16-day Triple Summit Expedition on Tres Cruces in Atacama, Chile

World traveler and AEGM certified mountain guide Pako De Miguel leads you to the top of the Tres Cruces' North, Central and South peaks in stunning Atacama, Chile.

Andes

1 Day

Jan - Mar, Nov, Dec

High

Intermediate

Description

Situated in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, the triple-peaked Tres Cruces is perhaps the most isolated mountain worth climbing in all of the Andes. Naturally, Tres Cruces is one of the less frequented mountaineering destinations in the region, but it has a lot to offer those eager to get away from it all. If you are willing to make the journey, you will be infinitely rewarded by Mother Nature here on Tres Cruces.

At 6750m, the South peak is the tallest. Tres Cruces’ South peak is also the second highest peak in Chile and the fifth highest in the Americas. Along with the Central (6629m) and North (6030m) peaks, Tres Cruces invites you to make a triple summit in one of the most unique places on Earth.

I must warn you that this expedition is not for everyone, however. The journey to the top of the Tres Cruces’ peaks is demanding and requires a high level of physical fitness. While we will gradually acclimate to the altitude during our first days together, only intermediate and advanced level mountaineers should sign up for this trip.

In addition to making a triple summit on Tres Cruces, we will also explore the other highlights of the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park. We will visit the Santa Rosa and Negro Francisco Lagoons, as well as the the Lamas River. We will also make ascents on Redondo Colorado (4180m), Cornisa (4860m) and Laguna (4960m) in preparation for our triple ascent on Tres Cruces.

You can find the complete itinerary for this trip below. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

They say good things come in threes, and Tres Cruces is certainly no exception. Click on “Request to book” now for more information or to reserve your spot on this triple threat expedition.

I lead a few other expeditions here in the far north of Chile as well. You can join me on the Parinacota Volcano from March to October, or climb to the top the Llullaillaco, the highest archaeological site in the world, between August and December.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

- Transportation start and back

Price details

Meals in Caldera are NOT included in the price.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival to the airport in Copiapó, Chile
Transfer to Caldera (50m)

Day 2: Santa Rosa Lagoon

Transfer to the Santa Rosa Lagoon
Overnight in Santa Rosa (3700m)

Day 3: Mount Redondo Colorado

Ascent on Mount Redondo Colorado (4180m)
Transfer to Negro Francisco Lagoon
Overnight in Negro Francisco (4150m)

Day 4: Mount Cornisa

Ascent on Mount Cornisa (4850m)
Overnight in Negro Francisco

Day 5: Mount Laguna

Ascent on Mount Laguna (4960m)
Overnight in Negro Francisco

Day 6: Río Lamas

Transfer to Río Lamas (Lamas River)
Overnight in Río Lamas (4300m)

Day 7: Tres Cruces North

Tres Cruces North Summit (6030m)
Overnight in Río Lamas

We will approach Tres Cruces North via the North Route. We will ascend 800 meters on rocky terrain. After the col, we will ascend a final 200 meters on the snowy terrain of the Southeast Ridge.

Day 8: Tres Cruces Base Camp

Transfer to Tres Cruces Base Camp
Overnight at Base Camp (5250m)

Day 9: Portage to Camp 1

Portage to Camp 1 (5970m)
Overnight at Base Camp

Day 10: Rest Day

Rest day and overnight at Base Camp

Day 11: Ascent to Camp 1

Ascent to Camp 1
Overnight at Camp 1

Day 12: Tres Cruces South

Tres Cruces South Summit (6750m)
Overnight at Camp 1

We will approach Tres Cruces South via the North Route. We will ascend 770 meters from Camp 1, crossing snowfields and scrambling over large, unstable boulders to reach the summit.

Day 13: Tres Cruces Central

Tres Cruces Central Summit (6629m)
Overnight at Base Camp

We will approach Tres Cruces Central via the South Route. We will ascend 650m from Camp 1 over packed snow at up to 40 degrees.

Day 14: Extra Day

Extra day

Day 15: Caldera

Return transfer to Caldera
Overnight in Caldera

Day 16: Departure

Return transfer to the airport in Copiapó

About the guide

Pako

Mountain Leader

I try to do things differently, I do not like boxes. I have lived in the corporate world, in a caravan, working as an au pair, a frustrated travel photographer and a Spanish teacher in Denmark. Travel backpacking from Spain to Vietnam for a year and travel the length of Chile on my mountain bike.

Always in love with travel, I have been working for the outdoor industry since 2008 traveling the world in more than 30 countries. I love to guide and share my experience and mountaineering skills with other lovers of remote and isolated destinations, far from crowded mountaineering centers. When I'm not working or in the mountains you can find me playing the Spanish guitar sitting on the porch of my house sharing the sunset with my lovely girlfriend.

Languages

English

Certificates

AEGM | UIMLA

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