Climbing Ojos del Salado (6893m) and Volcano Copiapó (6052m)

We leave Copiapó in the morning and head east, up the dry valleys. Scenery changes from dry mountains to rivers in the lower valleys. Our camp is along the road in one of the dry valleys. This first night is part of our acclimatizing before we head up to the Altiplano.
3 - 4 hour drive (BLD) camping

We make a short walk in the morning in the area, which is all part of our acclimatizing. After lunch we pack up camp and drive to our second camp site. The road takes us to the pass of, Portezuelo Maricunga, at 4125m above sea level. From the pass we head down to Laguna Santa Rosa and Maricunga Salt Flat. Near the Laguna is a small hut where we make our second camp, at 3800m. We are in the middle of the Chilean high plateau, which is the most southern part of the Atacama Desert and the home of a very diverse wildlife, such as flamingos and foxes. In the evening we can make a short walk, where we have the chance see local flora and fauna where there is a large variety of birds.
2 - 3 hour trek, 1 - 2 hour drive (BLD) Camping

After breakfast we begin our acclimatization process by climbing Cerro Siete Hermanos. From the top we can see Ojos del Salado in the distance. From the summit we head back down the same way to camp. If we are lucky, we might meet some guanaco's families (Lama Guanicoe) during the climb.
6 - 8 hour trek (BLD) camping

Cerro Pastillitos is another mountain near by the Laguna Santa Rosa. To climb this mountain we will drive for about 30 minutes to the base of the mountain to 4350m. From here we start our climb to the summit. There is no real trail as this mountain is not climbed often. From the top we can see Volcano Copiapo in the distance, our next objective. The route back down we can take a scree slop which makes it a little easier to come down. Once back at the car we drive back to camp.
1 hour drive, 6 - 7 hour trek (BLD) camping

We drive through an incredible landscape that leads us to Laguna Del Negro Francisco. During the drive we pass Mina Marte, an abandoned gold mine in the middle of the Chilean high plateau. We stay at the CONAF ranger station.
3 - 4 hour drive (BLD) Hostel, basic accommodation

From the hut we start trekking up an unnamed peak. Has been climb but not often. We make our way up there is no trail to follow. Same way back down.
5 - 6 hour trek (BLD) Hostel, basic accommodation

We start very early in the morning, with a transfer to the start of the climb to 5200m. Driving to this altitude can depend on the season, earlier in the season there can be snow on the road mean the climb will start lower down. The summit is at 6052m with views of all the surrounding mountains. Near the summit are a few Inca tombs which have been excavated by archaeologist. Same way back down and drive back in the afternoon to Laguna Negro Francisco.
1 hour driving each way, 8 - 12 hour climb (BLD) Hostel, basic accommodation

We leave Volcano Copiapó area driving back on the same road and then heading North West to the international route to Argentina, gaining altitude very quickly. We can see Ojo’s in the distance from the road. At one point we turn south to drive up to the base camp. The road follows the dried out riverbeds. We cross sand flats and steep rock, which are sometimes snow-covered slopes. At base camp there is a small hut (Atacama refuge). This place will be our base camp for the next days.
3 - 4 hour drive (BLD) camping

Today we carry some food and fuel to Camp I (Tejos). The trail is sandy and rocky. We walk mainly on the road which is easy walking. Once at Tejos we drop our gear inside the metallic hut. Here we have a rest and take a look around the area before we head back down to base camp. The walk up and sleep low is to improve our acclimatization.
5 - 7 hour trek (BLD) camping

We use this day to rest and recover, before we go up to camp I and give the final push to the summit, which will be physically demanding. We will prepare our gear for the summit day. This day could be a reserve day in case we have bad weather.
(BLD) camping

Today we move up high camp, following the same trail. We also carry the rest of the gear we will need for the summit day. We will arrive early to get hydrated and rest for tomorrow's climb.
3 - 4 hour trek (BLD) camping

Starting very early in the morning, we climb 8 to 9 hours up to the summit. The route follows a small zig zag trail up to around 6400m. From here the trail becomes loss on pomes stones making the terrain loos, the ground that may be snowy or dry. This part will take us to the carter rim and from here we can see the true summit. From the carter rim there is a small track in the rock where we reach the final rock climb to the summit. Normally there is a fixed rope in this section to help with this part. From this amazing summit we will see all the major summits of the area, including Tres Cruces, Pissis just to name a few. Depending on our time we can walk back down to Refugio Atacama.
12 - 18 hour climb (BLD) camping

We dismantle the tents, organize the gear, pack the equipment and load the cars. We drive back to Copiapó, and onto Bahia Inglesa next to the beach for a relaxing rest.
5 - 6 hour drive (BL) Hotel 3*

Transfer to the airport, 20 minute drive (B)
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