Climb Ojos del Salado and Trek San Pedro de Atacama

Ojos del Salado Highest Volcano of the World

Tour Description

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 volcanoe, 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. 

To see an Ojos del Salado topographic map click here

                                 To order a topographic map : click here

Day by day itinerary

Day 1 Calama - San Pedro de Atacama. You will be picked up at the airport in Calama by your Guide and transfered 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 02 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 will visit Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley).  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! 
Transfer distance 38 k / 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 (3,200 m / 10,498 ft) where we’ll set up camp and spend the night.
Trekking time 6 1/2 hours / Transfer distance 27 km - 16 miles / Transfer time 40 minutes / Tent / Elevation  Min  2,450m / 8,038 ft - Max 3,200 m / 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  3,200 m / 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/ 12,300ft - Max 5,400m / 16,200 ft

Day 6 Puritana – Laguna Verde. This morning we’ll visit the Puritama hotsprings 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 / 19455 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 4:00 am 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 volcanoe’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 20km / 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  / 1,781 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 Mulas Muertas - 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 mile, 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. 
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 aproximately 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 6893 m  / 22615 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 6893 m  / 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

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Tour Details

Service includes

• Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide.
• Ratio Guide to Clients: 1-4.
• Difrol permit process.
• High quality expedition common gear: The North Face, Mountain Hardware and Marmot tents, isolate mattress, high camp stoves & Fuel.
• First aid kit, hyperbaric chamber, oxygen bottles, oximeter, including O2 at our high camps.
• Satellite phone at base camp on a per minute payment basis.
• VHF 2 mt & BLU HF radio communication equipment.
• Full base camp set up dining tent, chair, tables, etc..
• All meals during the expedition and trekking program.
• Permanent access to hot drinks, tea, coffee, and biscuits at the base camp tent.
• Six hotel nights double occupancy with breakfast.
• Flight Santiago – Copiapo - Santiago with 20 kg baggage. 
• Flight Santiago – Mendoza with 20 kg baggage. 
• Private transportation including airport pick up.
• All local organization and supervision by KL Adventure & Aconcagua Express Staff.

Service does not include

• All personal climbing equipment and gear. 
• Any cost involve in a early or late departure.
• Ojos del Salado permit.
• Any drinks (soda, beer or wine) in the cities.
• First night and final night dinners.
• Cancellation, accident and rescue insurance.
• Cash for extra expenses.
• Any other service not mentioned above.
• Gratuities are not included.

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.

Once you get registered, we will send you :

• A detailed list of all the equipment you need.

 Aconcagua short equipment list :

-Non detailed version (this is only for “packing your bags”)
-Items marked with ** are available for rent.  Items marked with * are available for purchase.

Head:

•  **Ski Goggles
•  *Light weight Balaclava
•  *Warm fleece or wool hat
•  *Glacier glasses
•  *Extra pair of sunglasses (these don’t need to be glacier glasses)
• Hat or cap with neck protection for sun on the approach days
• High U.V. Buff (Optional)
• Neoprene face mask

Hands:

• Fleece liners
• Gore-Tex ski gloves
• **Mittens

 Upper Body:

• (2) Polypropylene top- one medium weight and one expedition weight. 
• (2) Fleece jackets or lightweight synthetic insulated jacket.
• (1) If you opt to only use one of the above jackets then you need an insulated vest.
• Ultralight wind jacket (Optional) 
• Gore-Tex parka
• **(1)Expedition Down Parka with down hood.
• Long sleeve lightweight cotton type shirt for the hike in.

 Lower Body:

• (2)-Polypropylene bottom one lightweight and one expedition weight.
• (1)-One pair of schoeler or nylon pants.
• **Insulated over pants or fleece pants with full side zips
• Lightweight Gore-Tex pants with full side zips

 Feet:

• 2 pair of socks for the approach.
• 3 pair of sock combinations (in additition to above)
• Gaiters
• **Down or synthetic booties (optional)
• **Double plastic boots
• Light weight hiking boots, trekking shoes or sneakers
• Sandals or neoprene booties.

 Sleeping:

• **Down or synthetic rated –10 degrees F/ -26 degrees C
• Compression sack for sleeping bag
• Thermarest pad with repair kit

 Backpacks and other bags:

• **Internal frame Backpack
• *Day pack
• Some medium and large stuff sacks
• 3 heavy-duty plastic bags
• **1 large and 1 extra large duffel bags
• An assortment of Ziploc bags.

 Miscellaneous:

• **Trekking poles or ski poles (MANDATORY)
• Bandanna (for sun protection and cleaning glasses etc.)
• Hand warmers (purchased in most outdoor stores)
• Ear plugs (for those windy nights or snoring tent mates)
• Potable aqua (1 bottle)
• (2) Mole foam made by 3M (for treating blisters) (MANDATORY)
• 1 roll of athletic tape (mandatory)
• Knife with built in scissors for cutting mole foam/skin.
• Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher. Consider bringing Zinc oxide if you burn easily.
• Head lamp with extra batteries
• Toiletry items (toothbrush/toothpaste, baby wipes (very usefull), tampons
• 2 Lip balms (chapstick with SPF)
• 2 water bottles (two liters capacity) and 1 one-liter thermos.  
• Many people like to have a separate wide mouth bottle only for peeing in. This bottle should be clearly labeled!
• Cup, bowl and spoon.

 Climbing:

• Climbing seat harness (Polish Glacier only)
• 1 Locking Carabiner  (Polish Glacier only)
• **Ice axe and leash 60-70 cm
• **Crampons

 Food:

• 2-3 pounds total and include items you know will look tasty if feeling less than 100% and that you have experimented with in training. Popular choices may include a variety of certain energy bars, energy gels, candies, nuts, dried fruits, rice crispy treats, brownies etc...

 Medical:

• Ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil
• Asperin
• Blister kit (athletic tape, mole foam, and 5-6 bandaids)

 Optional Items:

• Camera, Paperback book, Pee funnel (for women only), Music

Physical conditioning for your trip with KL Adventure

Whether your trip involves trekking, mountaineering, or technical climbing, your training program should involve the following:

• Alpine-specific training (via hiking with a pack and specific skills development pertaining to your trip)
• Strength training (via free weights, a weighted backpack, bodyweight exercises, or gym machines)
• Cardiovascular training (via spinal-loading aerobic training)

Alpine specific training - During your training, progressively ramp up your speed, duration (time or mileage), and pack weight of weekly training hikes to give you alpine-specific conditioning that cannot be matched by any other type of training. Hike steep outdoor trails, gradually increasing your pack weight with each outing until you are at your target trip pack weight. A reasonable target for multi-day trips would be to ascend 3,500 feet in a 2-2.5 hour period, or roughly 1,750 vertical feet in an hour, with your target trip pack weight. In early season, you might start out with a 15# pack on hikes that gain up to 1,500’ elevation over 6-8 miles round trip; each hike try increasing the total elevation gain, distance, and/or speed, then begin adding several pounds per trip until you are comfortable with your target trip pack weight. When you can gain 3,500 feet with your target pack weight, start to decrease rest breaks and increase speed.  Include overnight trips in your training regimen to get accustomed to successive days of sustained work with little to no recovery time.

Strength training - Training with free weights, a weighted backpack, bodyweight exercises, or gym machines will help you build overall strength, particularly in the core (lower back and abdominals), upper back, and legs. Developing strength in your upper back and shoulders will help you with such tasks as carrying a pack and using ice axe, ice tools or trekking poles effectively.  The calves, hips, quads, hamstrings and glutes are all involved in ascending and descending alpine routes, and strength endurance is required in all areas of the legs and hips.  Technical climbing will require a solid foundation in upper body strength training as well. Training primarily with free weights will give you the functional, alpine-specific strength that will help you most in the mountains. In early phases of strength conditioning, focus on building a foundation for harder workouts, starting with 2-3 sets of each exercise for 8-10 repetitions. As you continue to train, you will shift focus to building strength through lower repetitions (5-8) to build maximum strength. Finally for the last 4-6 weeks before your trip start increasing the repetitions to build strength endurance and mental and physical stamina; each phase varies the weight used, repetitions completed, number of sets, and rest interval.  Most important in strength training is to be sure you maintain proper form at all times in order to prevent injury or strain.

Cardiovascular training – Activities you can add several times per week to supplement your alpine-specific pack carrying training include spinal-loading exercises such as trail running, walking on an inclined treadmill, doing stair stepping or stepmill training, working on an elliptical machine, or walking up and down hills or stairs with a weighted pack.  In early season, include at least 3-4 sessions of 30-45 minutes of sustained activity at a moderate intensity, and gradually build to 4-5 aerobic sessions of sustained effort for an hour or more as you approach your trip. If you will be at high altitude for portions of your trip, include interval training in your weekly program. To do this, find a steep hill or sets of stairs that will allow you to climb steadily for several minutes. Push as hard as you can while you go up, then recover coming down, and repeat for anywhere from 30-45 minutes.  For hill walks, add weight to your pack on a regular basis until you can carry slightly more than your target pack weight (referred to as over-weight training) the whole time. Participate in as many hikes or climbs that take you above 8,000’ as you possibly can, in order to learn how your body responds to high altitude.

This training information brought to you by KL Adventure conditioning partner, Body Results. For more conditioning information, products and services and special pricing for KLA’s clients go to www.bodyresults.com/kla