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

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

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

Beautiful route, and the strategy for adjusting to the altitude was very good. I really enjoyed our team, and Christina and Marianna also seemed to be enjoying themselves very well. Good atmosphere.

Choice for Aconcagua Express Expeditions was also because you were the only ones to actually give me advice on an expedition when I e-mailed you. You offered me a specific expedition and date. So the personal info was important for me.

Martijn de Boer
Netherlands

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 I was very happy with the trip. Logistics of the trip were well organized; the pre-trip info, the food at base camp, the hotels, transports and equipment provided by KL / Aconcagua Express Expeditions were good.
Our guides, Kristina and Nenu, were excellent. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and capable. I had every confidence in them.

Brett Mc Fadyen
Australia

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

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

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

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

Frans Cromme
Netherlands

Hey Joaquin
We have used Aconcagua Express services every year we have guided Aconcagua and we have been 100% satisfied. Aconcagua Express is exceedingly professional, on time, and a good value. We would not choose another service for our expeditions.
Cheers,

Colby Combs Director Alaska Mountaineering School
Alaska