Location: Oruro Department Map
Area: 1,002 km²
Sajama National Park (Parque Nacional Sajama) is Bolivia’s oldest
national park (established 1939) and one of its most striking
high-altitude destinations. Covering roughly 100,000 hectares in
Oruro Department near the Chilean border (adjoining Chile’s Lauca
National Park), it protects Bolivia’s highest peak, Nevado Sajama
(6,542 m / 21,463 ft), geothermal features, the world’s highest
forests of queñua trees (Polylepis), wildlife, and living Aymara
communities. Elevations range from about 4,200 m at the park floor
to the summit.
It is far less visited than the Salar de Uyuni
circuit, offering a quieter, more immersive experience of the
altiplano. Most visitors base themselves in or near Sajama village
(~4,200–4,240 m).
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (roughly April/May to
November) is strongly preferred. Skies are clearer, roads and
trails are more reliable, and mountain views are excellent.
June–August is high season (coldest nights, most visitors).
Daytime temperatures often reach 10–22°C (50–72°F) with strong
sun; nights routinely drop below freezing and can reach –20°C to
–30°C (–4°F to –22°F) in winter.
The wet season
(December–March) brings rain, mud, and sometimes difficult or
impassable unpaved access roads. Frost can occur year-round.
Strong winds and extreme UV are constant factors.
Getting
There and Around
Sajama village sits about 12 km off the main
La Paz–Oruro–Arica (Chile) highway (Route 4). Total travel time
from La Paz is typically 4–5+ hours; from Oruro roughly 2–3+
hours depending on connections.
Common independent routes:
La Paz or Oruro bus to Patacamaya, then shared
minibus/colectivo/servis to Sajama village (the most common
budget method; one daily direct minibus often leaves Patacamaya
around midday when full).
Arica-bound buses from La Paz: ask
to be dropped at the Sajama Junction/turn-off near Lagunas, then
local transport, shared vehicle, or a short hike (~10–12 km)
into the village.
From the Chilean side via Tambo Quemado
border town, then local transport.
Private vehicle or
guided tour from La Paz/Oruro is far simpler and more reliable,
especially if you want flexibility. There is no reliable public
transport inside the park—walk, hire a local vehicle/driver, or
join a tour. Spanish is very helpful for independent logistics.
Confirm schedules locally, as service can be infrequent and road
conditions vary.
Entry Fees and Practicalities
Foreign
visitors pay 100 BOB (~US$14–15) at the park office (near the
junction or in the village area; typically opens ~08:00). This
generally includes a basic map; register with your passport.
Bolivian nationals pay less. An additional fee (often ~30 BOB)
applies for the developed hot springs. There are no ATMs in
Sajama or nearby villages—bring enough cash in small bolivianos
(withdraw in La Paz or Oruro). Limited shops and basic
restaurants exist in the village; services are sparse and mobile
signal is minimal or absent in much of the park. Bring more cash
and snacks than you expect to need.
Accommodation
Options are basic and limited—book or call ahead in high season
or if arriving late:
Simple guesthouses, hostels, and family
homestays in Sajama village (e.g., places like Hospedaje
Pachamama). Expect shared or basic facilities, thick blankets,
and cold nights. Meals are often available.
Tomarapi Ecolodge
(community-run Aymara project ~12 km from the main village):
More comfortable adobe/thatch rooms with private baths, heating,
and meals; good base for guided activities and cultural
experiences.
Camping is possible in designated or suitable
areas, but nights are dangerously cold without a proper winter
sleeping bag and gear.
Community tourism supports local
Aymara families who herd llamas and alpacas.
Top Things
to See and Do
Hot springs (Aguas Termales de Sajama /
Manasaya and nearby pools) — The highlight for most visitors.
Natural thermal pools on the altiplano with direct views of
Nevado Sajama. Sitting in hot water at over 4,200 m as the
volcano glows at sunset is unforgettable. Walk or take a short
local lift; some free natural pools exist nearby. Bring
swimwear, a towel, and warm layers for after. Extra entry fee
applies at developed sites. Go in the afternoon.
Geysers and
fumaroles — Steam vents, bubbling mud, and sulphur features in
an open basin with mountain views. Usually reached by local
vehicle hire (footing can be dangerous near active vents—stay on
established paths).
Queñua forests — Trails through the
world’s highest woodlands (Polylepis) on the lower slopes of
Sajama. Unique and atmospheric walking at elevations where trees
rarely grow.
Wildlife and lagoons — Common sightings include
vicuñas (elegant wild camelids), llamas, alpacas, Andean foxes,
viscachas, rheas (ñandús), Andean condors, and flamingos or
other waterbirds on seasonal lagoons (e.g., Laguna Huanakota /
Huayna Khota, Tres Lagunas area). Bofedales (high-altitude
wetlands) are productive for birds.
Hiking — Day walks from
the village to hot springs, geysers, forests, or viewpoints are
feasible without a guide once you pay the entry fee (respect
altitude). Longer options include the Tres Lagunas trail (can be
done in a long day or overnight with proper gear) and circuits
past lagoons and chullpas. Multi-day unmarked treks benefit from
a local guide due to weather, navigation, and remoteness.
Chullpas — Pre-Hispanic Aymara burial towers scattered across
the landscape. Observe from a distance—do not climb or enter.
Climbing Nevado Sajama — A serious glaciated mountaineering
objective (crevasses, technical snow, high camp). Requires a
qualified guide, prior acclimatization, proper gear, and
experience. Not a casual hike. Nearby peaks such as the
Payachata twins (Parinacota and Pomerape) are similarly
technical. Most visitors simply enjoy the views.
Culture and
nearby sights — Aymara communities, traditional herding, and
village life. Just outside the park, the colonial Iglesia de
Curahuara de Carangas (often called the “Sistine Chapel of the
Andes”) features remarkable 17th-century murals and is a
worthwhile stop en route. Pre-Hispanic lines etched into the
landscape exist nearby but are best seen from height.
Essential Visiting Tips
Altitude is the biggest challenge.
The entire park sits above 4,200 m—higher than La Paz.
Acclimatize properly in La Paz (or ideally via a gradual ascent
from lower cities) for several days beforehand. Symptoms of
acute mountain sickness are common; descend if severe. Stay
hydrated, avoid alcohol, go slow, and consider consulting a
doctor about medication. Do not treat Sajama as an
acclimatization stop.
Pack for extremes: Layered clothing
(thermal base, fleece, warm insulated jacket, windproof shell),
warm hat, gloves, sturdy hiking boots, swimsuit + quick-dry
towel, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, headlamp, and a
sleeping bag rated well below freezing if camping. UV is intense
even when it feels cold. Temperature swings of 20–25°C in a day
are normal.
Cash, water, and self-sufficiency: No ATMs or
reliable supplies. Bring purification method, extra snacks, and
all cash. Offline maps (OpenStreetMap apps work well) and a
printed note of your lodging are useful.
Safety and
etiquette: Weather changes fast. Respect local communities and
sacred sites. Leave no trace—pack out trash. Stay on paths near
geothermal areas. Spanish helps with independent travel and
local interactions.
Tours vs. independent: All-inclusive
tours from La Paz remove logistics headaches and are worthwhile
for short visits or less confident travelers. Independent travel
works well for acclimatized visitors with time, basic Spanish,
and flexibility. Climbing requires specialized operators.
Duration: 2–4 days allows a good sample (hot springs, day walks,
wildlife, culture) with recovery time. Add more for trekking or
climbing attempts.
Health and extras: Coca tea is widely
available for mild altitude symptoms. Bring any personal
medications. Fuel or transport disruptions can occasionally
affect schedules in Bolivia—confirm the day before.
Sajama rewards those prepared for its remoteness and thin air
with exceptional landscapes, quiet wildlife encounters,
geothermal soaks under volcanoes, and a sense of the high Andes
that mass-tourism circuits rarely match. Prioritize
acclimatization, dry-season timing, and realistic pacing for the
best experience.
Location and Setting
The park sits on the western edge of the
Bolivian Altiplano (high plateau), in the Central Andean dry
puna ecoregion. It lies near the Chilean border and directly
adjoins Chile’s Lauca National Park to the west.
Administratively it spans the municipalities of Curahuara de
Carangas and Turco. Coordinates are centered around 18°05′S
68°55′W. Elevations range mainly from about 4,000–4,200 m on the
open plateau up to the 6,542 m summit of Nevado Sajama,
Bolivia’s highest peak. The village of Sajama (the main base)
sits near 4,240 m.
The broader geographic context is the
western (volcanic) branch of the Andes, or Cordillera
Occidental. Here the Andes split into two chains separated by
the high Altiplano; Sajama occupies the western side of this
plateau.
Topography and Major Landforms
The landscape
is dominated by the isolated, snow-capped cone of Nevado Sajama
(also called Chak Xaña in Aymara), a dormant stratovolcano that
rises roughly 2.2 km above the surrounding terrain to 6,542 m
(21,463 ft). It has a relatively symmetrical conical form, an
ice cap above about 5,600 m, and glacially modified valleys and
moraines on its flanks. Secondary summits and parasitic cones
(including Cerro Huisalla around 5,031 m) occur nearby. Below
about 4,200 m the slopes are covered with volcanic ash, lava
fragments, and alluvial deposits.
Across or near the border
are the twin Payachata volcanoes—Parinacota (about 6,348 m) and
Pomerape (about 6,282 m)—creating one of the most dramatic
high-Andean skylines. Other peaks in or near the park include
Acotango and additional volcanic cones. The terrain mixes broad,
open puna grasslands, rocky volcanic slopes, bofedales
(high-Andean wetlands), small lagoons, and geothermal areas.
Glacial features from past ice ages, including moraines and rock
glaciers, are visible at higher elevations.
Geology and
Geothermal Features
Sajama is a composite volcano built of
lava domes overlain by a stratovolcano of andesitic to
rhyodacitic rocks, part of the Central Volcanic Zone driven by
Nazca Plate subduction. It may sit within or near a buried older
caldera. Dating indicates activity hundreds of thousands of
years ago; the last eruption is not precisely known but is
generally considered Pleistocene or possibly Holocene. Hot
springs and geysers (such as those near Manasaya, Walla
Keru/Juchusuma, and along rivers like the Junthuma) reflect
residual geothermal heat, with water temperatures suitable for
bathing in several developed or natural pools. These features
are concentrated at lower elevations around the base of the
volcanoes.
Hydrology
Drainage is limited and endorheic
or directed toward the Salar de Coipasa system. Meltwater from
Sajama’s ice cap and seasonal precipitation feed rivers such as
the Sajama, Tomarapi, Sicuyani, and Huaythana, which ultimately
join the Lauca River. High-elevation lagoons (including Laguna
Isla and others near the Chilean side) and extensive bofedales
(peat bogs and wet grasslands) store water and support
vegetation in an otherwise arid setting. These wetlands are
critical oases in the dry puna.
Climate
The climate is
cold, dry, and high-Andean (semi-arid puna), with strong daily
temperature swings and frequent frost year-round. Annual
precipitation is typically low, on the order of 300–330 mm
(concentrated in the summer wet season, roughly November–March),
driven by easterly moisture from the Atlantic and summer
convection. Winters are drier under westerly influence, though
occasional cold outbreaks can bring snow. Mean annual
temperatures near the village are around 4–5 °C; daytime highs
in the sun can reach the mid-teens to low 20s °C, while nights
routinely drop below freezing and can reach −20 °C or lower in
winter. High solar radiation, strong winds, and thin air are
constant features. The area is sensitive to El Niño variability,
which tends to reduce summer rainfall.
Vegetation Zones
and Ecosystems
Vegetation follows a strong elevational
gradient on the dry puna:
Lower open grasslands and tholar
(shrub) communities with grasses, cushion plants, and species
such as Parastrephia.
Distinctive queñua (Polylepis
tarapacana) woodlands on the slopes of Sajama and nearby hills.
These form some of the highest forests on Earth, reaching up to
about 5,200 m; the trees are short, widely spaced, and adapted
to extreme cold and aridity. Protection of these forests was a
primary reason for creating the park in 1939 (they had been
heavily harvested for charcoal).
Higher zones dominated by
frost-tolerant herbs, Azorella cushion plants (yareta), and
sparse vegetation.
Wetland bofedales with specialized plants
such as Distichia and sedges.
The park protects
representative high-Andean dry puna ecosystems, including
grasslands used by wild and domestic camelids.