Valle de Punilla Trekking - from Los Cocos to Capilla del Monte - Dique Los Alazanes, Córdoba

A hike that magnifies the outdoor experience, always rooted in the treasured hills of Córdoba. The northern Valle de Punilla and the Sierras Chicas are the setting for this adventure linking the towns of Los Cocos and Capilla del Monte, at the foot of the Uritorco, passing by Dique Los Alazanes, a gem amid the rolling hills. You need to walk carrying a backpack with your personal gear. No prior experience is required. There's the option to add an extra day to climb Cerro Uritorco (ask us).

• Option to sleep the night before in Capilla del Monte. Ask about booking the same hostel and a transfer to Los Cocos.                                                                           

Day 1: Meeting in Los Cocos, a beautiful hill town right in the Valle de Punilla and at the foot of the Sierras Chicas. Gear check and packing our backpacks. We'll start our hike to reach, after a winding climb, El Mástil, an amazing viewpoint from which we'll properly enter the hill country. Lunch on the trail. We'll cross fields, small dry lagoons, streams and high-altitude grasslands with moving panoramic views. Always walking along the highest ridge of the Sierras Chicas range, we'll arrive, after a long, stretched-out ridge, at the beautiful Dique Los Alazanes, a clear high-altitude lagoon surrounded by hills and vegetation. This reservoir is the highest in the province of Córdoba at 1450 m above sea level. We'll set up camp on its shores. Afternoon snack, rest, and enjoying the sunset with views towards the hills Las Mellizas and Uritorco. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Breakfast and breaking camp. Continuing our trek, we'll follow the reservoir's eastern shore, leaving it behind after spotting its imposing floodgates. From here a gradual descent begins, with the ever-challenging sight of the mysterious Cerro Uritorco, the highest peak of the Sierras Chicas at 1960 m above sea level. We'll cross several streams, and the trail stays high for a good stretch; finally we descend steeply down to the Arroyo Huertas Malas. Lunch. Next comes a short 15-minute stretch to La Toma, then a walk into Capilla del Monte. End of the program (see the option to continue an extra day with the ascent of Uritorco).  

Day 3 (optional extra, at an extra cost) Very early transfer to the base of Cerro Uritorco. Ascent via the normal route to the summit of Uritorco and descent back to the base. There's also the option to descend by an unconventional route, for those prepared for such a challenge (off-trail, grasslands, steep descents), which passes several caves and Huertas Malas. Walking descent to Capilla del Monte. End of the program and our services.

 

Program confirmed for groups:

1- G.E.M Training 

2- Training-preparation for Lanin and Aconcagua, among others.

3- Practical outing for the Introduction to Mountaineering Course

4- Trekkers and anyone in general who wants to do a point-to-point trek.

* Each person must carry their own backpack with their personal gear (the bare minimum) and some of the group gear (backpack of no less than 60 liters). How the loads are distributed will be decided by the guide on the day. This program is not weather-dependent. Changes to it may be made along the way depending on various circumstances and factors. Decisions will be made exclusively by the guides and coordinators. 

• Prior advice.
• Guided trekking route
• Tents
• Professional mountain guides
• Full board in the mountains (from lunch on day 1 through lunch on day 2)
• General camping equipment
• Ongoing assistance

• Travel to Los Cocos-Capilla del Monte.
• Day 2: Overnight lodging on the night of day 2 + dinner.
• Day 3: ascent of Uritorco on day 3 (extra cost)

in lightweight trekking tents, for 2, 3 or 4 people. And one night at a hostel in Capilla del Monte.

During the activity we eat easily digestible food and energy snacks such as fruit, bars, nougat, nuts, etc. At midday, cold food to keep going, like sandwiches, savory pies, empanadas, salads, etc. At night a hearty hot dish, such as pasta with sauce or lentil stew.

• Special trekking backpack (60 to 80 liters)
• Warm sleeping bag (–1 to -5 degrees comfort rating) 
• Insulating sleeping mat (10 to 15mm).
• A pair of trekking poles

• Socks, (two thick pairs, ski-type or synthetic).
• 1 pair of trekking shoes-boots (in good condition)
• Long trekking pants (NOT jeans)
• Changes of underwear.
• T-shirts and/or shirts (one long-sleeved)
• Warm layers (fleece jacket, or wool sweater)
• 1 waterproof jacket
• 1 warm jacket (down-filled)
• 1 sun hat/cap (with brim) and another warm hat
• 1 bandana to protect your neck from the sun
• Warm gloves 
• Warm hat

• ID document
• Health insurance card .***
• Completed medical and personal form, authorization.

• Headlamp with batteries.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen, lip balm
• Toilet paper. Tissues. Baby wipes.

• Water containers for at least 2 liters (can be a plastic bottle)
• tableware (plate, cup and cutlery)
   

• SILVER TAPE, for blisters and repairs.
• Mate, bombilla (straw) and yerba.
• Steel thermos.
• Binoculars, monocular. Camera or video equipment.
• Book, notebook, travel journal, pencil, pen.
• Games; cards, dice, etc
• Pocket knife (e.g. Victorinox).
• Whistle and lighter.
• Sturdy plastic bags to store clothing.

Yes. Although you should know you have to carry your own backpack with your gear, plus some of the group gear shared among all participants.

The first day is the most demanding because we climb for 5-6 hours to the campsite, carrying all our gear and a loaded backpack. Roughly 8 hs each day.

The meeting point is at the small Los Cocos bus terminal. You can travel by bus and return from Capilla del Monte. You can also drive your own car.

In tents provided by our company. You need to bring a sleeping bag and sleeping pad (we can rent them to you).

Check the section where you can see what to bring. A trekking-expedition backpack between 60 and 80 liters, trekking shoes, a sleeping bag and a third-layer parka jacket are the main items.

During the activity we eat easily digestible food and energy snacks such as fruit, bars, nougat, nuts, etc. At midday, cold food to keep going, like sandwiches, savory pies, empanadas, salads, etc. At night a hearty hot dish, such as pasta with sauce or lentil stew.