The expedition
A once in a lifetime opportunity - far more than just a marathon, this expedition covers some of the most remote and extraordinary landscapes on Earth.
Our journey begins in La Paz, the world's highest capital at 3,650m, with a carefully planned introduction to the acclimatisation process. Over the following days, we will travel to the famed Lake Titicaca, the UNESCO world heritage site at Tiwanaku, before flying to Uyuni and crossing the Uyuni Salt Flats.
As we move deeper into the remote Altiplano towards the legendary Road of Jewels, we will hike high into the Andes, climbing above 6,000m - beyond the height of Kilimanjaro - allowing our bodies time to adapt to the demands ahead. Surrounded by volcanic peaks, shimmering lagoons and endless horizons, we continue south in our convoy of 4X4s.
At base camp, we prepare for our main challenge: running a full marathon at extreme altitude. By the time race day arrives, we will not only be ready - we will already have completed an expedition few people on Earth will ever experience.
Day 1: Friday 14th May 2027
Arrive in La Paz
Today we arrive into La Paz - the highest capital city in the world, perched high in the Andes and unlike anywhere else on Earth. With participants travelling from across the globe, arrivals will take place throughout the day. There are no formal plans today, just time to settle in, rest, hydrate, and begin adjusting to the altitude. In the evening, we’ll host an informal team dinner for those arriving in time - a relaxed opportunity to meet the group, connect with fellow participants, and begin the journey together.
| High point reached (m) | 3,650 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 3,650 |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Meals | Dinner |
Day 2: Saturday 15th May 2027
La Paz - first steps at altitude
Our acclimatisation journey begins today. Most people will already be feeling the effects of altitude, so today is intentionally unhurried and a chance to move gently, explore, and allow our bodies to adapt. La Paz is a city of drama and contrast - towering mountains, remarkable cable cars gliding overhead, and steep streets linked by escalators and hidden walkways. There’s no fixed schedule today; instead, we will explore at our own pace. In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner to talk through the adventure ahead.
| High point reached (m) | 3,650 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 3,650 |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast, dinner |
Day 3: Sunday 16th May 2027
Lake Titicaca - gaining height
This morning we leave the city and travel by small coaches to the shores of Lake Titicaca - the highest navigable lake in the world and one of South America’s most iconic landscapes. As we slowly gain altitude, our focus is on steady progress and increased exposure. We’ll take a short acclimatisation walk in the afternoon, climbing to around 4,200m, before descending back to the lakeside town of Copacabana. Here, we'll have dinner in this extraordinary setting with the vast blue waters stretching to the horizon.
| High point reached (m) | 4,200 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 3,800 |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 4: Monday 17th May 2027
Tiwanaku - exploring ancient civilisations
After a relaxed breakfast beside the lake, we begin our journey back toward La Paz, stopping en route at the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site of Tiwanaku - one of the most important pre-Columbian civilisations in South America. Walking among these ancient stone structures offers a powerful reminder of the people who once thrived in this high-altitude world. By afternoon, we return to our hotel in La Paz. The evening is ours to enjoy - whether that’s discovering Bolivia’s exceptional dining scene or simply relaxing and soaking in the atmosphere of this extraordinary city.
| High point reached (m) | 3,800 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 3,650 |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch |
Day 5: Tuesday 18th May 2027
Expedition mode: La Paz to Uyuni
Today we begin our journey south, boarding an early morning flight to Uyuni - gateway to the world’s largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni. Spanning more than 10,000 square kilometres, this vast white expanse was once part of an ancient prehistoric lake and is now one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth. On arrival, we transition fully into expedition mode - collecting our small fleet of 4x4 vehicles, fuel, and supplies, and preparing our expedition vehicles (and ourselves) for the days ahead. This marks the moment where the expedition part of World's Highest Marathon truly begins.
| High point reached (m) | 3,650 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 3,650 |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 6: Wednesday 19th May 2027
Crossing the Salar - the world's largest salt flat
Today we drive out onto the Uyuni Salt Flats, an endless white horizon where the sky and earth seem to merge into one. Crossing this immense natural wonder is a surreal and unforgettable experience, where it is hard to judge the distances and where we will need our GPS and radios to keep the convoy on track. We will aim for Incahuasi Island, a rocky outcrop rising from the salt and covered in towering giant cacti, some believed to be more than a thousand years old. After exploring the salt flats, we'll continue south toward San Cristóbal, a small and remote staging town that marks the beginning of our journey into the remote Bolivian Altiplano.
| High point reached (m) | 3,800 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 3,800 |
| Accommodation | Local hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 7: Thursday 20th May 2027
Deep into the Altiplano - Towards Quetena Chico
Today is a long and spectacular day of driving as we continue ever deeper into the remote Bolivian Altiplano - one of the highest inhabited regions on Earth. The landscape becomes wilder and more dramatic with every kilometre: vast open plains, towering volcanoes, reflective lagoons, and herds of wild vicuña scattered across the desert. This is expedition driving at its very best. By late afternoon, we will arrive in the remote settlement of Quetena Chico, our staging point for our ascent of Volcán Uturuncu in a couple of days, a key milestone in our acclimatisation journey.
| High point reached (m) | 4,400 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 4,200 |
| Accommodation | Local hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 8: Friday 21st May 2027
Rest and relax
Today is a rest day after as we get ever higher on the Altiplano. From our base at Quetano Chico, we have some options based on how we are acclimatising. Our goal today is to relax, stretch our legs let our bodies adapt. We can take the vehicles to the base of Volcán Uturuncu for a leisurely hike at around 5,000m, organise a slow run, or just rest and relax for the day. Whatever you choose to do, the goal will be to eat, rest and let our bodies adapt - ready for an early start tomorrow.
| High point reached (m) | 5,000 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 4,200 |
| Accommodation | Local hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 9: Saturday 22nd May 2027
Uturuncu and base camp - breaking 6,000
Today is a big day and marks a major step in our preparation as we set out to summit Uturuncu and reach its high point of 6,008m - higher than Kilimanjaro. While non-technical, this is a demanding trek and a significant step up again in altitude. We start early and begin by driving to ~5,700m on one of the highest vehicle-accessible tracks anywhere on Earth, before we step out and continue on foot. From there, we steadily trek the final 300 vertical metres toward the summit (approximately 3 hours), where oxygen levels are just 53% of those at sea level. Conditions can be harsh, with extreme cold - typically with lows of around -20°C - and strong winds. For many in the team, this will be the highest altitude they have ever reached.
After the climb, we return to Quetena Chico to rehydrate, get some food, and pack up the vehicles. In the afternoon, we will drive deeper into the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, joining the legendary Ruta de las Joyas (the "Road of Jewels"), as we make the 3 hour drive to our base camp - a small collection of refuges (hostel-style accommodation) and expedition tents, where we will spend the next three nights. The comforts of week one are now well behind us. From here, we settle into life at altitude, living simply and focusing on preparing for the marathon in one of the most remarkable and remote places on Earth.
| High point reached (m) | 6,008 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 4,600 |
| Accommodation | Refuge / tents |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 10: Sunday 23rd May 2027
Final Preparations - Rest and course readiness
Today is a full rest day and an opportunity to see the marathon route we will be running the following day, set among striking salt lakes and framed by volcanoes. Our camp is Set beside volcanic hot springs, giving you the opportunity to enjoy some hot water bathing, recover, and enjoy the surroundings. Behind the scenes, the support team will be finalising the course and positioning support points, while as a group we make sure everything is in place for a fully supported marathon tomorrow. This is our final chance to rest and prepare, ahead of what will likely be another cold night.
| High point reached (m) | 4,600 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 4,600 |
| Accommodation | Refuge / tents |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 11: Monday 24th May 2027
Marathon Day - The highest marathon on Earth
We’ll wait until sunrise, when temperatures begin to rise rapidly, before heading to the start point. From there, we’ll trek up to 4,810m (higher than Mont Blanc) where the marathon begins. Over the next 42.2km, we will give it everything, with one shared goal: to reach the finish line beside a beautiful salt lake, in one of the most extraordinary and remote settings on Earth, as each of us aims to completes the highest marathon ever run.
| High point reached (m) | 4,810 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 4,600 |
| Accommodation | Refuge / tents |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 12: Tuesday 25th May 2027
Offroad odyssey - journey back to Uyuni
After celebrating the night before (as best we can in the refuges and tents!), we begin the journey back to Uyuni, with a spectacular full day’s drive across the Altiplano. Wherever possible, we’ll use off-road tracks that will test our driving skills and add a final adventure to the expedition. Tonight, back at our Uyuni hotel, we celebrate properly.
| High point reached (m) | 4,600 |
| Sleeping altitude (m) | 3,650 |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Day 13: Wednesday 26th May 2027
Return to La Paz - departures
On our final day, we board an early morning flight back to La Paz. From there, we say our goodbyes as people continue their journeys home, or stay on in South America for further travel.