 |
Dates |
10th - 25th January 2026 (to 31st January with Ojos) |
| Duration |
16 days (22 with Ojos extension) |
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| Grade | 1B (2C for Ojos) | |
|
"Andes" Leadership Fee
(includes leaders expenses) £2395 |
||
Easy High Altitude Ascents in Northern Chile.
ONLY 3 SPACES LEFT. BOOK SOON IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.
Optional Extension to climb Ojos del Salado, the worlds highest volcano.
PRICES & COSTS
All are per person.
"Andes" Leadership Fee (includes leaders expenses) -- £2395
Estimated Airfares -- £1200
Estimated Travel Costs in Chile -- £400
Estimated Accommodation & Meals -- £200
ESTIMATED TOTAL COST per person -- £4200
OJOS DEL SALADO EXTENSION -- £995 (minimum of two required)
+ Estimated extra travel/accomodation costs £600
Click here for more info.....
What's included in the price you pay ANDES and what's not.
INTRODUCTION
This expedition will be based in northern Chile. This is an area of the Andes we know well, having run many successful trips in the past twenty five years, including six previous trips to the 6000m peaks around the Laguna Verde that feature on this itinerary. With our 2026 departure we are offering an optional extension to climb the worlds highest volcano, Ojos del Salado.
The expedition will fly out to the provincial city of Copiapo via Santiago, the capital of Chile. We start with an initial acclimatisation phase of five days camping and walking at 3000-4800m in the area known as Vallecitos and around the Laguna Negro. Then we will move to the very scenic Laguna Verde base camp. There are small hot springs right by the campsite at Laguna Verde, and some very beautiful views.
Once better acclimatised we'll climb some of the larger peaks in the area with the aim being to summit two or three 6000m+ peaks. Likely summits we may try include Barrancas Blancas 6119m and Peña Blanca 6030m and El Ermitaño, 6146m. The title picture is of the view out from near the summit of El Ermitaño towards the Laguna Verde base camp. These peaks are just day trips from high (vehicle based) camps near Laguna Verde, using a 4x4 for approaches. On this part of the expedition no backpacking is required to reach campsites.
All of the peaks on the main part of the itinerary have no technical climbing on them and are just "walks". But these "walks" can be over very rough and unstable ground, and all at extreme altitude. The ascents are suitable for strong hillwalkers, although previous expedition experience is preferred due to the demanding weather and camping conditions. We do not expect to need an ice-axe and crampons for the peaks on the main itinerary, but just in case it is necessary to bring these to Chile. The Ojos del Salado extension is more demanding. It involves some backcpacking and a little roped scrambling on the summit day, also a much greater chance of needing to use the ice-axes and crampons. See the extension section for more information. Please call or email if you have any questions about the suitability of this trip for you.
Outline Itinerary |
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| Days 1-2 | Flights to Santiago and Copiapo. |
| Day 3 | Preparation in Copiapo. |
| Days 4-8 | Acclimatisation walks from campsites at 3000m and 4500m. |
| Days 9-14 | Ascents near the Laguna Verde. e.g Barrancas Blancas, El Ermitaño and Peña Blanca. |
| Days 15-16 | Fly home via Santiago. |
| OPTIONAL EXTENSION - OJOS DEL SALADO | |
| Day 15 | Rest day (either at Copiapo hotel or base camp). |
| Days 16-20 | Ascent of Ojos del Salado. |
| Days 21-22 | Fly home from Copiapo via Santiago. |
General Information about our holidays
Please read our warning on altitude before booking this expedition to high altitudes.
Who runs 'Andes' and where we are based
General information about equipment, accommodation, flights, meals etc.
THE PUNA DE ATACAMA
The plateau of the Puna de Atacama lies on the border between Chile and Argentina and includes a huge area over 4000m above sea level. There are still unclimbed peaks of over 5000m in this remote area. Some of the peaks in the area were climbed at the time of the Inca empire, when the mountains were worshipped as gods by the inhabitants and were ascended in order to make sacrifices. On our last expedition to the area we saw evidence of their ascents on two of our acclimatisation peaks near Laguna Negro. The Puna is one of the most beautiful and haunting places in the Andes, compared by many to the high plateau of Tibet. The scenery is a bit desolate for some, but the huge open spaces, clear air and big blue skies leave a deep impression on everyone who visits this area.
COPIAPO
Copiapo is a small provincial capital in the Atacama desert at the foot of the Andes, about 500m above sea level. It is the nearest access city with an airport for the Chilean side of the Puna de Atacama. Copiapo is a major mining centre in northern Chile, so we'll apologise in advance for there not being a great deal of touristic stuff to see around town but at least you'll get a good steak and a hot shower! The hotel we normally use also has nice relaxing grounds and a swimming pool.
Summit day on El Muerto, January 2017 ANDES expedition. Looking across to Ojos del Salado (in snowy conditions!)
(Optional extension at extra cost)
Ojos del Salado is the highest mountain in Chile, the second highest in the Andes and the worlds highest volcano (active as well!). ANDES trips have made many succesful ascents in the past, putting clients on the summit on all but one of our previous expeditions (knee deep snow in 2010 made an ascent just too demanding). We are offering a 6 day extension after the main itinerary to climb this peak, which will take place after a night of rest and recovery at the hotel in Copaipo. There is an additional guiding fee and some additional land based (shared) costs for participants on this extension, principally hire of a 4x4 vehicle.
On this extension a half day of backpacking is necessary to reach the high camp at 5900m. This is uphill, but over easy terrain There is also a much greater chance of needing to use an ice-axe and crampons on our summit day. There is a short easy climb up rock to reach the summit pinnacle, for which ropes, harnesses and helmets are required. Some previous exxperience of roped climbing/scrambling and abseiling is strongly recommended, as 6850m is not the ideal place to try these skills for the first time!!
Please note: the price of £995 requires a minimum of 2 clients booked onto the extension. We can also run this extension for a single client at a cost of £1795.
WILDLIFE
Despite the fact that at first sight the high plateau of the Puna de Atacama is very barren, the area is really quite good for seeing some of South Americas unusual wildlife, particularly on the 4x4 drives into and out of the mountains. Vicuña and guanaco are wild relatives of the llama and are seen frequently in the foothills. On the lagoons there are flamingos and other species of birds and on this trip we can pretty much guarantee to see a condor circling the peaks.
Flamingoes in the Atacama near our acclimatisation base.
FITNESS & EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Although there is no difficult climbing involved in the ascents planned on this expedition, climbing to such heights is still a serious matter because of the lack of oxygen at high altitude. We will allow time for expedition members to acclimatise to the altitude but because of the nature of the expedition we recommend clients to have previous successful experience at altitudes of about 4500m-5000m.
For this expedition good mountain fitness and stamina are important, but for high altitude expeditions clients also need good cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) fitness. This can only be maintained, by a program of intensive exercise such as sprinting (not jogging), squash or sprint cycling. This should be done in small doses (e.g. half an hour every other day) over a period of at least two months.
Clients should be prepared for cold nights camping and be prepared for very windy and dusty weather at times out in the mountains. As we'll be a long way from the nearest supermarket we will have to put up with some tinned and freeze-dried food in our diet during our time in the mountains. All clients are expected to help with the routine work of this type of expedition; pitching tents, cooking and washing up
CLIMATE
The climate at altitude in the Puna de Atacama is very cold and extremely dry. In the mountains temperatures can fall to minus 20ºC at night. During the day in the mountains it can feel very warm in the strong sun, but it can also be bitterly cold and windy. It should be dry all the time we are in South America, although there is a chance of a snow flurry, or occasional afternoon thunderstorm in the mountains. As we are near the tropics come prepared for about 10 hours of darkness every night. Temperatures in the valleys around Copiapo and in other low lying areas will be a very pleasant 20-25ºC during the day.
Relaxing by the Laguna Verde base camp on the Chilean side of Ojos del Salado.
ORGANISATION & LEADERSHIP
Our expeditions are designed to be small and flexible. The
expedition will be co-ordinated, organised and lead by us, but we will consult
and involve the expedition members when planning the day-to-day details of the trip. Please note however that the leaders decision is final where the safety of the
group or any member is in jeopardy; for example where retreat or diversion is
necessary due to illness or bad weather. The minimum number of customers
we need to run this expedition is three. The maximum size of the expedition will
be four customers plus leader.
This expediition is scheduled to be led by
John Biggar, who has climbed the three main 6000m peaks featured twice each. he
has also climbed
Ojos del Salado on eight previous occasions.
Dinner at 4300m, Laguna Verde. ANDES expedition, January 2017.
INSURANCE, HEALTH & SECURITY
All clients must be insured for medical costs and repatriation in an emergency. We recommend having insurance for baggage, personal liability and cancellation as well. If you would like further advice please ask. Chile is a well developed country. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid and polio are recommended. The country is safe and relaxing to travel in; theft and muggings are no more likely than they are in most of Britain or Europe.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN OUR PRICE AND WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Our price is for leadership/guiding and mountain services only. It INCLUDES the leaders fee (wages) and all their expenses, such as flights, travel, hotels, meals, permits. It also INCLUDES his or her share of communal expenses, which may be such things as 4x4 rentals, diesel and fuel, mule and porter costs, shared hotel rooms.
Our price also INCLUDES all mountain services such as provision of tents, stoves and all other communal camping equipment, all mountain food including all camp food and lunches on day trips. It also INCLUDES any communal mountaineering equipment that may be necessary, and on most expeditions emergency use of satellite telephone link.
Our price does NOT INCLUDE - your flights, your insurance, your hotel/hostel accommodation, your meals taken at cafes and restaurants, your share of communal travel costs (e.g 4x4 rental, mule costs), your personal climbing and camping equipment (i.e. used by you alone, such as sleeping bag, ice-axe, crampons), permits or peak fees payable by yourself.
Peña Blanca and Ermitaño from across the Laguna Verde.
SAFETY AND RISK
This is an adventure holiday and all
clients will be exposed to hazards not found in
everyday life by taking part in this itinerary. While we take all
reasonable precautions to reduce risk it is neither possible nor desirable
to completely eliminate these hazards. It is important that you understand
the hazards you may be exposed to before
signing our booking form. We have identified the following areas as the
principal additional risks of this itinerary. (Some of
these could potentially result in serious injury or death). This is
not a fully inclusive list - a more detailed risk assessment of this itinerary
is available on our
Risk Assessments page, or phone/e-mail us
and ask some questions!
Driving, hotels and general
safety : In Chile the driving, fire standards and general safety standards are
not quite as high as in Europe, although they are now very good
Extreme remoteness : You will be
camping in a remote area for an extended period and therefore obtaining
medical assistance for any problem will be a slow process.
There is no chance of a helicopter rescue.
Minor slips and falls : due to
steep, uneven and unstable ground.
Weather : The Puna de Atacama is
occasionally affected by severe and sometimes dangerous storms, including
thunderstorms. There are frequent high
winds. Forecasts are
not so reliable.
Altitude : At high altitudes there is an increased risk of
medical problems, most obviously altitude illness.
Mountain Hazards : In certain places you may be subjected to a risk
of rock fall. There is a risk of falling whilst climbing and abseiling, using
ropes. Whilst a large, catastrophic, fall is highly unlikely, a small slip
resulting in cuts or bruises is much more likely.
