itinerary
Day 1: La Rioja City – Fiambalá Town – Chaschuil Refuge
(3.155 masl – 10,348 feet). In the morning we start the transfering over the trucks for three hrs to Fiambalá town, at Catamarca province, and then one more hour to Chaschuil spot to spend our first acclimatization night in the high Andes of Atacama Puna.
Included services: transfer, box lunch, dinner and tent or precarious refuge night.
Day 2: Chaschuil Refuge – Las Losas Refuge
(3.700 masl – 12,136 feet). In the morning we start the short (40′) and picturesque transfer to Las Losas spot. Acclimatization hike and return back to Las Losas area to spend the night.
Included services: transfer, full board and tent or precarious refuge night.
Day 3: Las Losas Refuge – La Gruta Village – San Francisco Pass – La Gruta Village
(5.000 masl – 16,400 feet). In the morning , we start the short (40′) transfer to La Gruta. It is borderline small hamlet located at 4.088masl/13,409feet, where people usually makes customs formalities. Keep driving up to San Francisco Pass to take an acclimatization hike to 5.000 msnm/16,400feet. Return back to La Gruta to spend the night.
Included services: transfer, full board and tent or precarious refuge night.
Day 4: La Gruta Village – Falso Morocho Peak – La Gruta Vilage
(4.485 masl – 14,711 feet). Early in the morning we start the acclimatization ascent to Falso Morocho Peak. Return back to La Gruta to spend the night.
Included services: full board and tent or precarious refuge night.
Day 5: La Gruta Village – San Francisco Volcano Summt – La Gruta Village
(6.018 masl – 19,739 feet). Early in the morning, at 5 am. we start the transfer to San Francisco Pass to inciate the 7 hrs climbing to the top of San Francisco Volcano. It is a long and demanding day with amazing views of the region, In the Afternoon we expect our arrival to La Gruta to spend the night.
Included services: transfer, full board and tent or precarious refuge night.
Day 6: La Gruta Village
(4.088 masl – 13,409 feet). Rest day at La Gruta Village.
Included services: full board and tent or precarious refuge night.
Day 7: La Gruta Village – Inca Huasi Base Camp
(5.200 masl – 17,056 feet). In the morning we start driving up during 1,30 hrs to Inca Huasi Volcano base camp at 4.750 masl / 15,580 feet. Set up tents at base camp and keep moving up on food during 2 or 3 horas for carrying loads to Camp 1. Return back to base camp to spend the night.
Included services: full board and tent night.
Day 8: Inca Huasi Base Camp – Camp 1
(5.200 masl – 17,056 feet). Move up to Camp 1 to spend the night.
Included services: full board and tent night.
Day 9: Camp 1 – Camp 2
(5.800 masl – 19,024 feet). Move up to Camp 2 to spend the night. Rest and hydrating time to prepare bodies for the following day.
Included services: full board and tent night.
Day 10: Camp 2 – Inca Huasi Summit – Camp 2
(6.621 masl – 21,717 feet). Early in the morning, at 5 am. we start the 7 hours climb to Inca Huasi summit. It is a long, exhausting but beautiful ascent with great views to both sides of the mountain. In the afternoon we expect our arrival to Camp 2 to rest and spend the night.
Included services: full board and tent night.
Day 11: Camp 2 – Base Camp – Fiambalá Town
(1.600 masl – 5,248 feet). In the morning, we iniciate the 2 a 3 hours down to base camp. There we start our driving down for 3 or 4 to Fiambalá to get our final dinner for celebrating the experience achieved, Hostel night.
Included services: transfers, final dinner, full board and hostel night.
Day 12: Extra Day
To be used in case of bad weather conditions.
Included services: full board and tent night.
Day 13: Extra Day
To be used in case of bad weather conditions.
Included services: full board and tent night.
Day 14: Fiambalá Town – La Rioja City
(1.600 masl – 5,248 feet). Early in the morning, we iniciate the transfering during three hours to La Rioja City. End of services.
Included services: breakfast, transfer.
Note:
This itinerary is subject to changes due to weather or force majeure conditions that put in risk the group security. Decision and changes are to be taken by the guide according to their criteria, knowledge and experience, and any modification will always be for the safety of the group.
Services
What’s included
- Bilingual mountain guides (Ratio: 1 Guide each 3/4 clients).
- All private transfers:
- La Rioja – Fiambalá – Chaschuil.
- Chaschuil – Las Losas.
- Las Losas – La Gruta.
- La Gruta – Paso S. Francisco – La Gruta.
- La Gruta – Campo Base Inca Huasi – La Gruta.
- La Gruta – Fiambalá – La Rioja
- 1 Hostel night at Fiambalá (Dinner and breakfast).
- 3 Refuge nights at La Gruta (Full board)
- All meals during the expedition.
- Altitude tents.
- High altitude cooking gear
- Fisrt aid kit.
- Radio communication.
- Global Satelite Positioning (GPS).
- Satelite phone.
What’s not included
- Personal climbing equipment.
- Transfers not specified.
- Accident and rescue insurance.
- Extra expenses cash.
- Altitud porter for personal loads.
- Drinks in final dinner (Fiambalá).
- Tips.
- Any other service not specified in include item.
personal equipment
Foot
- Plastic boots: double or triple, with removable liner. Suggestion: La Sportiva Spantic, Scarpa Phantom Guide.
- Trekking shoes. Suggestion: La Sportiva Boulder, Assolo Salyan.
- Comfortable and lightweight shoes for travel and rest days.
- Gaitors Gore-Tex + Cordura.
- Socks:
- Merino wool or polypropylene – 2 pairs (warm layer).
- Polypropylene – 1 pair (liner layer).
- 4 pairs (to be used in the approach).
Upper Body
- 2 Long sleeve thermal shirt. Polypropylene or capilene.
- 2 T-shirt. Polypropylene or capilene.
- 2 Polar / fleece Jacket.
- 1 Softshell Jacket (Opcional).
- 1 Goretex Jacket.
- 1 Down Jacket. Suggestion: The North Face Baltoro. (-20° C).
- 2 T-Shirt.
Lower Body
- 2 Long underwear pant. Polypropylene or capilene.
- 2 fleece trousers
- 1 Goretex pant.Waterproof/ breathable
- 1 Trekking pant. Dryloft.
Head
- 1 Warm hat. wool or polar-tec.
- 1 Polypropylene or capilene.
- Climbing Helmet. Certified.
- 1 Sun hat. with neck protection.
- 1 Head lamp. With extra batteries. Petzl / Black Diamond
- 2 Sunglasses. 100% UV protection. Must have side covers. Category 4 or more (Julbo or Bolle).
- 1 Goggles.
- 1 Buff
Hands
- 2 Light gloves. Polypropylene or capilene.
- 1 Fleece and Waterproof Gloves for cold weather.
- 1 Warm down mittens..
- 1 Over mittens: Goretex.
General and climbing equipment:
- Large duffel bag with lock (120). For transporting gear.
- Smaller duffel with lock.
- Down sleeping bag -30° C.
- Therm-a-rest mat. -1. + Mattress
- Expedition backpack. 75 – 90 litres
- Day pack 30 – 45 litres. (optional)
- 1 Traverse Ice axe.
- grampons 12 points.
- 1 trekking Poles.
- Pocket knife. Victorinox or Leatherman tool.
- Plate, fork, spoon, cup, glass. Unbreakable set for high camps.
- 1 Pee bottle. Pee Funnel (for women). Suggested: Freshets.
- 2 Drinking bottle – with hermetic closing.
- 1 Thermo
- Toiletries: Toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, wet wipes.
- Towel
- 1 Sun Block. UV 50 at least.
- 1 Lips cream. UV 40.
- 1 Hydrating cream.
- Personal medications
- Personal first aid kit. Simple and light. (Compeed, analgesic, disinfectant)
Optionals
- Camera
- Ear plugs. for windy nights.
- Hand warmers: for summit push (no direct contact with skin)