This itinerary starts in Mendoza on 28 December and finishes with departure from Santiago on Day 13.
Nevado Piuquenes, 6,012m, is one of the least visited 6,000-metre mountains in the Central Andes. This expedition combines the legendary Cruce de los Andes route, used during the historic San Martín campaign, with a true high-altitude ascent through a remote valley rarely visited by other teams.
The approach crosses two important Andean passes: Portillo Argentino, around 4,300m, and Portillo Piuquenes, around 4,000m. After the traditional Mendoza-to-Santiago crossing route, we divert into a deep mountain valley to reach the base of Nevado Piuquenes and continue towards high camp at approximately 5,150m.
This is not just a trekking itinerary. Nevado Piuquenes requires previous high-altitude mountain experience, good cardiovascular fitness and basic familiarity with double boots and crampons, as we may move over snowy and glaciated terrain during the summit push.
The itinerary is operated by Andes Specialists, founded by Maximo Kausch, the world record holder for the highest number of 6,000-metre summits in the Andes. Our team has deep knowledge of the Central Andes, Mendoza region and remote high-altitude logistics.
🧭 Real Andes Experience: Andes Specialists is not a generic adventure operator. We are climbers and expedition organisers who work specifically in the Andes. Our knowledge of remote valleys, border crossings, mule logistics, high camps and rarely climbed 6,000m peaks makes a major difference on this route.
🏔️ A Rare 6,000m Objective: Piuquenes is not a crowded classic. It is a remote, beautiful and seldom-climbed mountain where the chances of seeing other teams are very low. This is a true exploratory-style expedition, not a commercial highway.
🇦🇷🇨🇱 Mendoza to Santiago Crossing: Before the summit attempt, we follow one of the most historic routes across the Andes, travelling from Argentina towards Chile through high passes once used during the San Martín campaign.
🐴 Mule-Supported Expedition: During the approach and crossing, mules help transport personal and group equipment, allowing clients to walk with manageable loads. After the mule-supported section, the Piuquenes ascent becomes more serious and self-sufficient.
🧗 True High-Altitude Mountaineering: Unlike the classic Cruce de los Andes, this programme continues to high camp at around 5,150m and attempts a 6,012m summit. You should be ready for cold, altitude, snow, crampons and long summit-day effort.
🩺 Safety-Focused Team: Our guides monitor the group throughout the expedition, carry communication systems, first aid equipment and organise decisions based on weather, altitude, river crossings, group performance and border logistics.
🤠 Local Arriero Culture: The route is supported by local arrieros, the muleteers who have worked these valleys for generations. Their knowledge is essential for transport, camps, river crossings and the traditional life of the Central Andes.
♨️ Finish at Termas del Plomo: After crossing into Chile via Portillo Piuquenes, the trek finishes near the hot springs of Termas del Plomo before the private transfer to Santiago.
🎯 Join us for a rare Central Andes expedition combining history, wilderness, mule-supported travel, glaciated terrain and the ascent of a little-known 6,000m peak.
We’ll pick you up at the airport and drive you to the hotel. In the evening we’ll have a group dinner where we’ll have an expedition meetting talking about all aspects.
Included: Transport, Hotel
In the morning we’ll rent climbing equipment if needed. After final logistics, we drive towards the high Andes and the Yaretas area, where we meet the arrieros and set up our first camp. This is the start of the remote mountain section.
Included: Transport, afternoon snack, dinner
Today we use 4×4 vehicles to approach as high as conditions allow, usually around 3,900m. From there we hike to Portillo Argentino, approximately 4,300m, one of the most beautiful passes of the crossing. After the pass, we begin a long descent of around 5 hours towards La Olla camp at 3,200m.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, dinner
We continue through a deep Andean valley and cross the Tunuyán River with the support of the mule team. The landscape becomes increasingly remote as we move towards the Contreras area, where we camp at approximately 3,100m.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, dinner
After approximately 5 hours of hiking, we reach the base area of Nevado Piuquenes at around 3,810m. This camp sits deep inside the valley and marks the transition from the trekking section into the mountaineering objective.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, dinner
Today we move higher towards the mountain. We organise the loads needed for the altitude section and hike towards Base Camp at approximately 4,730m. From this point onwards, the expedition becomes more demanding and mule support is no longer available in the same way as during the approach.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, dinner
A full day to rest, hydrate, organise equipment and adapt to the altitude. In the afternoon, if conditions allow, we may make a short reconnaissance of the route and prepare for the carry to high camp.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We carry part of the equipment and supplies to the high camp area at approximately 5,150m, then descend back to Base Camp to sleep lower. This carry day improves acclimatisation and makes the move to high camp easier the following day.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, dinner
Using the route established during the carry day, we move to our final camp at around 5,150m. This is a serious high-altitude camp and the last stop before the summit attempt. We rest, hydrate, prepare crampons and summit gear, and aim for an early night.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, dinner
We usually leave high camp around 3:00 am and climb towards the summit along snowy and glaciated terrain. The ascent normally takes around 6 hours, depending on conditions and group pace. After reaching the summit of Nevado Piuquenes, we descend back past high camp and continue down to Base Camp.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, dinner
We descend from the mountain back towards the lower valley, where the mules meet us again. From there, we continue lighter towards El Caletón, a spectacular protected camp surrounded by rock formations and with views towards the impressive Marmolejo, 6,108m.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, dinner
Our final trekking day crosses Portillo Piuquenes, around 4,000m, and enters Chile. We descend towards Termas del Plomo, where our private transport will be waiting with a welcome snack. If conditions and timing allow, there may be time to enjoy the hot springs before the drive to Santiago.
Included: Breakfast, trail snack, transport, hotel in Santiago 🏨
This day is kept as an extra margin day for weather, route conditions, border procedures or delays during the mountain section. If the buffer day is not used in the mountains, you can rest and enjoy Santiago.
Included: Mountain logistics if used as a buffer day. Hotel in Santiago is not included on this day.
Fly home from Santiago, carrying the memory of a rare crossing and the ascent of one of the least visited 6,000m peaks in the Central Andes.
Included: No services included unless arranged in advance
Having the right mountaineering gear is essential for a successful expedition. Your equipment will be personally checked by one of our guides upon arrival at the hotel. Don’t worry if you’re missing something — you can easily rent or buy all necessary mountaineering equipment in Mendoza. Check our FAQ section for updated rental prices and details.
Base Package: USD 3,200
Instalment Price: USD 3,560
Reference rental prices for the full expedition. Availability and final prices must be confirmed in advance.