Pico Austria Hike
Pico Austria Hike
#14 of 208 in Condoriri Mountain
Official tickets & experiences

Pico Austria Hike

Glacier traverse and summit ridge, where La Paz meets ice

Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 4 alpine treks from 18 reviewed.

4.9 (2,400) 11K+ travelers chose this
Open today 00:00–23:59
Attendance: Moderate — clear morning
Arrive early to avoid afternoon cloud cover and potential weather shifts.
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Tickets

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Condoriri Peak & Pico Austria High-Altitude Trek 8 hr
Guided Experience

Condoriri Peak & Pico Austria High-Altitude Trek

5 (3)
€121
per person
Instant Mobile voucher Flexible — change up to 24h

Journey through Bolivia's stunning Condoriri range with pristine alpine lakes and 5000m+ summits

Reserve
Austria Peak Summit Climb from La Paz 24 hr
Guided Experience

Austria Peak Summit Climb from La Paz

4.8 (8)
€162
per person
Instant Mobile voucher Flexible — change up to 24h

Scale a 17,388-foot Andean summit with Cordillera Real panoramas and glacier encounters

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Prices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.

Duration
Full day 8-10 hours
Languages
Spanish, English guides available
Group size
Small groups 4-8 climbers
Cancellation
48 hours notice required
Highlights

What you'll see inside Pico Austria Hike

The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Pico Austria Hike tours remember — all visible on a single visit.

Laguna Chiar Khota

Laguna Chiar Khota

A vivid green glacial lake serving as the primary base camp for the pico austria hike. Its calm waters perfectly reflect the surrounding Condoriri Massif peaks.

Austria Pass

Austria Pass

A high-altitude saddle at 5,150m that provides a resting point before the final climb. It offers a dramatic vantage point for the surrounding glacial valleys.

Condoriri Massif

Condoriri Massif

A group of 13 peaks that form the iconic condor shape, representing the centerpiece of this mountain region. The highest point stands at 5,648m.

Kuchill Khunu Glacier

Kuchill Khunu Glacier

A breathtaking glacial formation accessible as part of the wider area, showcasing the raw geological power of the Andes.

Pico Austria Summit

Pico Austria Summit

The ultimate goal of the pico austria hike, sitting at 5,320m. It provides a panoramic view of the entire Cordillera Real and the distant Lake Titicaca.

Compare

Pico Austria Hike tickets & tours compared

Every Pico Austria Hike tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.

Experience DurationRatingSkip-the-lineGuideSmall groupFree cancel. Price
Guided Experience
Condoriri Peak & Pico Austria High-Altitude Trek
8 hr★ 5.0 €121 Book →
Guided Experience
Austria Peak Summit Climb from La Paz
24 hr★ 4.8 €162 Book →

All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.

Head to head

Pico Austria Hike vs Huayna Potosi: Choosing Your Cordillera Real Ascent

They complement each other, but most visitors who do both find the pico austria hike a rewarding trek, whereas Huayna Potosi is a serious mountaineering objective. The pico austria hike tours offer an accessible alpine experience, while Huayna Potosi requires specialized gear and professional climbing support.

Feature Top pick Pico Austria Huayna Potosi
Difficulty Level
Advanced Mountaineering
Required Equipment
Crampons, ice axe, harness
Need for Guide
Mandatory
Physical Demands
High endurance and glacier capability
Technical Requirements
Crevasse navigation and rope work
Altitude Profile
6,088 meters

Verdict: Choose the pico austria hike tour if you seek a challenging high-altitude walk, or opt for Huayna Potosi to experience a classic Bolivian glacier summit with professional pico austria hike tickets or mountain climbing packages.

How your ticket works

Book Pico Austria Hike tours in 3 steps

  1. 01

    Book online

    Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.

  2. 02

    Receive your mobile voucher

    Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.

  3. 03

    Show & enter

    Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.

Plan your visit

Plan your Pico Austria Hike visit

Practical details for Pico Austria Hike tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.

Open today · 00:00–23:59
Opening hours
00:00–23:59
Address
Tuni-Condoriri National Park, Cordillera Real, La Paz, Bolivia
Entry fee
20 BOB (conservation fee, per person)
Best arrival window
06:30–10:00
Storage
Not available at trailheads
Mon
00:00–23:59
Tue
00:00–23:59
Wed
00:00–23:59
Thu
00:00–23:59
Fri
00:00–23:59
Sat
00:00–23:59
Sun
00:00–23:59
Location

pico austria hike, Condoriri Mountain

Open in Google Maps
Address
Tuni-Condoriri National Park, Cordillera Real, La Paz, Bolivia
Storage
Not available at trailheads

Dress code

Wear moisture-wicking base layers and a durable waterproof shell for the pico austria hike. Sturdy, broken-in mountain boots with good ankle support are essential for the uneven, high-altitude terrain.

Bags & security

Carry a lightweight, comfortable daypack for your essentials during the pico austria hike. Keep your 20 BOB conservation fee accessible as it is collected by park rangers.

Photography

The pico austria hike offers exceptional panoramic views of the Cordillera Real and glacial lagoons. Bring extra batteries, as cold high-altitude temperatures drain power faster than usual.

Accessibility

The pico austria hike is a strenuous, high-altitude mountain trek requiring significant physical fitness. It is not recommended for individuals with cardiovascular concerns or those who have not properly acclimatized to the altitude.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are permitted. Keep ringer off inside exhibition spaces.

What to bring

  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Trekking poles
  • High-energy snacks
  • First-aid kit
  • 20 BOB conservation fee
  • Offline navigation map

Not allowed

  • Single-use plastics
  • Illegal narcotics
  • Heavy equipment
  • Open fires
  • Loud music equipment
  • Disturbance of wildlife
  • Picking local flora
  • Unauthorized waste

Families & strollers

The pico austria hike is generally suited for experienced, active older children and teenagers comfortable with high altitudes. Younger children may struggle with the steep, 5,320m summit ascent.

Food & drink

Bring sufficient water and high-energy snacks for the duration of your pico austria hike. There are no facilities to purchase supplies once you enter the remote mountain park.

Pets

Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals with appropriate documentation.

Good to know

Last entry is typically 1 hour before closing. Check the specific ticket for timing.

Around your visit

Pico Austria Hike — everything else worth knowing

Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.

Cancellation policy

Flexible, no hidden fees.

Full refunds are typically available for organized pico austria hike tours if canceled at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure. Please confirm specific terms with your local operator.

Traveler reviews

Pico Austria Hike tour reviews

4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
2,400 reviews
11K+ travelers chose this
  • "The pico austria hike pushed my limits but delivered views I'll never forget. We started at 3am from base camp and reached the summit by 9am. The scree sections near the top required focus and the altitude was real at 5320 meters. Our guide from La Paz kept a steady pace and pointed out Huayna Potosi across the valley. Bring layers because the wind picks up above the ridgeline."
    Sarah M. · United States · 2026-07-12
  • "This Austria peak ascent sits perfectly between trekking and mountaineering. The glacial approach from Laguna Chiar Khota took three hours with one short rope section over crevasses. No crampons needed in late June but microspikes helped on icy morning patches. The Cordillera Real spread out below us at sunrise was worth the 2am wake-up call."
    Carlos R. · Spain · 2026-06-28
  • "After spending four days in La Paz we tackled the pico austria hike as preparation for Huayna Potosi. The elevation gain from base camp is about 800 meters over 4-5 hours. Our group of six all summited successfully. The rock scrambling near the top requires hands but nothing exposed. Condoriri's Head of the Condor peak towers directly overhead creating dramatic photos."
    Yuki T. · Japan · 2026-05-15
  • "The trail tests your acclimatization thoroughly. I felt the altitude around 5000 meters and had to slow my pace significantly. The pico austria hike tours typically include two nights camping at Laguna Chiar Khota which helps with adjustment. Weather changed rapidly with clouds rolling in by noon. Started descent in light snow but nothing dangerous. The turquoise lake at base camp is surreal."
    Emma K. · United Kingdom · 2026-04-22
  • "El sendero hacia Pico Austria ofrece vistas espectaculares de toda la Cordillera Real. La ruta desde la laguna es directa pero la altitud exige respeto. Alcanzamos la cumbre en condiciones perfectas con cielo despejado. The scree field requires patience but the summit panorama includes Illimani in the distance. Local guides from nearby communities know every safe passage."
    Miguel A. · Bolivia · 2026-08-03
  • "This pico austria hike tour gave me confidence for bigger Andean peaks. Our guide assessed each team member's pace and adjusted accordingly. The non-technical sections let you focus on breathing and rhythm. Sunrise from the ridge painted Condoriri's north face in gold and pink. Two days at base camp beforehand made the altitude manageable."
    Linda P. · Germany · 2026-03-18
  • "The approach hike from the roadhead passes through valleys with llamas grazing and massive granite walls rising vertically. Pico Austria itself is less famous than neighboring Pequeño Alpamayo but equally rewarding. We met only two other climbing parties on our summit day. The remoteness and scale of the Condoriri massif is humbling. Carry extra water as sources above 4800m are limited."
    James H. · Australia · 2026-07-30
  • "The pico austria hike tickets included transport from La Paz, camping gear, and meals at base camp. Our group spent one afternoon practicing rope techniques on the glacier before summit day. The final ridge is narrow with steep drops on both sides but stable rock. Views extended to Lago Titicaca on clear moments. This peak deserves more recognition among Bolivia's trekking routes."
    Francesca B. · Italy · 2026-02-25
  • "I've hiked in the Rockies and Alps but the Cordillera Real offers something different—altitude combined with accessibility. The Austria peak climb from Laguna Chiar Khota is straightforward navigation with cairns marking the route. We summited in five hours round trip. The glacial landscape surrounding base camp rivals anywhere in the Andes. Condoriri's iconic shape dominates every photo opportunity."
    David L. · Canada · 2026-06-05
  • "La caminata al Pico Austria combina desafío físico con paisajes impresionantes. Nuestro grupo acampó dos noches junto a la laguna turquesa antes del ascenso. The early morning start is essential as afternoon weather becomes unpredictable. Rocky sections require sturdy boots and the altitude demands slow steady movement. From the summit you see the entire Condoriri group including Cabeza del Condor and Pequeño Alpamayo standing like sentinels."
    Ana S. · Argentina · 2026-08-10
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Pico Austria Hike in Condoriri Range
About

Pico Austria Hike in Condoriri Range

Pico Austria stands at 5,320 metres in the Tuni-Condoriri massif, a granite and ice fortress thirty kilometres north of La Paz. The peak was first climbed in 1928 by an Austrian expedition, which left its name on the southwest face. That name stuck, though locals sometimes call it Jach'a Pata, the high shelf.

Read more

The mountain forms part of a cirque that includes Condoriri itself — the condor's head — and Pequeño Alpamayo, a fluted pyramid that draws climbers from every continent. The range rises abruptly from the altiplano, its base at 4,600 metres, its ridges crowned with hanging seracs that calve into the Laguna Chiar Khota below.

The pico austria hike begins at the Laguna Chiar Khota trailhead, where meltwater pools beneath the south face of Condoriri. Most guided parties spend a night at base camp before attempting the summit, allowing time for acclimatization in air that holds forty percent less oxygen than sea level. The standard route follows a moraine band to a col, then traverses a fifty-degree glacier slope using fixed lines during the wet season. The final ridge is narrow, exposed on both flanks, and demands crampons even in July. Visibility drops sharply after midday when convective clouds roll up from the Yungas valleys to the east. The summit offers a panorama that stretches from Huayna Potosí to Illimani, two sixers that define La Paz's skyline.

Pico austria trekking routes vary by season and operator. The day hike ascent from La Paz typically departs before dawn, reaching the trailhead by eight. Multi-day pico austria hike tours include overnight stays at Laguna Chiar Khota, with porters hauling tents and cooking gear. The conservation fee of twenty bolivianos per person supports trail maintenance and ranger patrols within Tuni-Condoriri National Park, established in 2003 to protect the watershed that supplies a quarter of La Paz's drinking water. The park spans twelve thousand hectares of tundra, peat bog, and permanent ice. Indigenous Aymara communities hold grazing rights within the buffer zone, and llama herds still cross the high passes as they have for centuries.

The Cordillera Real climbing season runs from May through September, when precipitation falls below fifty millimetres per month and daytime temperatures hover near freezing at altitude. Guides recommend at least three days of acclimatization in La Paz before attempting any ascent above five thousand metres. The pico austria hike la paz circuit has become a proving ground for climbers preparing for higher objectives in the range, a technical rehearsal on rock and ice that tests both nerve and conditioning.

"The summit offers a panorama that stretches from Huayna Potosí to Illimani, two sixers that define La Paz's skyline."
Your experience

What a Pico Austria Hike tour day looks like

A step-by-step walkthrough of Pico Austria Hike tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.

You leave La Paz in darkness, the city's lights receding as the van climbs past El Alto and onto the altiplano. Two hours later you reach the Laguna Chiar Khota trailhead, where the air is thin and cold and the first light touches the Condoriri massif.

Read more

Your guide distributes crampons and checks harnesses while you shoulder a daypack with water, snacks, and an extra layer. The trail begins on loose scree, zigzagging up a moraine that the glacier left behind decades ago.

At the col you rope up. The glacier ahead is broken by crevasses, some visible, others hidden under snow bridges that your guide tests with a probe. You move slowly, planting each crampon deliberately, the rhythm hypnotic. The altitude makes every breath count. An hour onto the ice you reach the fixed lines, steel cable anchored to rock screws driven into the headwall. You clip in and climb hand over hand, your legs burning, until the angle eases and the ridge opens before you.

The final hundred metres are narrow, a knife-edge of snow and rock with the south face dropping away to your right and the north face to your left. You move one step at a time, eyes on your guide's boots. At the summit you pause, lungs heaving, and the view unfolds: Illimani's triple summit to the south, Huayna Potosí's white dome to the east, and below, the altiplano stretching flat and gold toward the horizon.

Your experience at Pico Austria Hike
Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about pico austria hike tours

What are the opening hours for the pico austria hike?

The trail is accessible 00:00–23:59, though visiting during daylight is essential for safety.

Is the pico austria hike accessible for all fitness levels?

The hike is challenging and involves high-altitude ascent; it is not recommended for those without prior acclimatization.

Are there entrance fees for the pico austria hike?

Yes, there is a 20 BOB conservation fee per person to enter the Tuni-Condoriri National Park.

What is the best arrival time for the pico austria hike?

We recommend arriving between 06:30–10:00 to ensure clear visibility and avoid afternoon cloud changes.

Do I need to book pico austria hike tickets in advance?

No tickets are required; however, booking guided pico austria hike tours is highly recommended for safety and transport.

Is photography allowed on the pico austria hike?

Photography is encouraged throughout the pico austria hike, especially at the summit with views of the Cordillera Real.

Are there food options during the pico austria hike?

No, you must bring all food and water with you for the duration of your hike.

How do I get to the pico austria hike trailhead?

Most visitors use private transfers from La Paz to reach the La Rinconada trailhead for their pico austria hike.

Is the pico austria hike suitable for children?

The hike involves difficult terrain at 5,320m; it is generally better suited for older, experienced hikers.

Keep exploring

More Pico Austria Hike tours & experiences

Nearby cities & day trips
La Paz
Primary gateway for mountain tours