Chile Holidays: Ojos del Salado Climbing Expedition - Altiplano

With its 6893m/22600 ft, the Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano in the world and the second highest summit in America. Its remarkable setting in between turquoise lagoons filled with wild birds, white sparkling saltpans and snow-capped peaks, makes it attractive even to the less mountain minded traveller. Although still considered an active volcano, it last eruptions, mainly gases and ashes, date from 1937 and 1956. Today ice covers its crater completely. It thanks its name to the presence of many small salt lagoons around the area formed by its retreating glaciers ("ojos" or eyes and "salado" or salted). The climb is not technical demanding, but is physically strenuous. The last 150 meters demand some extra strength while scaling over rocks.

DAY 1:
We meet you at the bus station or airport in Copiapo. Transfer to Chico Valley (3000m/9840ft) where we set up camp. (L D).

DAY 2: Chico Valley - Laguna Santa Rosa (3800 m/12300 ft)
Trekking around Chico Valley and drive and to Laguna Santa Rosa where we set up camp. The green crystalline lagoon is home to pink flamingos and wild ducks, which find refuge in this oasis with splendid view over the Maricunga Salt flats. Camp (B L D).

DAY 3: Laguna Santa Rosa
Full day acclimatisation trek around laguna Santa Rosa. Camp (B L D).

DAY 4: Laguna Santa Rosa - Laguna Verde (4500 m/14500 ft)
We drive to the Border Station of San Francisco and continue along the impressive Maricunga Saltflat. The road virtually surrounds the foot of the CopiapO Volcano (6080 m/19934 ft) and ends at the breathtaking Negro Francisco lagoon (3700 m/ 12131 ft). Andean birds crowd the lagoon: pink flamingos, wild geese, Taguas, and many others. Along its shores, graze herds of Guanacos and Vicunas. We continue driving on the barren Piedra Pomez plateau to Laguna Verde where we set up base camp near the hotsprings (B L D).

DAY 5: Laguna Verde (4500m/14600ft)
We trek to Mulas Muertas to acclimatise and enjoy a bath in the hotsprings. (B L D).

DAY 6: Laguna Verde - Universidad the Atacama Refuge (5250 m/17210 ft)
By 4WDm we set off from Laguna Verde to the old Universidad de Atacama Refuge where we camp (Camp 1) (B L D).

DAY 7: Camp 1 - Camp 2 - Camp 1 (5700 m/18500 ft)
Trek to Tejos Refuge (Camp 2) and return for the night to our camp (Camp 1) next to Universidad the Atacama Refuge. (B L D).

DAY 8: Camp 1 - Camp 2 (5700 m/18500 ft)
We hike up to camp 2 and stay there overnight (B L D).

DAY 9: Camp 2 - Ojos del Salado Summit - Camp 1 (6893 m/22600 ft)
In about 7-8 hours, we climb up to the summit of Ojos del Salado and return to Camp 1 for the night. (B L D).

DAY 10: Tejos Refuge - Laguna Verde
Return to Laguna Verde. This is also an extra day for the summit attempt to back up climate and physical unseen (B L D).

DAY 11: Laguna Verde - Copiapo
We drive back to Copiapo. Overnight in hotel (B L).

Rated: Strenuous. Although the programmed ascent is not technically difficult, it demands great physical endurance and stamina. Oxygen deprivation or "puna" affects everyone to some extent, although we gradually climb to higher altitudes.

Departure dates
2005: November 25 - December 9 & 23
2006: January 13 & 27 - February 10 & 24 - March 10

Tour Tariff
N° of Participants	2	3	4	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 1874	$ 1809	$ 1488	$ 85
EUR	€ 1555	€ 1502	€ 1235	€ 71
GBP	£ 1049	£ 1013	£ 833	£ 47

(*) Price last updated on 31 March 2005. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
(***) All fixed departures are shared. We also organise private departures at other dates upon request.
(****) Single supplement is available in hotels only

We distribute the common equipment, food and tents amongst the staff and the climbers.

Physical and Medical Certificates: This kind of mountain expedition requires the climber to be physically qualified to be accepted on the journey. Each passenger needs to answer and send ahead a short query in order to evaluate his (her) physical condition and gain an idea of his (her) most probable performance on the mountain. All expedition members need to bring a medical certificate, certifying him/her can safely attempt the physical challenge under severe climate and altitude conditions. All of these have proven to be necessary when joining one of our fixed departure dates in which people of different ages, preparation and nationalities form the team.

Equipment Supplied: Top equipment including 2 person tents, kitchen/dining tent, tables & stools, light, cooking equipment & utensils, first aid kit, etc.

Included: Transportation, accommodation and meals as specified, permits and common camping & mountain equipment, experienced mountain guides (1 guide per 3/4 pax).

Not included: Transport to/from Copiapo, meals not mentioned, tips.

Ojos del Salado Climbing Expedition

"Chile"