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Adventures/Ojos Del Salado & Aconcagua – The South American Double

In a nutshell

Atacama Camp Ojos del salado Chile Atacama Camp on Ojos del Salado

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 17 Jan 08	Depart London Heathrow for Chile, South America either via Miami or Madrid. Overnight travel.
Day 2 18 Jan 08	Arrive mid morning in Santiago the capital of Chile, and transfer to our internal flight to Caldera/ Copiapo about one and a half hours duration (flight about100 Euro with Sky Airways www.skyairline.cl 1130 dep arrive 1240 or 1900 dep arr 2010) OR go into town from the airport and take a coach to Copiapo.From the airport take the Bus Sur, which departs every 15 minutes and takes 30 minutes to Terminal de Buses Alameda. From there it's an 11 hour bus ride to Copiapo. Best 'class' is semi cama which includes food, drink and cost about £14.00. There are many buses going north to copiapo, Pullman is good. Copiapo is a pleasant town with lots of historical interest in the midst of a wine and fruit growing region.
Day 3 19 Jan 08	We will meet at Hotel Montecatini , Infante 766, tel 211363 which is situated very close to the centre of town. It’s quiet, has spacious rooms, attractive gardens and a swimming pool. Rest and briefing.
Day 4 20 Jan 08	The morning will be spent testing/ checking equipment and our last opportunity to purchase food/water and camping supplies. After lunch we drive for 2 hours / 120 kms to Vallecito. Vallecito is a small oasis at 3,000m, situated at the base of an abandoned mine of semi – precious stones and its full of “ colas de zorro “ one of the few food plants that goats and sheep eat. It’s a wonderful setting after driving through the desert with running water, and green grass. After setting up camp there is time to explore and begin our acclimatization programme.
Day 5 21 Jan 08	After breakfast we drive over two passes over 4,000m to reach lagoon Santa Rosa at 3,600m. The lagoon is situated at the start of the Maricunga Salt Deposit and has over 40 species of birds including flamingoes, Andean Geese and mammals such as fox and guanacos, and a wide variety of bushes and plants of the high Andes.
Day 6 22 Jan 08	After breakast we will trek to “ siete hermanos “4,780m. It takes about 4 hours to the summit, initially on a good trail then more steep and rocky ground. From the top stupendous views of our journey into the desert ahead and the lagoon below. In the evening dinner at our campsite next to the lagoon.
Day 7/8/9 23/24/25 Jan 08	After breakfast we drive to lagoon Verde at 4,400m.This lagoon is in a spectacular setting deep in Tres Cruces national park. Just before arriving we get our first view of Ojos Del salado and an idea of what type of conditions we can expect on the volcano. We camp next to the lagoon where there are 42c pools for you to bathe in surrounded by and intense green lagoon and above snow clad volcanoes including Tres Cruces 6,753m. On the second and third days at lagoon Verde we will trek from the campsite to Mulus Muertes 5,897m. Near to the summit there are wonderful views of the summit ridge of Ojos Del Salado and a vista of mountains and volcanoes stretching into Argentina.
Day 10 26 Jan 08	A relaxing morning an early lunch then we will depart in our vehicles to the refuge Atacama at 5,250m.The vehicles will transport our baggage and supplies all the way but we will walk from 5,000m with small packs to aid our acclimatization, and appreciate the desert terrain around us. The refuge is set on a wide open desert plain with in front of us Ojos Del salado volcano.It is often windy and temperatures down to -10c.
Day 11 27 Jan 08	Local trek to continue our acclimatization programme.
Day 12 8 Jan 08	After breakfast we will carry food, water and summit equipment to refuge Tejos 5750m. It takes about 3 hours on a good sandy track, returning to camp by a different route. Overnight at refuge Atacama.
Day 13 29 Jan 08	A relaxing morning, then we depart to return to refuge Tejos with sleeping bags, mats and other essential equipment.
Day 14 30 Jan 08	If the weather is cooperative a summit attempt of Ojos Del Salado 6,893m.An early breakfast we will be away by 6am .It will take 7-8 hours to reach the summit. Temperatures may be down to -20c and strong winds. Initially on a good rocky footpath to 6,000m, we will then gain height with a series of zig zags up probably snow, then make a long rightwards traverse to the crater of the volcano. The last 30 metres is rock climbing up a couloir with a fixed rope in place. From the top, dramatic views of the high Atacama desert and multitudes of peaks and volcanoes of Chile and Argentina. After lots of photographs we will descend to refuge Tejos, pick up our equipment and continue down to refuge Atacama to camp overnight and Laguna Verde.
Day 15 31 Jan 08	After breakfast , a final bathe in the thermal pools at Laguna Verde, then drive through the desert on our return to Copiapo. Overnight hotel Montecatini, and farewell dinner
Day 16 1 Feb 08	Flight to Santiago then transit to London for some. Or fly Copiapo- Santiago- Mendoza for Aconcagua add-on. Transfer to hotel, and time to enjoy this beautiful town and enjoy its food and wine. Flights from Copiapo to Santiago are booked on a return basis (see Day 2) the return flight should be the 1010 departure, arriving in Santiago at 1120. Flights from Santiago to Mendoza are booked through LanChile www.lanchile.com. The required flight is: Departing 1620 ( flight no: LA932) and the return should be booked as the 12th Feb 1115 or 1850.
Day17 2 Feb 08	Obtain permit to climb Mt Aconcagua, and purchase supplies. In the afternoon drive to our overnight hostel at Puenta Del Inca which is at 2,750m.
Day 18 3 Feb 08	The mules will be loaded, and we will meet them each night at our camp site, so we will travel light. Trek for 3 to 4 hours to our first camp Confluencia 3300m. A very picturesque and beautiful campsite.
Day 19 4 Feb 08	We will then continue to Plaza de Mulas at 4260 m. This is the main base camp for Aconcagua and we will meet up with the other teams attepting the summit, this really is a unique and beautiful place.
Day 20 5 Feb 08	Today is a rest day a chance to catch up on a book, the diary, eat well, and explore the base camp area at leisure and we can also go for some short treks in the area around Plaza de Mulas.
Day 21 6 Feb 08	Today we ascend to camp 1 - Plaza Canada at 16,100ft (4910m) where we will overnight.
Day 22 7 Feb 08	Moving up the mountain we will reach camp 2 - Nido de Condores at 17,600ft (5380m) and again overnight.
Day 23 8 Feb 08n	Ascend further up the mountain to Berlin Hut at 18'900 ft or 5780m where we will stay at the Black or White Rocks camp.
Day 24 9 Feb 08	Summit Day! The Roof of South America at 22,840ft (6,962m). We have a long day to the top of Aconcagua at 6,960m, and weather permitting stunning views. After reaching the summit we return to our camp at Berlin Hut.
Day 25 10 Feb 08	We will now descend back to Plaza de Mules or if necessary we can have another attempt at the summit if we have experienced bad weather.
Day 26 11 Feb	A long day will bring us out to the road head, and transport to take us to Puenta del Inca , and our hostel overnight. Hot showers , cold beer, and a farewell dinner to celebrate our achievements.
Day 27 12 Feb	After breakfast transport will take us to Mendoza to catch our return flight to Santiago and onward international flights.
Day 28 13 Feb	Arrival in home country.

Day

Itinerary

Day 1

17 Jan 08

Depart London Heathrow for Chile, South America either via Miami or Madrid. Overnight travel.

Day 2

18 Jan 08

Arrive mid morning in Santiago the capital of Chile, and transfer to our internal flight to Caldera/ Copiapo about one and a half hours duration (flight about100 Euro with Sky Airways www.skyairline.cl 1130 dep arrive 1240 or 1900 dep arr 2010) OR go into town from the airport and take a coach to Copiapo.From the airport take the Bus Sur, which departs every 15 minutes and takes 30 minutes to Terminal de Buses Alameda. From there it's an 11 hour bus ride to Copiapo. Best 'class' is semi cama which includes food, drink and cost about £14.00. There are many buses going north to copiapo, Pullman is good.

Copiapo is a pleasant town with lots of historical interest in the midst of a wine and fruit growing region.

Day 3

19 Jan 08

We will meet at Hotel Montecatini , Infante 766, tel 211363 which is situated very close to the centre of town. It’s quiet, has spacious rooms, attractive gardens and a swimming pool. Rest and briefing.

Day 4

20 Jan 08

The morning will be spent testing/ checking equipment and our last opportunity to purchase food/water and camping supplies. After lunch we drive for 2 hours / 120 kms to Vallecito. Vallecito is a small oasis at 3,000m, situated at the base of an abandoned mine of semi – precious stones and its full of “ colas de zorro “ one of the few food plants that goats and sheep eat. It’s a wonderful setting after driving through the desert with running water, and green grass. After setting up camp there is time to explore and begin our acclimatization programme.

Day 5

21 Jan 08

After breakfast we drive over two passes over 4,000m to reach lagoon Santa Rosa at 3,600m. The lagoon is situated at the start of the Maricunga Salt Deposit and has over 40 species of birds including flamingoes, Andean Geese and mammals such as fox and guanacos, and a wide variety of bushes and plants of the high Andes.

Day 6

22 Jan 08

After breakast we will trek to “ siete hermanos “4,780m. It takes about 4 hours to the summit, initially on a good trail then more steep and rocky ground. From the top stupendous views of our journey into the desert ahead and the lagoon below. In the evening dinner at our campsite next to the lagoon.

Day 7/8/9

23/24/25

Jan 08

After breakfast we drive to lagoon Verde at 4,400m.This lagoon is in a spectacular setting deep in Tres Cruces national park. Just before arriving we get our first view of Ojos Del salado and an idea of what type of conditions we can expect on the volcano. We camp next to the lagoon where there are 42c pools for you to bathe in surrounded by and intense green lagoon and above snow clad volcanoes including Tres Cruces 6,753m.
On the second and third days at lagoon Verde we will trek from the campsite to Mulus Muertes 5,897m. Near to the summit there are wonderful views of the summit ridge of Ojos Del Salado and a vista of mountains and volcanoes stretching into Argentina.

Day 10

26 Jan 08

A relaxing morning an early lunch then we will depart in our vehicles to the refuge Atacama at 5,250m.The vehicles will transport our baggage and supplies all the way but we will walk from 5,000m with small packs to aid our acclimatization, and appreciate the desert terrain around us. The refuge is set on a wide open desert plain with in front of us Ojos Del salado volcano.It is often windy and temperatures down to -10c.

Day 11

27 Jan 08

Local trek to continue our acclimatization programme.

Day 12

8 Jan 08

After breakfast we will carry food, water and summit equipment to refuge Tejos 5750m. It takes about 3 hours on a good sandy track, returning to camp by a different route. Overnight at refuge Atacama.

Day 13

29 Jan 08

A relaxing morning, then we depart to return to refuge Tejos with sleeping bags, mats and other essential equipment.

Day 14

30 Jan 08

If the weather is cooperative a summit attempt of Ojos Del Salado 6,893m.An early breakfast we will be away by 6am .It will take 7-8 hours to reach the summit. Temperatures may be down to -20c and strong winds. Initially on a good rocky footpath to 6,000m, we will then gain height with a series of zig zags up probably snow, then make a long rightwards traverse to the crater of the volcano. The last 30 metres is rock climbing up a couloir with a fixed rope in
place. From the top, dramatic views of the high Atacama desert and multitudes of peaks and volcanoes of Chile and Argentina. After lots of photographs we will descend to refuge Tejos, pick up our equipment and continue down to refuge Atacama to camp overnight and Laguna Verde.

Day 15

31 Jan 08

After breakfast , a final bathe in the thermal pools at Laguna Verde, then drive through the desert on our return to Copiapo. Overnight hotel Montecatini, and farewell dinner

Day 16

1 Feb 08

Flight to Santiago then transit to London for some. Or fly Copiapo- Santiago- Mendoza for Aconcagua add-on. Transfer to hotel, and time to enjoy this beautiful town and enjoy its food and wine. Flights from Copiapo to Santiago are booked on a return basis (see Day 2) the return flight should be the 1010 departure, arriving in Santiago at 1120. Flights from Santiago to Mendoza are booked through LanChile www.lanchile.com. The required flight is: Departing 1620 ( flight no: LA932) and the return should be booked as the 12th Feb 1115 or 1850.

Day17

2 Feb 08

Obtain permit to climb Mt Aconcagua, and purchase supplies. In the afternoon drive to our overnight hostel at Puenta Del Inca which is at 2,750m.

Day 18

3 Feb 08

The mules will be loaded, and we will meet them each night at our camp site, so we will travel light. Trek for 3 to 4 hours to our first camp Confluencia 3300m. A very picturesque and beautiful campsite.

Day 19

4 Feb 08

We will then continue to Plaza de Mulas at 4260 m. This is the main base camp for Aconcagua and we will meet up with the other teams attepting the summit, this really is a unique and beautiful place.

Day 20

5 Feb 08

Today is a rest day a chance to catch up on a book, the diary, eat well, and explore the base camp area at leisure and we can also go for some short treks in the area around Plaza de Mulas.

Day 21

6 Feb 08

Today we ascend to camp 1 - Plaza Canada at 16,100ft (4910m) where we will overnight.

Day 22

7 Feb 08

Moving up the mountain we will reach camp 2 - Nido de Condores at 17,600ft (5380m) and again overnight.

Day 23

8 Feb 08n

Ascend further up the mountain to Berlin Hut at 18'900 ft or 5780m where we will stay at the Black or White Rocks camp.

Day 24

9 Feb 08

Summit Day! The Roof of South America at 22,840ft (6,962m). We have a long day to the top of Aconcagua at 6,960m, and weather permitting stunning views. After reaching the summit we return to our camp at Berlin Hut.

Day 25

10 Feb 08

We will now descend back to Plaza de Mules or if necessary we can have another attempt at the summit if we have experienced bad weather.

Day 26

11 Feb

A long day will bring us out to the road head, and transport to take us to Puenta del Inca , and our hostel overnight. Hot showers , cold beer, and a farewell dinner to celebrate our achievements.

Day 27

12 Feb

After breakfast transport will take us to Mendoza to catch our return flight to Santiago and onward international flights.

Day 28

13 Feb

Arrival in home country.