El Manchao Hill (4530 masl) - Ascent to Cordón de Ambato, Catamarca

A trekking and mountaineering adventure in the mountains that dominate the Rodeo, in the Cordon of Ambato, an ecosystem with diverse vegetation and stunning valleys and high peaks.

The Manchao is the highest peak of this cord and limits the large horseshoe shape to the northwest of the provincial capital. From the stretch of Las Juntas to the summit of the hill, the slope is pronounced with a landscape that amazes with its variety, unlike the western sector of the province, the dominated aridity, the salt flats and high altitude. An innovative experience expedition, camping and hiking with extensive conference and summit attempt.

Day 1:  Transfer from Catamarca to El Rodeo. This day we meet at El Rodeo. Lunch. Lodging in a hostel in El Rodeo with dinner. Presentation with guides and equipment, general check-up and prior logistics

Day 2: Breakfast. Transfer 7 am to the beginning of the path. Beginning of the walk. First working day. Set up of camp in Las Tinajas. First night. 3400 masl.

Day 3: Walk uphill to the camp at 4000 meters above sea level, in the so-called Casa de Piedra del Manchao. Camp setup. Hydration and rest.

Day 4: Early breakfast. The Manchao summit attempt. If weather conditions permit us, we arrive at the summit of 4530 meters. Photos and celebrations summit. Descend to camp. Rest. Hydration. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Descent along the route that ends in El Rodeo to a last camp in a high field.

Day 6 Last day of descent to Las El Rodeo. Walk to the accommodation of the first day (or transfer). Option to spend the night at the inn (extra) or transfer to Catamarca city.

Trekking and climbing considered physically demanding. Will be camping three nights

• Transfer IN-OUT from Catamarca to Rodeo and Las Juntas.
• Professional mountain guides and baqueanos.
• Accommodation in a hostel in El Rodeo, night 1; rooms to share, with dinner
• Full board, non-a la carte menu, from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6. (4 daily meals: breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner.)
• General camp logistics (pots, heaters, security elements, orientation).
• Communication and first aid equipment
• Portage with animals for the general team.
• Personal accident insurance.
• Shower-bath at the end of the journey
• Permanent advice, before and during the journey.

• Trip (from place of origin of each one) to Catamarca.
• Night 6 accommodation in El Rodeo or Catamarca and dinner.
• Expenses caused by leaving the program.
• Lunch day 1

The overnight stay takes place in mountain camps in igloo-type tents, comfortable and for 2/3 or 4 people. The first night is in a hostel in El Rodeo.

In all our expeditions we offer the service of meals IN FULL BOARD PLAN.

• March lunches (cold meals): Milanese and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, appetizers, salads, tapas, etc.
• Dinners: Vegetable-bacon-red chorizo stews, Chicken and vegetable casseroles, Pasta with various sauces or stew, Roast meat (Chivito), Chaw Fan, Chicken with rice in a saucepan....
• Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Mate Cocido, Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit

It is necessary to complete the personal/medical record to clarify if someone does not eat any type of food.

Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

• Special backpack for trekking (65 to 85 litres)
• Warm sleeping bag (minimum –10 degrees comfort) (eg 700gms or 1 Kg of feather or good synthetic)
• Insulating mat (10 to 15mm)
• Trekking sticks.
• Water-resistant plastic bags to store all the clothes inside the backpack.

CLOTHING

• Stockings
• Underwear
• 1 pair of trekking boots (in conditions).
• Long trekking pants (NO JEAN).
• 1 long inner pants or leggings.
• 2 dry fit synthetic short-sleeved shirts.
• 1 long-sleeved shirt.
• 2 coats (fleece jumper, or wool pullover).
• 1 sun hat (with flaps).
• 1 scarf to cover the neck from the sun.
• Fleece collar
• Warm hat

HANDS

• Thin first layer gloves.
• Warm fleece gloves.
• Third layer gloves (waterproof). They can be mittens or ski type.

THIRD LAYER (windproof and waterproof)

• Waterproof-windproof jacket (ultrex or gore tex or similar).
• Feather coat jacket.
• Trouser cover (ultrex or gore tex or similar) – According to conditions. Consult.
• Leggings – According to conditions

PERSONAL ELEMENTS

• Passport/ID
• Medical insurance, social work.
• Physically Fit Form (where your doctor indicates that you are fit to perform this activity)

OTHER ELEMENTS

• Headlamp with batteries.
• Sunglasses (mandatory)
• Sunscreen (not less than factor 45). Lip balm.
• Toilet paper. Handkerchiefs Baby wipes.

KITCHEN ELEMENTS

• Containers for water for at least 2 liters (it can be a plastic bottle).
• Cutlery.
• Plate or taper (not glass or aluminum).
• Plastic or metal jar and pottery (not glass or aluminum).
• dish towel

OPTIONAL, not mandatory (see space and weight)

• SILVER TAPE, for blisters and repairs.
• Mate, bombilla and yerba.
• Steel thermos.
• Telescope, monocle. Photographic or video equipment.
• Book, notebook, travel diary, pencil, pen.

It does not have technical difficulty but it does have some physics with some height. It is a 50 km round trip walk with large unevenness.

For any mountain activity you need to have prior physical preparation, or be physically active.

It is important to have some previous experience in different treks. We recommend having good physical condition, and knowing that the modality is crossing, where you walk during the day with a backpack, and spend the night in a wild camp. The summit day is intense.

The overnight stay takes place in mountain camps in igloo-type tents, comfortable and for 2/3 or 4 people. The first night is in a hostel in El Rodeo

The tents are included in the service.

Pleasant during the day, cool (0 degrees) either early or at sunset.

The stops occur with a frequency and graduation according to the intensity. There are stops for lunch, snack, and rest.

In a woman a range of 13 to 15 kilos, in a man from 15 to 20 kilos.

We have a mule portering service, which will carry the general equipment every day.

In all our expeditions we offer the meal service IN FULL BOARD PLAN.

March lunches (cold meals): Milanese and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, chopped, salads, tapas, etc.
Dinner: Vegetable stews-bacon-red chorizo, Chicken and vegetable casseroles, Pasta with various sauces or stew, Roast meat (Chivito), Chaw Fan, Chicken with rice in the casserole....
Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Cooked Mate, Mate, Powdered milk; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit.
It is necessary to complete the personal/medical file to clarify if someone does not eat some type of food.