Climb one of the seven summits

Location: Home » Central Andes » Tupungato Volcano
  • Duration: 17 days
  • Difficulty: Excellent Physical Shape
  • Space Available: 6 climbers
  • Trip Departures: All Year (AEE7)
  • Expedition Cost: US $4,990 per person private 6 clients
  • Other Costs: Hotel Single Supplement: US $ 600, Reservation Cost: US $900
  • Balance Due: 120 days prior expedition departure

Expedition to the highest peak of Central Chile, and the highest peak south of Aconcagua, the 6,560m (21,522 ft) Tupungato volcano. This is one of the most beautiful peaks in the Andes, whose graceful volcanic profile can be seen from Punta Vacas in Argentina, as well as from many points near Santiago. Slightly more technical than the normal route on Aconcagua, the long approach and remote setting add up to make this a much more serious undertaking. The word will soon be out, but for now Tupungato is a pristine big-mountain challenge similar to what Aconcagua must have been like 50 years ago. Tupungato is also known by the story about the British passenger airplane “Stardust” disappeared on August 2, 1947.

Route Itinerary

Day 1

Santiago airport pick-up and transport to hotel

Afternoon group meeting with guides to review schedule and check personal gear. Hotel

Day 2

Santiago – Maipo Valley – Los Azules

Transport to Alfalfal area to meet the arrieros and mules at Bocatoma Rio Colorado at 2,300m (7,545 ft) also named Chacayar. From this point we start a gentle hike to our first camp at Baños Azules located at 2,550m (8,366 ft), some 3 hours trekking. Tent

Day 3

Los Azules – Vega Los Flojos

Today some six hours trek bring us to from to beautiful next camp at Vega De Los Flojos, at 3,200m (10,498 ft). We will cross an exiting area, where we see many Condors soaring the big Andes walls. Tent

Day 4

Vega Los Flojos

We will spend an additional day camped at Vega De Los Flojos to assist in a thorough acclimatization. A great day to enjoy a scenic hike up the valley of the Estero Del Museo to explore the Isla Pan De Azucar. Tent

Day 5

Vega Los Flojos – Base Camp

Eight hours trek from Vega De Los Flojos to our base camp, located at 4,200m (13,779 ft) below the hito, the point that mark the land between Chile & Argentina. Tent

Day 6

Base Camp

Rest day at Tupungato base camp. Tent

Day 7

Base Camp – El Paso – Base Camp

Climb and carry to high camp 1 El Paso located at 4,800m (15,748 ft) and return to base camp. Tent

Day 8

Base Camp – El Paso Camp

Move to camp 1 El Paso at 4,800m (15,748 ft). Tent

Day 9

El Paso carry to High Camp 2

Carry to high camp 2 located at 5,125m (16,814 ft). Beautiful view of the high Andes facing directly Aconcagua south face and return to camp 1. Tent

Day 10

El Paso – High Camp 2

Move to Camp 2. Tent

Day 11

High Camp 2

Rest day at Camp 2. Tent

Day 12

Move to Camp 3

Hike to camp 3 at above 5,500m (18,044 ft) and prepare for the next summit push. Tent

Day 13

Camp 3 – Summit

Summit attempt and return to camp 2. Tent

Day 14

Reserve day

We wait better conditions at high camp 3. Tent

Day 15

Camp 3 – Base Camp

Descent to base camp. Tent

Day 16

Trek down to Agua Buena Camp

Descent to Agua Buena. Tent

Day 17

Trek Agua Buena to Bocatoma Rio Colorado

Transfer to Santiago. Hotel

Services

Services included

  • Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide.
  • Ratio Guide Clients 1-3.
  • All local organization and supervision by KL Adventure Staff.
  • Private transportation included airport pick up.
  • Santiago two Hotel nights doubles occupancy with breakfast.
  • Tupungato permit including Electric Co and Difrol.
  • All meals during the expedition.
  • Full base camp set up dining tent, chair, tables, etc..
  • High quality expedition common gear: The North Face, Mountain Hardware & Marmot tent, isolates mattress, high camp stoves & gaz.
  • Permanent access to hot drinks, tea, coffee, biscuits at base camp tent.
  • Mules for individual gear to base camp and return with maximum of 20 kg per person.
  • First aid kit, hyperbaric chamber, oxygen bottles, oximeter.
  • Radio communication VHF 2 mt.
  • Satellite phone at base camp on a per minute payment basis.
  • Porter for group gear (tents) all the time.

Services not included

  • All personal climbing equipment gear.
  • Porter for personal gear, except who applied for it.
  • Any cost involve in an early departure.
  • Any drinks (soda, beer or wine) in Santiago.
  • Arrival and final dinner.
  • Cancellation, accident and rescue insurance.
  • Cash for extra expenses.
  • Gratuities are not included.
  • Any other service not mentioned in the list.

Important

  • All itineraries are subject to change due to changes in the weather, individual’s acclimatization rates and the guide’s preferences.
  • Private Porter to be shared between two expedition members, carrying 10kg each, available upon request at additional cost.
  • Any departure dates can be re-scheduled with a minimum of 4 persons.

Climber Experiences

I would firstly like to thank you all for putting together such a great expedition. I would like to make particularly comment on the efforts of our guide Cristina who did such a great job.
The cooks at both base camps also deserve mention, as the food they prepared was fantastic. Having said that the cooked meals provided at altitude were perfect for the conditions. The hotel at Penitentes was also a little run down, but again there did not seem to be many other options.
This criticisms do not even rate as concerns. The service provided by your company was fantastic and I would not hesitate to recommend it to others.

Stephen Hynd
Australia

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

Hello, Magaly!
Was good talking to you on the phone today. We are very happy with the trip, a bit tired and feel very lucky with the weather and our guide, Gabriel, both being important factors that allowed us to summit.

Olga Kotova
Latvia

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

Overall environment of the expedition was nice, relaxed and very good.
Guides were able proactively to solve all unexpected issues during the trip, and responded to the requests in fast and professional way.

Sarma Jeca
Sweden

Dear Joaquin,
Thank you for everything and making our trip to Aconcagua 100% successful! The entire team reached the summit via the False Polish route the 12th of February. Your services and staff helped make the expedition a better experience for our team. Carolina and Marcelo were great!

Bill Crouse Lead Guide Adventure Consultants
New Zealand

Let me just say thank you for how you were with my wife while I was on the mountain. This was a very important to me and I am very pleased that you were so helpful with letting my wife know what was going on.
Leo was a fantastic guide with great energy, and I could not ask for a better companion for the duration of the trip!! All in all, the trip was fantastic and well organized!!
Anyhow, thanks again for all your hospitality and helpfullness…you guys should be proud of your business!

Erhard Zeising
USA

The two guides were excellent in every possible respect. Everything was well prepared and well organized. Overall I am very much impressed by the dignity, the professionalism and the good manners of the guides. Organization and set up of the expedition was at a very high level.

I will certainly recommend your agency to other fellow climber how will want to try the same experience. Thank you

Sotris Skevis
Greece

Over the last couple years I had the opportunity to lead many individual and groups to Aconcagua, Patagonia, central Cordillera and Lake District of Chile. I could not have provided the exceptional service my clients have grown accustom to without the help of KL Adventure & Aconcagua Express. Joaquin Oyarzun and his team were perfectly dedicated to the comfort, safety and enjoyment of my clients. It is this type of dedication to service that I search out when I lead trips. It is what guarantees a successful trip. Nature will deliver what it will. Outstanding infrastructure provides the comforts and support that keeps clients coming back.

Jean Pavillard
UIAGM / IFMGA Internationally Certified Mountain Guide World Wide Adventures
Switzerland

Lieber Joaquin,
Als erstes möchte ich mich bei Dir für Deine Leistungen bei der Expedition zum Aconcagua bedanken. Bergführer Abi Kirschner hat sich sehr lobend über Deine Arbeit geäußert. Auch Pierre Kintgen war mit Bergführer und KL Adventure sehr, sehr zufrieden. Ich denke, das wird unseren gemeinsamen Produkten sehr gut tun – denn die Teilnehmer tragen Ihre Zufriedenheit weiter und das ist die beste Werbung für uns alle. Ich danke Dir und Deinem Team für die hervorragende Arbeit und Bemühungen! Herzliche Grüße aus München.

Michael Roepke
DAV-Summit Club Manager, Munchen
Germany