Ascent to Nevado de Chañi at 5896m

The Nevado de Chañi is a notable massif with an unreal altitude compared with the average height of the mountains of The Andes. Nevado de Chañi is conformed by many peaks, all those upper to 5.000 meters above the sea level. The stubborn and majestic geography wanted to the put Nevado de Chañi in the middle of Salta and Jujuy, the northernmost provinces of Argentina.

The 5.896 meters of its summit represents a big challenge for mountaineers. Not only because of its height but the route up to there. The approach to that summit is an amazing invitation to enter in the world of that resplendent colossus of the Argentinian northwest. It does not matter if you come from the valley of San Bernardo de las Zorras in Salta or from the valley of Leon in Jujuy, ascending to Nevado de Chañi will be a unique experience.

You can also ask for the traverse without summit attempt!

**Note: While we count on porters that help us to carry the equipment and some personal gear, you have to carry your own backpack. It cannot be less than 55/60 liters of capacity.

I suggest to arrive one day before the start of the trip and sleep in Salta. Ask for flights or buses options. Here you have an itinerary of the expedition from Salta to Jujuy with the ascent to Nevado de Chañi summit.

DAY 1: SALTA & SAN BERNARDO DE LAS ZORRAS, 3.000m

Meeting in Salta and a transfer will take us to San Bernardo de las Zorras, a small town at 3.000 meters high. We will go through the way up to San Antonio de los Cobres, very close to The Clouds Train. We’ll get out of the car and set up the camp next to some beautiful trees. Short visit around the area. Hydration, dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: POTRERO DE CHAÑI, 3.400m

Breakfast. We will leave after the first ray of light. Easy trekking day to the next campsite in Potrero de Chañi, a picturesque hamlet at 3.400 meters. 6-hour hike around the area and acclimatization. Viewpoint of southern face of Chañi in front of us.

DAY 3: CORRAL BLANCO, 4.000m

Breakfast. We continue the trail, now across open lands with a gradual altitude change. We go through Pasnato, an old Aboriginal settlement and then, we descend definitely to Portezuelo del Chañi. Our base camp will be Corral Blanco, located at 4.000 meters. Tents set up and water drunk. Dinner and overnight. Hiking time: 8 hours.

DAY 4: LOS MIMBRES-OVEJERÍA, 3.600m

Breakfast. Ascent day to the Chañi Pass (Portezuelo) to get to the Abra de Reyes (border between Salta and Jujuy – 4.200 meters). From there, we will descent to Ovejería (3.600m). It is a fantastic hamlet on the Jujeño side. Night in a typical home hut. Rest and time for free activities around. Hiking time approx: 8 hours.

DAY 5: LOS MIMBRES-OVEJERÍA, 3.600m

Breakfast. Resting day in the river or we can visit the Gran Cañadón and the old settlement of Ovejería, with its classic church and the only two families living there. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: LA GRAN VEGA, 4.100m

Breakfast. We start our gradual ascent to the summit. Conforming we gain altitude, we will be appreciating the amazing scenery. Intermediate lunch. We look for a place where to camp near a stream. Dinner and overnight. Hiking time: 6 hours.

DAY 7: HUT, 4.700m

Breakfast. We go ahead to our objective, entering slowly to the north circus of Chañi. Once in there, we will find a base hut before our great summit attempt. Lunch, rest and hydration. Brief reconnoiter, early dinner and overnight. Hiking time: 4 hours.

DAY 8: SUMMIT-HUT, 4.700m

Very early breakfast (3 am). Final preparations and summit assault. We start this section at night until we get to the portering base, where we start to ascend to Abra del Chañi. Across the long edge, we will try to access to the main summit. We should probably use pick ax and crampons. Descent to the hut again. Hiking time of today: 12/15 hours.

DAY 9: LOS MIMBRES-OVEJERÍA

Breakfast. Descent to Ovejería. Recuperation day, relax and rest.

DAY 10: MOLULO

Breakfast. Long trekking to Molulo, almost at the end of the valley, continuing to our return from Chañi. Last night in the mountain. Good by dinner. Hiking time: 10 hours.

DAY 11: LEON-SAN SALVADOR DE JUJUY-SALTA

Breakfast. Last section of 2 hours to Leon, in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. End of the trip. Transfer to San Salvador de Jujuy or Salta. End of our services.

Please note that this ascent can only be done during the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October.

Contact me and reach to the Chañi summit in this fantastic Argentinian northern expedition!