Ojos del Salado, second highest mountain in America.
Nevado Ojos del Salado is a stratovolcano located on the border between Chile and Argentina. At 6893 meters it is the highest volcano in the world and the second peak in the southern and western hemispheres, only surpassed by Aconcagua.
This gigantic volcanic complex is located east of Copiapó (Atacama) and west of Fiambalá (Catamarca). Its main block culminates in 3 peaks. The highest summit ends in two rocky towers of equal altitude, these two maximum levels of the Main Peak are called: West tower and East tower, known as the Chilean summit and the Argentine summit.
In this expedition we will ascend the Chilean route.
This Volcano is located in the great Atacama Desert, in an extremely arid and desert area of the Andes, surrounded by many volcanoes and hills over 6,000 meters high, which makes this place undoubtedly earn the name of the “Route of the six thousand”.
If you don’t have an ascent plan, we invite you to take a look at the 12-day version: 12-day Expedition to Ojos del Salado Volcano.
Dear compatriots, instead of heading to the Andes with one of our agencies, do it with Silvina. I promise you a different dimension of adventure with a determined, experienced, and strong woman from Argentina.
Michal E. (Polonia)
Ojos del Salado Volcano Expedition (6893m) - Chile
Target Audience:
- Individuals with prior mountaineering experience above 5700 meters.
- Those in good physical condition and health.
- Psychological capacity to adapt to a rugged environment and the group dynamic.
Why chose us?
- Small groups and personalized attention.
- You only need to focus on training and bringing your personal gear.
Requirements:
- Admission via interview.
- Medical clearance including a stress test (ergometry).
Difficulty Level:
High. Involves hiking with a backpack over unstable terrain—whether on trails, scree slopes, or snowfields.Ratio:
1 guide per 2 participants.Minimum Group Size:
2 participants.Dates:
to be agreed for one or more people.Starting point:
Fiambalá, Catamarca.Duration:
8 days / 7 nights.


Itinerary Itinerary

Transfer to Laguna Verde; setting up camp.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the location and the hot springs.
Services: high-mountain tents | Meals: Afternoon snack, Dinner

From Laguna Verde, we will undertake an acclimatization trek.
Activity: 6 hrs | Ascent: 500 m | Distance: 5 km.
Services: High-altitude tents | Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner.

5:00 AM: 4x4 transfer to San Francisco Volcano. Ascent of San Francisco Volcano.
Activity: 12 hours | Ascent: 1,200 m | Distance: 12 km.
Services: High-altitude tents | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch (packed lunch) | Dinner.

Transfer by 4x4 vehicle. Setting up camp.
Services: High-mountain tents | Meals: Breakfast, lunch (packed lunch), dinner.

Ascent to Refugio Tejos (5,820 m), return to Atacama Base Camp.
Activity: 4 hrs | Ascent: 700 m | Distance: 8 km.
Services: high-altitude tents | Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner.

4x4 transfer to Refugio Tejos; the exact altitude reached will depend on the condition of the sandy terrain and the mountain in general.
Return to Campamento Atacama and Laguna Verde.
Activity duration: 12–16 hours | Ascent: 1,000 m | Distance: 10 km.
Services: High-altitude tents | Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner.

Travel to the chosen starting point. End of services.
Accommodation: Simple guesthouse | Meals: Breakfast.
If it is not required, the expedition concludes on day 7.
Excellent in every way, great organization. The two experiences I had with Sil, one in Bolivia and now in Catamarca, demonstrate her level of commitment to clients, with whom we ended up becoming friends. Thank you, Sil, for supporting me and always encouraging me to do better.
Gustavo B.
Huayna Potosí - Bolivia /Ojos del Salado Volcano Expedition (6893m) - Chile
Images of our expeditions
What is included?
Not included
Personal Gear
- Personal gear.
- Technical gear for personal use.
- Included pre-trip advice applies to cases where gear is purchased or rented in advance. It is available from the moment of booking.
- We can provide rental gear if booked in advance.
See required gear below.
Additional Expenses
- Breakfast of 'Day 1'
- Personal clothing / personal gear.
- Dinner at the inn (only the breakfast is included).
- Meals during the hike / Meals outside the mountain itinerary.
- Meals in Fiambalá on rest days, as well as the day before and the day after the activity concludes.
- Drinks.
- Round trip from Catamarca to Fiambalá (325km).
- Access fee to 'Balcón del Pissis' road (if applicable).
- Access fee to the Fiambalá Hot Springs (if applicable).
- Other extras not specified in the program.
- Expenses incurred due to abandoning the activity.
- Rescue and evacuation expenses.
Optional:
Photography - Video
Special Meals
- High-quality photography without a watermark.
- Drone Photography / Video.
- Special menu for vegetarian, keto, vegan option, etc.
- A guide per person or a guide assistant - when the size of the group is small and it is not included in the services.
“Leave no trace.”
During the mountain activity, all waste that came with us returns with us.
Papers, fruit peels, toilet paper, wet wipes, feminine dressings, etc. They can be discarded upon arrival at the shelter or in the destination city upon completion.
Help us keep the mountain clean. Thank you so much!
Technical Gear (mandatory).
- Bag or backpack to transport all your luggage.
- Bag or nylon to waterproof it in case of rain.
- 30/40 liter backpack for personal items during activity.
- Backpack or nylon cover to waterproof the trekking backpack.
- Trekking poles.
- Climbing helmet (with size adjustment).
- Mountain boots with semi-rigid or rigid soles.
- Sleeping bag, fiber or duvet (-15°C to -30°C).
- Insulating and/or inflatable mat.
- Headlamp. Replacement batteries.
- Crampons.
- Double Boots
- In case of adverse or winter-like weather conditions:
- Snow gaiters
- Ice axe
Self Care
- Sunglasses or goggles, CAT 4.
- Sunscreen factor 60 or higher.
- Lip protector.
- Personal hygiene elements. Quick drying towel.
- Personal first aid kit (band-aids, gauze, adhesive tape, povidone-iodine, 1 pair of disposable gloves, 2 elastic bandages, ibuprofen, sublingual reliveran, loperamide, rehydration salts) and prescription medication if applicable.
- Suggestion: 70% alcohol to sanitize your hands.
- Snow gaiters
- Ice axe
- Sunglasses or goggles, CAT 4.
- Sunscreen factor 60 or higher.
- Lip protector.
- Personal hygiene elements. Quick drying towel.
- Personal first aid kit (band-aids, gauze, adhesive tape, povidone-iodine, 1 pair of disposable gloves, 2 elastic bandages, ibuprofen, sublingual reliveran, loperamide, rehydration salts) and prescription medication if applicable.
- Suggestion: 70% alcohol to sanitize your hands.
Outfit
- Two t-shirts (long sleeve/short sleeve).
- Windstopper jacket.
- Fine down jacket or synthetic filling.
- Expedition down jacket (from 300 to 400gs filling).
- Waterproof jacket.
- Trekking pants.
- Waterproof pants.
- Warm hat, sun cap and buff neck scarf.
- A pair of fleece gloves, a pair of waterproof gloves.
- Mittens and/or Mitten Covers.
- A pair of crocks (for resting in the shelter).
- Two pairs of thin socks.
- Two pairs of thick socks.
Others
- Kitchen items (knife, fork, spoon, plate and unbreakable cup).
- Containers to store at least 3 liters. of water per person.
- Steel thermos for personal use (at least 500cm3).
- Plastic bags to self-manage your waste.
- Personal portable charger (powerbank) for camping or hut days.
- Snacks (Ideas: nuts, gummies, cookies, nougats, cereal bars, candies, chocolates, salty snacks, etc.).
- Kitchen items (knife, fork, spoon, plate and unbreakable cup).
- Containers to store at least 3 liters. of water per person.
- Steel thermos for personal use (at least 500cm3).
- Plastic bags to self-manage your waste.
- Personal portable charger (powerbank) for camping or hut days.
- Snacks (Ideas: nuts, gummies, cookies, nougats, cereal bars, candies, chocolates, salty snacks, etc.).
Amazing first experience. Cerro del Plata, 5968 meters above sea level, 7 days to reach the summit, halfway there. A great learning experience, a great challenge for body and mind. A big thank you to my mom Sil @andesxtadventures and to my summit companions for teaching me and sharing their experience with so much patience.
Juan M.
Plata Mt. Expedition (5968m) - Argentina

