CHILE - Ojos del Salado Volcano - Itinerary |
| Ojos del Salado Volcano 6,893M. |
Our climbing schedule includes 6 days of trekking and easy hiking to get acclimatized around the well known oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, in Chile's striking northern high plateau, surrounded by saltwater lakes, geysers, flamingos, and natural hot springs. Later we travel southeast to Laguna Verde at 14,765 ft. (4,400m) a turquoise lake with a view of snow-capped volcanoes and red desert slopes facing our final destination, Ojos del Salado . The Refugio Atacama base camp located at 17,000 ft (5,350m) is accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles. From this point we hike to Refugio Tejos, a hut at 19,350 ft (5,750m), which may be the highest mountain hut in the world! Gentle scree slopes and occasional snow patches lead us to the main summit. There is a fixed rope on the last 80-meter push to reach the true summit!
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1 Meet with your Guide at the airport in Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama 6,588 ft (2,440m), where you'll check into the hotel. San Pedro is a colorful village with adobe houses and antique churches surrounded by a green oasis. In the afternoon, we rent bicycles and tour the local archaeological sites of Quitor, a 12th-century Indian pukara or fort, the former Incan administration center of Catarpe and Tulor, the oldest evidence of human life in the valley. Hotel lodging.
Day 2 Drive to Guatin to observe cactus and river ecosystem, from where we hike through the Puritama canyon. We will see the archaeological remains of the former inhabitants of this region and a unique cactus variety (Echinopsis Atacamensis). Arrive to Puritama hot springs (33°C, 3500 m), where we take a relaxing bath and enjoy a small snack before returning to San Pedro. Visit the archaeological Museum Le Page and later a sunset tour to Death and Moon valleys to enjoy the sunset. Hotel lodging.
Day 3 Today we visit the altiplano lagoons, Miscanti & Meñique. We get an early start from San Pedro and drive along the large Atacama salt flat (the largest of Chile ) with its pink flamingos. We reach the village of Toconao in an hour. We will walk through its streets and see the typical architecture of this area. The houses were built from volcanic rock. We then continue on for another hour to arrive at the lovely turquoise Miscanti & Meñique lagoons where we will do a short trek to a lookout point at an altitude of 4,200 meters, later we return to San Pedro. Hotel lodging.
Day 4 San Pedro - El Tatio Geysers & San Pedro. We leave San Pedro before sunrise to drive up to the spectacular geothermal geysers of El Tatio 11,340 ft (4,200m). We'll drive across the high plateau of the Andes crowned by the superb Putama Volcano. After breakfast, we will hike to approximately 12,285 ft (4,550m) to observe fumaroles, small geysers, and multicolored craters, getting acclimatized and comfortable with the altitude. Free afternoon in San Pedro.
Day 5 San Pedro & Lascar Volcano 15,093 ft (5,590m). Transfer to Talabre Viejo and from here to Laguna Lejía, viewing the glaciated southern slope of Lascar Volcano. From 12,150 ft (4,500m), we will start our hike to the summit of Lascar Volcano, which should take 6 hours. Return to San Pedro. As an alternative, according to the amount of toxic smoke on Volcano Lascar, we will consider climbing the Toco Volcano at 14,647 ft (5,425m) on its south face trekking route. Return to San Pedro. Hotel lodging.
Day 6 We will drive south to Bahia Inlgesa, a very remote beach town. Hotel lodging.
Day 7 After we refuel and get supplies, we will once again cross the dry Atacama desert towards the mountains and the emerald lakes, stopping at Santa Rosa lake, 10,260 ft (3,800m). Tent.
Day 8 Today we drive to Laguna Verde, 11,880 ft (4,400m) and bath in the hot springs viewing the striking colors of this high plateau lake. Tent.
Day 9 Drive to Refugio Atacama at 14,445 ft (5,350m). Tent
Day 10-14 Begin moving up the route in expedition style, resting as necessary, to put ourselves into position for a summit attempt. Camp 2 is Refugio Tejos at 15,525 ft (5,750m). From here we will climb to the summit and return to camp Refugio Atacama.
Day 15 Descend to Copiapo. Final group dinner. Hotel lodging.
Day 16 Transfer to airport, signaling the end of the expedition. It's possible to catch an afternoon flight to Santiago , or we can help you arrange a hotel or other arrangements to extend your visit.
Duration: 16 days
Difficulty: Technically very easy, but physically and psychologically demanding.
Departures: March 2006
Cost: US $2,850 per person minimum 4 clients
Expedition with airfare available - contact us.
|
Private Tours can be scheduled at any time for any size group or individual
between November and March. Please contact me for more information at:jean@jpmountainguide.com
Service Includes:
Professional, bi-lingual Mountain guides (3-1 maximum ratio)
Seven nights Hotel, double occupancy with breakfast
Ojos del Salado permit including Difrol
Private land transportation, including airport pick-up and drop-off
All meals, snacks, and beverages during the expedition
All group equipment (tents, cooking gear, ropes and protection)
Expedition medical kit, emergency Oxygen cylinder, and hyperbaric chamber
Two-way radio communications
Satellite telephone at Base Camp (on a per-minute payment basis)
Service does not include
Domestic and International airfares
Visa fees and Airport taxes
Excess baggage charges on flights
Lunches and dinners in San Pedro and Bahia Inlgesa
Bar bills and laundry
Travel and Rescue Insurance
Any costs involved in an early departure
Personal equipment as per attached gear list
Tips and gratuities
Any other service not mentioned above...
|
|
|
