Cerro Negro Ascent - 5500 masl - San Juan - Mercedario

Schedule-Itinerary: This also includes the schedule for the first week, for the Arroyo Turquesa Trek + Balcón de los 6000 Trek options.

Day 1: Barreal - 1650 masl. 

Meeting in the town of Barreal, San Juan, in the afternoon. Guide introductions, gear check, rental advice. Last-minute shopping. Lodging at an inn or cabins.

Day 2: Barreal - Laguna Blanca (3100 masl) - Guanaquitos Base Camp - 3550 masl 

Breakfast. Early on we begin our great adventure, transfer by 4x4 to Laguna Blanca, from where we load the mules and begin the ascent to Base Camp at 3550masl in Guanaquitos.  With the help of the pack animals carrying the gear, we'll trek with a light load. We continue hydrating and already get our first great views of Mercedario. Set up camp, acclimatize and overnight.

Day 3:Guanaquitos Base Camp - 3550masl  -  Acclimatization Hill - Guanaquitos

Breakfast. Acclimatization ascent toward Cerro El Pelado (4100masl) or similar, at the guide's discretion, around 5 to 6 hs. Light ascent to acclimatize. Return to camp and overnight

Day 4: Guanaquitos BC - 3550 masl. - Arroyo Turquesa - Arroyo Turquesa Camp (4000 masl)

Breakfast. Day of a round-trip hike to Arroyo Turquesa 4000 masl, water of a stunning color that suddenly emerges from a spring on the eastern slope of Mercedario., trekking with little elevation change, around 6km. Light trekking with a gentle slope. Return to BC, dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Arroyo Turquesa Camp - Caballito Glacier

Hike to the base of the Caballito Glacier on Cerro Mercedario  - 4500 masl - return to Arroyo Turquesa Camp

Day 6: Arroyo Turquesa Camp - Balcon de los 6000 Viewpoint + Cerro Negro summit (5500 masl) - Guanaquitos Camp

Very early breakfast,  Long day to reach the impressive viewpoint known as the Balcón de Los Seis Miles (4850 masl), from where we can see the Río Colorado Valley surrounded by glaciers and the highest peaks of the Andes: Pico Polaco, Alma Negra, La Mesa, La Ramada Sur, La Ramada Norte and Mercedario. From there we'll also attempt the summit of Cerro Negro (5500 masl); a day of between 12 and 14hs (around 23km) After photos we'll descend to Guanaquitos camp. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Camp - Laguna Blanca - Barreal

We have breakfast, break camp and begin our trek back to Laguna Blanca and from there by 4x4 again to Barreal. Night in Barreal, lodging at inns or cabins. End of our services.   

Following day: Options for rafting and/or an excursion to Pampa del Leoncito, astronomical observatories and land sailing. Ask us

Do I need to be in training?

Any mountain activity requires some prior physical preparation, or being physically active in general. In this case we recommend training well aerobically (going running two to three times a week, cycling or swimming) and doing good leg training (gym, crossfit, AEX training, etc)

Do I need previous experience?

We recommend having hiked at least once before with a trekking backpack, although prior experience is not required. Having slept in a tent at some point.  

Where do we sleep?

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

The first and last night we sleep in a hostel or cabins in Barreal, a small town in the Calingasta Valley. 

Do we need to bring a tent?

Tents are included in the service. If you'd like to bring your own, ask us.

What's the weather or temperature like?

Even though the time of year is ideal for this trek, in mountain and backcountry areas temperatures tend to drop at night. There's a chance of running into a storm, hence the importance of the personal gear list; you can't be missing anything from the list we detail.

Are there rest stops?

Stops happen with a frequency and pace based on intensity.

There are stops for lunch, snacks, and rest.

What's the minimum age for this activity?

From 13 years of age.

How much does the backpack weigh?

For women, a range of 8 to 12 kilos, for men 12 to 15 kilos. 

Is there a portering service?

We have a mule portering service, which carries the group gear, such as kitchen items, food, tents, and safety equipment. They also carry some of your gear, up to approximately 7 kilos per person. 

What do we eat?

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

Trail lunches (cold meals): milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, snack platters, salads, etc.

Dinners: vegetable-bacon-chorizo stews, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, roasted meat (chivito), Chaw Fan, chicken with rice...

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

Please fill out the personal/medical form to let us know of any dietary restrictions.