• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • FAQ
  • About
    • Why Choose Aconcagua Express
  • Our Guides
  • Contact
  • Links

Aconcagua Express

Climb one of the seven summits

  • Aconcagua Trips
    • Aconcagua Normal Route
    • Aconcagua Ameghino & Upper Guanacos Route
    • Ojos del Salado & Aconcagua
    • Aconcagua & El Plomo Route
    • Aconcagua Polish Glacier Route
    • Aconcagua South Face Trek
  • Other Trips
    • Atacama Expeditions & Treks
      • Ojos del Salado & Altiplanic Lagoons
      • Ojos del Salado & San Pedro Atacama
      • Llullaillaco
      • San Pedro de Atacama Trek
    • Patagonia
      • Patagonia Torres del Paine National: The W Circuit
      • Patagonia Torres del Paine Full Circuit
      • Patagonia Torres del Paine Full Circuit & Fitz Roy Trek
      • Easter Island Archeological Trek
    • Central Andes
      • Tupungato Volcano
      • El Plomo near Santiago
  • Aconcagua Information
    • Map
    • Training
    • Equipment
    • Travel
    • Packing Tips
    • History
  • Trip Application
    • Step 1 – Trip Application
    • Step 2 – Client Information
    • Make a Payment
  • Aconcagua Trips / Routes
    • Aconcagua Information
    • Aconcagua & El Plomo Route
    • Aconcagua Ameghino & Upper Guanacos Route
    • Aconcagua Normal Route
    • Aconcagua Polish Glacier Route
    • Aconcagua South Face Trek
    • Ojos del Salado & Aconcagua
  • Atacama Expeditions & Treks
    • Llullaillaco
    • Ojos del Salado & Altiplanic Lagoons
    • Ojos del Salado & San Pedro Atacama
    • San Pedro de Atacama Trek
  • Central Andes Treks
    • El Plomo near Santiago
    • Tupungato Volcano
  • Patagonia Treks
    • Easter Island Archeological Trek
    • Patagonia Torres del Paine Full Circuit
    • Patagonia Torres del Paine Full Circuit & Fitz Roy Trek
    • Patagonia Torres del Paine National: The W Circuit
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Guides
    • Why Choose Aconcagua Express
  • Trip Application
    • Trip Application – Client Information
    • Trip Application – Medical Information
  • Make a Payment
  • Contact
Ojos del Salado San Pedro Atacama

Ojos del Salado & San Pedro Atacama

Location: Home » Atacama Expeditions & Treks » Ojos del Salado & San Pedro Atacama
  • Duration: 20 days.
  • Difficulty: Excellent physical condition required
  • Space Available / Trip: 6 climbers
  • Departure Dates: November to March (AEE9)
  • Expedition Cost: US $5,990 per person
  • Other Costs: Hotel single supplement: US $1,500, Reservation cost: US $900
  • Payment Balance Due: 120 days prior departure

Following a week of gentle hiking around San Pedro de Atacama, in northern Chile, climbers will have achieved an optimal acclimatization and the high-altitude rigors of Ojos del Salado will be significantly reduced. Our 20-day itinerary takes in this picturesque Atacaman town, originally an oasis for indigenous peoples and today a mecca for tourists from around the world, and the rainbow-hued desert, salars, snowcapped volcanoes, brightly coloured high-altitude lakes, and geysers which surround it.

Moving south-east towards Laguna Verde (4,400m/14,765 ft) we’ll reach the Refugio Atacama base camp (5,350m/17,000 ft) in 4-wheel drive vehicles. From this point we hike to the Refugio Tejos shelter (5,750m/19,350 ft) and finally on past scree slopes and occasional snow patches to the main summit of the world’s highest active volcano, Ojos del Salado. Our increasingly demanding hikes and steady but gradual elevation gains make reaching the Andes’ second highest peak a safe, enjoyable, and fantastic experience.

Route Itinerary

Day 1

Calama – San Pedro de Atacama

You will be picked up at the airport in Calama by your Guide and transferred to San Pedro de Atacama (2,450m / 8,038 ft). After checking into our hotel, the Guide will made a gear and equipment check. In the afternoon we visit the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Range) and the Valley de la Muerte (Death Valley), also known as Valle de Marte (Valley of Mars). We’ll take a gentle hike in this impressive area with its curious rock sculptures, sand dunes, and geological formations from the dawn of time.
Transfer distance – 30 km (19 miles) | Transfer time – 20 minutes | Hotel | Elevation – Min: 2,259m (7,411 ft), Max: 2,450m (8,038 ft)

Day 2

San Pedro Atacama – Toconao – Salar Atacama – Moon Valley

Today we’ll drive 40 km (25 miles) south of San Pedro to Toconao, a traditional Atacaman village of adobe houses with thatched rooves. Situated on a river which tumbles down from the high Andes, below is the Quebrada de Jeria canyon, a cool, green recess of exuberant vegetation, in stunning contrast with the desert above. The surrounding Salar de Atacama is the largest salt lake in Chile, and here we will visit the Chaxa Lagoon, which provides habitat for a wide range of bird species, including the Chilean and Andean Flamingos. We return for lunch to San Pedro and in the afternoon we visit the Salt Cordillera and the Moon Valley area for a light trek in these impressive geological formations millions years ago. From a viewpoint on an enormous sand dune, we’ll stay to watch the sun set over the moon-like landscape, the distant volcanoes and the peaks of the Cordillera de la Sal bathed in intense gold, orange, pink, and purple light. Spectacular! Return to SP. Hotel.
Transfer distance – 38 km (24 miles) | Transfer time – 2 hours | Hotel | Elevation – Min: 2,450m (8,038 ft), Max: 2,500m (8,202 ft)

Day 3

Catarpe Canyon Trek – Rio Grande

After breakfast we’ll tour the fascinating archaeological museum of Padre Gustavo Le Paige, a jesuit priest dedicated to investigating and preserving the Atacaman culture. The museum holds more than 300,000 archeological artifacts from various pre-hispanic cultures and many amazingly well-preserved mummies. We’ll then make a 3 km (1.8 mile) hike to the 12th century Pukara de Quitor National Monument and a second 2 km (1.2 mile) hike to Catarpe, to visit what is believed to have been an Incan administrative centre for the region. We’ll continue our trek to San Bartolo village along a scenic canyon, a distance of 20 k (12 miles), taking between five and six hours. From San Bartolo we’ll be transferred by van to Rio Grande (3,200m/10,498 ft) where we’ll set up camp and spend the night.
Trekking time – 6 1/2 hours | Transfer distance – 27 k (16 miles) | Transfer time – 40 minutes | Tent | Elevation – Min: 2,450m (8,038 ft), Max: 3,200m (10,498 ft)

Day 4

Rio Grande – Machuca Village

Today we make the 5 to 6 hour hike to Machuca, an altiplanic village located at 4,100m/ 12,300ft. This isolated settlement was a regular stopover for ancient llama caravans traveling the Inca Trail to Peru and Bolivia. On the way, we’ll observe examples of traditional terrace agriculture and enjoy stunning scenery and wildlife.
Trekking time – 5-6 hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: 3,200m (10,498 ft), Max: 4,100m (12,300ft)

Day 5

Machuca – El Tatio – Soquete

We’ll set out in the pre-dawn to reach El Tatio, the world’s highest geyser field (4,500m/13,500 ft) by sunrise. The smoking geysers–caused by the evaporation of the boiling geothermal water in the cold air–and the sun illuminating the surrounding mountaintops, recreates a scene from the dawn of time, an unforgettable experience. We will then make an easy ascent of nearby Soquete peak (5,400m/16,200 ft), returning to our camp for the night.
Transfer distance – 40 km (24 miles) | Transfer time – 50 minutes | Tent | Elevation – Min: 4,100m (12,300 ft), Max: 5,400m (16,200 ft)

Day 6

Puritana – Laguna Verde

This morning we’ll visit the Puritama hot springs to relax in the natural thermal water. Following a light lunch, we’ll drive to Laguna Verde (4,300m/14,000 ft), in Bolivia, a beautiful altiplanic lake at the foot of the Licancabur volcano (5,930m/19,455 ft), home to a large number of Andean Flamingoes. We will spend the night in the Laguna Blanca (White Lake) refuge.
Transfer distance – 75 km (46 miles) | Transfer time – 3-4 hours | Hut | Elevation – Min: 3,475m (11,394 ft), Max: 4,300m (14,000 ft)

Day 7

Laguna Verde – Licancabur Summit – San Pedro

At 4:00am we make a 30-minute transfer to 4,650m (15,255 ft), the point where we begin our ascent of Licancabur. A sacred peak for the Incas, we’ll pass an Inca construction at the base of the mountain. We hike 10 to 12-hours to reach the summit by way of the north ridge. From the summit we’ll look down into the volcano’s deep blue crater lake and also enjoy spectacular views of the many Bolivian and Chilean six thousand meter peaks. We return to San Pedro Atacama in the evening for a delicious dinner and a comfortable hotel night.
Transfer distance – 20 km (12 miles) | Transfer time – 30 min | Trekking time – 10-12 hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: 4,300m (14,000 ft), Max: 4,650m (15,255 ft)

Day 8

San Pedro Atacama – Taltal

Today we make the long drive to Taltal, on the Pacific, stopping for lunch en route. Near the coast is one of the deepest trenches in the ocean, making this town famous for the prized red conger eel. En route we’ll stop at Chacabuco, one of the many abandoned nitrate or saltpeter towns in the Atacama Desert.
Transfer distance – 490 km (304 miles) | Transfer time – 7 hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: sea level (1,781 ft), Max: 3,000m (9,842 ft)

Day 9

Taltal – Pan de Azúcar – Salar Pedernales

We drive south to Pan de Azúcar National Park, so named due to its ‘sugar loaf’ shape, stopping for lunch en route. We’ll visit the Humboldt Penguin colonies that breed on this island. After lunch we head back towards the altiplano, setting up camp at Pedernales Salar (3,400m/11,154 ft).
Transfer distance – 320 km (198 miles) | Transfer time – 4-5 hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: sea level (1,781 ft), Max: 3,400m (11,154 ft)

Day 10

Pedernales – Laguna Verde

We make a beautiful drive through the desert past copper mines, flamingo colonies, and the Domeyko mountain range to reach the stunning emerald-coloured Laguna Verde and Turkish Lake (4,340m / 14,238 ft), stopping for a picnic lunch en route.
Transfer distance – 180 km (111 miles) | Transfer time – 3-4 hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: 3,400m (11,154 ft), Max: 4,340m (14,238 ft)

Day 11

Laguna Verde

A rest day, today we’ll relax, drink plenty of liquids, and eat well to assist in our acclimatization. We’ll enjoy the stunning landscape around this jewel of a lake.
Elevation – 4,340m (14,238 ft) | Tent

Day 12

Laguna Verde – Summit Mulas Muertas – Laguna Verde

Today we ascend Mulas Muertas, “Dead Mules”, (5,897m/19,347 ft). We may not reach the summit as it’s an exhausting one day trip. Our objective is to gain height to aid in our acclimatization and then return to a lower elevation to sleep. We will also get a spectacular view of Laguna Verde and the route we will take on Ojos del Salado.
Elevation – Min: 4,325m (14,189 ft), Max: 5,897m (19,347 ft) | Tent

Day 13

Laguna Verde – Refugio Atacama

We move today to the Refugio Atacama (5,350m/17,552 ft), with its magnificent views of the majestic Ojos del Salado. Of the overall distance we will hike approximately 12 km (7 miles). Between driving and walking the trip will take about 4 hours.
Transfer distance – 35 km (21 miles) | Trekking time – 2 hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: 4,325m (14,189 ft), Max: 5,350m (17,552 ft)

Day 14

Refugio Atacama – Refugio Tejos – Refugio Atacama

This is a portage day in which we’ll take equipment and gear to Refugio Tejos (5,750m/18,864 ft), a distance of 5 km (3 miles), a hike of 2 to 3 hours. We’ll return to Refugio Atacama in the afternoon. Today’s portage–climbing up to a higher altitude and descending to a lower one to sleep–is aimed at making us stronger and helping in our adaptation to the elevation. An optimal acclimatization increases the possibility of reaching the summit successfully and in a safe and comfortable manner.
Trekking Time – 3-4 hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: 5,350m (17,552 ft), Max: 5,750m (18,864 ft)

Day 15

Refugio Atacama

We’ll take a rest day in camp, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating well. This will aid in our acclimatization and make us stronger for summit day.
Elevation – 5,350m (17,552 ft) | Tent

Day 16

Refugio Atacama – Refugio Tejos

Today we ascend to Refugio Tejos and prepare for summit day.
Trekking Time – x hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: 5,350m (17,552 ft), Max: 5,750m (18,864 ft)

Day 17

Refugio Tejos – Summit Ojos del Salado – Refugio Atacama

We set out at 4 or 5 in the morning, depending on the wind. This is a windy zone and, due to the altitude, extremely cold-temperatures can descend to -20 to -25 c. The ascent is by way of a scree slope, following a zigzag path for approximately 4 hours, reaching the plateau of the volcano, a climb of 25 to 30 degrees, and on up a wide ridge to a small lagoon. At the end of the scree, we turn right, toward the west side of the volcano, arriving, after two more hours, to the crater. Towards the east we can see the summit. Skirting the left side of the crater we ascend a rocky ridge. The first part is without difficulty. The final part, however, contains a short technical section of grade 5 on the French scale. The guide will install a security rope and with a harness and assistance from the guide, climbers will ascend to the summit. From the top we have spectacular views of the heart of the Andes, including the impressive 6,000m plus trio of volcanoes: Nevado Tres Cruce (6,749m/22,142m), San Francisco (6,016m/19,737 ft), and Piscis (6,792m/22,283 ft). We return to Refugio Atacama to sleep–because of the altitude, it’s difficult to get a good nights sleep at Refugio Tejos. Our descent will follow the same route and will take between three and four hours.
Trekking Time – 10-13 hours | Tent | Elevation – Min: 5,750m (18,864 ft), Max: 6893m (22,615 ft)

Day 18

Refugio Tejos – Summit Ojos del Salado – Refugio Atacama

We’ll keep this day in reserve to allow for poor weather conditions.
Tent | Elevation – Min: 5,750m (18,864 ft), Max: 6893m (22615 ft)

Day 19

Refugio Atacama – Bahia Inglesa

We descend the mountain by way of the same route. We transfer to Bahia Inglesa, stopping for lunch en route.
Transfer distance – xx km (xx miles) | Transfer time – xxx | Hotel | Elevation – Min: sea level, Max: 5,750m (18,864 ft)

Day 20

Bahia Inglesa – Copiapo

Transfer to Copiapo airport for domestic flight to Santiago and connection with international flights. And San Pedro Atacama & Ojos del Salado comes to an end!
Transfer distance – 105 km (65 miles) | Transfer time – 1 ½ hours | Elevation – Min: sea level, Max: 391m (1,282 ft)

Services

Services included

  • Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide.
  • Ratio Guide Clients 1-4.
  • All local organization and supervision by KL Adventure Staff.
  • Private transportation including airport pick up in Calama.
  • Six hotel nights, double occupancy with breakfast.
  • Difrol permit process.
  • All meals during the expedition and trekking program.
  • Full base camp set up dining tent, chair, tables, etc…
  • High quality expedition common gear: The North Face, Mountain. Hardware and Marmot tents, isolate mattress, high camp stoves & Gaz.
  • Permanent access to hot drinks, tea, coffee, biscuits at base camp tent.
  • First aid kit, hyperbaric chamber, oxygen bottles, oximeter.
  • Radio communication VHF 2 mt.
  • Satellite phone at base camp on a per minute payment basis.

Services not included

  • Ojos del Salado permit till US $ 160 each.
  • Domestic Flights to Calama and return from Copiapo to Santiago.
  • All personal climbing equipment gear
  • Porter for personal gear.
  • Any cost involve in an early or late departure.
  • Any drinks (soda, beer or wine) in San Pedro de Atacama.
  • First night and final night dinners.
  • Cancellation, accident and rescue insurance.
  • Cash for extra expenses.
  • Any other service not mentioned in the list.
  • Gratuities.

Important

  • All itineraries are subject to change due to changes in the weather, individual’s acclimatization rates and the guide’s preferences.
  • Any departure dates can be re-scheduled with a minimum of 6 persons.

Climber Experiences

The memories I have of our trekking on Aconcagua is one of my fondest. It was a most fantastic experience…. one which I will treasure for the rest of my life. Thank you and your team members for making it possible. I very much enjoyed the personal one-on-one relationships we developed with you and your team. Your professionalism and desire to please the customer is very evident and commendable.

Thomas Kremlin
Austria

Lieber Joaquin,
Da ich annehme, dass ich Dich nicht mehr vor meiner Abreise sehen werde wollte ich mich auf diesem Weg nochmals bei Dir bedanken. Es hat alles so gut geklappt! Und auch Deine Unterstuetzung bei dem zweiten Teil meiner Reise nach Patagonien war fuer mich eine grosse Hilfe!!

Das Satelittentelefon habe ich eingepackt und werde es Ralf bringen. Ich wuerde mich freuen von Dir zu hoeren. Fuer Deine Arbeit und Deine Bergtouren wuensche ich Dir weiterhin viel Glueck.
Herzliche Gruesse

Beate Boltz
Germany

Gabriel and Mariana were really fantastic and helpful, especially since I struggled with acclimatization. Suzanne (at base camp) was also really great. When I descended early she looked after me to ensure that all of my logistics for leaving the park were coordinated. The trip was overall well organized, very informative, very realistic expectations and a great experience – unfortunately, my body did not hold up as well as usual, but I do not feel that I (or the company) could have done anything differently to improve my chances. A great climbing team!

Nancy Henning
USA

Aconcagua Express & KL Adventure was truly a wonderful experience. From the pre- trip client care to the world class guide and staff, fabulous base camp cuisine, traveling safely and ethically, superior route experience and better pricing than most other outfits. Truly a fantastic trip that I have no reservations in recommending to Americans or anyone else interested in a climb.

Eric Hornbeck
USA

Cristina and Mariana were perfectos, the very best. Thanks. I will highly recommend Aconcagua Express Expeditions to everyone and I will use Aconcagua Express Expeditions again.

Keith Faulder
USA

Everything went very smooth, it was great to have a small bag of stuff sent from Plaza Argentina around to Plaza de Mulas, as we could have clean underwear, socks and our trail shoes without having to carry them to high camp.

Tatiana seemed very knowledgeable with first aid and altitude sickness, and seemed well prepared.  Tatiana’s food was awesome. The other groups in our camps were jealous when all they had was rice and we had fresh baked pizza in Camp 2! A couple mornings in base camp, there was not much provided for breakfast (one day was only toast) and we finally had to ask them each day to make eggs.

Joaquin was very helpful with all of my requests, and very quick to respond, which is one of the main reasons I selected KL Adventure to work with on this trip.

The transfers and transport was fine.  All vehicles were comfortable and there was plenty of room.  Hyatt is awesome of course. Penitentes is not great, but obviously there is no other option.

The trip was great, we will definitely work with you again for our 2010 climb, and also hope to add a Patagonia trip in the near future. It was also nice to have Joaquin meet the group in Mendoza and to spend more time with him on the drive to Santiago. We would definitely want to have Tatiana as our guide again.  She was exceptional and there was not another guide on the mountain I would have rather had than her. It is also very nice to have a local guide as your leader, better in my opinion than having American or European guides.

Billi also did a very nice job, as an assistant guide she was great.  The two of them worked very well together.

Andrew Nachman Northwest Voyageur
USA

Hallo Joaquin,
Nun bin ich schon einen Monat zurück in Deutschland und denke immernoch jeden Tag an die tolle Bergtour zum Aconcagua. Du glaubst nicht wie glücklich ich bin, daß ich das geschaft habe. Dies habe ich im besonderen Dir und Deinem Unternehmen Aconcagua Express zu verdanken. Mit Tom Torkelson hatten wir einen super Bergführer der zum einen eine sehr schöne Route zum Gipfel geführt hat, Vacas Route, die zum anderen auch eine optimale Aklimatisation ermöglicht hat. Die gesamte Organisation war vom Anfang bis zum Ende sehr gut. Es gibt wirklich nichts was ich meine, was besser gemacht werden könnte. Wenn Du neue Kunden aus Deutschland oder Europa hast, die Fragen zur Aconcaguabesteigung haben, kannst Du Ihnen gerne meine email-Adresse geben, damit Sie Kontakt mit mir aufnehmen können.
Vielen vielen Dank!!

Johannes Niedeggen
Deutschland

Gabriel and Mariana are great very sensitive, customer minded and fun to be with. And very well prepared and responsible.

Frans Cromme
Netherlands

Tatiana and Billi were great guides on the Aconcagua expedition. I’d be happy to climb another mountain with them again!! Our food was better than that from other groups going up the mountain, and it was nice to have hot thermoses brought to our tent in mornings (other groups noticed this, and the fact that they had to go get their own water, among other things less positive than that of our group). I always felt safe, that Tatiana & Billi knew what they were doing on the mountain, and that they had enough energy to handle whatever could come our way. On summit day, Billi brought a guy down to Camp 3 from 1/3 (or more) of the way up, then she ascended and caught up to us, in order to summit from Camp 3 in only 5 ½ hours! A real rock star. Then, when I was really burnt out almost all the way back to camp (with heavier snow coming down and covering the trail), Billi helped me back to Camp3… a real help when it was needed, and on the part of the trail where accidents are most prone to happen (way down from summit day). This was really appreciated. Our staff helped create a real team atmosphere, and our group was the “cool table” at the lower camps, and out dining tent was the social center of activity with several groups joining us for cards, games, etc after dinner. Our pace up the mountain was the right speed, not to fast and not too slow, enabling 5 of 6 of our group to get to the summit, and the remaining 1 doing his personal best on summit day! One guy from another group was “turned around” partway up on summit day; he later felt that he could have made it to the top with a slightly slower group pace. I’ve seen this before on other mountains. Our pace was just right! We were properly aware of the mountain challenges before the expedition, and the challenge met my personal expectations. I came off the mountain without any physical aches and pains, feeling good about the expedition and ready for more mountains in the future! Perhaps Elbrus and Denali, the 2nd with some technical training and practice. I have NO COMPLAINTS about this expedition! I believe our guides, our food were better than that of other groups, that our group gear was appropriate, and that we were properly instructed on how to prepare for the mountain and which gear to bring! I enjoyed the company of the clients as well, and that of the other teams headed up the mountain with us. This was a great expedition, and I’m lucky to have made some new friends on the mountain.

I’d recommend KL Adventure for anyone wanting to climb Aconcagua, in particular Tatiana as lead guide. Likewise I’d climb a mountain (Nepal?) with Billi and recommend her guiding services as well. Best Wishes, Mark.

Mark
USA

Hi Joaquin, I was a member of your January expedition to Aconcagua, I was very impressed with the entire setup and I would like to compliment you on how smoothly the expedition went. I was very impressed with the skills of both Gabriel and Mariana and if it hadn’t been for them and the decisions they made I am quite sure we would not have made the summit.

Peter Dignan
United Kingdom

Footer

Aconcagua Express

Online Contact Form

US Contact USA: 1-877-260-5447
Canada Contact Canada: 1-877-260-5447
UK Contact UK: 0 800 868 740
Austraila Contact Australia: 1 800 182 208
Brazil Flag Brazil: 0 800 891 6292
Chile Flag Chile: 56 2 2217 9101 (office)
Chile Flag Chile: 56 9 9798 3807 (mobile)
Skype: powdersouth

summit approach

More Information

FAQ
About Us
Contact
Our Guides
Guide & Success
Why Us
Trip Applications
Aconcagua Information

Copyright © 2023 - Aconcagua Express;
Augusto Mira Fernandez #14248 Las Condes CP 7591409 Santiago, Chile