2nd highest in Chile
Fourteen days on a wild, remote massif of three summits set above Laguna Santa Rosa. An ideal acclimatization peak for climbers building toward 7,000m — or a stand-alone objective with quieter base camps than Ojos.
Elevation
6,748 m / 22,142 ft
Duration
14 days
Difficulty
Moderate · F+
Price (USD)
$7,200
Group size
4–6
The standard southwest route to Tres Cruces Sur, the highest of the three summits. Acclimatization at Laguna Santa Rosa (3,800m) with day climbs on Cerro Santa Rosa and Siete Hermanos, then a two-camp push from base camp (4,600m) to high camp (5,600m) and summit.
Climbers with some prior altitude experience (4,500m+) and good general mountain fitness. Tres Cruces is technically straightforward — long walks on scree and snow — but the altitude is real. A strong acclimatization phase is the difference between summit and turn-around.
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). Airport pickup, transfer to hotel, gear check with your guides, welcome dinner.
Long, scenic drive into the altiplano. Salt flats, vicuñas, flamingos at Laguna Santa Rosa. First night above 3,500m — the body starts adapting.
Easy day hike to ~4,500m and back. Hot meal and a second night at 3,800m. Walk high, sleep low.
A bigger acclimatization day. Steady walking to ~5,200m on the Siete Hermanos massif. Return to Santa Rosa for one more low night.
Drive across the altiplano to the base of Tres Cruces. Set base camp at ~4,600m on the south side of the massif. Eat early, sleep early.
Active rest day. Short walk to scout the approach, sort high-camp loads, hydrate aggressively. Guides finalize the weather window.
Carry tents, food, and technical gear up to high camp at ~5,600m. Return to base camp for one more night low.
Full rest day. Recover from the carry. The body is doing real work at 4,600m — let it.
Pack personal gear and move up to high camp at 5,600m. Melt water, eat early, brief on summit day. Lights out by 8 PM.
Pre-dawn start. Long ascent up the southwest slopes to the Sur summit (6,748m), the highest of the three peaks. Photos, descent, back to high camp for the night.
Built-in spare day. If summit day was Day 10, we descend to base camp. If weather pushed us back, this is our second summit attempt.
Strike camp, pack up, drive back down to Copiapó. Hot shower, real food, a proper bed. Group dinner in town.
Free day in Copiapó. Sleep in, return rental gear, pack for home. Optional asado with the team.
Airport transfer for your flight to Santiago.
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.