Sajama National Park
Oruro Department · Altiplano, lakes and salt flats
Sajama is one of Bolivia's most striking landscapes: the Sajama volcano, the country's highest point at 6,542 m, rises above plains where llamas and vicuñas graze. You soak in open-air hot springs with views of snowy volcanoes and visit geysers. Remote, wild and very cold at night.
4,200 maltitude
2 daysto spend there
High altitude. Above 3,500 m, altitude sickness (soroche) is common. Arrive gradually, drink plenty and take it slow on the first day.
Things to do
- Manasaya hot springs
- Sajama geysers
- Huaña Khota lagoons
- Church of Curahuara de Carangas (the “Sistine Chapel of the Altiplano”)
What to eat
- Llama meatLean and tasty meat, often grilled or as “charque” (dried). Very common in Uyuni and on the Altiplano.
- Quinoa soupA hot soup of quinoa and vegetables, served in refuges and high-altitude comedores. Perfect when it's cold.
- ChuñoPotatoes freeze-dried in the sun, an Andean technique thousands of years old. A surprising taste, worth trying at least once.
Tip. Very little public transport: car or tour. Freezing nights, basic lodging.
Also here
- Border Tambo Quemado – Chungará (to Arica)On the La Paz – Arica road, at 4,660 m, below the volcanoes of Sajama park. Direct buses La Paz – Arica in 8 to 10 h. It's very cold up there: keep a warm layer.
How to get to Sajama
Photos of Sajama National Park
More places in this region
Curahuara de CarangasThe “Sistine Chapel of the Altiplano”: an adobe church covered in murals.
OruroAn Altiplano mining city, famous for its UNESCO-listed carnival. Starting point of the train to Uyuni.
Obrajes and Capachos hot springsNatural hot-water pools on the Altiplano, less than an hour from Oruro.
Machacamarca railway museumOld steam locomotives and the history of the mining railways, south of Oruro.
Lakes Uru Uru and PoopóShallow Altiplano lakes on Oruro's doorstep, visited by flamingos.
ChipayaVillage of the Uru-Chipaya, one of the oldest peoples of the Andes, with round earthen houses.
Coipasa Salt FlatBolivia's second-largest salt flat, wild and almost without visitors.
UyuniBase town for Salar tours, with a train cemetery on the edge of town.
Salar de Uyuni + Sud Lípez (tour)The world's largest salt flat, then the colourful lagoons of the Sud Lípez. The highlight of many trips.
TupizaWild West scenery: red canyons, cacti and the last ride of Butch Cassidy.- CotagaitaA small green town in a fruit-growing valley, on the road from Potosí to Villazón.
VillazónThe border with Argentina, facing La Quiaca: the crossing travellers use most.