The momies of Llullaillaco

In 1998 National Geographic organized and financed an expedition to Volcano Llullaillaco, the result, in 1999 were unearthed 3 dead bodies (Llullaillaco Children), a 6 year old girl (girl of the ray), a 7 years and a 15 year old girl (the maid), on the place were also found 46 animal figures, human and food. This finding more others who had done before, like a cemetery at the base of Llullaillaco makes this volcano the highest archaeological site in the world.

The Llullaillaco volcano is considered the second highest volcano in the world (6739m) after Ojos del Salado (6893), is also the third highest peak in Chile and clearly a challenge. We cross the driest desert in the world (Atacama). It is an itinerary that allowed acclimating to places rarely visited the Lascar volcano climb 5600m, visit the Tatio Geyser, went along unique canyons; it is certainly a nice challenge that calls to be explored.

The destination of the expedition are the two technically easy parade mountains Ojos del Salado, 6893 m, and Llullaillaco, 6723 m, which rise into the blue sky of the Andes on the border between the Argentine Puna (Quechua for “high land”) and the Chilean Atacama desert. While the “Ojos” after the Aconcagua is the second highest peak in South America, thus a second seven summit and at the same time the highest volcano on earth, the Llullaillaco as the second highest volcano is culturally extremely important. Already 500 years ago the summit area of ​​the Llullaillaco served the Incas as a place of ceremonies and sacrifices. In 1958 the well-known Austrian mountaineer Matthias Rebitsch discovered ruins in the summit area and undertook the first excavations. Then, in March 1999, American archaeologists uncovered three child mummies and numerous grave goods, which can be seen today in the museum in Salta. Introductory tours to three five-thousanders enable very good altitude adjustment, the glacier-free normal routes on all mountains do not pose any particular technical difficulties. Another advantage: Since both six-thousanders are climbed via the (little frequented) Argentine east side, the sun warms up pleasantly early on Morning. An expedition trip for mountaineers who want to reach great heights on technically easy, glacier-free climbs. The beautiful, largely unknown high mountain landscape in north-west Argentina will fascinate you. Another advantage: Since both six-thousanders are climbed via the (little frequented) Argentine east side, the sun already warms you up pleasantly early in the morning. An expedition trip for mountaineers who want to reach great heights on technically easy, glacier-free climbs. The beautiful, largely unknown high mountain landscape in north-west Argentina will fascinate you. Another advantage: Since both six-thousanders are climbed via the (little frequented) Argentine east side, the sun already warms you up pleasantly early in the morning. An expedition trip for mountaineers who want to reach great heights on technically easy, glacier-free climbs. The beautiful, largely unknown high mountain landscape in north-west Argentina will fascinate you.

Patagonia – a huge area in the very south of the American double continent. A landscape full of contrasts, best discovered through trekking. The wind is the king of Patagonia. Omnipresent! He brings the dreaded bad weather phases. But he also sweeps the sky empty again, giving it that clarity and purity that heightens colors and forms to the unimagined.

Northern Patagonia is one of the most harmonious landscapes in South America. Perfect volcanic cones are reflected in the lakes, and trekking in the araucaria forests is trekking for the soul. The climate is lovely, the flora lush. South Patagonia is very different. It is rough, difficult to access, partly wildly torn, exposed to the damp and cold sea storms. Tours in this region are still a nature experience. We experience that on our trekking tour around the Torres del Paine, the famous granite towers. The Patagonian Ice Cap is a world apart.

This impressive journey ends with the impressive boat trip past icebergs and colonies of sea lions back to Puerto Natales.

The Ojos Del Salado volcano is the highest summit across Chile, the second summit in America, and it is also the tallest active volcano in the world. That’s why this is one of the most desired challenges among mountaineers around the world. Ojos Del Salado is almost as tall as Mt. Aconcagua which surpasses it by 60mts. The volcano is located in the borderline between Chile and Argentina, in the Chilean Atacama region, one of the most active mining regions in the country. Inside the Nevado de Tres Cruces National Park we can spot the Negro Francisco Lake and the Maricunga salt-flat which serves as refuge to three flamingo species. The closest city is Copiapó, where we can find everything we need to start our climbing upwards Ojos Del Salado.

Weather

Ojos del Salado is a high desert area and its temperatures oscillate abruptly from daytime to night-time, reaching temperatures as low as -20ºC (-4ºF). So, if you want to try this one, you’ve better got some good technical clothing and equipment up to the requirements.

Valle Chico: An oasis in mid Atacama desert. It is located at 3,040masl and is the perfect place to start the expedition and the acclimatization process.

Laguna Santa Rosa: This one is located at 3,170masl, and 154Km from Copiapó. Near the lake the terrain is quite hard in some places and very muddy in others. This is an important place in the park in which you can spot fox, flamingos, guanacos and vicuñas. 

Laguna del Negro Francisco: This one is also within Parque Nevado de Tres Cruces. It is a bit far from the other camp sites, but it’s worthy. It is also good for trekking acclimatization. There is a refuge there provided with some basic amenities.

Laguna Verde: At 4,340masl this is quite the proper place to set up the base camp, because there are wide open places to camp and stone-refuges (pircas) which are very helpful to endure wind-storms. Plus, the hot-springs in the area are amazing.

Refugio Atacama: At 5,260masl. We usually send the 4WD with our equipment and heavy cargo to the shelter and we walk a remaining two hours road.

Refugio Tejos: This shelter is located at 5,837masl provided with bunk-beds to spend the night comfortably.

Summit: To access the small crown of Ojos del Salado we have to go across some interesting places. One of them is a 100 meters snowfield with a 35º slope. Another important one is the last one, a 30 meters rock climbing (fixed rope (5.6)) at 6,860masl.

Chile Excursion San Pedro de Atacama and Ojos del Salado:Travel to the highlights of northern Chile, San Pedro de Atacama, Tatio Geysers, Valle de Luna, Lascar Volcano, Tocor, Ojos de Salado, Cerro Vicuña!

Tour-Overview: Chile is generally known as the country of contradictions. Especially the mountain regions couldn’t be more differently!
The green, rainy Patagonia in the south with its random rock formations really has nothing in common with the dry desert regions in the north with its unique volcanoes, where rain is almost unknown. Exactly this Atacama region, we want to visit with you during our tour.

The Tour: After spending some time in our city of arrival, the metropolis Santiago de Chile, we will head off towards the north. In the desert city San Pedro de Atacama we will do some interesting excursions into the unique volcano regions. There we will discover not only colorful lagoons, but also sparkling Geysers and spectacular volcano forms and rare animals, especially flamingos. We will carry on to Copiapo, from where on we will conquer the Ojos de Salado, the second biggest mountain of the American.

The ascent of Ojos del Salado: is mostly a hike except for the final section to the summit which is a difficult scramble that may require ropes. The first ascent was made in 1937 by Jan Alfred Szczepański and Justyn Wojsznis, members of a Polish expedition in the Andes. Its name comes from the enormous deposits of salt that, in the form of lagoons or “eyes”, appear in its glaciers.