Fly to Copiapó via Santiago. Transfer to the hotel. Briefing and equipment checks (H,B on day 2)

Copiapó to Vallecito. Rested after the long flight we start driving east towards the Altiplano, following narrow and dry river valleys that lie in between the desert and the high plateau. (Drive 3-4 hours) (C,B,L,D)

Vallecito to Laguna Santa Rosa. After breakfast we take a morning acclimatisation hike for 2-3 hours before lunch. Packing up camp and continuing our journey by road crossing the Portezuelo Maricunga, a mountain pass at 4,125m above sea level. Our camp at Laguna Santa Rosa, located at 3,800m in the Maricunga Salt Flat is in the middle of the Chilean high plateau, the southernmost part of the Atacama Desert and home to a great diversity of wildlife such as flamingos and foxes. In the evening, we take a short walk to the nearby lagoon where we should see local flora and fauna and a large variety of birds. Camp, Laguna Santa Rosa 3800m (C,B,L,D)

Ascent of Cerro Siete Hermanas (4950m). After breakfast we continue our acclimatisation process by climbing the easy summit of Cerro Siete Hermanas (6-8 hours), located in the Domeyko Range, after which we return to our camp. We will probably come across some guanaco families (a type of llama) during the climb. This is the first of a number of climbs we will do on this trip, before tackling Ojos del Salado. Camp, Laguna Santa Rosa (C,B,L,D)

Ascent of Cerro Pastillitos (5090m). Today after a short drive we make an ascent of Cerro Pastillitos, (5-6 hours walking). We will camp again at the charming Laguna Santa Rosa (C,B,L,D)

Drive to Laguna del Negro Francisco. A 3-4 hour drive through dramatic landscape leads us to Laguna del Negro Francisco (4,100m). If space, we stay at the CONAF ranger station, this is a very basic hostel or we camp beside it. (HO/C,B,L,D)

Ascent of Volcan Copiapó (6052m) Starting off very early in the morning with a short transfer to the start of the climb, we ascend the mountain 6-8 hours). There is a considerable amount of loose scree on the ascent which makes it very tiring. There are a few Inca tombs near the summit, excavated by archaeologists some time ago. We return to the ranger station hostel for the night. (HO,B,L,D)

Lagoon Negro Francisco to Atacama Refuge Heading North we gain altitude very quickly as we cross sand flats, steep rocky terrain and sometimes snow-covered, slopes. Finally, we arrive at the Atacama refuge (5200m) where we set up our base camp. (4-5 hours driving) (C,B,L,D).

Carry to Camp 1-Tejos Refugio (5825m) Today, we carry some food and fuel to Camp I by the Tejos Refugio, following the sandy and rocky slopes. We drop off our gear, take a look around and then go back down to base camp. This walk is part of our acclimatisation in order to maximize our chances of reaching the summit. (5-6 hours walking) (C,B,L,D)

Rest Day. We use this day to rest and recover for our summit ascent whilst also preparing our food and equipment for the summit day. (C,B,L,D)

Atacama Refuge to Tejos Refugio (5825m) Today we move up to Camp 1 by the Tejos Refugio, carrying the rest of the gear we will need for the summit. It is a short day enabling us to arrive early to get rehydrated, and rested for the summit day. (3-4 hours walking) (The Tejos Refugio is a small hut which we may use depending on availability instead of camping and is possibly the highest mountain hut in the world!) (C,B,L,D)

Ascent of Ojos del Salado 6893m. We start very early in the morning and climb to the summit in 8 to 10 hours. The terrain may be snowy or dry. There is a short exposed scrambling section on the last section of the climb which has a fixed line in place. From the summit we have an amazing view over all major mountains in the area, including Tres Cruces and Pissis. Depending on time, we will descend to Camp 1 or to Base Camp. Day 14 is a reserve summit day. (C,B,L,D)

Return to Copiapó / Bahia Inglesa. Descend to Base Camp, pack the equipment and load the cars. Then we drive back to Copiapó, and on to Bahia Inglesa next to the beach, where we arrive 6-7 hours later. Hotel. (H,B,L)

Return flights (or Aconcagua extension). Transfer to the airport for flights to Santiago, then international flights home (usually arriving home next day), or same day flights to Mendoza if you are going on to climb Aconcagua.