ASCENT TO THE HIGHEST VOLCANO OF THE WORLD

DAY 1: CITY OF ORIGIN FLIGHT – SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Flight departure and night on board.

DAY 2: FLIGHT SANTIAGO – CALAMA – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Arrival in Santiago de Chile. Connection with the flight to Calama. Reception in Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama (3 hours).

Accommodation in hostel, San Pedro de Atacama.

DAY 3: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – TREKKING TO LUNA VALLEY
Breakfast.

In the morning, after breakfast, walk in the Moon Valley and the Salt Mountain Range, with its impressive hills of salt, plaster and clay molded by the wind. We will visit the Kari Gorge, the Death Valley and other interesting points and viewpoints of this mountain range near San Pedro. Maximum heights around 2,700 meters.

Accommodation in hostel, San Pedro de Atacama

DAY 4: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA. SALAR DE ATACAMA AND ALTIPLANICAS LAGOONS
Breakfast.

Departure at 07:00 hours from the hotel. We will visit the Salar de Atacama, the Chaxa lagoon with its beautiful flamingos and other birds that find their food in this inhospitable place, such as the Caití and the Andean Gull. We will pass through the town of Socaire and that of Toconao, an oasis of abundant fresh water and fruit trees, whose symbol is its bell tower dating from 1750. We will skirt the salt flat again towards the town of Socaire, located at 3,250 m. and built in volcanic stone, to reach the altiplanic lagoons of Miñiques and Miscanti, 4,200 m and 110 km from San Pedro de Atacama, formed 1 million years ago with the eruption of the Miñiques volcano. Lunch on your own. We will continue towards the Salar de Talar (also known as the Salar de Aguas Calientes) and the Tuyajto Lagoon, which is surrounded by Piedras Rojas, an extension of reddish volcanic stones that will surprise you with their shape and the exceptional natural environment where they are found. Return to San Pedro de Atacama in the afternoon, arrival around 5:30 pm.

Accommodation in hostel, San Pedro de Atacama

DAY 5: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA. GEYSERS DEL TATIO.
Breakfast.

The excursion will start very early, at 4:00 AM and you will travel for about 2 hours until you reach the Tatio geothermal field, located at 4,320 m. Here there will be a walk among the geysers, being able to appreciate their activity and they will have breakfast observing the steam show. Then there will be a stop to bathe in a geothermal pool (30ºC). The trip continues to Machuca for your visit. Machuca is a small town with a picturesque church that dates back to 1933. Return to San Pedro with arrival around 12-13pm. Free afternoon.

Accommodation in hostel, San Pedro de Atacama

DAY 6: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA. ASCENT TO CERRO TOCO (5.604 m)
Breakfast.

Depart San Pedro at 7 in the morning to drive, by vehicle, to 4,500 meters where we have breakfast. Then we drive up to the base of the volcano, located at approximately 5,000 meters, where the ascent that lasts from 3 to 4 hours begins. Perfect mountain to acclimatize before tackling larger objectives. Remarkable views towards neighboring Pili volcanoes (6,046 m), Aguas Calientes (5,831 m), Licancabur (5,916 m)

Accommodation in hostel, San Pedro de Atacama

DAY 7: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA. ASCENT TO SAIRECABUR (6.006 m)
Breakfast.

Departure from San Pedro around 4: 30-5 in the morning to cover the 2-hour drive to the base of the mountain. Upon arrival at the starting point, and before starting the march, you will have breakfast. The time of ascent to the mountain will be approximately 5 hours. Technically it is a simple mountain. Beautiful 360º panoramic views of both the Bolivian and Chilean sides. After reaching the summit, you will return to the starting point. Arriving again at San Pedro de Atacama around 5 or 6 pm.

Accommodation in hostel, San Pedro de Atacama

DAY 8: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Breakfast.
Rest day and preparations, before leaving for the Ojos del Salado.
Accommodation in hostel, San Pedro de Atacama

DAY 9: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – LAGUNA VERDE (BASE CAMP)
Breakfast dinner.

Land transfer of about 12 hours from San Pedro de Atacama to base camp. We will cross the Atacama desert and then go down the coastal road to the south and turn off to Copiapó. From here Highway 31 starts towards the San Francisco Border Crossing. We will finally arrive, after 260 km from Copiapó, to Laguna Verde (4,275 m), fixing the base camp here. Next to the green lagoon we have some hot springs, where you can relax.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 10: ASCENT TO SAN FRANCISCO VOLCANO (6.020 m)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

From the base camp we will drive about 20 km until we reach the San Francisco Pass (4,760 m), the Chile-Argentina border crossing. With the help of the vehicle and through a track we will access up to 5,000 meters, the starting point of the route on foot. Very easy, direct ascent, through areas of sand and fine stones. Arrival at the hill that separates the two summits of San Francisco, the highest one is on the right. Wide panoramic view: Great view: Incahuasi-Pissis-Nacimiento-Fraile-Walter Penck-Ojos del Salado-El Muerto-Tres Cruces-Cerro Cóndor-Dos Cones-Peinado-Cerro Bertrand-Pabellón-Chukula-Morocho and false Morocho-Laguna San Francisco, etc. Back to Laguna Verde.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 11: ASCENT TO CERRO VICUÑAS (6.067 m)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We will leave by car from Laguna Verde, advancing along the track towards the Atacama refuge. After advancing about 6km to 8km from Laguna Verde, after passing in front of the old Murray de Carabineros refuge, we will turn west (right hand), towards the dividing hill located between Cerro Vicuñas and Barrancas Blancas. The height reached by vehicle will be around 4800-4900m, depending on the conditions. The climb on foot is direct along the southern slope to the main summit. Extensive panoramic view. It should be noted that the entire route up to Ojos del Salado is visible. Descent along the same path and return to the camp in Laguna Verde and recovery of strength bathing in the hot springs.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 12: LAGUNA VERDE – ATACAMA REFUGE (5.260 m).
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast, we will leave in the direction of the Atacama refuge (5,260 m). Normally, the same refuge is reached by car, although depending on the terrain conditions, expeditionaries sometimes have to walk from 5,000 m to the refuge. The march would be following the footprint of cars. The inclination does not exceed 15º and the terrain is sandy and with flat rocks. Lunch. In the afternoon, rest and a strategic plan to climb to the top.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 13: ATACAMA REFUGE (5.200 m) – CÉSAR TEJOS REFUGE (5.837 m)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We carry part of our equipment and food to take them to the Tejos Refuge (5,837 m). This walk is approximately 3-4 hours following a small track. The incline is smooth and the terrain is very sandy. Near the Tejos refuge we will set up the tent to spend the night.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 14: ASCENT TO OJOS DEL SALADO (6.893 m)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

This day we will wake up very early to have breakfast and leave at dawn for the summit. First attempt to get to the summit. The ascent to the summit will take around 8-9 hours. This day it is necessary to equip yourself well to withstand possible temperatures that can reach 20/25 degrees below zero and winds of up to 80 km / h. Front lamp is required for night trekking, crampons, poles and ice ax for walking. It will be necessary to cross a snowfield of about 30º of inclination, 100 m. long at 6,550 m high. After about 6 hours of trekking, we will arrive at the crater of the volcano. From there we will walk towards the summit through a terrain of large stones. At the end of this section we will have to carry out the final climb, 30 meters at 6,800 meters high, corresponding to a rocky gutter where we will have to climb. Sometimes there is a rope that helps us in the step. The gutter ends at the gap that separates the Argentine and Chilean summit. We will turn towards the Chilean which is the highest. We will finally enjoy the unbeatable views of the summit, while we step on the highest summit in Chile, the second highest in America, and the highest volcano on the planet. After staying for a while at the summit, we will begin the descent towards the Tejos refuge (4 hours). In this place we will have a hot drink, collect our equipment and descend to the Atacama refuge (1 hour). Overnight in this place.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 15: SECURITY DAY FOR A SECOND TRY / FREE DAY
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Tent accommodation.

DAY 16: ATACAMA REFUGE – COPIAPÓ. FLIGHT TO SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Breakfast.

In the morning, after breakfast, the journey back to Copiapó begins. 260 km route and about 5 hours of driving. Arrival mid-afternoon in Copiapó and direct transfer to take the flight to Santiago de Chile. Arrival, reception and transfer to our hotel, for the deserved rest.

Hotel accommodation, Santiago de Chile.

DAY 17: SANTIAGO DE CHILE. FLIGHT BACK HOME
Breakfast.

Free time in Santiago until the agreed time for the transfer to the international airport. Check-in and boarding on the flight back home. Night on board.

DAY 18: ARRIVING HOME