Attractions and Places To See in Oruro - Top 13

Sajama National Park is Bolivia's oldest national park. The park lies within the Central Andean dry puna ecoregion. It features a spectacular Andean landscape, with elevations ranging from 4,200 to 6,542 meters (13,780 to 21,463 ft). It contains the snowy cone of the volcano Sajama, the highest mountain in Bolivia at 6542 meters. The park also includes the Payachata volcanic group. The area was declared a nature reserve in 1939 because of the native Queñoa De Altura (Polylepis tarapacana) that grows on the hillsides of this region. This shrub-like tree has adapted to the high elevations and harsh climate of the Andes. At the time that the area was declared a national park, rampant harvesting of this tree was taking place to create charcoal to supply Bolivian mines. On July 1, 2003, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List due to its universal cultural and natural significance. (Wikipedia)

With a large bell tower right off the main square, the Iglesia de Curahuara de Carangas is worth the stop. Known as the Sistine Chapel of the Altiplano, it is decorated inside with impressive murals. (unfortunately, the inside was closed when we visited so hopefully another traveler can add some interior pictures)

The Chapel of Santa Barbara was built in the late colonial period (1885-90) of stone on the hillside overlooking Curahuara de Carangas. It has two bell towers and whitewashed walls. It was restored in 2013. It also provides a striking backdrop for the gradient of the altiplano sky. Climb the hill behind it to discover some chullpas and a nice view of Sajama.

The high camp of Parinacota and Pomerape is located on a plateau between the two volcanoes at just under 5200 m. There is a small stone hut on site where you can seek refuge. You can drive up here with a 4x4 car.

Parinacota is a stratovolcano with a height of 6,348 m on the border between Chile and Bolivia in the Atacama Desert area. It is located in the Lauca National Park, 145 kilometers east of Arica in the Cordillera Occidental of the central Andes. Together with the neighboring Pomerape volcano, which lies northeast of it, it forms the Payachata complex. At its feet lies Lake Chungará. His current activity is limited to fumarole activity. More general information can be found on Wikipedia. The normal route from the Bolivian side starts between the two volcanoes Parinacota and Pomerape and can only be reached with off-road vehicles. The climb goes quite directly towards the summit, although the path is usually not visible because it is covered by snow or snow. However, that's not a problem, you just go straight up until you reach the highest point. You won't be confronted with any major technical difficulties, but the climb will take longer due to the high altitude and the quite a few meters in altitude that have to be covered. Acclimatization in advance is definitely recommended. Breaking into the frozen snow cover on the surface also doesn't make the climb any easier. However, the gigantic view of the enormous crater, of the Parinacota and the Sajama, as well as the Altiplano, Acotango and much more, rewards all the effort.

Sajama is the center of the canton of Sajama, one of the four cantons of the Municipality of Curahuara de Carangas in the province of Sajama. El Sajama is located on the west coast of the department of Oruro at an altitude of 4,238 m at 10 kilometers from the border with Chile at the foot of the Sajama, being with 6,542 m the highest mountain in Bolivia. The Sajama flows through the Sajama River, whose waters originate in the Huaña Khota Lagoon a few kilometers north of the Sajama, and further southeast in Huachacalla meets the Lauca River and empties into the Coipasa Salt Lake.

There are hot springs here where you can go swimming with a wonderful view of Volcán Sajama. There are showers and you get a towel for 30 Bs entrance fee (as of 10/2023)

At this point, the glacial water of the high mountains, heated by magma, comes to the surface in the form of hot springs and small vultures.