Ojos del Salado Fast Ascent from Chile
4.0
(5)
Climb Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano in the world, on a demanding short expedition from Copiapó through the remote Puna de Atacama. Guided by Ezequiel, this program is ideal for strong, well-acclimatized climbers looking for a high-altitude objective.
Private
Andes
10 Days
Jan - Apr, Nov, Dec
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Climb Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano in the world, via the Chilean side.
- Acclimatize in spectacular Andean desert locations including Santa Rosa Lagoon, Laguna Verde, and Mulas Muertas Volcano.
- Take on a short, demanding expedition that is ideal before or after Aconcagua.
Description
Rising to 6,893 meters in the Chilean Andes, Ojos del Salado is a striking high-altitude objective in the vast desert landscapes of the Puna de Atacama. This short ascent program begins in Copiapó and gradually moves through Santa Rosa Lagoon, Laguna Verde, the Atacama Refuge, and the Tejos Refuge before the summit push. The climb involves approximately 2,500 meters of elevation gain from Laguna Verde and reaches the summit of Ojos del Salado at 6,893 meters.
This is a fast-paced expedition designed for climbers who already have solid mountain fitness and some experience at altitude. The itinerary includes progressive acclimatization days, including time at Santa Rosa Lagoon, Laguna Verde, and Mulas Muertas Volcano, before moving higher toward the Atacama and Tejos refuges.
The program is especially suitable as a pre or post Aconcagua expedition, either to prepare for another high-altitude challenge or to take advantage of existing acclimatization after time in the Andes.
Join Ezequiel for a compact but serious high-altitude ascent of Ojos del Salado from Chile, and send a request to start planning your expedition.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Transportation start and back
- All meals during trip
Price details
- ✅Included:
- Guiding fee
- All transportation from Copiapó to Ojos del Salado and back
- All meals during the expedition
- Accommodation in Laguna Rosa and high camps
- All group camping equipment
- ❌Not Included:
- Personal equipment
- Nights before or after the expedition in Copiapó
- Travel to Copiapó before the expedition
- Travel home from Copiapó after the expedition
- Evacuation service or expenses incurred by evacuation carried out by third parties or specialized services
- Personal accident insurance
- Evacuation insurance
- Travel insurance
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Copiapó to Santa Rosa Lagoon, 3,700 m
Meet Ezequiel at 10:00 am at your hotel in Copiapó. From there, drive approximately 3 hours to Santa Rosa Lagoon. This first day is dedicated to beginning the acclimatization process in the area.
Day 2: Santa Rosa Lagoon to Laguna Verde, 4,300 m
Continue to Laguna Verde, also listed in the guide’s notes as Green Lagoon at approximately 4,340 meters. This day is focused on acclimatization. At the refuge, there is access to hot springs, where the group can relax before camping, having dinner, and resting.
Day 3: Mulas Muertas Volcano, 5,897 m
Start the day at around 3:00 am, with the hike beginning around 5:00 am. The goal is not necessarily to summit Mulas Muertas, but to gain altitude, move in the terrain, and continue adapting to the environment. After the acclimatization outing, return to Laguna Verde to rest.
Day 4: Move to Atacama Refuge, 5,100 m to 5,200 m
After breakfast around 8:00 am, break camp and transfer to the Atacama Refuge area. The journey usually takes about 3 hours over loose and changing terrain, although the exact time can vary depending on road conditions. Set up camp and rest.
Day 5: Carry to Tejos Refuge, 5,800 m
After breakfast around 9:00 am, carry water and some equipment up to Tejos Refuge at 5,800 meters. The ascent usually takes 3 to 4 hours, followed by approximately 2 hours of descent. Overnight at Atacama Refuge.
Day 6: Move to Tejos Refuge, 5,800 m
After breakfast around 8:00 am, ascend again to Tejos Refuge, this time moving the rest of the team’s gear. The climb takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. On arrival, set up camp, rest, and have an early dinner in preparation for summit day.
Day 7: Tejos Refuge to Ojos del Salado summit, 6,893 m, then return
The planned summit day starts with breakfast around 3:00 am and departure from the refuge around 4:00 am. The early start allows the group to take advantage of daylight hours. The expected return to Tejos Refuge is around 4:00 pm. After resting and eating, the plan is to move camp back down to Atacama Refuge in order to sleep better at a lower altitude.
Day 8 to 9: Extra days for weather or acclimatization
This extra day may be used in case of bad weather, strong wind, precipitation, or the need to improve acclimatization. Depending on conditions, the group may spend an extra night at Tejos or rest at Laguna Rosa or Laguna Verde.
Day 10: Atacama Refuge to Copiapó
After breakfast around 8:00 am, break camp and return to Copiapó.
Details
Accommodation
Camping at Laguna Verde, Atacama Refuge, and Tejos Refuge.
FAQs
When and where will we meet?
We will meet in Copiapo on Day 1 of the expedition. I recommend you to arrive to Copiapó the day before starting the expedition.
Is this expedition to Ojos del Salado from the Chilean or Argentine side?
This expedition is from the CHILEAN side of Ojos del Salado. Meeting point is Copiapó city.
How is the acclimatization process during the expedition?
This 9 days itinerary contemplates a gradual acclimatization process, hiking some lower peaks during the previous days before the summit attempt to Ojos del Salado. However, if you have limited experience on high altitude, I recommend you to spend a few days before doing some altitude hikes on your own, before the start of the expedition.
What is the previous experience and fitness level required to go to Ojos del Salado?
The Ojos del Salado expedition is not technical, except for a short scrambling section towards the end of the ascent. So although it's not mandatory to have previous mountaineering experience, it helps if you've been on high altitude before.. The biggest challenge is altitude, so it's important to do good acclimatization, have a good fitness level, and do solid aerobic preparation for the trip.
Can I rent equipment?
Yes, there are rental shops in Copiapo. In case you need to rent there, please make sure you arrive one or two days in advance.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
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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