Chile / Bolivia - Volcan Licancabur Ascent
(8 days, 7 nights )
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Ascent of the Licancabur Volcano (5,917m/ 19,400ft). All year round ascents possible.
Day 1.
Evening flight to Calama. Arrival and drive to San Pedro de Atacama (98km) by way of Valle de La Luna. As the sun sets, we will be able to admire the amazing rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal and hike immense sand dunes to the lookout points. Overnight Hotel in San Pedro.
Day 2.
Enter Valle de Marte and start walking the Corniza trail (3hrs) over the ridge of sandstone mountains. Descend to San Pedro Valley and walk (1hr) to the remarkable fortress of Quitor (originating from the XII century). Walk (3km) to San Pedro. Evening drive to Miscanti & Meniques lagoon located at 4500m/ 13500ft for a short 1hr acclimatization trek. Drive down and enter the Atacama saltflat in time for sunset.
Day 3. Today we will drive to the village of Rio Grande (3500m/10,500ft) and trek (5-6hrs), a scenic trail that follows the course of smaller waterways through beautiful valleys inhabited by indigenous people. We keep gaining altitude until we reach the green pastures of Machuca (4100m/ 12300ft) teeming with wildlife and with a spectacular view of Licancabur. Set up camp in Machuca.
Day 4. At 5am we start driving towards El Tatio (4500m/ 13500ft) on time to observe the geysers in action at sunrise. To keep progressing in our acclimatization we start hiking Cerro Soquete (5400m/ 16200 ft) aiming for its summit. Drive back to Puritama hot springs for a healthy bath and back to San Pedro.
Day 5. Drive up to 4500m/ 13500ft to the border crossing over to Bolivia. Set up base camp next to Laguna Blanca or at Laguna Blanca shelter.
Day 6.
Acclimatization trek around Laguna Blanca.
Day 7.
Start the ascent at 4AM to reach the summit around noon. We will keep a slow pace ensuring gradual acclimatization. Hike down through a giant toboggan and reach base camp by 3PM. Take down base camp and drive down to San Pedro.
Day 8. Drive back to Calama in time for your return flight to Santiago.
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