Ojos del Salado
Overview | Full itinerary | Cost IncludesOjos del Salado, at 22,615′ (6893m), is the second highest peak in the world outside of Asia, and the world’s highest volcano. It is a giant among giants, located in the Chilean Altiplano, comparable only with Tibet.
Apply NowOverview
Before the climb we have several days to acclimatize. We will take day hikes and day climbs in the fantastic Atacama Desert, visit saltwater lakes frequented by flamingos, and enjoy the natural hot springs at Laguna Verde, (14,765′), a turquoise lake with a view of snow-capped volcanoes and red desert hills. 4-wheel drive vehicles will take us up to 17,000′, where we begin our Ojos climb. From this point, we climb to Refugio Tejos, a hut at 19,350′, possibly the highest mountain hut in the world!
Gentle scree slopes and occasional snow patches lead us to the summit from which we can admire the huge extinct crater. We will also have a chance to climb an 18,000′ volcano before our Ojos climb. Participants must be in good physical condition and have previous mountaineering experience. Although Ojos is not a technical climb, altitude and weather conditions are a major challenge.
Dates of Trips
2025-2026
Nov 15 – 30, 2025Nov 22 – Dec 7, 2025
Nov 29 – Dec 14, 2025
Dec 6 – 21, 2025
Dec 14 – 29, 2025
Dec 20 – Jan 4, 2026
Jan 4 – 19, 2026
Jan 10 – 25, 2026
Jan 17 – Feb 1, 2026
Jan 24 – Feb 8, 2026
Jan 31 – Feb 15, 2026
Rates
$5,200
Cost for reserving: $1,000
Apply NowItinerary
DAY 1 Collapse
DAY 1
Group meets in Copiapo, Chile. Equipment check and afternoon briefing at the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine Chilean cuisine and wine.
DAY 2 Expand
DAY 2
Drive up Copiapo Valley. Camp at Valle Chico Meadows, at 10,000′. This is a great place to start our acclimatization process. We set up camp and our Base Camp tent to enjoy a great first dinner of the expedition
DAY 3 Expand
DAY 3
Morning hike to a marvelous site where we can admire ancient marine fossils, followed by lunch. Then we get into our 4×4 and continue our drive to one of Northern Chile’s most picturesque wonders: the salares or high altitude saltwater lakes. We will camp beside the renowned Salar de Maricunga, at Laguna Santa Rosa, 12,540′ of elevation! This is comfortable camping with beautiful vistas of the lake, by indigenous archeological ruins.
DAY 4 Expand
DAY 4
A four hour morning hike and climb of Siete Hermanas Peak (Seven Sisters), 16,170′, located in the Domeyko Range. This is the first of many climbs we will do on this trip, before tackling Ojos del Salado. We will camp again at charming Laguna Santa Rosa
DAY 5 Expand
DAY 5
Drive up to Laguna Verde, at 14,190′, a turquoise jewel in the middle of this scenic high altitude desert. We travel on a high altitude plateau, surrounded by 6,000 meter (20,000′) peaks. Here we will spend a few nights getting acclimatized, enjoying good meals, hot springs, and day climbs that make this trip unique and unforgettable
DAY 6 Expand
DAY 6
Early start. We head towards Mulas Muertas Peak,18,810′. From the summit of this peak, the views are breathtaking. We can see Ojos del Salado in full splendor, and many other 6,000 meter peaks. These climbs are an essential preparation for our final goal of the summit of Ojos del Salado.
DAY 7 Expand
DAY 7
Short trek in the area. We hike around Laguna Verde, then follow Pena Blanca Valley, a river valley where we may encounter guanaco herds and see archeological sites. Bring your camera on this hike, the color contrasts are surreal
DAY 8 Expand
Day 08
Drive up to Atacama Camp, at 17,160′. This is more like a high altitude safari/rally than a regular drive. Arriving by 4×4, we will set up a comfortable Base Camp.
DAY 9 Expand
DAY 9
Acclimatization hike and carry to High Camp, Refugio Tejos, at 19,140′. This is a small hut, which we may use, depending on availability. This is possibly the highest mountain hut in the world!
DAY 10 Expand
DAY 10
Move to Refugio Tejos, where we spend the night.
Day 11 – 13 Expand
Day 11 – 13
Summit! Weather permitting. We leave several days for our summit day, in case of poor weather, or if a rest day is needed.
Day 14 Expand
Day 14
Drive all the way down to the Pacific Ocean, to Pan de Azucar National Park. This is a perfect contrast after living at high altitude in the Atacama Desert. Set up camp and enjoy fresh seafood and wine.
Day 15 Expand
Day 15
Breakfast at the beach. Today we visit the park. We will travel by boat to Pan de Azucar Island, where we will have the opportunity to observe dolphins, Humbolt penguins, seals, and a variety of marine wildlife inhabiting this exotic place. After lunch, we drive back to Copiapo where we will spend the night and have our Celebration Dinner together
Next Day Expand
Next Day
Trip ends. Fly back home or continue traveling in South America.
Cost Includes
- Professional Mountain Guides
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Copiapo
- All land transportation (such as vans and 4×4)
- All expedition food
- All community gear (such as tents, stoves cooking gear, medical kit, etc)
- Climbing permit included.
You are responsible for
- All flights
- Meals in Copiapo
- Personal equipment
- Passport
- Personal items and services (laundry, drinks, tips, etc.)
- Expenses incurred in the case of a rescue.
Equipment List
Feet
- Socks, thick wool or synthetic – 3 pair (outer socks),
silk, synthetic, or wool – 3 pair (inner socks), cotton socks – 2 pair - VBL socks (optional)
- Climbing boots, double mountaineering boots (plastic
or synthetic leather) - Lightweight hiking boots or strong
tennis shoes - Booties, down or polar guard
- Gaiters
Upper Body
- Lightweight wool or synthetic long underwear top – 2
- Expedition weight wool or synthetic long underwear
top – 1 - Fleece or similar weight down or synthetic micro-puff
jacket - Breathable windproof and water resistant outer jacket
such as Goretex (with hood) - Down or synthetic parka (with hood)
- Cotton or synthetic T-shirts – 2
Lower Body
- Polypropylene or nylon briefs or underpants – 3 pair
- Lightweight wool or synthetic long underwear bottoms
– 1 pair - Expedition weight wool or synthetic long underwear
bottoms -1 pair - Breathable windproof and water resistant pants or
bibs (recommended with full length side zippers) - Fleece pants full length side zippers recommendedShorts – 1 pair
- Lightweight synthetic pants (hike in, base camp, –
optional)
Hands
- Heavy insulated mittens, wool, down, or fleece- 1 pair
- Gloves, fleece, synthetic, or wool – 1 pair
- Goretex or nylon wind shells for mittens (needed only if your mittens are not made of windproof material)
Head
- Ski hat, wool or fleece
- Balaclava (wool, fleece, or synthetic)
- Sun visor or baseball cap
Sleeping Gear
- Down or synthetic bag comfortable to -20 degrees F
- 1 foam pad or 1 thermarest (full length recommended – both recommended)
Pack
- Pack with 5000 to 6000 cubic inches (80 – 100 liter) capacity
- Day pack, for approach and day hikes
Technical Equipment
- Ice axe 70 cm. approx. Standing with your arm
relaxed at your side, the ice axe should reach from
the palm of your hand to the ground. - Crampons, 12 points, non-rigid recommended
- Seat harness, make sure it fits comfortably over your
bulky clothing - Carabiners, 3 regular, 2 locking
Personal Items
- Head lamp and extra batteries
- Sun glasses – bring two (one as a spare)
- Ski goggles
- Sun screen lotion SPF 30 – 1 tube
- Sun screen lip protection – 1 stick
- Skin moisturizer – 6 oz.
- Mole skin, bandaids, tape, second skin
- Pocket knife
- Plastic bowl and cup (large), and spoon
- Water bottles (2) nalgene wide mouth, 1 quart capacity
- Nylon cord 15 ft
- Tooth brush and tooth paste
- Antibiotics – 1 cycle broad spectrum
- Stuff sacs 2-3
- Iodine pills or similar purification tablets – 1 new small
bottle (for water purification)
Optional Items
- Ski poles, highly recommended (Adjustable preferred)
- Camera
- Journal, pen, book, phone
- Small towel and soap or baby wipes, foot powder
- Swimsuit
- Cotton bandana
- Pee bottle – wide mouth 1 qt capacity
- 2 lbs of your favorite lunch treat
- 1 oz. of your favorite spice
- Chemical hand and foot warmers
