Plan your trip · Guide
Chile
What to know before you climb Ojos del Salado: getting to Copiapó, entry, the climbing permit, money and health.
01 · The basics
Before you go
The expedition leaves from Copiapó, in northern Chile, for the Atacama Desert.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Getting there | International flight to Santiago and domestic flight to Copiapó. From there, by 4×4. |
| Entry | Many nationalities don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. On arrival you’re given a tourist card, which you need to keep and hand back when you leave. Check the requirements for your nationality. |
| Climbing permit | As it’s in a border area, the climb needs official authorisation (DIFROL). We process it for you, but we’ll ask for your details well in advance. |
| Currency | Chilean peso. Cards and ATMs work almost everywhere. |
| Weather | In the Atacama, sunny, dry days with a big temperature difference between day and night. At altitude, intense cold and wind. |
| Plugs | Types C and L, 230 V. If yours are a different type, bring an adapter. |
02 · The trip
Ojos del Salado
Ojos del Salado
Best time: January to March, the southern hemisphere summer.
The highest volcano in the world, at 6,893 m, in the heart of the Atacama Desert. It’s non-technical except for the last 30 metres, an easy scramble with fixed ropes. It’s one of the most demanding and remote expeditions we organise.
All dates are in the departure calendar.
03 · Health and insurance
Health, altitude and insurance
- Altitude: our trips are designed to give you proper acclimatisation. Safety comes first, and with altitude we don’t take chances. If you have any questions, just ask us. More in altitude sickness and acclimatisation
- Insurance: it’s mandatory. It must cover the activity you’ll be doing, based on the maximum altitude and whether technical gear is involved, as well as helicopter rescue and evacuation and repatriation. Before departure you’ll also sign a waiver
- Vaccines: requirements depend on the country you’re travelling from. Check the latest on your country’s official health website or with a travel health clinic, or ask us
- Physical preparation: here it’s key. Your fitness is the engine that will get you to the summit, so we recommend following a training plan. We can help you with it. See how it works
Questions?
Got a question?
If you’re thinking about Ojos del Salado and have questions about the expedition or how to prepare, write to us and we’ll reply by email.
See upcoming departures →