Highest volcano on Earth
Fifteen days from Copiapó to the summit of the highest volcano on Earth. Slow, methodical acclimatization across four camps; a non-technical but unforgiving climb through volcanic scree, glaciated upper slopes and a short rock scramble at the summit crater.
Elevation
6,893 m / 22,615 ft
Duration
15 days
Difficulty
Strenuous · PD
Price (USD)
$7,500
Group size
4–8
The standard northern route via Refugio Atacama and Refugio Tejos. Acclimatization is built in: nights stepping up from Copiapó (390m) to Santa Rosa (3,800m) to Laguna Verde (4,330m), plus warm-up summits on Mulas Muertas (~5,200m) and Cerro San Francisco (6,018m) before the move to base camp.
Climbers with prior altitude experience (5,000m+), solid cardio fitness, and comfort with multi-day camping in cold and wind. Technical experience is helpful but not required — the climb is non-technical until a short summit-day rock scramble with a fixed line.
Day by day
Itineraries are tuned to weather windows, group fitness and acclimatization on the ground. The schedule below is representative — expect ±1 day flex for rest, weather, or summit timing.
Fly into Copiapó (CPO) from Santiago. Airport pickup, transfer to hotel, gear check with your guides, and a welcome dinner. Early to bed — we start moving up tomorrow.
Long, beautiful drive east into the Atacama. We climb steadily as the desert opens out — salt flats, pink flamingos at Laguna Santa Rosa, and our first real exposure to altitude.
A non-technical day hike to ~4,500m to start the body adapting. Walk high, sleep low. We return to the refugio for a hot meal and a second night at 3,800m.
Short drive to Laguna Verde (4,330m) — the staging point for the Atacama's biggest peaks. Hot springs in the afternoon, the best soak you'll ever take. Light hike to top off acclimatization.
Walk up Mulas Muertas (~5,200m) and back. Steady, unglamorous altitude work. Hot springs and an early night.
A bigger day on Cerro San Francisco (6,018m) — your first 6,000m summit if conditions allow. This climb is the single biggest predictor of summit success on Ojos.
Full rest day. Recover, eat, sleep, soak. Guides review the weather window for the summit push and finalize gear with each climber individually.
Drive up to Atacama Base Camp (5,260m). Pitch personal tents, organize loads for high camp, eat early, sleep early.
Carry technical gear and food up to Refugio Tejos (5,825m), the high camp. Return to Atacama for a final low night.
Carry remaining personal gear up to Tejos. Settle in, melt water, eat, rest. Brief on summit day timing and turn-around protocol.
Pre-dawn start. Long, steady ascent through scree and snow to the summit crater. A short rock scramble (UIAA II-III, fixed line) to the true summit. Photos, descent, back to Tejos.
Built-in spare day. If summit day was Day 11, we descend to Laguna Verde for hot springs and a celebration. If weather pushed us back, we use this day to summit.
Drive back down to Copiapó. Check into the hotel, hot shower, real food, a proper bed. Group dinner.
Free day in Copiapó. Sleep in, walk around town, return rental gear, pack for home. Optional asado dinner with the guide team.
Airport transfer for your flight to Santiago. Hasta la próxima.
We run small-group departures during the prime Atacama climbing season. Custom and private departures are available outside these windows.
Dates fill 6–9 months ahead. A $750 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot; balance due 90 days before departure.