Three-day hike on the Illampu-Janq'u Uma massif

Three weeks ago, Maria and I went again to the Andes montains to see another glacier lake, the Laguna Glaciar, which is one of the top 20 highest lakes in the world (5038m) (number 17 or 19 depending on sources). The lake is located between the Illampu and the Janq'u Uma peaks, both around 6400m, and relatively close to the town Sorata. From there we hired a guide with a mule and hiked for three days on these beautiful mountains. The first day we started from close to Sorata (2678m) to the Chilata lake (4200m) where we camped both nights. The impressive Chilata lake is located at the border of a quite thin rock ridge. On the other side lays a huge sloped rocky mountain which for some reason, the Incas decided it was a good place to build a village. Our local guide told us that during the Universal Flood from Noah's time, the Inca people living in the valley had to move there to avoid the waters.

The next day after a cold night that froze our tent door like it was a wooden door, we hiked up to the glacier lake and back. Once we got to the laguna glacial Maria and I decided to get closer to the glacier front, but when we were around 100 meters from there the big rocks we were walking on started to become very unstable, and after a small incident, we had to walk back thanking God nothing had happened.

The second night was not as cold as the first one, and after packing everything, we hiked back down from the heights into the deep valley.

Left: the Inca village was located on top of the steep mountain's side. Right: Maria is standing at the entrance of the Inca village.

Chilata lake.

These two plants are gathered by the locals and used for decorative purposes during carnivals.

"Base camp" by the Chilata lake, and our guide who is cooking dinner.

Sometimes the view from these heights was amazing.

Contour of a viscacha on our way up to the glacier lake.

The Illampu peak, not the highest but considered the hardest 6000 of Bolivia (in normal route).

At the glacier lake (5038m) with the glacier at the back.

While watching the glacier a sudden small snow avalanche happened and the noise echoed impressively.

A closer look of the glacier.

Llamas.