TUPUNGATO – 6.570 M
Wild Giant of the Central Andes
Code
E06
Region
Central Andes, Chile
Duration
12 Days
Prices
From 1.790 USD
Next trip
21.02.2021
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General
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Dates
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Prices
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Services
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Itinerary
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Personal equipment
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Security
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Gallery
Introduction
Very close to the border between Chile & Argentina, and not far away from Santiago de Chile, Tupungato rises to the sky. Wild and majestic at the same time, this mountain dominates the surroundings by reaching a remarkable altitude of 6.570 meters. Both the normal route (rock) and the South face route (glacier), offer countless possibilities to all mountaineers that look for a special challenge far from the beaten track. The approach and ascent of this mountain, make of this expedition one of the most extraordinary climbing experiences in all the Chilean Central Andes. This mountain meets all the requirements of a great expedition.
Highlights
- Scenic beauty and traditional lifestyle in the Maipo Valley.
- Fantastic high mountain landscape in the Central Andes.
- Approach the mountain along the beautiful Colorado River Valley.
- Base Camp + 2 high camps located in outstanding, unique places.
- Equipment and food transported by mules to the Base Camp and back.
- Optimal acclimatization and maximum security thanks to extra safety and rest days.
- Ascent to the summit of Tupungato Volcano (6.570 m).
Level of difficulty
Header | For everybody | Medium | Difficult | For experts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Physical Level | Cell | Cell | Cell | |
Technical level | Cell | Cell | Cell |
Season
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cell | Cell | Cell | Cell | Cell | Cell | Cell |
We offer this expedition on FIXED DATES, but also as PRIVATE EXPEDITIONS.
Fixed dates - Season 2021/2022
The participants can make reservations freely for fixed date expeditions. SPONDYLUS will define the starting / ending dates of each expedition.
Minimum number of participants: 5 persons
Maximum number of participants: 12 persons
If there are less than 5 participants in the group, there will be a small group extra charge.
Code | Start | End | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
E06FD1 | 21.02.21 | 04.03.21 | Space available |
E06FD2 | 20.02.22 | 03.03.22 | Space available |
Private Expeditions
The dates for private expeditions are requested by the participants. In general it is not possible to add external persons to the group. If required, the itinerary can be adapted to the group´s needs and priorities.
Prices
The price depends on the number of participants, and they are based on a double room/tent.
5-7 participants | 2.290 USD/Person |
8-9 participants | 1.960 USD/Person |
10-12 participants | 1.790 USD/Person |
Additional expenses
Single Tent Supplement: * 120 USD
* The extra charge for single room & tent will be done at the moment of making a reservation for the single room. If there is no other person found for sharing a room at the moment of making the reservation of a double room, we will charge half of the extra charge.
Small Group Surcharge:If the size of the group is smaller than the minimum number of participants (5 persons), a small group fee will be charged. All this depends on the final number of participants.
Included services
- Fully equipped base camp (expedition tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, etc ...). The dining tent is equipped with tables and chairs. For sleeping, quality triple expedition tents are used for two people, and double tents are used for a single person.
- Catering is offered as mentioned in the itinerary. Food is carefully selected and prepared for all meals. The special conditions and the energy requirements for a high altitude expedition are always taken into consideration at the moment of preparing the meals. Drinking water and hot drinks are available at the camp all the time.
- Private transportation in all vehicle transfers according to itinerary
- Experienced, bilingual mountain guides (Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, according to availability). The number of guides on every expedition is provided according to the number of participants: 1 mountain guide or an assistant / 3 participants.
- Mules for transportation of private and common equipment according to itinerary (Days 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 of the expedition program)
- Security and emergency equipment: radios, satellite phones, oxygen, first aid kit
- Acquisition of all necessary permits
- All entrances, park fees, etc. according to the itinerary
Not included
- Arrival & Departure / Santiago
- Services in Santiago. We will be very pleased to organize for you: shuttles, accommodation, city tours, etc. Please contact us if required.
- Eventual extra permit fees (at the moment, no extra permit fees are charged for climbing the mountains included in this program. If this situation changes, the participants will be informed and will have to cover the fee).
- Drinks at restaurants and refuge
- Porters
- Tips
- Personal international health and accident insurance
- Personal equipment (look at the recommended list of equipment)
- Any other service not included in the program
Itinerary
DAY 1: SANTIAGO (IN) – CHACAYAR (2.130 M) – AGUAS CLARAS (2.630 M)
After breakfast, we will leave the capital and drive towards the Southeast, to the beautiful Maipo Valley, the most important outdoor recreational area of Santiago, and a real playground for mountain lovers. The valley takes us straight into the heart of the Central Andes. After passing by San José de Maipo the main town in the valley, we will get to the small town of Alfalfal after approximately 2 hours. From here, the route goes down a dirt road to Chacayar, the starting point of our approach to the mountain. Here, just at the beginning of the beautiful valley of the Colorado River, the mules for transporting the load will be waiting for us. After giving the mule drivers the camping equipment, food, and part of our personal equipment, we will start our trekking of approximately 7 hours to get to our first camp, just carrying a light back pack. Mules will transport our equipment.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: AGUAS CLARAS (2.630 M) – VEGA DE LOS FLOJOS (3.300 M)
After having a good breakfast, we will keep following the course of the Colorado River. After passing a natural thermal spring, the valley opens, and the view of the surrounding mountains of the Central Andes gets gradually more spectacular. From here we will need 2 more hours until we can see our destination, the Tupungato Volcano. It will take us approx. 6 hours to get to our second camp site, which is very well located in a wide river bed. Mules will transport the equipment.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: VEGA DE LOS FLOJOS (3.300 M) – TUPUNGATO BASE CAMP (4.100 M)
The terrain today is a little bit more difficult than the one of the previous days, but the impressive landscape pays well for our efforts. One or another easy crossing of the existing streams is not a major obstacle. Finally, we get to the foot of Tupungato Volcano. We will continue climbing a morrain until we have reached an altitude of approximately 4.100 m.a.s.l. We will set our camp here, at the confluence of two rivers. Mules will transport our equipment.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: TUPUNGATO BASE CAMP (4.100 M)
After our efforts of the previous day, we give ourselves another leisure day at the Base Camp. The mountain landscape is ideal for short hikes. During our stay at Base Camp, we will be offered a delicious breakfast and dinner, also a well planned lunch for our sportive requirements. We will also have water, tea and cold drinks which are available all the time in the group’s tent to guarantee an adequate hydration.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: BASE CAMP (4.100 M) – HIGH CAMP 1 (4.750 M) – BASE CAMP (4.100 M)
Today we will carry the equipment from Camp 1 located at approx. 4.750 m. After this, we will return to Base Camp to spend the night. This procedure will help us to distribute the load (personal equipment, required food, cookers, gasoline, etc.) in two porting days. However, today’s excursion is extremely helpful in terms of acclimatization. This is another very important step to a gradual preparation of our bodies for the high altitude of the following days.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: BASE CAMP (4.100 M) – HIGH CAMP 1 (4.750 M)
After enjoying the comfort of Base Camp, we have breakfast and pack our equipment once again. There is no way back now. Our objective is the ascent ahead of us. The area where we will walk today is not new to us, because we walked along it during the porting we did the previous days. The high camp is well located, this helps to protect our tents, from the strong winds. The view of Mount Polleras (5.968 m) to the North is simply spectacular. We will enjoy the afternoon hours at the camp, and we will get ready to spend the night here.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: HIGH CAMP 1 (4.750 m) – HIGH CAMP 2 (5.800 M)
Our ascent carries on! To shorten the distance to the summit and to be able to increase our possibilities of a successful ascent, we will set a second high camp. After 7-8 hours, we will reach our objective at an altitude of approx. 5800 metres. After arrival, the moto is "Save energy". Tonight, we will have an earlier dinner, and make use of the hours to recover as much as possible before we start the final ascent to the summit.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: HIGH CAMP 2 (5.800 M) – TUPUNGATO SUMMIT (6.570 M) – HIGH CAMP 2 (5.800 M)
SUMMIT DAY! Around about 4:00 a.m., we leave our tents, remember it will be dark. A slow but constant pace is the key for success. Due to the extreme cold in the hours before sunrise, it is not possible to take long rests. Depending on the conditions and the weather, the ascent to the summit takes between 6 to 8 hours. The rock scree and the ice fields are tiring, but they are not technically difficult and determine the character of the ascent. At the summit, our effort is rewarded by a unique landscape. After taking a short rest, we need 4 more hours to get back to the High Camp where we will spend the night.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: HIGH CAMP 2 (5.800 M) – BASE CAMP (4.100 M)
Descent (approx. 4 hours) to Base Camp. Here we will have the opportunity to make a toast for the success of reaching the summit. The tension of the previous days goes away, and the joy and relief of what we have achieved and lived determines our emotions. All of us and the expedition team rejoice for the moments that we have lived altogether. We did it! One of the highest volcanoes in the world! The summit of the legendary Tupungato!
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: TUPUNGATO BASE CAMP (4.100 M)
This day serves to guarantee the largest number of opportunities to reach the summit. The proposed itinerary is subject to changes due to climatic problems or causes of force majeure that can put the safety of the group at risk.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11: TUPUNGATO BASE CAMP (4.100 M) - VEGA DE LOS FLOJOS (3.300 M)
We will leave Base Camp behind, and start walking back to civilization. We will set our camp in the beautiful Vega de los Flojos that we have seen before during the approach to the mountain. We spend our last night here, under the most spectacular star studded sky on Earth. Mules will transport our equipment.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12: VEGA DE LOS FLOJOS (3.300 M) – CHACAYAR (2.130 M) – SANTIAGO (OUT)
After having our last breakfast in nature, we will walk back to our starting point. Here we will meet our transport that will be waiting for us, and that will take us back to our accommodation in Santiago. After all our efforts of the days before, a hot shower at the hotel will be a great delight. Before this, we will say our goodbyes to the expedition group. Mules will transport our equipment. END OF SERVICES
Accommodation: -
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended equipment
Technical clothing
Expedition jacket, Breathable windbreaker (Goretex, Windstopper or similar), Polartec or fleece jacket, Medium weight polartec fleece, Thermal underware (it is very important it is breathable, no cotton, or similar), Breathable windbreaker mountain trousers (Goretex or similar), Trekking trousers, Thermal expedition socks.
Head & Hands
Sun hat, hat with ear protection, Ski mask (balaclava) or mask, First layer thin gloves, Trekking gloves (Goretex, Windstopper or similar), Goose down or synthetic expedition mittens
Sleeping gear
Goose down or synthetic expedition sleeping bag (comfort zone -20ºC) with compression bag, Expedition mattress (Therm-a-Rest type or similar).
Shoes
Trekking boots, High mountain expedition boots with inner boot and adequate for using with crampons, Light trainers and sandals or similar to wear at camp, Water proof hiking gaiters
Technical Equipment
Crampons, Telescopic trekking poles, Harness, 2 Climbing carabiners
Additional Equipment
Sun glasses with 100% UV protection, Skiing goggles, Wide mouth water bottle, Thermos, Sun block factor 30+, Lip sun protector factor 30+, Pocket knife, Watch with alarm, Personal first aid kit, Expedition Duffel Bag, Head lamp with batteries & extra batteries, Back pack 70L +, Swimwear, Towel
Security
To guarantee maximum security, all along the expedition we always take with us oxygen, satellite phone, VHF radios and medicine for emergencies.
Besides this, we strongly recommend every participant to hire a Foreign Health insurance and an Accident insurance for South America.
We know that reaching the top of a mountain is the dream of every mountaineer. This is the reason why we make our best effort to make a successful ascent possible. Due to our wide experience on climbing high mountains, we normally succeed. However, it is not possible for us to guarantee reaching the summit of any mountain, and we will never put our health at risk trying to achieve the goal. The security of our clients, our mountain guides and the whole expedition team is our highest priority!
