💰 Full Package Price: USD 7,450
24 Day Expedition
If you’ve already climbed a 6,000-meter peak and are looking for your next big adventure, this expedition is built for you.
Why not tackle the world’s highest volcano and South America’s highest mountain — in one seamless trip? We’ll begin with a carefully planned ascent of Ojos del Salado (6,898m), giving you ideal acclimatization in a remote yet spectacular region. After reaching the summit, we travel to Mendoza and rest for a couple of days before heading straight to Aconcagua (6,962m) — the roof of the Americas.
Neither peak is technical. Aconcagua is a long walk on rough terrain, and Ojos del Salado involves a non-exposed scramble near the summit. But both demand respect: these are extreme altitudes where serious altitude illness can occur. That’s why our approach includes expert medical oversight, smart logistics, and acclimatization strategies that work. We use the “climb high, sleep low” method and remain flexible based on team health and weather conditions.
You just need to arrive well-trained, motivated, and with some high-altitude experience. We’ll handle the rest — with the support of Maximo Kausch, world record-holder for the most 6,000m+ summits in the Andes, and a team of seasoned high-altitude professionals.
There’s a solid reason we’re starting this expedition with Ojos del Salado before heading to Aconcagua — and it goes far beyond route preference.
Due to extreme inflation in Argentina, the costs of climbing Aconcagua have surged by up to 150% in many services. In contrast, the Chilean side of the Andes — where Ojos del Salado lies — has remained far more stable and cost-effective. For that reason, we’ve shifted our acclimatization phase from Aconcagua to Ojos, giving you a more affordable and comfortable experience from the very start.
Over the last 3 years, Andes Specialists has built permanent logistics on the Chilean side of Ojos del Salado. We now have:
We’ve been refining our acclimatization strategy in this region since 2013, with over 21 expeditions to Ojos and deep operational knowledge of 19 other nearby peaks. This makes our approach not only more efficient but also safer and more flexible than any alternative in the Andes.
If you’re interested in climbing additional peaks before Aconcagua, check out our Andes Flex program for customized extensions.
And there’s more: if you’re flying from Europe or North America, you no longer need to book a hard-to-find and expensive flight to Mendoza. You can simply land in Santiago, Chile — a major international hub — and we’ll pick you up and take you directly to the mountains. Mendoza isn’t even on the route anymore unless it’s for Aconcagua itself.
Finally, here’s the biggest advantage: most operators currently charge around USD 6,700 for a full-service Aconcagua expedition alone (as of April 2025). For just USD 800 more, you’ll climb not only the tallest mountain in South America but also the highest volcano on Earth — Ojos del Salado. It’s simply an unbeatable expedition package.
🧭 Decades of Experience: We’ve run more than 30 successful expeditions to Aconcagua and dozens to Ojos del Salado since 2012 — we know what works.
🏕️ Unmatched Logistics: We operate our own logistics base in Mendoza and a full private basecamp in the Atacama with satellite internet, toilets, chefs, and reliable weather forecasting.
🗣️ Real Talk, Real Experts: We only work with professionals who’ve summited these peaks. We’ll tell you honestly if this is the right expedition for your level and experience.
📈 Proven Acclimatization Strategy: We follow “climb high, sleep low,” monitor oxygen saturation daily, and build margin days into the program. It works — and we stay as long as it takes.
👨🍳 Gourmet Chefs at Altitude: We hire professional chefs to prepare real food — not just freeze-dried meals — in the middle of the Atacama Desert and on Aconcagua.
🩺 Medical Expertise Comes First: Our guides are trained in high-altitude medicine and are supported by Maximo, who teaches it. We carry oxygen and a full medical kit and conduct daily health checks.
🧑🤝🧑 Top Guide-to-Client Ratio: We provide 1 guide for every 2 to 2.5 clients during summit attempts, ensuring you receive personalized attention and safety support.
❄️ Flexible Itineraries: More than 60% of our climbs adjust the schedule for weather and team needs — we stay on the mountain until you’ve had a real summit opportunity.
We’ll greet you at the airport, approximately 50 km from Copiapó. On the same day, we’ll review your personal gear, make final adjustments, and shop for anything necessary. Tonight, enjoy our first group dinner and meet your teammates!
Included: Transport, hotel 🛏️
After a scenic 210 km drive, we’ll settle into a cozy mountain hut next to the stunning salty Laguna Santa Rosa.
Included: Breakfast, transport, lunch, dinner
Today we tackle Siete Hermanas! Depending on the group’s fitness level, we aim for the summit or go as high as comfortably possible to support acclimatization.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a generous breakfast, we’ll drive 120 km to our private basecamp at Laguna Verde. Our comfortable camp includes Starlink internet, a generator, dining tent, kitchen, toilets, and showers.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Another important acclimatization day climbing Mulas Muertas, situated close to camp. We’ll keep it relaxed, ascending comfortably without straining our bodies.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Rest, recharge, and enjoy the beautiful views at Laguna Verde.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll drive up to approximately 5,900m, followed by a short hike reaching up to 6,000–6,100m. This crucial acclimatization ensures we’re ready for Nevado San Francisco and Ojos del Salado.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Another day to rest and prepare mentally and physically for the climbs ahead.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After an early breakfast, we’ll gear up and drive 30 minutes to start our climb at 5,000m. This challenging yet rewarding climb via the north ridge takes around 5–7 hours. A successful summit boosts confidence and acclimatization for Ojos del Salado!
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, transport, dinner
Rest and recover from yesterday’s climb, enjoying tranquility at Laguna Verde.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our ultimate goal! Starting around midnight, we embark on a 3-hour drive followed by a 7–9 hour ascent. We’ll traverse switchbacks, navigate a large traverse at 6,500m, reach the main crater, and conquer the final steep and technical section. Celebrate reaching the top of the highest volcano on Earth!
Included: Opportunity of a lifetime!
Drive back to Copiapó and rest after our epic adventure.
Included: Transport, hotel 🏨
Buffer day for unforeseen circumstances or extra recovery.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, we’ll drive you to Copiapó Airport for your flight to Santiago and connection to Mendoza. Upon arrival in Mendoza, we’ll transfer you to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Included: Morning transport, hotel in Mendoza
Not included: Flights from Copiapó to Santiago and Santiago to Mendoza
We’ll leave Mendoza early in a private vehicle for a 3.5-hour journey to Horcones. There, we’ll complete park registration and begin a 3-hour trek to Confluencia Camp.
Included: Breakfast, transport, welcome snack, dinner, tent accommodation ⛺
We hike 27 km through the Horcones Valley to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Expect 6–8 hours of walking.
Included: Breakfast, trail lunch, welcome meal, dinner, tent accommodation ⛺
After crossing two countries and trekking nearly 45 km, it’s time to rest and recharge at basecamp.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tent accommodation ⛺
We’ll ascend to Camp 2, Nido de Cóndores, at 5,550m. The hike takes 7–8 hours. Thanks to earlier acclimatization, we’ll move steadily.
Included: Trail snack, dinner, tent accommodation ⛺
Not included: Porter service
We’ll move up to Camp 3, Cólera, located at 6,000m. This high camp puts us in position for the summit push.
Included: Trail snack, dinner, tent accommodation ⛺
Not included: Porter service
Summit day! We’ll leave camp early for a 13–15 hour round-trip climb to the roof of the Americas. A monumental achievement!
Included: Light breakfast, dinner, tent accommodation ⛺
Descent day back to basecamp. Expect around 6 hours of trekking. Time to rest and celebrate.
Included: Breakfast, welcome meal, dinner, tent accommodation ⛺
We descend to Horcones with a break at Confluencia, then return to Mendoza by van, stopping for dinner in Uspallata.
Included: Breakfast, mule transport for your gear, snack at Confluencia, dinner in Uspallata, private transport, hotel in Mendoza 🏨
Spare day in case of bad weather. If unused, it’s a great opportunity to relax in Mendoza.
Included: Breakfast, hotel 🏨
Time to say goodbye. We’ll provide transport to the airport after breakfast.
Included: Breakfast, transport 🚐
Having reliable mountaineering equipment is essential for a successful expedition. All personal gear will be carefully checked by one of our guides at the hotel. Equipment rental is available in Copiapó and Mendoza; please inform us in advance about your requirements, so we can confirm availability and pricing.
Yes and no. You’re free to opt out of the Aconcagua portion of the expedition, but it’s important to understand that refunds will be very limited at that stage.
That’s because by the time Ojos ends, most of the logistics for Aconcagua have already been paid: permits, staff, insurance, transport, accommodations, and more. These costs are non-refundable on our side too.
In some cases, we may recover small portions like hotel reservations — but this isn’t guaranteed. The main downside of doing Ojos first is that Aconcagua becomes financially locked in.
So while you can choose to cancel Aconcagua, please do so before the expedition begins if you want to minimize your financial loss.
These are very different mountains. Aconcagua involves carrying weight and long hiking days, while Ojos del Salado is more accessible by 4WD — yet colder and more isolated. Combining both increases your exposure to extreme altitude, which is why we climb several acclimatization peaks first.
Ideally, you should have climbed at least one 6,000-meter peak before attempting this expedition. It helps with acclimatization and ensures you’re familiar with snow walking and altitude demands.
Not at all! Acclimatization typically lasts up to two weeks. You only need to worry if you spend more than 5 or 6 days continuously at low elevation.
Yes, it’s easy to rent equipment in both Mendoza and Copiapó. We recommend arriving one day early if you need time to rent. You can pay in USD or pesos.
The best way is to fly from Mendoza to Santiago, then take a Sky Airlines or LATAM flight to Copiapó. Sky Airlines typically offers cheaper tickets — around $180 if booked early.
Most huts are basic and sometimes abandoned, but usable. Laguna Santa Rosa Hut is well maintained and fits 9 people comfortably. Tejos Hut is used for emergencies.
No. There’s a short scramble just below the summit, but it’s an easy section — no ropes or special climbing gear needed.
No. Our team provides and sets up all group equipment including tents, stoves, and kitchen gear on both Aconcagua and Ojos.
Your backpack will weigh about 12–15 kg. You’ll do two load carries, so you won’t carry everything at once. At Ojos you don’t have to carry anything.
Yes, on Aconcagua. Porter services are available and prices vary depending on altitude. At Ojos del Salado, porters are not available, but 4WD vehicles carry most gear up to 5,800m.
For a 20 kg load (2025 rates):
• Base → Canada: $140
• Base → Nido: $190
• Base → Colera: $360
• Colera → Base: $280
• Canada → Nido: $190
• Nido → Colera: $280
Full porter service (round trip): $890
It depends on your nationality. Some countries may require a tourist visa or a reciprocity fee. Please check with the consulates of both countries before traveling.
A good down sleeping bag with a comfort rating between -15°C and -22°C is required. Always use the comfort temperature rating — not the extreme rating — as your reference.
Yes! Our basecamps have Starlink internet. We also carry a satellite phone for emergencies.
Yes. We have solar panels and generators at our main basecamps so you can charge phones, cameras, or other electronics. This is on both mountains.
Yes. There are exchange offices that accept USD, Euros, and British Pounds in both cities. Best rates are usually for US dollars.
You can read all about our recent climbs, including photos and summit data, on our Blog. Look for the Blog section on our website menu.
20% non-refundable deposit required
💰 Total Estimated Investment: USD 11,900 – 12,400