Domuyo Volcano 7-day guided ascent

Neuquén airport. Brief meeting with the guide. Transfer by vans to the village of Varvarco where we will spend the night in cabins. Personal equipment check.

Early in the morning we will drive for an hour to the base of the Domuyo Volcano at 2400 meters of height, where the trail to Base Camp begins. We’ll leave the vans and load our stuff with the help of our assistants and some donkeys. We begin the approach on foot, about 4 hours of walking following the valley of the Arroyo Covunco. We’ll ascend to the Base Camp (3000 m), located on the banks of some high lakes. We set up our camp, start a round of “mates” and rest.

Portage and acclimatization trek to the Advanced Camp. We’ll ascent with the equipment and the necessary food while our body becomes accustomed to oxygen depletion. 3-4 hours of climb and 1:30 of descent back to the Base.

This day helps us acclimate to the height and strengthen our body, in addition to lighten the load for the next day. A good dinner at the Base and to sleep.

We will disarm the tents and start the ascent to the Advanced Camp at 3700 meters of altitude. The progression is slow, the views become more dramatic when we see the glaciers of the Domuyo in the South. When we arrive at the camp, we will arm the tents and immediately enjoy the rounds of mate and tea to rehydrate and rest. The sunset unfolds all its colors and the panoramic view allows us to enjoy an incomparable landscape.

We will start the summit day early after a fast but powerful breakfast. It will be several hours of walking through steep rock and snow peaks. Once at the summit it’s time to enjoy the challenge and the views offered by the highest point of Patagonia. Then we start the descent to the camp where we will spend the night.

After disarming the camp we will return to the Base Camp, where the mules are waiting for us to load the equipment up to the vans. We will continue descending on foot enjoying the last day in the mountains. In the vans, we can finally celebrate the total success of the expedition.

Before returning to Varvarco, we will pass by Aguas Calientes to relax the muscles in the natural thermal baths. On the way to the village, we will visit a ranch where we buy a Goat to roast on the cross. Dinner with good red wine and anecdotes.

After breakfast, we will get into the vans and return to the city of Neuquén where our expedition ends.