Ascent to Cerro Incahuasi in Catamarca, Argentina
12-day adventure to the summit of Cerro Incahuasi (6540m), one of the most famous peaks above 6000m in the northern Andes in Argentina.
Private
Andes
12 Days
Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Get to the top of Cerro Incahuasi in Catamarca.
- Acclimatize in the mountains of the Andes.
- Spend 12 days in an expedition away from the crowds.
Description
This is a 12-day program to the summit of Cerro Incahuasi (6540 m), one of the most famous peaks above 6000 m in the northern Andes in Argentina.
Incahuasi, which means 'house of the Incas', lies on the border the Argentinian provinces of Catamarca and Salta. It is also close to San Francisco Pass, which connects Argentina with the Atacama region in Chile.
This trip starts in the city of La Rioja. Once there, we drive for 300 kilometers to Fiambalá, a town in Catamarca.
During a few days, we get optimal acclimatization in mountains like Pastos Largos (4100m), Coquena (4000m), Falso Morocho (4500m) and Bertrand (6275m).
After that, we arrive at Incahuasi Base Camp (5400 m) to begin our climbing.
Please contact me if you are interested in this adventure in a vast and unexplored region of the Andes, away from the crowds, but with amazing views and places to discover.
I also organize other expeditions in Catamarca, like ascents to Cerro San Francisco and Mount Pissis.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Transportation start and back
- Tents
- Cooking utensils
- Sleeping bag
Price details
- 2 extra days due to acclimatization or bad weather can be arranged. First aid kit and permanent VHF radio communications are included in the price.
- Not included:
- Personal porters and group equipment
- Extra expenses due to trip cancellation
- Sleeping bag
- Personal medication
- Air and ground evacuations
- Room service, laundry, drinks, Internet, telephone and satellite communications, personal items, civil liability insurance, hospitalization or medication of any kind, and any other service not listed as included.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fiambalá
Arrival to La Rioja airport. Transfer to Fiambalá. Night at hotel in Fiambalá.
Day 2: Hotel Cortaderas
Transfer from Fiambalá (1600 m) to Hotel Cortaderas (3200 m). Acclimatization trekking around the area.
Day 3: Hotel Cortaderas
Trekking to Cerro Coquena (4100m) and Pastos Largos (4000m). 6 hours ascent, 3 hours descent. Barbecue and night at the hotel.
Day 4: 'Las Grutas'
Transfer from Hotel Cortaderas (3200 m) to Las Grutas (4050m), to Vialidad refuge. Acclimatization trekking and relax in termal baths at 4200m.
Day 5: Ascent to Falso Morocho (4600m).
Day 6: Ascent to Cerro Beltrán (5275m).
Day 7: Incahuasi base camp
Transfer from Las Grutas to Incahuasi base camp (5400 m) in 4WD. Exploration and acclimatization trekking.
Day 8: Camp 1 Incahuasi.
Base Camp Incahuasi at 5400 m. Camp 1 Incahuasi. 3 different routes to choose.
Day 9: Incahuasi summit
Summit day! From camp 1 (5800 m) to the summit (6540 m).
Day 10: Extra day in case of bad weather.
Day 11: Return to Fiambalá
Descent from Camp (5800m). Transfer back to Fiambalá (1600m). Celebration and farewell dinner at hotel.
Day 12: Transfer Fiambalá – La Rioja.
Details
More info
Optional: Upon request, we can include accommodation in Buenos Aires and help in the logistics to get from there to La Rioja.
Meeting point
Equipment you will need to bring
Crampons
Water bottle
Backpack
Helmet
Poles
Mountaineering clothes, headlamp, sunscreen, boots.
About the guide
Luciano
5.0
(4)
Mountain Guide
EPGAMT Mountain Guide from Mendoza, Argentina.
I always enjoyed the mountains, and started with mountaineering activities since a young age, so it was natural for me to become a mountain guide. I’ve been working for more than 15 seasons in Aconcagua, first as porter, then as Mountain Guide assistant, and now as Mountain Guide.
I climbed a lot of peaks all along the Andes mountain range, in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru, including Aconcagua (6.962 mt – 27 ascents, through different routes like the North and the Polish glacier-), Co Plata (6.000 mt), Ojos del Salado (6.780 mt), Mount Pissis (6.850 m), C° LLullaillaco (6.723 m), C° Incahuasi (6.450 m), Vn Sajama (6.550 m), Vn Bonete Chico (6 750 m), Co Junción (5000 m), Toclaraju ( 6036m), Pisco (5750m), and the three summits of Tres Cruces 6.780m. I recently did my first expedition in the Himalayas, where I reached the summit of Mt Lhotse (8.516 mt).
I usually enjoy organizing expeditions to wild, off-the-beaten-track destinations, that need a complex logistic that you won’t find easily elsewhere.
I am fluent in Spanish, English and Italian.
Languages
Italian | English
What people are saying about Luciano
Francis
both guides..Luciano and Mauricio were first class and so was this fantastic region. I be looking for an encore in the future. Francis Lawrence
Frank
Luciano was excellent. His local knowledge showed as he was able modify the itinerary of the trip as circumstances - such as weather - changed in order to ensure the expedition was a success. He is a deeply experienced mountaineer with sound judgement prepared to provide advice whilst ensuring you have fun. I would highly recommend his services.
Sergio
Personally, was more impressed with the road trip towards the mountain than the mountain itself, but it was definitely worth going. The lunar landscape in this remote area is absolutely awesome. The guide was well prepared, very friendly, and even a surprisingly good cook. The location is as far as you are likely to get from civilisation. The weather was also unusually good. But the mountain is tough and frustrating sliding down every step in the loose gravel and sand. Not everyone's cup of tea
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