Itinerary

The day before the program starts there will be a short encounter with our guide at the hotel to check the mountain equipment and receive a briefing about the expedition. Should any adjust has to be done this day is the right moment.

 

Day 1, The Mountain Adventure Starts…

From Santiago to La Parva, Central Andes, Chile

 

We get up early to start our mountain adventure. The transfer picks us up and we start driving towards the Andes Cordillera. Once we leave behind the city streets we will follow a beautiful winding road going up to La Parva Ski Center. As we drive the road we get amazed with breathtaking views of the Andean white picks hugged by crystal clear blue skies. There are immense snowed mountains as far as ours eyes can see! Once we reach La Parva we set up our camp and then trek the surroundings to start getting acclimatized. We go back to the camp and during dinner we talk about details for the next days. Overnight at La Parva.

 

 

Day 2, Getting into the Andes Range

From La Parva to Piedra Numerada, Central Andes, Chile

 

After breakfast we dismantle our camp we and start walking towards Piedra Numerada. We will follow a trekking trail bordering La Parva mountain range and passing through small valleys formed by the last glacier age. If we are lucky there will be condors flying at some points and some of the scarce mountain fauna of the Andes like little and shy birds, foxes, rodents and other small animals. As we trek up the vegetation will be mainly small flowers and bushes. The scenery is amazing; we can now feel the genuine atmosphere of the Andes Mountains! Now we reach another valley and finally Piedra Numerada, a huge mountain boulder resting in a surface of summer grass. In this small valley we set our second camp. We have plenty of time to explore the surroundings, rest, contemplate the Andes and get acclimatized. Overnight at Piedra Numerada.

 

 

Day 3, At the Feet of the Almighty El Plomo

From Piedra Numerada to La Hoya, Central Andes, Chile

 

In the morning we begin our march towards the next camp located in the feet of the Iver Glacier, which covers one of the slopes of El Plomo. We will have plenty of time to reach the place and our trekking will be at moderate pace due to the high altitude. As we advance the mountain valley will gradually get narrow and splendid views of the Andean Chain and its picks and ridges will take our attention. After three to four our walking we reach La Hoya del Plomo, where we will contemplate beautiful views of this valley and the hanging glaciers surrounding the place. We set the camp and enjoy the free time to rest and explore. Tonight we discuss the last details of tomorrow summit attack, overnight at La Hoya del Plomo.

 

 

Day 4, Heading to the Summit!!

El Plomo, Central Andes, Chile

 

Today we do a big effort and get up early so around 5 am we initiate the trekking up to the summit. We return following our yesterday steps until we find the path going to the summit. We first head to Los Espejos, place where the trail turn on direction to Glacier Iver and we continue until we reach the Agostini Refuge. At this point we will stop for preparing our body for the tough moraine in front of us. The trail goes over a steep, unstable and loose terrain. When we have won over the moraine –small towers of rock will indicate the final- we continue walking until we reach La Pirca del Inca at 5.050 meters (16,568 feet) -a rudimentary rock wall where we stop before initiating the glacier crossing. This point is close to the place where they found the Inca child mummy. When we are ready we put on the crampons and carefully start walking over the glacier about 20 minutes until reaching the other side. The glacier surface is fairly smooth and free of cracks. Once in other side we just need one more hour to reach the summit, and we finally reach the summit!! The sight over the central Andes is amazing with the most beautiful summits of the Andes in front of our eyes, including the “big daddy” Mount Aconcagua with its 6.959 meters! (22,831 feet) After the well earned photographs, cries and hugs we return to the camp at La Hoya where a delicious farewell meal waits for us.

 

 

Day 5, Back to Reality...

From La Hoya to Valle Nevado, Santiago, Chile

 

This will be our last day on the hill and we will say goodbye to this colossal mountain and of this captivating valley. We will initiate the return towards the Valle Nevado Skiing Center, place where our private transfer will be waiting for to take us to Santiago.

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