Mountaineering and overland program, basic technical skills and good physical shape required.
Starting at sea level, our expedition will gradually climb up towards the Andes and the Chilean Altiplano, where we will trek and do the ascent of easier 4000m and 5000m mountains, looking for an optimal acclimatization in our way to ensure the success and the summit on the beautiful Parinacota Volcano, our main goal; which is located at the border between Chile and Bolivia and very close to the limit with Peru. The trip begins at Iquique, one of the most important ports in northern Chile, from where we cross due east till we almost reach the border with Bolivia where we head the north, traversing the Isluga National Park, where we climb the very interesting (and safe) Isluga volcano; the Surire National park to finally arrive to Lauca National Park, where for the first time, we will see Parinacota among many other big mountains around as Pomerape (6282m) and Sajama (6520m). Crossing the Altiplano wetlands we will discover a number of different landscapes, including desolated salt flats and lakes surrounded by very mineralized soils and "bofedales" the Altiplano swamps. All places where you will be surprised by the enormous variety of a very adapted flora and fauna.
 
 
 
 
 
Day 1 IQUIQUE- QUEBRADA DE COSCAYA (2700m)
In the morning we pick up you at your hotel or at the airport and we drive up leading east, crossing the famous Panamericana highway, we take the route to Cancosa. On our way, we'll cross desert, pre-cordillera and Altiplano areas; visiting the biggest Chilean geoglyph: "El Gigante de Atacama" a more than 1000 years old and over 100 meters high, design by the indigenes of the region with enigmatic, yet to be clarified purposes. We set up a camp in the heart of Atacama desert. Camp (L, D)
Day 2 QUEBRADA DE COSCAYA -CARIQUIMA (3670 m)
After breakfast we start with a short hike and then drive to the Altiplano. At the end of the day, we set up camp in the surroundings of a thermal spring, at Cariquima area Camp (B, L, D)
Day 3 CARIQUIMA - ISLUGA (4000 m)
Today we already are in the heart of the high plateau, with its typical grasses and streams all around and very near to Bolivia border. We start the day with a short hike, then pick up the car and drive traversing north, to enter and visit Isluga National Park and the village of Enquelga with its swamps and thermal spring. We camp at the foot of the Isluga Volcano Camp (B, L, D)
Day 4 CLIMB OF ISLUGA VOLCANO (5400 m)
Early morning start up, today we climb this active volcano, reaching its sulphur crater, which offers us an amazing view of the surroundings, from the top we see the whole Isluga massif with its many summits and craters, Tata Sabaya Mountain and The Aravilla Bofedal. It will be a 6 to 7 hours climbing day. We come back to our camp. Camp (B, L, D)
Day 5 ISLUGA - SURIRE NATIONAL PARK (4300 m)
Breakfast and put down the camp to then pick up the cars to keep going north, following first the Aravillla river, crossing Cerro Capitan and finally arriving to Surire National Park, an area extremely rich in vicuñas (south American wild camel) and ñandus (the Altiplano ostrich), camp at 4300m, in a queñoa forest; queñoa is the highest growing tree in the world Camp (B, L, D)
Day 6 CLIMB OF CERRO ROJO (5300 m)
We get up very early to climb Cerro Rojo who will take us between 6 to 8 hours. This ascent will improve greatly our acclimatization but also offer us an exceptional view point of Surire salt flat and the surrounding mountains Camp (B, L, D)
Day 7 SURIRE - CHURIGUAYA (4300 m)
We start the day with a sulphur thermal bath and a good breakfast. Then the cars will drive us around Surire salt flat first, then to the Quimsachatas range area which is composed of 3 twins 6000m peaks, for later on, enter Las Vicuñas National Protected Area. Again we find on our way vicuñas, flamingoes, wild gooses and many other birds and mammals. Camp at Churiguaya (B, L, D)
Day 8 CHURIGUAYA - PARINACOTA BASE CAMP (4500 m)
In the morning we end crossing the last part of Las Vicuñas National Protected Area to then enter Lauca National Park. The landscape is simply overwhelming: Chungará Lake, considered among the world's highest lakes (4570m) with its blue waters and the impressive volcanoes just behind: Parinacota, Pomerape, Sajama and the Quimsachata at the south. The park has been declared Unesco World Biosphere Reserve, and is unique for its surprisingly docile, abundant, and diverse wildlife. We set up our Parinacota base camp at the foot of the volcano Camp (B, L, D)
Day 9 PARINACOTA BC - CAMP 1 (5300 m) - BC
Today we carry some fuel, food and technical gear up to camp 1, as a way to improve our acclimatization and have a lighter pack the next day. Back to base camp we use the rest of the day to hydrate and rest Camp (B, L, D)
Day 10 PARINACOTA BC - CAMP 1
Today we slowly ascend to camp 1 as a way to preserve energy. We set our camp just on the lower limit of the glaciers known to the local people as "nieves eternas", from were we have a magnificent view over Lake Chungara and to the lava shaped Cotacotani Lagoons Camp (B, L, D)
Day 11 CAMP 1 - PARINACOTA SUMMIT (6342 m) - CAMP 1
We begin the day using crampons and ice axe to move over the glacier. Depending on the conditions, we may need to use our harness and the rope. Seven hours is a good timing to get to the top this day, but in this mountain the snow conditions are quite changing and sometimes the climb may be longer. On the top we enjoy a very impressive view of the perfect crater of Parinacota and also of the mountains around us: Pomerape (6282m), Sajama (6520m) and many others. Back and overnight in camp I Camp (B, L, D)
Day 12 PARINACOTA BC - ARICA
After a merited good night and a breakfast, we walk back to our base camp, where we load the cars, have a rest, to then keep going down to Arica and the Pacific Ocean, visiting on our way the village of Parinacota and the Pukara of Copaquilla. We have a lunch stop at the village of Putre at 3300m. Arrive to Arica around five, transfer to the hotel Hotel (B, L)
Day 13 ARICA

Transfer to the airport (B)

Season: June to September
Participant: min. 3- max. 12
2004-2005 REGULAR DEPARTURES
August (2004) 2
September (2004) 1
June 14
July 4
August 8
September 5
 
2004-2005 COST PER PERSON REGULAR DEPARTURES
Min. 4 Persons
US$ 1875
Single supplement
US$ 125
 
NOTE: Other dates are also available at request all year around with min. of 3 people in which case we applies private cost, please check with us the price according final number of participants. Services in Santiago like hotels, airport transfers can be arranged at your request.
 

INCLUDED :

  • Private land transportation Iquique - Arica (First car is a 4 x 4, second car is a 4 x 2, over 7 people the second car is a van).
  • Professional bilingual private moutain guide.
  • Camp staff (over 4 people).
  • Meals as mention in the itinerary.
  • Full camping gear, including Radio communication VHF, First aid kit/pulso Oximeter.
  • All accommodations based on sharing a double room or tent
  • One night at the hotel 4*, at Arica, at the end of the expedition, transfer to the airport in Arica (day 13).
 

NOT INCLUDED :

  • Personal equipment (mattress, sleeping bag and others).
  • Medical expenses.
  • Any kind of insurance.
  • Tips and extra expenses as meals or drinks out of program and other items no mentioned.
  • Hotel and airport transfers in Santiago as well as the internal air tickets. We can quote them at your request.
QUALIFICATION:

This program does not present any technical difficulty. The altitude, the constant wind and possible poor physical condition of the traveller are the main difficulties of theses expeditions. We recommend a good physical condition, good personal equipment and a solid acclimatization (which we provide) for the best chance of success. Our programs include a minimum acclimatization period that we deem necessary.

EQUIPMENT TO BRING:

This is a reference list, of available options you will find in the market to provide you isolation, comfort and safety, anyhow, it's impossible, due to the large amount of fabrics, variety and models out there, to give a more specific list, so at the beginning of each trip we will have a gear check, to be sure that the gear and equipment you bring in, applies and cover everything you will need for that particular adventure.
So, please feel free to contact us, to clarify any doubt you could have about this specific topic.

PERSONAL GEAR & EQUIPMENT LIST:
NECESSARY:

T Shirts, Fleece Jacket Medium Weigth, Gore-Tex Jacket, Parka, Underwear, Heavy Weigth Long Johns, Trekking Pant, Gore-Tex Pants, Ligth Socks, Heavy Socks, Swimming Suit + Towel, Ligth Gloves, Mountaneering Gloves, Sun Hat, Wool Cap, Mountaineering Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad, Backpack, Duffel Bag, Tennis Shoes, Trekking Shoes, Plastic Mountaneering Boots, Gaitors, Headlamp + batteries, Sun glasses, Pen Knife & Ligther, Water Bottles, Sunblock Cream (face and lips), Trekking Poles (telescopic), Ice Axe, Crampons.
VERY USEFUL:
Ligth Upper Body Shirt, Ligth Weigth Long Johns, Heavy Gloves, Toiletries & Moisturizing Cream, Camera & Film / Binoculars.
RECOMMENDED:
Heavy Upper Body Shirt, Fleece Jacket Expedition Weigth, Fleece Pant, Shorts, In Town Clothes, Balaclava, Daypack, Shoes for River Crossing, In Town Shoes, Cup, Service & Dish.
Forgotten equipment can be rent (please ask first)
SECURITY:

In order to realize this expeditions with the maximum security, we take for each group first aid equipment, VHF radio transceivers and according to the expeditions we also bring emergency oxygen equipment, HF radio transceivers and, depending on situation hype.
Additionally, we ask travelers to obtain insurance for medical and evacuation expenses in case of accident. We offer this kind of insurance; please ask us for current rates. Otherwise we require signing a responsibility discharge in case of accident. All of our guides have an excellent knowledge of the terrain and extensive experience as mountaineers and guides. For any other information, please ask us.

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ALTUE ACTIVE TRAVEL
Coyancura 2270, oficina 801, Providencia, Santiago, CHILE
Telefóno: (56 2) 333 1390 - Fax (56 2) 234 9783
Email: info@altue.com