Tupungato - 14 days

About

Tupungato - November until March

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN

Tupungato is a stratovolcano located in the Central Andes at the border between Argentina and Chile. Tupungato is 6570 meters high and the tenth fourth highest in the whole Andes range. Although not very famous, it calls attention to anyone driving on the Ruta 7 from Mendoza towards Santiago Chile. Tupungato is that great prominence on the left-hand side.

Considered a dormant volcano due its low activity, Tupungato hasn’t erupted for over 10,000 years. Unlike its neighbor, Tupungatito – also called Bravard -, which despite being much smaller is much more active. Tupungatito was erupting when Darwin was in Chile in the nineteenth century and it generated a lot of confusion. The famous English naturalist thought this mountain was in fact Aconcagua.

Climbing Tupungato isn’t a technical challenge, but a very physically demanding one. The approach starts at 1800 meters, therefore the whole climb requires a 4770 metre gain! All of it in a 37 km hike! For the challenge, it’s necessary to have altitude experience and plenty physical preparation. We recommend Tupungato to those who want a different Andean experience while climbing a true wild mountain.

Requirements for joining this expedition are:

  • International Travel Insurance;
  • High altitude mountaineering experience, preferably above 6000 metres;
  • Good health and physically prepared;
  • Fill the booking and medical form;
  • Read all the information available on this website.

Itinerary

Tupungato - 14 days

Day 1 – Arrival to Santiago – 700m

We’ll pick you up at the airport and check your climbing equipment same day. Today we have our first dinner together and you’ll meet the rest of the team. Included: hotel, transport and climbing permits.

Day 2 – Santiago – Cajon del Maipo – Agua Buena – 2650m

After leaving Santiago early after breakfast, we will stop at San José de Maipo to show paperwork to the local police. At Alfafal we’ll meet our mule drivers and load the mules to start the trek. Our walk might take us 4 to 5 hours. From 2100m to Agua Buena at 2650m. Included: transportation, permits, packed lunch, and dinner.

Day 3 – Agua Buena – Camp 2 – 3300m

We continue our walk for another 6 hours to Camp 2. This is at 3300m. Included: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.

Day 4 – Camp 2 – Camp 3 – 3800m

Our trek continues north bordering Rio Colorado and small chain called Cordón Del Bizcocho. Our camp 3 will be set at 3800m by beautiful grassy meadows. Included: breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner.

Day 5 – Camp 3 – Camp 4 – 4100m

We finally cross the 4000-metre line today. After following up a deep valley we’ll set our camp 4. Included: breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner

Day 6 – Acclimatisation carry to 5200 – 4100m

Today is our first carry to 5200 metres in order to split the logistics’ weight and acclimatise. Included: breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner

Day 7 – Camp 4 – Camp 5 – 5200m

Today is time to move the rest of the equipment to 5200 and finally sleep there. We are at camp 5. Included: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Day 8 – Rest day – 5200m

Is now time to do absolutely NOTHING. Included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 – Camp 5 – Camp 6 – 5800m

Is now time to climb the remaining 600 metres to our 6th and final camp at 5800 metres. This camp is also called ‘Argentinos’. Included: breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner

Day 10 – Summit – 6570m

A strong breakfast and a 5am start. At about 8am we should be overcoming technical part of the climb: a 30-metre ice headwall on a 25-degree slope. It’s an easy climb, but at 6100 metres nothing is easy. Our guides will set a fixed line in advance so the rest of the team won’t struggle. From here we have a 4h walk to the summit. We should be back to 5800m 2 or 3 hours before sunset.

Day 11 – Return to base – 3300m

We will descend to camp 2 at 3300m where our mule drivers will be waiting. Included: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Day 12 – Return to Camp 1 – 2650m

After crossing the Azufre River, we’ll descend back to camp 1 at 2650m. Included: breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner

Day 13 – Return to Santiago

We should meet our driver at about 1pm and drive down to Santiago to a well-deserved dinner and a shower. Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, transportation, and hotel

14 – Extra day for bad weather or acclimatization

** The above itinerary is subject to change due weather conditions, performance of the group, political/administrative problems and any other events not described.

Equipment

Having good mountaineering equipment is one of the key points to have a successful expedition to Cerro Plata. Please note all your personal equipment will be checked by one of our guides in the hotel. You can easily rent or purchase all necessary mountaineering equipment in Mendoza. Find out rental prices in our FAQ.

Head
  • equipamento buff

    Bandana

    Buff or similar

    Quantity: 1 or 2
  • equipamento balaclava

    Balaclava

    To protect your face on summit push

    Quantity: OPTIONAL
  • gorro neblina cinza copia

    Hat

    Woollen hat or similar for cold days

    Quantity: 1
  • xNxExplorer noir vert J

    Sunglasses (cat 3 or 4)

    With side protection to fit your face

    Quantity: 1
  • GG

    Sunscreen and lip balm

    30 FPS or more

    Quantity: 1
  • Batteries

    AA or AAA batteries depending on your headtorch. Can be purchased in local store.

    Quantity: 1 set
  • xNxlanterna

    Headtorch

    Working headtorch and spare batteries

    Quantity: 1
Torso
  • Light down jacket

    Quantity: OPTIONAL
  • Summit Down Jacket

    Heavy hooded down jacket for cold conditions

    Quantity: 1
  • Snowproof jacket

    A good snow, rain and windproof jacket

    Quantity: 1
  • camiseta dry

    T-shirt

    Synthetic fibre long or short sleeve t-shirt

    Quantity: 2 or 3 long sleeve
  • Fleece jacket

    Used alone or as part of a layer system for better performance

    Quantity: 1
Legs
  • Caláa de Trekking

    Trekking pants

    Light trekking pants

    Quantity: 1 pair
  • Gaiters

    For snow, sand or scree terrain

    Quantity: 1 pair
  • caláa segunda pele

    Base layer pants

    For very cold days and summit push

    Quantity: 1 pair
  • Caláa anorak

    Snowproof pants

    Goretex or similar pants will be used for high wind or during snow conditions

    Quantity: 1
  • Fleece Pants

    Fleece, polartec or similar. To be used with other layers for very cold conditions

    Quantity: 1
Hands
  • Screen Shot    at

    Hand warmers

    Chemical hand warmers for the summit push.

    Quantity: 2 packs
  • Mittens

    Thick down mittens for summit push

    Quantity: 1 pair
  • Luvas segunda camada

    Gloves

    Fleece or polartec gloves for every day use

    Quantity: 1 pair
Feet
  • Sandals or crocs

    Sandals or crocs for river crossing or hanging around camp

    Quantity: 1 pair
  • Trekking boots

    Waterproof trekking boots, try wearing them before the expedition

    Quantity: 1 pair
  • Meias de trekking

    Trekking socks

    Good thick trekking socks

    Quantity: 4 or 5 pairs
  • Thick expedition socks

    For summit day

    Quantity: 1 pair
  • Double boots

    A pair of double or double plastic boots such as Koflach Exped, Koflach Vertical, Asolo Ottomilla, Asolo AFS, Trezetta, Scarpa Vega, Scarpa Inferno, La Sportiva Baruntse, Olympus Mons, La Sportiva Spantik, Scarpa Phantom, La Sportiva G2.

    Single layer boots such as La Sportiva Nepal XT, EVO, Batura or Boreal Latok, ARE NOT SUITABLE.

    Quantity: 1 pair
Technical equipment
  • Helmet

    A light helmet with enough room for your clothing

    Quantity: 1
  • screw biner

    Locking carabiner

    Quantity: OPTIONAL
  • Harness

    A good light alpine harness

    Quantity: OPTIONAL
  • Ice axe

    A traverse ice axe (piolet). Can be a straight tool or slightly curved.

    Quantity: 1
  • Crampons

    Crampons with antibott system

    Quantity: 1 pair
Other Equipment
  • Inflatable matress

    An inflatable mattress and its repair kit

    Quantity: OPTIONAL
  • Water purifying tables/drops

    A reliable way to treat water

    Quantity: OPTIONAL
  • Carbo gels

    These gels help out on recovery

    Quantity: 3
  • Snacks

    Salty snacks, sweets, etc. Any sort of tasty ready food as complement. On high altitude mountains we don’t normally worry about vitamins and proteins as these kinds of food are too hard to digest. You can buy all these in a local market.

    Quantity: 500 gr for summit push
  • Saco de dormir

    Sleeping Bag

    A good down sleeping

    Quantity: -15C (Comfort temperature)
  • Rucksack

    A decent rucksack with hip belt and rain cover

    Quantity: At least 65 litres
  • Altitude medicine

    Our guides already have pretty much any drugs you might need during any trip. However, it would be great if you could have a spare tab of the most used drugs:

    Ibuprofen (Advil)– This is an anti-inflammatory and works great for high altitude head aches
    Loperamide (Imodium) – controls diarrea (not to be used in case of digestive infections. Ask our guides)

    Quantity: kit
  • Personal Hygiene kit

    Soap, tooth brus, come, etc

    Quantity: kit
  • Isolante tÇrmico

    Sleeping mattress

    We prefer taking 2 foam sleeping mattress because of sharp rocks. If you have an inflatable mattress you should also bring a foam mattress to protect the inflatable one against sharp rocks. Don’t forget bringing a repair kit if you have an inflatable mattress.

    Quantity: 2
  • flask

    1 litre thermos

    Metallic good quality 1 litre thermos for the summit push. You must have one. Please do not bring smaller ones.

    Quantity: 1
  • Water bottle

    Nalgene 1 litre bottles or similar are great for expeditions! We prefer to not use camelbacks as its hose pipe might freeze

    Quantity: 2 x 1 litre
  • Duffel Bag

    Used to transport or store your equipment. In many cases, we transport your personal gear on animals and we don’t want your equipment to get wet or have mule smell…

    Quantity: 1
  • LioFoods

    Freeze dried food

    Freeze dried or dry food for high camp

    Quantity: 2 or 3 packs
  • Padlock

    To lock your duffel during transportation

    Quantity: OPTIONAL
  • Bast∆o de caminhada

    Trekking poles

    Gives you more stability during walk and summit push.

    Quantity: 1 or pair

FAQ

View our photos of Eduardo Tonetti:
Related links about Eduardo Tonetti:

Eduardo Tonetti

Mountain Guide and Trekking Guide

Language skills:

Portuguese - native speaker
Spanish -  near native speaker
English - good command

Eduardo Tonetti was born in São Paulo - Brazil and was in the advertising business for 15 years. In 2010 he decided to quit his career and guide for living. After 4 years of studies, Edu has graduated at EPGAMT Guiding School in Mendoza. He is now a professional mountain guide and a WFR trained rescuer, licensed to guide in Aconcagua among many other Andean peaks.

Edu has been a rock climber for 13 years and has extensive experience in several rock climbing areas. He specialized in high altitude mountaineering and climbed dozens of mountains in the region. Edu has climbed big mountains like Aconcagua (6962m, 11 times), Ojos del Salado (6898m), Tres Cruces Sur (6738m), Tres Cruces Central (6640m), Mercedario (6770M), Tupungato (6556m), Cerro Plata (5943m), Vicuñas (6087m), among others.

Eduardo has worked with human development and coaching in São Paulo, Brazil and he is now using mountaineering as coaching activities having amazing results!

He has been working in Aconcagua for the last 4 years in a row and started as a porter in 2012. He worked his way up and has now led several expeditions at Central and dry Andes.

Map

Cost

Expedition cost from U$ 2950 (*), contact us to know payment methods:

What’s included:

  • Leadership of Eduardo Tonetti, EPGAMT English speaker mountain guide;
  • 1 or 2 assistant mountain guides depending upon the number of clients;
  • Transport from/to airport;
  • 2 hotel nights in a 3- start hotel in Santiago – rooms are shared by every 2 expedition members;
  • Private transport from/to Alfafal, the start of the trek;
  • Usage of mountain tents in all camps;
  • All meals outside Santiago;
  • Mules to transport personal equipment to/from camp 4 – up to 20kg per person;
  • Pots, gas, stoves and all cookware in all camps;
  • Application and presentation of all 3 climbing permits;

What’s NOT Included:

  • Flights from/to Santiago;
  • Personal climbing and trekking equipment;
  • Money return in case you abandon the expedition;
  • Rescue costs related to medical or personal reasons;
  • Travel insurance;
  • Meals in Santiago;
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