Season: November to April

Duration: 13 days. Starting and ending in Copiapo, III Región, Chile.

Participants: Set departures guaranteed with 8 members. Groups up to 12 members.

Rates: From USD 4200 per person. For single accommodation please add USD 500 ( not available in Huts )

This tour is also available for private groups. Please use the contact form above to request a customized offer

Difficulty: Demanding mountaineering program. The mountains are technically easy, but the altitude, the temperature and the wind could make the ascents quite strenuous.

Detailed Itinerary description for the Ojos del Salado Climb Season 2025 - 2026

Highlights

• Climb Cerro Doña Ines (5.095m/16.716ft)

• Climb Cerro Vicunas (6.067m/19.905ft)

• Climb the highest volcano in the world. Ojos del Salado (6.893m/22.615ft)

• Explore the beautiful Atacama Desert, the driest desert on earth...

• Enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Andean highlands.

• Camp next to the turquoise waters of Laguna Verde.

• Internationally certified UIAGM guide as expedition leader

• An innovative expedition itinerary

Services included

• Private transport throughout the entire trip. (4x4 up to 4 guests per vehicle)

• Bilingual (English) UIAGM mountain guide expedition leader (1) for groups of 4 or more members.

• Bilingual (English) local mountain guide expedition leader (1) for groups up to 3 members.

• Additional mountain guides according to the group size (ratio guide/clients: 1 to 3)

• Camp staff such as a cook and camp assistants according to group size

• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free menu to be booked in advance.

• Some special diets may be charged additional fees.

• Accommodation in a 4-star hotel at the beginning and end of the expedition. Two nights, double room accommodation.

• Accommodation in high quality four-season tent, with thick mats. Ten nights, double tent accommodation.

• All activities as mentioned in the program.

• High quality communal camping gear including tents, thick mats as well as full base camp infrastructure and services.

• All communal climbing equipment, such as rope and carabiners, among other.

• Airport transfer at the beginning and end of the expedition.

• First aid kit and pulse oximeter.

• Bottled oxygen for emergencies.

• VHF radio communication.

• Satellite phone (on pay per minute basis).

• DIFROL permit (a governmental authorization issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, needed only by no Chilean mountaineers, to climb summits located close to the country borders).

• Luggage allowance restricted to one backpack 35-40 liters plus one expedition duffle bag 130 liters.

• In case you have more than these two pieces of luggage, please let us know.

• Farewell dinner in Copiapó.

Tour Description for the Ojos del Salado Climb

The Chilean desert high plateau east of Copiapó is well known amongst mountaineers from all over the world. This is because it concentrates the highest number of six thousand-meter peaks on earth. Amid all these giant volcanoes and mountains in the Andes highlands, the world's highest volcano, the Ojos del Salado, rises up to the sky.

This expedition will take you to the heart of the Atacama Desert, the driest spot on earth. The tour starts in Bahia Inglesa near Copiapo. From here we move towards the Chilean high plateau, a remote region visited by only few people. During the trip we come across places of amazing beauty and diversity. We drive through salt flats, camp next to pristine mountain lakes and climb an easy 5000 m. summit before reaching the San Francisco volcano. This is the first of two major peaks you can climb during this tour.

The ascent of the 6.018m. high San Francisco volcano summit will boost our acclimatization process and maximize our chances of climbing the Ojos del Salado.

Finally, we will approach the majestic massif of this 6000m plus volcano. Here we spend a few days on the mountain in order to prepare everything for the summit day. From the summit, the 360° views are beyond description.

During the ascent to the summit our UIAGM certified mountain guides take care of everything. For the trip we provide 4WD vehicles, tents and auxiliary equipment such as satellite phones, among others.

Geological Description

It is a stratovolcano, the highest active volcano in the world, and the second highest peak in the western and southern hemispheres. It is located on the border between Argentina and Chile, forming part of the Andes mountain range.

The volcano has an elongated summit with many craters that overlap a semi-buried caldera, covering an area of about 70 square kilometers. The main types of rock found in this volcano are dacite, andesite, and rhyolite1.

Volcanic Activities

Although there have been no eruptions recorded in historical times, it is considered an active volcano. The last recorded activity was a minor emission of ash back in 1993. Fumaroles, openings in the planet’s crust that emit steam and gases, are present around the summit.

Additionally, it is necessary to say that there is a lake in the crater of the volcano. It is located at an altitude of 6,480 meters, making it the highest lake on Earth. The lake is fed by permafrost and adjacent snowfields. Surrounded by fumaroles, the lake has specific points where water temperatures of 40 °C have been measured.

If you are looking for a physical challenge, combined with a journey through some of the planet's most spectacular landscapes, then join us for this memorable mountaineering expedition.

Itinerary in brief

Day 1: Santiago de Chile - Flight to Copiapo.

Day 2: Copiapo - Pedernales Salt Flat .

Day 3: Pedernales Salt Flat - Cerro Doña Ines Climb ( 5.095m/16715ft ).

Day 4: Pedernales Salt Flat - Laguna Verde ( 170 km / 105 mi )

Day 5: Laguna Verde - Summit Cerro Vicuñas (6.067m/19.905ft).

Day 6: Laguna Verde Rest Day.

Day 7: Laguna Verde - Atacama Hut (38 km /23 mi).

Day 8: Atacama Hut (Base Camp) - Tejos Hut ( camp one ) (5.825m/19.110ft) - Atacama Hut.

Day 9: Atacama Refuge - Tejos Refuge (Camp I).

Day 10: Ojos Del Salado Summit Climb (6.893m/22.614ft)

Day 11: Reserve Day for Summit Climb Attempts of the Ojos del Salado.

Day 12: Refugio Atacama – Copiapo

Day 13: Copiapo - Out.

Useful Links

• Read our FAQS about this expedition

• Discover how to get successfully acclimatized

• Learn about the right equipment needed for this expedition

• Read our post about the right clothing for this expedition

Postcards

Reviews from our customers about their experiences climbing Ojos del Salado

Review Date: Jan 2023 in Trip Advisor

ChileMontana did a fantastic job of leading and guiding this mountaineering expedition in the Atacama desert of Chile. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and very safety conscious. Everyone worked together as a team, both guides and clients. It couldn't have been a better experience.

Review Date: Jan 2023 in Trip Advisor

I took part in the 11-day Ojos del Salado trip in the Atacama Desert, summiting 3 volcanoes and exploring Northern Chile. Having never climbed above 14,000 feet, going above 22,000 feet was a big step forward and Vivianne worked with me for almost 2 years to get me ready. She helped devise a training plan, answer questions regarding the gear I would need and other matters as well. Her communication was fantastic making this new experience easy for a novice like me. Once I arrived and met the team the fun began. We had excellent guides who worked hard to make all of our lives easier, ensure safe summits and enjoy our time in this beautiful part of the world. The food was great, lodging/gear was top of the line, and we were able to make every summit for those that wanted. I would highly recommend them for any adventure, and I hope to climb with them again soon in Bolivia.

Review Date: April 2022 in Trip Advisor

I was in touch with Chile Montana for their Ojos del Salado trip for nearly two years prior to my actual tour in April 2022. The folks at CM - Vivianne and Rodrigo were highly professional and painstakingly helped me plan every little detail about the trip, gear, the dates, the preparation and other non-climbing stuff such as immigration, tickets, etc. For the actual expedition the mountain guide they engaged - Mario - was equally professional and experienced. He undertook every day with seriousness and planning. In the end bad weather and a knee inflammation meant I could not summit Ojos but the 12 day journey through the Chilean Andes and high altitude lagunas was incredible. I highly recommend Chile Montana and will certainly return to them when I think of going back to Chile.

Review Date: Juni 2021 in Trip Advisor

A buddy & I hiked and climbed peaks in the Chilean Andes over Christmas & New Years 2020-2021. Covid restrictions hugely complicated the trip, but the ChileMontaña crew & guides made it happen with no problems; to many peaks for acclimation training, ending with an expedition up Ojos del Salado. You are well cared for with ChikeMontaña and their highly knowledgeable guides. The food was great too, and the entire trip was big fun !!

Review Date: April 13 2019 in Trip Advisor

I have just returned from an amazing experience with Chile montana. We could not have been looked after any better by their professional guides who could not do enough for us throughout the trip. The food was amazing and the guys went above and beyond to help us with everything. Would go back again in a heartbeat.

Review Date: April 06 2019 in Trip Advisor

Amazing, considerate guides who made a group of women feel very comfortable and that they really could achieve what we had set out too.

Review Date: April 05 2019 in Trip Advisor

The guides from Chile Montana helped us to reach the summit of Ojos del Salado on International Women's Day 2019. Our acclimatisation programme was perfect for the length of our trip and we even squeezed in an extra walking day on a mountain that wasn't originally on our schedule. Most of all, the guides were absolute professionals, kind and a laugh to work with. I can not thank them enough!

Review Date: April 03 2019 in Trip Advisor

Chile Montana organised a great trip for our group of 12 ladies. We were a novice team and the guides really looked after us. The food cooked by JC was fabulous - especially the pizzas he somehow cooked on a stove! This really was an adventure of a lifetime that we will never forget. A special thank you must also go to Vivianne who was my main point of contact throughout all the organising. I highly recommend this company and hope to go on another trip in the future.

Review Date: March 03 2018 in Trip Advisor

Had a great time with Chile Montana to climb Ojos del Salado. Very professional and well planned trip.. Highly recommend them...

Review Date: May 02 2017 in Trip Advisor

Climbing the highest volcano on Earth, Ojos del Salado, was very enjoyable with Chili Montana: the guides, cook, driver are reliable professionals. Equipment, 4WD, tents, etc. everything is in very good shape.
Just a few advices:
* no need to check your equipment in their shop in Providencia, Santiago: just follow the equipment list
* I recommend to use two backpacks: one 60 l and one 40 l
* flying to Copiapo is the best option: they pick you and drop you back at the airport. Latam or Sky are affordable... when booked well in advance
* they take care of the housing in Bahia Inglesa.

See more reviews from our customers in Tripadvisor