BOLIVIA
Textile trek
with LAs cholitas escaladoras
w o m e n o n l y
July 1-10, 2026 | sold out
July 1-10, 2027
$3,750 usd per person
Introducing Thread Caravan’s textile trekking experience.
During this retreat we will be partnering with Las Cholitas Escaladoras, the group of Aymara indigenous women defying gender norms and paving their own way as mountain climbers in a predominantly male-dominated sport.
The Cholitas will lead our all-women group on a multi-day trekking adventure, high in the Andes mountains. We will have an introduction to the traditional textile processes of the region, working with native alpaca fiber. We will then embark on a challenging expedition, deeply immersed in nature surrounded by strong women. We will trek and camp at altitude through the well-preserved meadows, alongside alpine lakes, descending into the humid valley of the Cañaviri - Zongo community, and then to the base of the Huayana Potosí mountain where we will take an introductory ice climbing course on the ancient glacier.
ITINERARY
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We strongly suggest arriving to Bolivia a few days early to being to acclimatize to the altitude.
On this day, our group will all make their way together in La Paz. We will pick guest up either from the airport, or from their previous hotels in La Paz.
Transportation to Atix hotel.
Group meet-and-greet and welcome dinner.
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Journey together to El Alto for a city tour by cable car. Here we will have a group lunch, have an introduction with Las Cholitas Escaladoras, our mountain guides, and review equipment and itinerary for the following days.
Overnight at Atix Hotel in La Paz.
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We’ll start the day with breakfast at the hotel before taking a private vehicle for a scenic 2.5-hour drive into the Andes. From there, a 3km hike across the high plains brings us to the beautiful Laguna Jarcot, your base camp for the next few days.
After a group lunch, the afternoon is free to unwind however you like, whether that's yoga, reading, knitting, or spotting wild chinchillas. Group dinner in the evening, then overnight at the Laguna Janq'u Quta campsite.
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After group breakfast, we’ll head out on a scenic 2km out-and-back hike from camp to Pico Tarija. Back at camp, a simple group lunch is followed by a relaxed afternoon to recover from the hike. Dora will be on hand for anyone who wants to work on knitting projects.
Group dinner in the evening, then another night at the Laguna Janq'u Quta campsite.
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After group breakfast at camp, set out on a 7km hike to the community of Tuni Condoriri. Along the way, stop at a lookout with views of Huayna Potosi to make an ofrenda to the apu.
A box lunch follows, then the afternoon is free to settle into the Tuni Condoriri refugio, with the possibility of a hot shower and electricity to charge your gear. Group dinner in the evening, then overnight at the rustic refugio.
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After group breakfast, the morning is open for an optional knitting session with a local artisan, or simply a day to rest and acclimatize before heading to higher altitude.
Group lunch and dinner, then another night at the rustic refugio.
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After group breakfast, load up for a 3.5 to 4 hour drive to Huayna Potosí base camp. Fuel up with group lunch before a 2.5km hike up 500m to the higher camp.
Group dinner at the refugio, then overnight at 5,200m elevation.
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After group breakfast, spend the morning in a basic mountaineering course covering crampon technique, equipment, safety, roping, and ice wall climbing.
Group lunch, then a quiet afternoon for optional yoga and rest. At 5,200m, it’s important to take it slow. Group dinner, then another night at the refugio.
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After breakfast, we will prepare ourselves with all the mountain equipment to reach a higher altitude and enjoy a landscape between clouds and mountains.
We then return via the same route, taking breaks as needed.
Transport back to the city of La Paz. Group dinner in La Paz, and overnight in Atix hotel.
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Final group breakfast.
Private transportation to the airport, or continue on your journey in beautiful Bolivia!
Meet Your Hosts,
Las Cholitas Escaladoras
We are honored to host this group with the guidance of Las Cholitas Escaladoras, a group of indigenous Aymara women from the Andes mountains of Bolivia, empowering indigenous women through their practice of mountaineering.
Ana Lia Gonzáles Magueño, started her professional climbing career at the age of 15. She has achieved remarkable goals, including reaching the highest point in the Western Hemisphere — the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina which stands at an impressive 6,962 meters (about 4.33 mi).
Lita’s mother Dora, also known as Teodora Magueño de Gonzáles, started her climbing journey as a mountain cook, preparing ancestral foods at high altitudes for tourists climbing alongside her husband, a mountain guide.
TRIP DETAILS
Dates:
July 1-10, 2027
Mobility / Altitude:
While we respect all body types, and strive our best to be inclusive, this trip experience is for participants with moderate to advanced fitness level, and ideally with some altitude experience.
We will be trekking upwards of 10 kilometers each day, at high altitude, and staying in rural camp-like conditions. While there is the possibility to adapt programming to the skill levels of the group, it is required that all participants be in the correct mental and physical condition for this experience. Please contact us if you have any questions at all.
Pricing + Payment:
$3,750 USD
A non-refundable deposit of $1,750 is required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining trip balance should be paid at least 60 days prior to the trip.
Custom payment plans are available upon request. Please contact us if this is something you'd like to set up.
What’s included
Certified Mountain Guides: The group will be accompanied by a team of Las Cholitas Escaladoras guides, including a UIAGM qualified high mountain guide and high mountain rescuer, a specialized Trekking Guide and possibly a group assistant (depending on group size).
Thread Caravan Trip Host(s): In addition to the certified local mountain guides, the group will also be accompanied by 1-2 qualified Thread Caravan trip hosts, who will help to ensure that everything flows smoothly.
Transportation: All domestic transportation within Bolivia during our trip dates.
Food: Breakfasts, lunches and dinners during our scheduled programming, as well as hot water and mates (teas)
Equipment (if you do not have): Boots, crampons, gaiters, harness, ice axe, helmet, gloves, jacket, waterproof pants, camping equipment (two-person tents), insulation mats
Accommodation: Three nights accommodation at Atix Hotel in La Paz, Bolivia in private rooms. Sixnights accommodation in mountain shelters, shared accommodation.
First aid kit
Tickets to enter the mountain
Porter to carry personal mountain and camping equipment
Welcome gift
PACK LIST
1 liter of water per day
Personal 50 liter backpack
Small day backpack (optional)
Hiking shoes with good tread
Sleeping bag (-20ºC)
Altitude medicine (we will have optional coca leaves, but you may want to bring additional options)
Trekking poles
Light and warm clothing
Waterproof jacket and pants
Pairs of thick + thin socks
Gloves
Headlamp with extra batteries
Sunscreen and lip balm
Sunglasses, buff, cap and hat
NoT INCLUDED:
Extra time in Bolivia, and personal shopping expenses
Extra trail snacks
Optional tips for guides
Getting There and Away:
Guests should plan to fly into the La Paz airport. We recommend flying in at least a few days in advance, so that you can acclimate to the altitude before we begin our trekking experience.
A tourist visa is required to enter Bolivia. It costs $160 usd and can be purchase at the border upon arrival.
Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required to enter Bolivia.
Questions? Contact us.
RegisTER
HERE
50 trees planted for every
reservation made
Join Thread Caravan's Radical Adventures series on an empowering journey led by Las Cholitas Escaladores, the groundbreaking Aymara indigenous women challenging norms in mountain climbing. This all-women retreat takes you on a multi-day trek in the Andes, exploring traditional textile crafts with native alpaca fiber and conquering the heights of the Huayna Potosí mountain.
Thread Caravan provides fully-funded artists residencies to our community of indigenous artisan collaborators, as part of our artisan exchange program. To date, we’ve been proud to host Gujarati turban weaver Shamji Vishram Vankar in Oaxaca, as well as Zapotec Oaxacan sisters and weavers Silvia and Dahlia Gutiérrez on our weaving retreat Guatemala. In June 2024 we will host potter Macrina Mateo Martinez from Tlapazola, Oaxaca on our pottery retreat in the Rif mountains of Morocco.
Should our community be interested in contributing to these efforts, there is the option to pay it forward when making a trip reservation. These financial contributions will be used exclusivity towards our artisan exchange program.
Learn more about this program here.
TRIP REVIEWS
“I went on the Bolivia Trekking trip with Thread Caravan and words can't describe how wonderful of an experience it was. I highly recommend TC for an authentic, thoughtful, travel experience.”
— jamie v.
“Last July I traveled with Thread Caravan to Bolivia to tour with the Cholitas. The landscapes, the food in La Paz, the strength of the Cholitas combined with Catlin's enthusiasm were incredible. Plus, all the women who went on the tour were amazing; I learned so much from them.”
— guadalupe a.
