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Llullaillaco & Lascar

The momies of LLullaillaco

Location:
San Pedro de Atacama

Height:
6739M

Length:
13 days

Trip Grade:

In 1998 National Geographic organized and financed an expedition to Volcano Llullaillaco, the result, in 1999 were unearthed 3 dead bodies (Llullaillaco Children), a 6 year old girl (girl of the ray), a 7 years and a 15 year old girl (the maid), on the place were also found 46 animal figures, human and food. This finding more others who had done before, like a cemetery at the base of Llullaillaco makes this volcano the highest archaeological site in the world.

The Llullaillaco volcano is considered the second highest volcano in the world (6739m) after Ojos del Salado (6893), is also the third highest peak in Chile and clearly a challenge. We cross the driest desert in the world (Atacama). It is an itinerary that allowed acclimating to places rarely visited the Lascar volcano climb 5600m, visit the Tatio Geyser, went along unique canyons; it is certainly a nice challenge that calls to be explored.

Highlight

climb the two bigest and famous volcanoes in the Atacama desert
Visit the most characteristic place s in San Pedro de Atacama, as the Geysers del Tatio
Walk through unexplorer places and historical attraction
We connect two of our most fantastic journeys into one
Share and camp in typical altiplanics villages

Expedition’s schema

Program length: 13 days
Altitude: 6739 m
Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Slope: 1200 from high camp
Season: All year
Difficulty: This is not a technical track, but it is physically challenging
First ascent: 1952 Bión González and Juan Harseim
Open Expedition Team size: max 9 climbers + guides

Open Expedition: This expedition has pre-established departure dates and you share it with other people, the groups consist of a maximum of 6 or 12 members.

Private Service: You choose the best convenience date for you and your group. Price depending on number of people booked.

Day 1: Calama aireport / Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama / Valle de la Luna

Welcome: Once the whole group has arrived at Calama’s airport, the chief guide will meet all of you there and take you to the hostel in order to have a talk answering doubts and checking your mountain equipment, and them tour to Valle de la Luna.

Max altitude: 24000 m
Lodging: Hotel
Meals: No
Transport: 4WD
Scheme:Reception at the airport, head to the hostel, equipment checking, itinerary checking, visit to Valle de la Luna

Day 2: San Pedro de Atacama (SPA) / San Bartolo

We will set off from San Pedro de Atacama to begin our spectacular trekking through one incredible valley. We must cross over several rivers along the way, reason why we advise you to take with you some appropriate footwear for this part of the route. About six hours later, walking towards San Bartolo, we will meet our first campsite already set up and have our first “field dinner.”

Max altitude: 2700 m
Lodging: Mountain tent
Meals: Breakfast*, box-lunch, dinner.
Transport: 4WD
Scheme:Trekking, Camp set-up, cooking, acclimatization.

Day 3: San Bartolo / Río Grande

On this day, we will take it easy. After a strong breakfast, we will dismantlethe tents and head back to the route in order to start a progressive ascension towards Rio Grande village. We will be walking through abandoned mines and through the incredible giant cacti area.

Max altitude: 3200 m
Lodging: Mountain tent
Meals: Breakfast, box-lunch, dinner.
Transport: 4WD support
Scheme: Trekking, Camp set-up, cooking, acclimatization

Day 4: Río Grande / Machuca

This should be the longest day of walk, about 7 hours. We will keep our track deep into the valley and into old abandoned towns with lots of history. Flora in this area is mostly short bushes and foxtail-like plants; also, we will be seeing lovely packs of alpacas and llamas. This flora and fauna tell us we are near the town of Machuca, where we’ll set up our third campsite.

Max altitude: 4400 m
Lodging: Mountain tent
Meals: Breakfast, box-lunch, dinner.
Transport: 4WD support
Scheme: Trekking, Camp set-up, cooking, acclimatization

Day 5: Machuca / refugio gayser del Tatio / volcan Tatio Norte

On this day, we’ll be riding a 4WD truck which will take us to Tatio’s geyser area. Once we are checked-in in the refuge, we’ll head towards our first “training ascension” before the giant ones that we’ll be facing later on.

Max altitude: 4800 m
Lodging: Mountain tent or refuge
Meals: Breakfast, box-lunch, dinner.
Transport: 4WD
Scheme: Trekking, Camp set-up, cooking, acclimatization

Day 6: Gayser del Tatio / Laguna Lejía

Early morning, we will walk across the geyser area so we can admire the characteristic geothermal activity of the zone, which is only possible to gaze during early morning hours. About 9 am we’ll be heading back to the refuge, load up the trucks and ride towards Laguna Lejia and set up our campsite there. Once ready, we’ll start an acclimatization trekking on the Corona hill.

Max altitude: 5200 m
Lodging: Mountain tent
Meals: Breakfast, box-lunch, dinner.
Transport: 4WD
Scheme: Trekking, Camp set-up, cooking, acclimatization

Day 7: Laguna Lejía / climb Lascar / Base camp Llullaillaco

Early morning, we’re up to climb the Lascar volcano. One of the most active volcanoes in the region. After the ascension, we’ll return to the campsite, pick up the equipment and head to base camp (refuge) on the Llullaillaco volcano. The more you know: three mummies were found there, “victims” of ritual sacrifice by the Incas. But do not worry! As far as we know, there are no Incas left in the area. We’ll be safe!

Max altitude: 5600 m
Lodging: Mountain tent or refuge
Meals: Breakfast, box-lunch, dinner.
Transport: 4WD
Scheme: Climb Lascar, Camp set-up, cooking, acclimatization

Day 8: Camp CONAF / Camp 1

With the help of the 4WD truck, we’ll carry the equipment in order to set up camp 1. We’ll prepare the high altitude equipment and then carry it up and set up the high altitude camp, this time by our own means (on foot). Leaving the high camp behind, we’ll go back to camp 1 and spend the night there.

Max altitude: 5260 m
Lodging: Mountain tent
Meals: Breakfast, box-lunch, dinner.
Transport: 4WD
Scheme: Trekking, Camp set-up, cooking, acclimatization

Day 9: Camp 1 / Camp high

Day 10: Camp high / climb Llullaillaco / refuge CONAF

We leave early morning in order to reach Llullaillaco volcano’s summit (6739 masl). Today we’ll see how every action and decision we made before is going to be reflected in our performance. Proper acclimatization is key to reach such a demanding summit. Needless to say, this is going to be one of the toughest days in our quest. By the end of this exhausting day we’ll head back to the refuge and spend the night.

Max altitude: 6739 m
Lodging: Mountain tent or refuge
Meals: Breakfast, box-lunch, dinner.
Transport: 4WD
Scheme: Climb LLillaillaco, camp set-up, cooking, acclimatization

Day 11: Extra day Day 12: Refuge CONAF / San Pedro de Atacama

Day 13: Hotel / Aireport Calama / End of our service (OUT)

Our mountain expeditions include the following services:

Mountain guide (Spanish / English )
Driver guide
2 hotel night in San Pedro de Atacama
1 night in refuge in Gayser del Tatio
Private transportation to climbing areas (4WD)
Transfer airport (Calama IN, Out)
Mountain tents (each one is for 2 persons)
Dinner tent (with table and chairs)
Foam matt
Cooking kit
All meals within the expedition (Breakfast, box lunch, diner)
Professional first aids kit
Oxygen tank
Heart rate monitor and oximeter
VHF Radio
Satellite radio
All group equipment; rope, high altitude tent, stove, GPS, etc.

Our services don’t include

Personal mountain equipment
Traveling and rescue insurances. We strongly recommend you to get them.
Any other service which wasn’t mentioned above. (restaurant meals, beverages , tips, etc.)
International and national flights and boarding fees.

Upper body parts

Sun hat
Wool hat
Balaclava / ski mask
2 or 3 long sleeve polypropylene shirts or similar
Polar windstopper, soft-shell or similar
Waterproof jacket (Gore Tex, Triple Point, or similar)
Down feather parka with hood
Polypropylene gloves
Waterproof gloves
Down feather mittens ( -25 ºC / -13ºF)

Down body parts

2 polypropylene long underwear (or similar)
2 trekking pants
Windproof pants (Gore Tex, Triple Point, or similar)
2 or 3 pairs thin socks (Liners)
2 or 3 pairs of thermal socks
Gaiters
Sandals
Trekking boots (approach)
Mountain boots (double plastic or leather boots)

Personal equipment

Ice axe (70 cm or more)
Crampones
Trekking stick (telescopic)
Sleeping bag (Tº lower than -20ºC)
Inflatable and foam mattress
Expedition duffel or backpack (100 liters aprox.)
Daypack (40 liters)
Headlamp (and extra batteries)
Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
Goggles
2 bottles of water (1 liter each)
Thermos flask (1 liter)
Sunscreen (SPF 40)
Lips sunscreen (SPF 30) (Blistex)
Whistle, emergency mirror and pocket knife
Toiletries
Digital camera, book, mp3, Binoculars. [optional]
Personal repair kit

Fixed Departures

August

LLullaillaco	07/08/2022

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