Arequipa to La Paz to Salta: altitude and weather?
 

Planning to head out of Arequipa to La Paz, around Bolivia, then down to Salta in late May and early June of 2008. I am expecting cool weather and high altitudes at various points, but thought those who've done the circuit may offer some tips or advice.

Well, you basically got it right - cool/cold temps at altitude.

Rule of thumb - for every 1000m of elevation change, its roughly a 6 celsius temperature change. You'll be around 4000m much of the time from Arequipa to La Paz, and again south through the altiplano to Argentina (via Uyuni).

For Peru and Bolivia, the altitude has more affect on the temperature than the time of year. A plus for you, May and June are "dry season" in Peru and Bolivia. (there's only two seasons this part of the world - "wet" being the other one)

Around Cochabamba, and the east side of the country nearer Paraguay, are more tropical climates year round - a nice place to head to if you get tired of the cold up in the Altiplano.

It will be mid-winter in Salta though - their coldest time of year but it isn't generally that cold - especially for where you live (probably more like April in Edmonton).

thanks for confirming that i'll be enjoying, as only a Canuck can do, cool and brisk riding weather. i have plenty of gear for those temperatures, and hopefully will be able to adjust to altitude. went up past 4000m in ecuador a few years back but wasn't on two wheels. we'll see how it goes.

Where in Bolivia?
 

Quastdog summed it up, but I found out that when the sun goes down (or even behind a cloud) the difference (in the temp) you feel is enormous! In the middle of a sunny day you never realize that you are at 4,000 meters, but let the sun go down..!

We had no windscreens but did fine with just under armor and a turtleneck under our riding gear, the wind-breaker rain gear over top as it cooled.

What are you riding and where do you want to go in Bolivia?

Toby Around the Block 2007 |

I can't comment about the weather as I did it in October but I will say that if you can find altitude sickness pills to bring a couple. I never thought I would need them but on my way to la Paz I got lighted headed, so much so that I thought I could not ride anymore so I took a pill and with in 10 min I felt better and did not need another pill for the next two or three weeks that I was at altitude. Also 2 of the people I was riding with had the same problem and after giving them pills as well it saved them from further illness.

Good tip on the pills. Better to have some and not use them and not to have them and to spoil an expensive trip or get into a dangerous situation.

Do people camp much on the altiplano at the 5000m odd altitudes? And if so, how cold would it get in februari? And would the winds at night get a bit dodgy on a dome tent? Sometimes (like in places on the Mongolian steppe) it hard to peg the tent down propertly due to either loose soil or packed soil.