Ascent of San Francisco Volcano, 6040 masl, Route of the Six-Thousanders

Day 0: We recommend already arriving in Fiambalá this day. Meet the guides and coordinators. Free afternoon to enjoy the hot springs and the town. 

Day 01: Cortaderas, 3300 masl. Early in the morning we leave Fiambalá by vehicle for Cortaderas. Check-in at the hostería. Acclimatization ascent of Cerro Pastos Largos. Dinner and overnight stay at the Cortaderas hostería.

Day 02: Las Grutas, 4000 masl. Transfer to the Las Grutas refuges. Rest. 

Day 03: Las Grutas, 4000 masl. Short walk around the area and ascent of Cerro Falso Morocho, 4700 masl, to continue acclimatizing. Hydration, dinner and overnight stay at the refuge. 

Day 04: Las Grutas, 4000 masl. This day we'll climb up to the 5000 m mark, to continue and finish the acclimatization period. 

Day 05: Las Grutas, 4000 masl. Rest. Hydration and preparation for summit day. 

Day 06: Summit and Las Grutas. Very early, we begin our attempt to reach the summit of San Francisco Volcano, 6036 masl, as our first objective. A transfer to the parking area at 5100 masl and then a long, demanding day to the summit. On the way down, we get into the vehicles and descend to Las Grutas. Night in Las Grutas.  

Day 07: Breakfast. Descent to Fiambalá. End of the expedition. 

High Catamarca, home to some of the highest volcanoes in the world

Located in the renowned six-thousanders region of Catamarca, the Ruta de los Seismiles or Roof of the Andes (home to the largest concentration of mountains over 6500 meters, and many over 6000), San Francisco Volcano is a major goal for mountaineers, often attempted as a "first six-thousander." While it doesn't require a long approach on foot (it's mostly done by vehicle), as with other expeditions to mountains of considerable altitude, San Francisco has earned its place among the select group of Argentina's classic six-thousanders.

This expedition can be completed together with the ascent of Pissis.

• Transfer in-out from Fiambalá
• Permanent escort vehicle.
• Hostel-style lodging in Fiambalá, 1 night (the last one)
• 1 night at Hostería Cortaderas
• Lodging at the Las Grutas mountain refuge, 5 nights.
• Professional mountain guides
• Tents, if needed
• Full board on the mountain (meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 7)
• General cooking and communications equipment
• Pre-trip info sessions
• Ongoing support

• Travel to Fiambalá
• Meals in Fiambalá
• Beverages
• Tips
• Personal gear

On all our expeditions we offer meals on a FULL BOARD basis.

• Trail lunches (cold food): Breaded cutlet and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, charcuterie boards, salads, savory pies, etc.
• Dinners: Vegetable-bacon-chorizo colorado stews, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, roasted beef (asado), chow fan (fried rice), chicken and rice casserole, pizzas....
• Breakfasts and afternoon snacks: Tea, coffee, cappuccino, mate cocido, mate, powdered milk; bread, crackers, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereal, fruit.
• Individual bag with energy snacks: Nougat, bars, nuts, chocolates, alfajores, candy, and more...

It's necessary to fill out the personal/medical form to let us know if anyone doesn't eat certain types of food.

• Special trekking backpack (60 to 80 liters)
• Warm sleeping bag (-10 degree comfort rating, e.g. 1000g of good down or synthetic fill).
• Sleeping pad (10 to 15mm). ? Inflatable sleeping pad (optional)
• Trekking poles (rentable at AEX) 
• Physically Fit *** (Your doctor must confirm that you are fit for this activity).
• Travel Assistance Insurance. *** (Check the service included with your Credit Cards / Health Insurance.)  (mandatory on international trips: Portillo, Vuriloche, Peru, Africa, Nepal.)

• 1 pair of high-mountain boots (double or rigid boots), please ask.
• 1 pair of trekking shoes (boots) 

• Spare underwear.  
• Cotton t-shirts (for camp and for sleeping)  
• short-sleeved synthetic t-shirts/shirts
• Long-sleeved synthetic t-shirt
• Polypropylene or similar leggings/pants (not cotton), to wear as inner warm pants  
• Thin polypropylene or similar gloves (not cotton)  
• Polypropylene or similar balaclava (not cotton)
• pairs of thin polypropylene or similar socks (not cotton), in contact with the skin.
• Buff-style multifunction neck gaiter 

• pairs of trekking socks (synthetic-thermal)
• pairs of thick mountain socks  
• Some cotton or wool socks (wool is good for sleeping)
• 1 pair of long trekking pants ? Shorts/swim trunks
• 1 pair of long warm pants (e.g. fleece pants).  
• 2 warm layers (fleece jacket, wool sweater, 100-weight or 200-weight fleece)
• Down/duvet jacket
•  Fleece gloves  
•  Warm hat (fleece)  
•  Sun cap (with flaps) 

• Waterproof jacket (ultrex, gore-tex or similar)
• Over-pants (gore-tex or similar, or ski-type) - Optional
• Third-layer gloves or mittens (waterproof and breathable). Can be ski-type
• Mountain gaiters 

• Passport, national ID, DNI.
• Travel Assistance Insurance. (suggested)
• Health insurance.***
• Travel Assistance Insurance (Suggested / Required if you don't have health insurance.***)

• Headlamp with batteries (with 2 spare batteries).  
• Sturdy plastic bags to store clothes. 

• Sunglasses with UV Category 4 protection
• Spare glasses (goggles work well, highly recommended)
• Personal first aid kit (medication with the relevant prescription).
• High-SPF sunscreen, lip balm
• Soap, small shampoo and a small towel.
• Other items
• Toilet paper. Tissues. Baby wipes. 

• Water containers for at least 2 liters (can be a plastic bottle), Camelback, Nalgene or similar
• Small thermos
• Personal tableware: Plate, cup/mug, cutlery 

• SILVER TAPE, for blisters and repairs.
• Mate, bombilla and yerba.
• Steel thermos.
• Water purification tablets.
• Mini sewing kit.  
• Binoculars, monocular. Camera or video equipment.
• Book, notebook, travel journal, pencil, pen.
• Games; cards, dice, etc
• Pocketknife 

As long as you're physically fit and can follow the personal and/or group training plan we propose, and can do some prior trekking and mountaineering outings with us or on your own.

We'll advise you on this. A lot of it can be rented, and some things are worth buying.

We're not walking every day. The expedition takes this long because the body needs a mandatory period of acclimatization to the altitude; there are days when we only rest. 

Overnight stays are at mountain refuges or campsites, in comfortable igloo-style tents for 2/3 or 4 people. 

Tents or refuges are included in the service. 

From age 18.

Somewhere between 10 and 15 kg, but don't worry, you won't need to carry it - you reach the refuge by vehicle, and on summit day you set off with a light backpack.

On all our expeditions we offer meals on a FULL BOARD basis.

Trail lunches (cold food): Breaded cutlet and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, charcuterie boards, salads, savory pies, etc.

Dinners: Vegetable-bacon-chorizo colorado stews, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, roasted beef (asado), chow fan (fried rice), chicken and rice casserole, pizzas....

Breakfasts and afternoon snacks: Tea, coffee, cappuccino, mate cocido, mate, powdered milk; bread, crackers, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereal, fruit.

Individual bag with energy snacks: Nougat, bars, nuts, chocolates, alfajores, candy, and more...

It's necessary to fill out the personal/medical form to let us know if anyone doesn't eat certain types of food.