Llullaillaco Volcano Ascent in Argentina, 15-Day Expedition
4.0
(1)
Climb Llullaillaco, a remote 6,739-meter volcano in Salta, Argentina, on a demanding 15-day expedition with acclimatization ascents of Cerro Pompeya and Volcán Tuzgle.
Private
Andes
15 Days
Mar, Apr, Sep - Nov
High
Beginner
Highlights
- Climb Llullaillaco, a 6,739-meter volcano in the remote high desert of Salta.
- Acclimatize progressively with ascents of Cerro Pompeya and Volcán Tuzgle before the main summit attempt.
- Explore a sacred Inca mountain landscape with major high-altitude ceremonial significance.
Description
Rising to 6,739 meters in the province of Salta, deep in the Atacama Desert, Llullaillaco is one of the most striking high-altitude objectives in Argentina. Known as a sacred Inca volcano, it is home to important high-mountain ceremonial sites and is closely linked to the discovery of three mummified children found near its summit area in 1999. The mountain is also considered one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.
This 15-day Llullaillaco expedition, led by EPGAMT-certified guide Ezequiel, follows the eastern route and includes a carefully designed acclimatization process before the summit push. The program begins in Salta, continues through Santa Rosa de Tastil and San Antonio de los Cobres, and includes acclimatization ascents of Cerro Pompeya, 4,100 meters, and Volcán Tuzgle, approximately 5,530 meters, before moving toward Llullaillaco Base Camp at 4,900 meters.
The ascent itself does not involve technical rock or ice climbing, but it is a very demanding high-altitude expedition. Participants should expect long days, remote terrain, vehicle approaches through isolated regions, camping at altitude, and a high level of physical commitment. The program includes two additional contingency days in case of poor weather.
Send a request to join Ezequiel on this Llullaillaco ascent and experience one of the most remote and culturally significant high-altitude volcanoes in the Andes.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
Price details
- ✅What’s included in the price
- Professional mountain guides.
- Specific advice on personal materials and equipment.
- 1 night in Santa Rosa de Tastil.
- 4 nights in San Antonio de los Cobres.
- 2 nights in Tolar Grande.
- All transportation from Salta to Llullaillaco area and back.
- Technical safety equipment.
- VHF radios.
- Mountain first aid kit.
- Stoves and cooking equipment.
- Highaltitude tents throughout the expedition.
- Garmin InReach.
- Full board during the Llullaillaco expedition area.
- Permanent assistance.
- Oxygen cylinder during the expedition.
- ❌What’s not included in the price
- Accommodation in Salta on the first and last night.
- Transportation to Salta
- Evacuation expenses and possible transfer costs.
- Personal equipment.
- Transfers from the participant’s city of origin to Salta and back.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Salta, 1,187 m
Meet in the city of Salta. Equipment check and overnight in Salta.
Day 2: Salta to Santa Rosa de Tastil, 3,100 m
Transfer to Santa Rosa de Tastil, approximately 2 hours and 110 kilometers. Walk in the area. Overnight in a hostel.
Day 3: Santa Rosa de Tastil to San Antonio de los Cobres, 3,750 m
Transfer to San Antonio de los Cobres, approximately 1 hour and 60 kilometers. Overnight in an inn.
Day 4: Cerro Pompeya acclimatization hike, 4,100 m
Acclimatization trek from San Antonio de los Cobres to Cerro Pompeya. Approximately 6 kilometers and 4 hours total. Overnight in an inn.
Day 5: San Antonio de los Cobres to Volcán Tuzgle Base Camp, 4,500 m
Transfer to the base of Volcán Tuzgle along Route 40, passing the famous La Polvorilla Viaduct. Approximately 40 kilometers by vehicle. Overnight in tents.
Day 6: Volcán Tuzgle summit attempt, approx. 5,530 m
Attempt the summit of Volcán Tuzgle and return to base camp. Approximately 18 kilometers and 1,000 meters of elevation gain. Full day available for the ascent. Overnight in tents.
Day 7: Return to San Antonio de los Cobres
Break camp and return to San Antonio de los Cobres. Shop and prepare for the second part of the expedition. Overnight in a hostel.
Day 8: Free day in San Antonio de los Cobres
Rest and acclimatization day in San Antonio de los Cobres.
Day 9: San Antonio de los Cobres to Tolar Grande, 3,500 m
Transfer to Tolar Grande. Approximately 200 kilometers and 6 hours by vehicle. Overnight in a refuge.
Day 10: Tolar Grande to Llullaillaco Base Camp, 4,900 m
4x4 transfer to Llullaillaco Base Camp. Approximately 200 kilometers and 6 hours by vehicle. Rest, hydration, and overnight in tents.
Day 11: Rest day at Base Camp
Rest and acclimatization at Llullaillaco Base Camp. Overnight in tents.
Day 12: Base Camp to Camp 1, 5,800 m
Move from Base Camp to Camp 1. Overnight in tents.
Day 13: Llullaillaco summit day, 6,739 m
Summit attempt on Llullaillaco. Return to Camp 1 for the night. Overnight in tents.
Day 14: Camp 1 to Base Camp and transfer to Tolar Grande
Descend from Camp 1 to Base Camp, then transfer to Tolar Grande. Overnight in a refuge.
Day 15: Tolar Grande to Santa Rosa de Tastil or Salta
Transfer to Santa Rosa de Tastil or Salta. Overnight in a cabin. End of services.
Details
Accommodation
The program combines local lodging and high-altitude camping:
Santa Rosa de Tastil: 1 night, Sol Tastileño or similar. San Antonio de los Cobres: 4 nights, Hospedaje La Avenida or similar. Tolar Grande: 2 nights in a refuge or lodging, with shared rooms, shared bathrooms, and showers depending on availability. Expedition camps: Wild camps in suitable locations, chosen for comfort and water access when available. Tents are set up by the team, including participants, guide, and assistants.
More info
Contingency: The program includes 2 extra days in case of bad weather.
FAQs
Is Llullaillaco a technical climb?
No technical rock or ice climbing difficulties are mentioned. However, the expedition is very demanding because of the altitude, remoteness, and physical effort required.
What acclimatization climbs are included?
The program includes Cerro Pompeya, 4,100 meters, and Volcán Tuzgle, approximately 5,530 meters, before the Llullaillaco summit attempt.
Are meals included?
Full board is included during the expedition in the Llullaillaco area. Meals may include breakfasts and snacks such as coffee, tea, milk, toast, homemade jams, sweet and salty biscuits, packed lunches such as sandwiches, salads, fruit, cereal bars and sweets, and dinners with starter, main course, and dessert.
Special diets, including vegetarian or gluten-free, can be prepared if communicated in advance.
How remote is the Llullaillaco expedition, and what should I expect during the approach?
This expedition involves long vehicle approaches through remote areas, including a 4x4 approach to Llullaillaco Base Camp at 4,900 meters. The ascent is non-technical, but the remoteness, altitude, and lack of nearby medical infrastructure make this a serious high-altitude objective.
Is accommodation in Salta included?
No. Accommodation in Salta on the first and last night is not included.
Can special diets be accommodated?
Yes. The guide’s notes mention that vegetarian, gluten-free, and other special menus can be prepared if communicated in advance.
What is the fitness level required for the trip?
Excellent fitness is required. Participants should be prepared for multi-hour trekking days, altitude above 5,000 and 6,000 meters, long vehicle transfers, remote camping, and carrying personal gear during expedition stages.
About the guide
Ezequiel
5.0
(33)
Trekking Guide
My name is Ezequiel David Di Fabio, I am a professional Mountain guide, National Physical Education teacher, lifeguard and ski instructor.
For nine years I have been carrying out different experiences in nature with groups of varied ages in order to promote activity.
Motivated by this goal is that I work with explore and share where I propose mountaineering, trekking and rock climbing outings in Argentina.
Throughout these years I have traveled from Salta to Tierra del Fuego, carrying out different group expeditions in our country, as well as developing myself professionally in other countries such as Peru.
Languages
English | Spanish
Certificates
EPGAMT
What people are saying about Ezequiel
Ezequiel was my guide for Aconcagua climb in 2025. I can highly recommend Ezequiel as a guide. He was knowledgeable, experienced, and a genuinely kind person. He worked very hard to ensure that our climb was a success. During the entire trip, he made sure that we always had everything that we needed to rest and recover at camps so that we could make it to the summit. Thanks to his guidance and support, I was able to reach the summit of Aconcagua. If I were to climb any mountain again, I would choose Ezequiel as my guide without any hesitation.
The guide is highly qualified, polite, and most importantly, thanks to his efforts, we safely reached the summit of Aconcagua.
Excellent experience. Very well organized. Wonderful people. Highly recommended!
Ezequiel, thank you so much for everything! The whole experience was amazing from start to finish. Your impeccable attention, the delicious food, the way you coordinated the group, and all the knowledge you shared made the trek incredibly enriching. You were always attentive to how we were feeling, to anything we might need, and above all, to keeping us safe without ever putting our well-being at risk. For this being my first trekking experience, it completely exceeded all my expectations! Thank you for making this adventure truly unforgettable!
Excellent guide, very organized and experienced. Very cordial treatment and good person. the food very good
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