Pumuta

Pumuta is a mountain summit in Sajama Province that rises to approximately 5,200 meters in the Andes. The peak sits between Jach'a Kunturiri Mountain and the Kunturiri peaks as part of a broader high-altitude range.

Pumuta sits within a mountain landscape shaped over millennia by the highlands' indigenous peoples. The summit has long served as a landmark for those navigating the high-altitude terrain.

The mountain's name comes from the Aymara language, with 'puma' referring to the big cat and 'uta' meaning house. This reflects how local communities connect the landscape to the animals that roam it.

Reaching Pumuta requires traveling through Curahuara de Carangas Municipality with advance arrangements from main centers in Oruro Department. Visit during the dry season when mountain access is more manageable and weather conditions are more stable.

The Kunturiri River originates on Pumuta's southern slopes and feeds into the larger Sajama River system. This water source proves crucial for sustaining life in an otherwise dry highland region.