park boundary figures vary by source; the protected area is roughly 1,000 km² (check).
- Established
- 1939
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Sajama is Bolivia's oldest national park (1939) and the one that rewards walkers rather than 4WD convoys. The village sits at 4,240 m under Nevado Sajama, Bolivia's highest peak at 6,542 m. Trails run from the village straight onto open plain and up to 5,000–5,680 m without a guide; the big volcanoes need a guide and equipment. There is no mass tourism here, no ticket gate on the trails, and nights below 0°C for most of the year.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1939.
Size and age
1,000 km²386 sq mi · national park since 1939
Park boundary figures vary by source; the protected area is roughly 1,000 km² (check).
Why go
- Walk for hours on open altiplano with no gate, no queue and often no other person in sight.
- Nevado Sajama (6,542 m) stands over the village; the base-camp trail reaches 5,680 m without a guide.
- The Tres Lagunas trail passes three lagoons with flamingos, horned coots and viscachas.
- Geysers, mud pools and hot springs sit 9 km from the village and cost little or nothing.Geysers, mud pools and hot springs sit 5.6 mi from the village and cost little or nothing.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet season; rain and snow on high trails
- FebWet; tracks muddy
- MarRain easing; nights below 0°CRain easing; nights below 32°F
- AprDrier; cold nights
- MayDry, clear; cold nights
- JunDry and clear; very cold nights
- JulHigh season; coldest nights, wind
- AugHigh season; dry, windy
- SepDry; wind easing
- OctDry and milder
- NovRain returns; nights warmer
- DecWet season; cloud on the peaks
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicuñas, llamas and alpacas on the plainsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Viscachas near the lagoonsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Flamingos and horned coots on the lagoonsApr–Nov | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Andean condors over the high ridgesMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Oruro
Van to Tambo Quemado four times daily (06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00); get off at Sajama Junction, then a shared vehicle or a 10 km walk to the village.Van to Tambo Quemado four times daily (6:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM); get off at Sajama Junction, then a shared vehicle or a 10 km walk to the village.Van to Tambo Quemado four times daily (06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00); get off at Sajama Junction, then a shared vehicle or a 6.2 mi walk to the village.Van to Tambo Quemado four times daily (6:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM); get off at Sajama Junction, then a shared vehicle or a 6.2 mi walk to the village.
3 h
From Patacamaya
One direct minibus around noon from in front of the Capitol Restaurant (arrives about 11:00, leaves when full); returns 05:30. Or frequent vans to Tambo Quemado and get off at the junction.One direct minibus around noon from in front of the Capitol Restaurant (arrives about 11:00 AM, leaves when full); returns 5:30 AM. Or frequent vans to Tambo Quemado and get off at the junction.
2 h
From La Paz
Bus or minibus to Patacamaya (about Bs 10–15), then the Sajama minibus or a van to the junction. Morning Arica buses also pass the junction.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Arica (Chile)
Bus leaves about 15:00; get off at Tambo Quemado or Sajama Junction after the border.Bus leaves about 3:00 PM; get off at Tambo Quemado or Sajama Junction after the border.
4–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sajama village and valley floor | Village at 4,240 m, shops, lodging, trailheads for Huisalla and Quewiña. | Open; walk anywhere. |
| Geyser and hot spring field | Geysers, mud pools and hot pools about 9 km northwest of the village.Geysers, mud pools and hot pools about 5.6 mi northwest of the village. | Open; taxi Bs 30–40 or walk. |
| Tres Lagunas area | Casiri Macho, Sora Pata and Chiar Kkota lagoons on the 41 km loop.Casiri Macho, Sora Pata and Chiar Kkota lagoons on the 25 mi loop. | Open; the trail briefly crosses into Chile for 3–5 km.Open; the trail briefly crosses into Chile for 1.9–3.1 mi. |
| Nevado Sajama high slopes | Campo Alto base camp at 5,680 m and the summit route. | Open on foot; guided for the summit. |
Sketch map
- 1Sajama village · Village≈-18.134, -68.974Map ↗
- 2Sajama Junction · Ranger station≈-18.215, -68.917Where vans from Oruro and Patacamaya drop you; 10 km walk to the village.Where vans from Oruro and Patacamaya drop you; 6.2 mi walk to the village.Map ↗
- 3Mt. Huisalla · Summit≈-18.117, -68.944Map ↗
- 4Geyser and hot spring field · Trail≈-18.099, -69.028Map ↗
- 5Laguna Huayna Khota · Beach≈-18.043, -68.934Map ↗
- 6Laguna Sora Pata · Beach≈-18.065, -69.067Map ↗
- 7Nevado Sajama · Summit≈-18.104, -68.881Map ↗
- 8Tambo Quemado border · Gate≈-18.278, -69.005Map ↗
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 | Free | person | No entry fee is charged on the trails; hiking is free and unguided (check). |
| Private hot spring | BOB 30 | person | 2026 estimate; Termales Doña Theodora is about Bs 10. |
| Taxi from Sajama village to the geyser field | BOB 30–40 | car | 2026 estimate; no 4WD needed. |
| Guided climb of Parinacota (6,348 m) | BOB 1,600 | group | 2026 estimate; includes 4WD transport, starts about 01:30. |
| Village lodging | BOB 40–80 | person | 2026 estimate; simple rooms, dinner often Bs 20 extra. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Trail walking no permit
Nevado Sajama, Parinacota and Pomerape climbs permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish, including what others have left on trails.
- Guides
- Not required for village trails, Huisalla, the geyser field or Tres Lagunas; required for the big volcano climbs.
- Camping
- Allowed almost anywhere on flat ground; nights fall below 0°C from about March, so bring a warm sleeping bag.Allowed almost anywhere on flat ground; nights fall below 32°F from about March, so bring a warm sleeping bag.
- Chilean border
- The Tres Lagunas trail enters Chile for 3–5 km. Stay on the trail and do not continue further into Chile.The Tres Lagunas trail enters Chile for 1.9–3.1 mi. Stay on the trail and do not continue further into Chile.check
- Hot pools
- Do not dam or dig out the natural pools; the ground around the vents is hot enough to burn.
Where to stay
In the park
Sajama village guesthouses
Numerous budget rooms from about Bs 40 per person; most serve lunch and dinner, usually Bolivian dishes.
In the park
Hostal Buena Vista
Mud-brick rooms with thick blankets; dinner about Bs 20, breakfast Bs 10–15. The owner also guides climbs — compare prices before booking.
In the park
Camping on the plain
Flat ground is easy to find; no facilities.
Near the park
Oruro
Full range of hotels, 3 h away by van; useful before an early start.
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Cold nights high
Getting lost on the Tres Lagunas trail medium
Snow and ice on high routes medium
Hot ground at the geyser field medium
Accessibility
- The village and the road to Laguna Huayna Khota are reachable by vehicle; the geyser field is a rough 9 km track.The village and the road to Laguna Huayna Khota are reachable by vehicle; the geyser field is a rough 5.6 mi track.
- Trails are unmarked dirt and rock at 4,200 m+; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out rubbish, including other people's, so the park stays free and guide-free.
- Use established campsites and keep fires off the plain.
- Hire local guides in the village for the volcano climbs so the money stays in Sajama.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sajama National Park?
There is no entry fee on the trails — hiking is free and you can walk without a guide. You pay only for extras: a private hot spring about Bs 30, a taxi to the geyser field Bs 30–40, and a guided volcano climb from about Bs 1,600 per group. Figures are 2026 estimates; check locally.
What are the best hikes in Sajama National Park?
Mt. Huisalla (5,053 m) is the best half-day walk from the village. The Tres Lagunas Trail (41 km) is the classic full-day or overnight route past three lagoons. The Base Camp Trail reaches 5,680 m unguided. Nevado Sajama, Parinacota and Pomerape need a guide.
When is the best time to visit Sajama National Park?
May to October is dry and clear, with July and August the busiest. Nights fall below 0°C for most of that window. November to March is wetter, with rain and snow on high trails, but milder nights.
Can I visit Sajama without a guide?
Yes. Village trails, Huisalla, the geyser field and the Tres Lagunas Trail are all open and unguided. Only the big volcano climbs require a licensed guide and equipment.
How do I get to Sajama National Park?
From Oruro take a van to Tambo Quemado (four daily, 06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, about Bs 45, 3 h) and get off at Sajama Junction, then a shared vehicle or a 10 km walk. From Patacamaya there is one direct minibus around noon, about Bs 35, 2 h.
Where can I sleep in Sajama?
Sajama village has budget guesthouses from about Bs 40 per person, most serving dinner. Camping is allowed almost anywhere on flat ground, but nights are freezing from about March.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go