Ojos
de Salado
Volcano
Expedition
26
Feb - 13 Mar, 2006 (16 days)
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!
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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.
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