The Andes crossing by El Portillo Pass
For those who like challenges, here's the best option: a hiking expedition in The Andes across the Portillo Pass that takes you from Argentina to Chile.
Andes
7 Days
Jan - Mar, Nov, Dec
Description
I invite you to a hike, crossing from Mendoza (Argentina) to Chile through the stunning Portillo Pass.
Those vast high valleys interrupted by a lonely mountain hut in the middle of nowhere. The towering rocky walls. The jagged peaks interspersed by the white robes of glaciers. All is still, like in a picture. And we are the main characters of that painting.
The idea is to enter in the middle of the mountain range, ascending by a valley and crossing the Andes through the same place that was walked by General San Martin 200 years ago: The Portillo Pass. A really unforgettable experience.
Here you have a program with the itinerary of this amazing hiking trip in The Andes Mountain Range. I can give you some details about the trail and starting point but the exact route will depend on different factors such as weather conditions and any other group features evaluated by the guide. Please note that this trek can only be done during the months of November, December, January, February and March.
These seven day will be undoubtedly unforgettable. You cannot miss this trekking opportunity of crossing the Andes like the emblematic people in the past. Contact me and let’s do it together.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Personal insurance
- Porters
- Tips
Price details
- Prince included:
- Transfers:
- Initial transfer, from Mendoza city to Portinari Refuge.
- Final transfer, from Termas de Yeso to Santiago de Chile.
- CampingAccommodation:
- 5 nights of camping, with high-altitude tents.
- 1 night in a hostel in Santiago de Chile.
- General Equipment:
- High-altitude tents.
- Dining tent.
- Complete mountain cooking equipment.
- Mountain Cuisine:
- 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 snacks, 5 dinners + trail snacks.
- Travel Light:
- Mule porterage for the general equipment.
- We carry up to 5 kg of personal equipment for you to the border marker.
- Safety:
- General first-aid kit.
- Guide with international WFR certification.
- Support horse during the trek.
- Handheld radio and satellite communication.
- Personal accident insurance.
- Professionals:
- Professional Mountain Guides.
- Adventure Support:
- Detailed advice before the activity.
- We check your personal equipment with you to make sure you enjoy the experience.
- Pre-trip information meeting.
- 24/7 assistance on the day the activity begins.
- Not Included:
- Transportation or travel of each passenger to Mendoza or Tunuyán.
- Return from Santiago de Chile.
- Dinner in Santiago de Chile on the last night.
- Personal camping equipment (sleeping bag, sleeping pads, trekking poles and backpack; possible to rent).
- Expenses incurred due to abandoning the program.
- Tips.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Mendoza to Scaravelli Camp
- Transfer from Mendoza to Portinari Refuge, where immigration procedures take place (have your identification document ready). - We continue to Scaravelli Refuge. - First camp: Scaravelli (3,100 m.a.s.l.) - Estimated hiking time: 4–5 hours. - Elevation gain: 600 m. - Starting elevation: 2,500 m.a.s.l. - Camp elevation: 3,100 m.a.s.l. - Vehicle transport of equipment to the camp.
Day 2: Scaravelli Camp to Yaretas Camp
- Hike of only 2 hours with little elevation gain. - Camp: Yaretas (3,400 m.a.s.l.) - Estimated hiking time: 2 hours. - Elevation gain: 300 m. - Starting elevation: 3,100 m.a.s.l. - Camp elevation: 3,400 m.a.s.l. - Vehicle transport of equipment to the camp.
Day 3: Yareta Camp – Portillo Pass – La Playita Camp
- Approximately 5 hours of hiking uphill to Portillo Pass at 4,300 m. - Descent on a very long section, approximately 6 hours. - Camp: La Hoyada Creek (3,300 m.a.s.l.) - Estimated hiking time: 11 hours. - Elevation gain: 900 m / elevation loss: 1,000 m. - Starting elevation: 3,400 m.a.s.l. - Pass elevation (highest point): 4,300 m.a.s.l. - Camp elevation: 3,300 m.a.s.l. - Animal portering.
Day 4: La Playita Camp to Real del Alambre
- We hike down through the valley, fording the Tupungato River with the help of horses, and continue hiking. - Camp: Real del Alambre (3,200 m.a.s.l.) - Estimated hiking time: 5 hours. - Elevation loss: 300 m and elevation gain: 100 m. - Starting elevation: 3,300 m.a.s.l. - Camp elevation: 3,200 m.a.s.l. - Animal portering.
Day 5: Real del Alambre Camp to Real de las Ovejas
- Trekking, we will ford the Palomar River and finally ascend towards the border marker. - Camp: Real de las Ovejas (3,400 m.a.s.l.) - Estimated hiking time: 7 hours. - Elevation gain: 200 m. - Starting elevation: 3,200 m.a.s.l. - Camp elevation: 3,400 m.a.s.l. - Animal portering.
Day 6: Real de las Ovejas – Piuquenes Pass – Termas de Plomo – Santiago de Chile
- Uphill trekking to Piuquenes Pass, photos and celebrations. - Descent into Chile, to the Plomo River. - Transfer to Santiago de Chile. Entry paperwork and transfer to the hostel. - Hostel in Santiago de Chile. - Estimated hiking time: 7 hours. - Elevation gain: 450 m. - Starting elevation: 3,400 m.a.s.l. - Pass elevation: 3,950 m.a.s.l. - Final elevation: 2,800 m.a.s.l. - Animal portering to the border marker.
Day 7: Santiago de Chile
Breakfast and end of our services.
Details
More info
Note 1: Equipment and personal gear porterage is provided up to Piuquenes Pass (on the Chilean side, a 3-hour descent, all equipment must be carried in the backpacks).
Note 2: Active program with a high level of difficulty. Previous trekking experience or specific training is required. Camping experience is also required.
Note 3: All participants must present a medical fitness certificate, with their personal physician confirming that they are fit to participate in the activity.
Note 4: People with physical ailments or leg injuries (such as knee or other joint problems) cannot participate. People who suffer from vertigo or have a fear of cliffs are also not allowed to participate.
Note 5: Program subject to weather, geographical, or political conditions. Modifications to the program may be made during the activity depending on various circumstances and factors. Decisions will be made exclusively by the company's guides and coordinators.
What Do We Eat?
On all our expeditions, we provide meals on a FULL BOARD BASIS.
- Packed lunches (cold meals): Milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold cuts sandwiches, assorted snacks, salads, tapas, etc.
- Dinners: Vegetable, bacon and spicy sausage stews, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, grilled meat (kid goat), Chaw Fan, chicken with rice cooked in a casserole, etc.
- Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, coffee, cappuccino, mate cocido, mate, powdered milk; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit.
It is necessary to complete the personal/medical information form to indicate if anyone does not eat or consume any particular type of food.
Equipment you will need to bring
MANDATORY REQUIRED EQUIPMENT If this equipment is not available, the guides reserve the right to deny participation in the trek
- Trekking backpack (60 to 80 liters) - Warm sleeping bag (-5°C comfort rating) (e.g. 800 g of down or equivalent synthetic insulation) - Insulating sleeping mat (10 to 15 mm) - One pair of trekking poles - Technical jacket – Waterproof and windproof (Ultrex mountain parka, Gore-Tex or other) - Medical fitness certificate (where your personal physician confirms that you are fit to participate in this activity). - Authorization for Minors (permission before a public notary or the relevant authorities, according to your place of residence). - Water-resistant, durable plastic bags to store all clothing inside the backpack.
CLOTHING - Socks: 3 pairs of trekking socks - Underwear - 1 pair of trekking BOOTS (in good condition) - 1 pair of lightweight spare footwear that dries quickly for wading (crossing rivers) and getting wet. - Long trekking pants (NO JEANS) - 1 pair of long base-layer pants or leggings - 2 short-sleeved synthetic dry-fit shirts - 1 long-sleeved shirt - 2 warm layers (fleece sweaters) - Warm jacket (down or synthetic) - 1 sun hat/cap (with flaps) - 1 neck scarf to protect from the sun (multifunctional scarves such as Buff) - Warm gloves (ski or mountain type) - Warm hat
PERSONAL ITEMS - Passport or National ID (DNI). Mandatory for immigration procedures. - Health insurance card. - Travel assistance insurance. Mandatory.
MISCELLANEOUS - Headlamp with batteries (with spare batteries) - Sunglasses (Category III or IV) - Sunscreen (minimum SPF 45). Lip balm. - Toilet paper. Tissues. Wet wipes.
PERSONAL COOKING EQUIPMENT - Water containers for a minimum of 3 liters (a plastic bottle may be used). - Cutlery, plate or Tupperware container, and cup. (No glass or metal).
About the guide
Argentina
Tour Operator
Adventure tourism agency formed by ISAS, EPGAMT and adventure tourism guides.
Head guide is Leandro Scheurle, rock and ice climbing instructor, wild areas lifeguard (WFR), and ISAS trekking and adventure tourism guide. He is also Instructor and lecturer at the ‘Instituto Superior Andes del Sur’ (school of professional guides).
He made technical ascents in Argentina and South America, including solo new routes in Domuyo Volcano (Neuquén), and Cerro Bonete (Tierra del Fuego).
He also write articles for magazines, blogs and websites specialized in outdoors and mountain activities.
The lead guide for AEX expeditions to Aconcagua is Daniel Adrián Cangiani, better known as "Roger". He is an EPGAMT mountain guide, WFR, rock climbing and mountaineering instructor, and professional photographer.
Most of our guides are not bilingual but can speak basic english, good enough to communicate during an expedition.
Languages
Spanish
Certificates
EPGAMT | ISAS
What people are saying about Explore-Share
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