Alto Toroni Ascent

Departure in the morning to the village of Llica. We cross the Uyuni salt flat to the west. From Llica we head to the small village of Bellen. We cross wide desert areas with gorgeous view on the Sillajhuay (or Alto Toroni) massif. It is a huge open crater, with many snowy peaks and summit ridges. After passing by the village of Chacoma, we arrive at Bellen, nested at the foot of the volcano. We cross the old phantom village and continue through quinoa fields before rising on the mountainside. We arrive to the camp above the mine and go down to the mine cabins. After requesting miners’ authorisation to camp, we set up the camp on a nice flat area above the mine, close to a stream, around 4735 m asl. / 15 534 feet

Departure in the night around 3 am. The vehicle rises on a carriage track until the end of the valley, to a pass at 5510 m of altitude. According to snow condition, the vehicle may stop further down. We start ascending on a crest to a viewpoint at 5740 m of altitude (1h30 to 2 hours). Nice view on the summit. Descent of 85 m of height difference (We may use crampons according snow condition) before rising to the bottom of the summit ridge (5800 m). Ascent to the summit, which we reach after 2h30 from the viewpoint. View on the Coipasa and Uyuni salt flats, and on the volcanoes to the Chilean side. Descent to the car in about 2 hours. Return to Llica then to Uyuni salt flat.