An interesting day  awaits us today. After breakfast we leave the Pacific Ocean  and immediately gain altitude. At an altitude of 2,400m we will  reach the mining town of El Salvador, which lies in the middle of the Atacama desert. It was planned on the drawing board in the late 1950s and was primarily intended to provide a home for the miners and their families. To this day, the city lives almost exclusively from the nearby copper mine, whose resources are slowly but surely coming to an end. 

We then continue further uphill and reach the salt lake Salar de Pedernales. Here, at 3,380m, we set up camp amidst the ruins of an abandoned nitrate mine. These offers us a good wind protection in this rough, hostile landscape, so that we can enjoy the view of the Doña Inés volcano and the surrounding scenery. 

 (B, L, D)
Overnight: Camp 
Driving Time: : 5 hours
Sleeping Altitude : 3,380m

Today the first 5000 meter peak  is waiting for us. We drive from the camp to the starting point of our ascent  to the summit of the rarely climbed volcano Doña Inés. . For the first time we feel the thin mountain air. After all we are at the beginning of our acclimatization. Not only the remains of ancient Inca ruins await us on the summit, but above all a breathtaking view over the entire Salar de Pedernales and the surrounding peaks. Here, in the foothills of the Atacama Desert, is the highest concentration of six-thousanders on the entire continent. We descend to our camp where we have another night to admire the incomparable starry sky of the Atacama Desert.

The entire continent. We descend to our camp where we have another night to admire the incomparable starry sky of the Atacama Desert.

( B, L, D) 
Overnight: Camp 
Walking Time : 5-6 hours
Altitude Gain : 600m
Sleeping Altitude : 3,380m

After our first summit experience, today we have time to regenerate. We leave our Camp above the Salar de Pedernales and drive leisurely towards the volcano Copiapó (6,052m), at the foot of which we set up our base camp at 4,100m for three nights. It is beautifully situated on the edge of a small raised bog in a sheltered spot in the midst of this lonely and vast secluded area. The way here leads past numerous salt lakes and lagoons, under them the brilliant white salt lake Salar de Maricunga and the Laguna Santa populated by flamingos Pink, whose intense contrasts offer a real spectacle of nature.

(B, M, A)
Overnight: tent
Sleeping height: 4,100m

A short drive takes us from our tent camp to the starting point of today’s Acclimatization hike on the edge of Laguna Santa Rosa. We lay the approx. 1,100 meters in altitude calmly and enjoy the ever-changing panoramic views over the breathtaking surroundings until we reach the summit at 4,850 meters.

(B, M, A)
Overnight: tent
Walking time: 7 -8 hours
Altitude difference: 1,100m
Sleeping height: 4,100m

We continue our altitude adjustment and tackle the first six-thousander of the journey.

After breakfast we drive to the starting point of our hike at almost 5,000m, from where a long climb awaits us. Technically not demanding, but demands the ascent great stamina. The air is noticeably thinner and we get an idea of which reaches us above the 6,000 meter mark. On the summit, next to a fantastic summit panorama impressive, very well preserved ruins from the time of the Incas, whose Importance is the subject of current research. After a long day of hiking awaits us near the camp the possibility to refresh ourselves at a spring with cold water.

(B, M, A)
Overnight: tent
Walking time: 8 – 9 hours
Altitude difference: 1,100m
Sleeping height: 4,100m

Today we leave our camp and continue to  Laguna Verde. We are now inside Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and for  the first time we have the opportunity to admire the the Ojos del Salado  in its full size. The surrounding mountain peaks cast a spell over every mountain lover and inspire anticipation for the coming days. We set up camp for the coming days near the lagoon at 4,350 meters and enjoy the atmosphere while taking a bath at the  nearby natural hot springs.

(B, L, D) 
Overnight: Camp 
Sleeping Altitude: : 4,350m

With the ascent of our second 6000 meter peak  we continue our altitude adjustment. Our goal for today is the northern summit of the imposing Nevado Tres Cruces mountain range, whose three peaks are all over 6,000 meters. There is more than 1,000 meters of altitude to overcome, which is not particularly difficult for us due to our acclimatization. The mountain is rarely climbed, but offers a fantastic view from the summit. We then return to our camp at Laguna Verde.

( B, L, D) 
Overnight: Camp 
Walking Time : 8-9 hours
Altitude Gain : 1,000m
Sleeping Altitude : 4,350m

Today is used for regeneration before our big summit goal, the Ojos del Salado. We  can sleep in and enjoy the beautiful landscape around the lagoon to the fullest.

( B, L, D) Overnight: Camp 
Sleeping Altitude : 4,350m

The approach to the summit begins! With our vehicles we drive from our  camp to the  Refugio Atacama at 5,250 meters. A route that demands everything from our drivers and the four-wheel drive vehicles. From there we have to transport some of our equipment on foot, about 550 meters up to 5,800 meters. We catch a first glimpse of the ascent route to the summit and then descend back to Refugio Atacama. From there we depart to our camp at Laguna Verde where we spend another night.

( B, L, D) 
Overnight: Camp 
Walking time: 4 -5 hours
Altitude gain: 550m
Sleeping Altitude : 4,350m

We can sleep in for a change and gather strength. After lunch we make the already known drive to the Atacama refuge (5,250m) and spend our first night above  5,000 meters. Today we have all the time in the world to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Ojos del Salado and mentally prepare for the summit day that is now approaching.

( B, L, D)
Overnight: Camp 
Sleeping Altitude: : 5,250m

We already know today’s hiking route from our first material transport. We share the remaining equipment among the group members and make our way to the Tejos Refuge. With light luggage, the ascent is easier today and there is enough time to let the dramatic mountain scenery work its magic on us in all its beauty. After an early dinner, the temperatures, which drop rapidly at sunset, force us into our warm tents early. At an altitude of 5,800 meters  we try to gather some rest before we set our sights on the summit.

( B, L, D) 
Overnight: Camp 
Altitude gain: 550m
Sleeping Altitude : 5,800m

The big day has come! Under the cover of darkness, but in freezing temperatures, we leave the shelter in the beam of our headlamps. The first hours in the dark require mental stamina. The cold and the altitude take their toll. Scree and deep volcanic ash make progress in the dark sometimes very difficult and tiring, especially since the terrain is now becoming increasingly steeper. Depending  on the season, we might have to put on our crampons. But with the first rays of sunshine, morale also increases and we feel that we are getting closer and closer to our goal. After 6-7 hours we reach the rim of the crater at 6,700 meters. From here, the summit seems close enough to touch it. We take a good rest and continue the last 200 meters. The last 20  vertical meters lead through block terrain and require the help of our hands. But then it’s done and we’re standing on the “roof of the Americas”. Small fumaroles testify  the activity of the volcano and complete the impressive summit panorama. After a rest we start the descent and after 12-14 hours on our feet we finally reach the Atacama Refugio via the high camp of the Tejos Hut, from where we return to the well-known camp at the Laguna Verde

(B, L, D) 
Overnight: Camp 
Altitude difference: 1,100m
Sleeping Altitude : 4,350m

Reserve day in case of a possible postponement of the summit ascent due to adverse weather conditions or delays in acclimatization.

(B, L, D)

Reserve day in case of a possible postponement of the summit ascent due to adverse weather conditions or delays in acclimatization.

(B, L, D)

After a successful expedition we head south again to the Pacific coast. In the Pan de Azúcar National Park we end our expedition with a good barbecue and delicious  Chilean wine. 

(B, L, D) 
Overnight: Camp 
Sleeping height: 0m

In the morning, depending on the departure time, we drive to the airport in Copiapó. Here we say goodbye to the  group. Departure from here is via the international airport in Santiago de Chile. 

(B, L)