Volcano hiking in Chile!
In January, we will explore the volcanoes of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. We will climb several volcanoes, hike in natural parks, and experience natural wonders such as salt lakes and geysers. The culmination of the trip will be a climb to the summit of Llullaillaco (6739 m), the third highest volcano in Chile.
The hike is technically undemanding, but requires strong physical endurance and good altitude tolerance. This is a very isolated area, with long distances and very few settlements. We must be prepared for long day trips in the heat of the rocky desert. On multi-day routes, in addition to equipment, we must also carry plenty of drinking water. A real adventure for those who want to escape civilization and enjoy untouched spaces.
Those who wish can extend their trip in Argentina by climbing with us to the highest peak in South America, Aconcagua (6961 m)! The continuation trip will take place from 02.-15.02.2025 and you can read more about it here. from here.
What are the basic requirements to participate in this trip?
Previous mountain hiking experience above 5000 m required.
Very good physical shape — long days in high-altitude conditions, sometimes with a heavy backpack.
No special mountaineering skills are required (mainly walking with cats), but it wouldn't hurt either.
Overview
Objective: various volcanic peaks, including Llullaillaco (6739 m)
Dates: 14.-31.01.2025 (flight time will be added)
Activity: mountain hiking
Adventure guide: Marie Saame, assistant locomotive engineer Karl Bussov
Technical difficulty level: 2/5 (technically suitable for beginners)
Physical difficulty: 4/5 (high altitude, physically difficult)
Group size: min 5, max 15 (including locomotives)
Early registration (until 08.08.2024) — €2350
Discount price with Aconcagua with a continuation trip (until 08.08.2024) — €4650
Registration from 09.08.2024 — €2585
Discount price with Aconcagua with a continuation trip (from 09.08.2024) — €5385
Please note: For community members -5% discount applies (2232/2456 €; with Aconcagua continuation trip 4418/5116 €)
👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST HERE 👈
Travel cost
Price includes
Travel arrangements and on-site guidance
With extensive high-altitude experience Elamus+ locomotive and auxiliary locomotive
All overnight stays (hotels and campsites; in the mountains we stay in our own tents)
On-site transportation: airport transfer and return, SUVs down the mountain and back
Breakfasts at accommodations, breakfasts and dinners during the trip, farewell dinner in Calama (excluding alcoholic beverages)
All necessary mountain permits and nature park fees
El Tatio Geyser Tour, Termas de Puritama Hot Springs Visit, Moon Valley Natural Park Visit (depending on the need to use spare days)
Stylish Elamus+ designed sports shirt
Group pharmacy (including high-altitude medications)
Garmin InReach satellite communication (on the group)
Price does not include
Flight tickets Tallinn-Calama-Tallinn (from ~ €1200)
We recommend buying separate international flights to Santiago and domestic flights to Calama - it will be significantly cheaper. A good alternative to a domestic flight is a night bus with all the amenities. If necessary, we will provide advice on buying bus and plane tickets.
Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking)
Personal hiking equipment (can also be rented) from us)
Lunch and dinner on city days; snacks and drinks on the mountain
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc.
Internet and data packages
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, you must pay an advance payment of €3* within 400 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email; if there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
*With the Aconcagua continuation trip, the advance payment is €1040 (until 20.07.2024) or €1290 (from 21.07.2024).
Schedule and activities
Day 1: Arrival in Calama!
Our journey begins in the city of Calama in northern Chile. You can fly there from the Chilean capital Santiago or travel by comfortable overnight bus (a 20-hour journey is expected). We will stock up on the necessary food and camping gas for the trip and drive 90 km to the small town of San Pedro de Atacama. We will spend the night in a hotel or guesthouse. San Pedro, located at an altitude of 2400 m, will be our base for the entire journey, where we will return between multi-day acclimatization trips.
Days 2-5: We adapt to the altitude
We will rest and adapt to the altitude, get to know the local culture and conditions. During these days we will hike to smaller peaks between 3000-4400 meters, visit natural parks, lagoons and hot springs and camp at least one night at an altitude of 3000 meters. By the evening of the 5th day we will return to the hotel in San Pedro to rest.
Days 6-9: Acclimatization on the volcanoes
We drive 90 kilometers southeast to Laguna Leija, from where we climb the surrounding volcanoes, such as Chiliques (5778 m), Lascar (5592 m), Cerro Aguas Calientes (5932 m), Pili (6046 m), etc. In the case of active volcanoes, we must take into account possible volcanic hazard warnings when climbing. There are more peaks in this area than we can climb - we choose warm-up peaks based on the weather and how we feel. It is important to adapt to the altitude and enjoy nature during these days.
Days 10-11: We're heading to Bolivia
We drive 3 hours from San Pedro to Laguna Blanca to climb Licancabur (5916 m), one of the most picturesque peaks in the area. To do this, we have to cross the Bolivian border and stay overnight at the Laguna Blanca mountain hut. We start the climb at night, because there is a total of 1500 meters of ascent and it takes at least 8 hours to reach the peak. We return to San Pedro for the night.
Day 12: SAN PEDRO - LAS ZORRITAS
We rest at the hotel and then make final preparations, stock up on fresh food and water and set off for Llullaillaco Base Camp in the afternoon. After a three-hour drive, we enter Llullaillaco National Park. We drive 16 km along a dirt road to the Zorritas Hut, a simple shelter without water and electricity at an altitude of 4600 m. We spend the night in the hut or camping near the hut.
day 13: LAS zorritas - 1 camp
We hike for about 3 hours from the Zorritas hut to the first camp of LLullaillaco at 4700 m. If the road conditions are good enough, we can reach there the day before with SUVs or save a day by climbing directly from the hut to the second camp.
Day 14: CLIMB to summit camp
We will climb to the Llullaillaco summit camp at 5700 m. There is a small stream near the camp that freezes at night, so we need to stock up on water for the summit climb the night before. We will try to reach the camp early and have a hearty dinner to have enough strength for the next day's challenge.
Day 15: Llullaillaco summit climb
We start the climb very early in the morning towards the summit of Llullaillaco. We have to take into account freezing cold and wind, snow and ice, and temperatures down to -20 degrees on the summit day. We should reach the summit in seven hours. After the summit climb, we will either descend back to Camp 2 or pack up and head lower.
Day 16: Reserve day for summit climb
This day is reserved for us in case we need an extra day due to unpredictable weather conditions.
Day 17: Descend to BASE CAMP, return to Calama
We descend to Las Zorritas and drive back to San Pedro and from there to Calama. We celebrate our summit achievement with a festive dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 18: Farewell and homecoming!
Those who wish can stay longer to enjoy their vacation on their own or travel to Santiago and spend an extra day there to explore the local cultural heritage.
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
Chile
Capital: Santiago
Currency: Chilean Peso
National language: Spain
Population: 19 629 588
Area: 756 sq km
Neighbors: Argentina, Bolivia, Peru
Located on the west coast of South America, Chile is a country of impressive natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and diverse landscapes. From the Atacama Desert in the north to the rugged fjords of Patagonia in the south, Chile offers travelers and adventurers a wide range of experiences.
Chile has an incredibly diverse natural landscape: high mountains, crystal-clear lakes, ancient forests, and vast deserts. The country is home to numerous national parks and protected areas that preserve its unique ecosystems and wildlife.
The Andes dominate most of Chile's eastern border, offering excellent opportunities for hiking, mountain climbing, and skiing. The Patagonia region in the south is known for its beautiful landscapes, including the iconic Torres del Paine National Park.
Chile's long coastline stretches over 6000 kilometers, offering plenty of opportunities for beach holidays, water sports and seafood. The country's coastal cities, such as Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, are known for their colorful architecture, vibrant street art and vibrant cultural life.
Chilean culture is a blend of indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial influences, and a modern cosmopolitan lifestyle. The culture is characterized by vibrant music and dance, delicious cuisine that emphasizes fresh seafood and local agricultural products, and a strong tradition of literature, arts, and crafts.
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is one of the driest places on Earth. Despite the harsh conditions, life in the Atacama is abundant, from hardy desert plants to unique animal species like vicuñas and flamingos.
The Atacama is also home to fabulous salt lakes, hot springs and lagoons, making it a paradise for photographers and backpackers. The Atacama Desert is home to several of the world's highest volcanoes, offering challenges for climbers and adventurers. The very sparse population makes it possible to escape civilization for days in the middle of untouched expanses.
Overall, Chile is a country of exceptional natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage. From the deserts of the north to the fjords of the south, Chile offers endless opportunities for discovery, making it a truly unforgettable destination.
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
pass - must be valid for at least 6 months after entry into the country;
sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participating in the mountain hike;
travel insurance.
Estonian citizens can stay in Chile/Bolivia/Argentina visa-free for 90 days (up to 180 days per year).
Summits are not guaranteed. As you might expect, weather is king in the mountains. So it is entirely possible that weather or dangerous conditions will prevent us from even attempting the summit. Nevertheless, it will definitely be an awesome experience!
Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with mountaineering. As a result, the group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the competence of the participants, the suitability of their equipment, physical/mental capacity, etc. and, if necessary, for example, to prohibit participation on summit day if it endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for this.
Read more also travel conditions or feel free to ask the adventure locomotive.
FAQ
I've never been this high before. Can I still do it?
Participation in this hike requires a fairly good tolerance for altitude and previous hiking or mountain climbing experience at an altitude of at least 5000 meters is recommended. However, there is no need to worry too much, as we will gain altitude gradually and, in the worst case scenario, if altitude sickness really starts to bother us, we are equipped with the necessary high-altitude medications. To acclimatize, we will climb much lower volcanoes between 4000-6000 meters, so no one will return home from the trip without visiting a peak.
What should I do if I don't have any hiking gear?
Hiking and climbing equipment can be rented at a very reasonable price and you can also borrow some from friends. In addition, you can use any kind of existing clothing - for example, a ski jacket is perfectly suitable for the mountain. The more resourceful can manage almost without additional expenses. Hiking equipment can also be rented from us.
Will I survive?
The most important thing for the group leader is to ensure the safety of the participants - to do this, we learn and use correct mountain hiking techniques and take enough time to acclimatize. It is always possible to make small changes to the plan based on the weather or the participants' feelings. The most important thing is to still get an enjoyable experience from the hike.
What happens after registration?
It is always useful to participate in preparatory events for a trip. We organize preparatory hiking trainings, give advice on suitable insurance and equipment, where to rent cheap equipment, what to train for, etc. We will definitely review the collected equipment just before the start of the trip and send reminders about important things.
Read more also frequently asked questions or ask the adventure locomotive for more information.
Contact
Adventure guide
Marie Saame
Phone: + 372 56654374
Email: marie@elamuspluss.ee