16-day High altitude mountaineering expedition in the Chilean Andes, from Santiago

Join José and the Huella Andina ANGM Mountain Guides team to explore the daunting summits of Ojos del Salado (6,893m), Copiapo (6.052m), San Jose (5,856m) and Cerro Siete Hermanas (4,780m) in an exceptional mountaineering expedition in the Andes!

Andes

16 Days

Jan - Mar, Nov, Dec

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Ascend volcanes of Ojos del Salado, Copiapo, San Jose and Cerro Siete Herma.
Experience desert highlands of Puna de Atacama.
Witness beautiful salt Lakes, Santa Rosa Lagoon and attractive Flamencos.

Description

Do you want to explore the daunting volcanoes of the Andes? Then, join me on this extraordinary 16-day high altitude mountaineering expedition in Chile, from Santiago!

The Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world, spanning over 7 South American countries over 7,500 kms. In Chile, these are responsible for the shape and character of the country, people and environment.

This is no ordinary trip as it tests the climbers and rewards them equally with stunning views of Salt Lakes and dancing Flamencos.

Traversing through Northern, Central and Southern Chile, we’ll ascend mountains ranging from 5.000m to 6.000m. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of waterfalls and thriving birdlife as we’ll visit the classic commune of ‘San José de Maipo’.

We’ll start from Santiago and set up our base camp at El Plantat (3,130m). Our gradual ascend to our High Camp(above 4000m) will prepare us to climb the high volcano of San José(5 8000m).

And don’t worry about the burnout! We’ll rest for one full day at the cosy hut of Andean German Club in Lo Valdes after attempting the summit.

Our trip to the big mountains also involves flying into desert highlands of ‘Puna de Atacama’. From here, we’ll make our way to the the formidable Ojos del Salado (6.893m), the highest point in Chile and also the highest active volcano in the world!

You’ll be stunned by the impressive sights of the serene Santa Rosa Lagoon in Nevado Tres Cruces National Park. And since this is a sustained trip, we’ll keep ourselves hydrated and keep on evaluating how our bodies are reacting to the high altitude.

We’ll climb the volcanoes of Cerro Siete Hermanas (4.780m) and Copiapo (6.052m) before attempting the highest summit and this will help us acclimatise.

For more information, you can check the itinerary below.

I’ll be happy to guide you on this unbelievable 16-day journey to the high volcanoes of Andes! Send your request now.

And if you are looking for more adventure, check out this Osorno Volcano ascent.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Permit and entrance fees

Price details

Price Includes: Activity insurance (participants will be covered against accidents and death during hiking, trekking and climbing volcanoes),Transportation, Meals mentioned in the itinerary, Wilderness first aid kit, Group equipment(helmet, harness with accessories, crampons, ice axe),2way messaging Satellite Communicator(with real time online tracking, SOS function), *Minimum group size is 2.
Not Included: Personal gear, Life and Travel Insurance, Porters or Horses, Extra expenses for cities, Meals not specified in the itinerary, Extra nights lodging in cities due to changes in the itinerary, Alcoholic Beverages, Guide tips.

Itinerary

Day 1: Team Meet in Santiago and logistic review.

We will meet in Santiago to get to know each other and go through the logistic of the expedition. Today we can get the last essentials for the trip, like equipment or food.

Accommodation: Hostal.

Day 2: Trek to the base camp

Start with the acclimatization process by entering deep in the Andes. Leaving Santiago in the direction of the small village of San Jose de Maipo, we’ll head to an area of the Baños Morales (El Cabrerio). Trek for about 3 hours to reach the base camp for the volcano, San Jose: El Plantat at 3,130m.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner at camp.

Transport: Private transfer, mules for the gear.

Day 3: Check Acclimatisation

Today’s goal is to identify how our bodies are reacting to an altitude over 3,000m. For this reason we ideally set up our tents at a height between 4,100m to 4,500m. We decide either to sleep the night at these altitudes or descend back to the Plantat hut.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner at camp.

Day 4: Head from Plantat Camp to High camp

We continue acclimatizing. We will continue to hydrate and walk over 4,000m and move from the Plantat camp to our High Camp.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner at camp.

Day 5: Acclamatization, Hike to 5,856m and Return to Plantat base camp

Start early at 5 AM to reach our highpoint at 5,856m! This journey allows us to test ourselves. During the day we’ll need to concentrate and listen to our body to understand how it works at high altitude. After our ascent, we’ll finish our day in Plantat base camp.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner at camp.

Transport: private transfer.

Day 6: Extra day or rest Day in Lo Valdes

Use as an extra day to attempt the summit or as a rest day in the hut of the Andean German club in Lo Valdes.

Accommodation: Mountain refuge.

Meal: Breakfast at camp & dinner at DAV refuge.

Transport: Mules for the gear, private transfer.

Day 7: Flight to Copiapo, drive to Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and halt at Laguna Santa Rosa

Fly to Copiapo (1.5 hours) and after a drive of about 4 hours into the desert, we’ll arrive at “Nevado Tres Cruces” National Park. Settle in our camp (or in the refuge) at “Laguna Santa Rosa” (3.700m).We will be able to appreciate the impressive landscape and use the rest of the day to hike around and watch flamencos.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons or hut.

Food: Breakfast at refuge, Dinner at camp.

Transport: Plane and private 4×4 pickup.

Day 8: Hike to the "Cerro Siete Hermanas"

After breakfast we hike to the “Cerro Siete Hermanas” (4.780m). Walking over his long ridge, we will look to gain height and marvel at the incredible views of the “Puna de Atacama”.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons or hut.

Food: Breakfast, Dinner at camp.

Day 9: Head towards the Copiapo Volcano (6.052m)

Today we’ll head towards the Copiapo Volcano (6.052m), one of the 38 mountains over 6,000m in Chile. Inca ruins were found here. This climb can be done in one or two journeys.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Food: Breakfast, Dinner at camp.

Transport: 4×4 pickup.

Day 10: Drive to Ojos base camp and camp close to the Atacama Refuge (5,200m)

We will drive to the Ojos base camp and set our camp close to the Atacama Refuge (5,200m), rest and hydrate.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Food: Breakfast, Dinner at camp.

Transport: 4×4 pickup.

Day 11: Acclimatize and return back to the Atacama

We will continue with the acclimatization process by hauling water and stocking the Tejos refuge (5,900m – 3h), and then returning back to the Atacama. Later, we’ll rest rest and hydrate in camp.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Food: Breakfast, Dinner at camp.

Day 12: Head from Atacama refuge to Tejos refuge(5900 m)

Today we’ll sleep at 5,900m and for this, we’ll move from the Atacama refuge up to the Tejos refuge, the next place where we’ll set up camp.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Food: Breakfast, Dinner at camp.

Day 13: Summit Attempt

Today will be our first attempt at the summit of the highest mountain in Chile! At the beginning of the climb we will climb towards the volcano’s crater, and then go around it on the southern flank as we rise up to reach 6,893m (6-8 hours of ascent and 3 of descent). The goal for the day will be to return to the Atacama refuge.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Food: Breakfast, Dinner at camp.

Day 14: Flex day!

Relax at the Mountain Tent.

Accommodation: Mountain tents for two persons.

Food: Breakfast, Dinner at camp.

Day 15: Return to Copiapo

We will say good-bye to the highland of Chile and return to Copiapo to prepare the back flight to Santiago.

Accommodation: Hotel.

Food: Breakfast at camp.

Transport: Private 4×4 pickup.

Day 16: Flight to Santiago

Flight to Santiago and end of the services.

Food: Breakfast at hotel.

Transport: Private transfer, plane.

Details

More info

The trip involves physical activity of up to +12 hours per day in rocky terrain and is apt for physically fit people without previous climbing experience.Physical condition is subject to guide evaluation. Minimum group size is 2 and maximum is 8. Get in touch with us, if you are a bigger group.

Meeting point

Santiago

Equipment you will need to bring

Water bottle

Backpack

Poles

Sunglasses

Warm, layered and waterproof clothing for mountaineering,Sturdy Mountaineering Boots, Swim-suit, Towel, Trekking poles, Sleeping bag (rated for at least -20°C), Sleeping pad, Headlamp (plus extra batteries), Sunscreen (for lips and skin), Daypack (20L), Mountaineering Backpack (70L), Expedition Duffel Bag

About the guide

Huella Andina

4.9

(17)

Guiding agency

José Miguel and the HAE Guides are based in the south of Chile. They are members of ANGM - the National Association of Mountain Guides - and local guides who are happy to share with you their experience and expertise in climbing, skiing and/or trekking, as well as their knowledge of the area and its people.

Huella Andina is a registered guiding company that has been developing mountain tours since 2009. We operate several trips in national parks and wilderness areas, specializing in expeditions to the main volcanoes of southern Chile: Osorno, Calbuco, Yates, Puntiagudo, as well as the high mountains of the Maipo Valley and the Atacama region.

Languages

English

Certificates

ANGM

Request more information

What people are saying about this trip

Claudia

Jose Miguel delegated the guiding to Eduardo who is an internationally qualified mountain guide. Between the two they delivered an individualised trip for me. Starting with a climb of El Plomo from a ski field close to Santiago is a great way to acclimatise. Finding the road to Laguna Santa Rosa closed due to land slides was no big deal.We stayed a night in Caldera and took a different route the next day. Eduardo changed the itinerary slightly to better accommodate my abilities. I felt very safe with him. The Atacama area is an amazing place to visit. Highly recommended! One tip: come well prepared for the cold.