Those extensive valleys , interrupted by some solitary mountain refuges. The towering rock walls. The irregular peaks by the white glaciers. Everything is still, as in a painting, being us the main characters of that painting.
The idea is to get into the mountain range, walking up a valley and crossing the Andes following the same path as one of the General San Martin´s armies took more than 200 years ago....An experience that is not easily forgotten.
Expedition connecting Argentina with Chile. We will carry our backpacks. General equipment will be carried by carrier animals . Accommodation on wild camps and occasionally in mountain refuges (without the comforts of a campsite) in the mountains.
Day 1: Meeting and transfer from Mendoza´s city Bus Station at 10 a.m. It is a private transfer that we include in the program for those who are not already in Tunuyan. Backpack´s preparation, guide´s presentation + general technical talk, lunch in Tunuyan and transfer to Portinari Refuge. Registration in Migrations (you´ll need your passport for this moment). We start the first section on foot to Scaravelli refuge. The night finds us cooking a delicious meal, which we´ll savor under a starry sky.
Day 2: Calm day of relax and acclimatization. Lunch. After noon We´ll walk 3 hours until the next camp, ascending gradually by the mountain range to Portillo Pass. Yaretas Camp
Day 3: Early breakfast to take advantage of the intense day: walk up to 4300 meters , border El Portillo, from where the view is incredible: hills and glaciers over 6000 meters; then down to another valley, still in Argentina territory. In the afternoon we descend in a very long stretch, through a valley, until finally reaching the camp next to a drinking water stream.
Day 4: Keep going down through the valley, first River crossing and reach the Rio Tupungato Valley; a second River crossing (this time with Horses help) and two more hours walking till Camp Real Del Alambre.
Day 5: We get up early to take advantage of the daylight. Our goal is to get closer to the International Border. We walk through a great and beautiful valley, step by step, until we reach Real de las Ovejas, where we set up our last camp in the mountain.
Day 6: Key day, finally we cross to Chile. Just like every day, we start as early as possible. We continue climbing a couple of hours to the border Paso Piuquenes. Photos, hugs and celebration for the challenge achieved. Here we say goodbye to the animals and their baqueanos. From this point each one must carry their belongings plus some of the general equipment. Descent on the Chilean side, about 4 hours downhill. We reach the hot springs Posas del Yeso. 2-3pm approximate time of arrival. Lunch and final celebration. Transfer to the city of Santiago de Chile. Night at hostel.
Day 7: Breakfast. End of our services in Santiago de Chile. Ask for return options to Argentina or extra nights of lodging in Chile.
Note 1: Active program with a high demand. It is a required to have walked at least once previously with a trekking backpack on an outing in mountain at least one day (8 hours). To have ever slept in a tent with a sleeping bag. Suitable for over 13s, and under 60s (cases outside these age ranges will be evaluated).
Note 2: All participants must present a physical/medical fitness certificate, where their GP will enable them to carry out the activity.
Note 3: People with physical ailments or leg injuries (classic case of knees or other joints) cannot participate. Carry out this activity with an injury can lead to having to evacuate the person in complex situations and significantly harm the group with important delays.
Note 4: Program subject to climatic, geographic or political conditions. Changes may occur during the trip depending on various circumstances and factors. Decisions will be exclusively made by the guides, baqueanos and company coordinators.
