Nevado Tres Cruces above the Atacama altiplano — a wild, remote three-summit massif

Second-highest in Chile

Nevado Tres Cruces — 6,749 m.

A wild, remote three-summit massif above Laguna Santa Rosa in the heart of the Atacama altiplano. The perfect stand-alone objective or the ideal acclimatization mountain for climbers building toward 7,000 m.

Elevation
6,749 m
22,142 ft
Duration
10 – 12 days
From Copiapó, return to Copiapó
Difficulty
Moderate
Non-technical · altitude & remote setting
Price
$7,200
USD per climber

The mountain

Nevado Tres Cruces is the second-highest peak in Chile — a three-summit massif that rises from the Atacama altiplano above the pink flamingos and turquoise water of Laguna Santa Rosa. It's one of the most beautiful and least-visited 6,000 m peaks in the Andes.

The standard route to Tres Cruces Sur (6,749 m) is non-technical: firn snow and volcanic scree, no serious rock or ice. But like every peak in this range, the altitude is real, the weather is exposed, and the remoteness demands respect. This is a proper high-altitude expedition — just a shorter and more approachable one than Ojos.

Many of our clients climb Tres Cruces first, either as their goal mountain or as a stepping-stone to Ojos del Salado on a return trip. The two peaks share the same access corridor.

Day-by-day itinerary

A sample itinerary — real dates and rest days flex around weather, acclimatization, and how each climber is moving. Fena adapts the plan on the mountain.

Day 1

Arrival in Copiapó

Team pickup at Copiapó airport. Gear check, briefing, welcome dinner. Overnight at 400 m.

Day 2

Drive to Laguna Santa Rosa (3,700 m)

Long scenic drive up into the altiplano. First high-altitude sleep. Short walk to explore.

Day 3

Acclimatization at Laguna Santa Rosa

Full acclimatization day. Guided hike to 4,000 m and return to sleep low. Hydration, altitude review.

Day 4

Move to Nevado Tres Cruces base camp

Drive and short carry to base camp at approximately 4,400 m below the massif.

Day 5

Acclimatization above base camp

Guided hike to a 5,000 m high point and return to sleep at base camp. Load carry practice.

Day 6

Rest day at base camp

Full rest and prep day. Big meals, hydration, gear check, summit-day briefing.

Day 7

Move to high camp (5,600 m)

Carry to high camp. Set up, hydrate, early dinner, early to bed.

Day 8

Summit day — Nevado Tres Cruces Sur (6,749 m)

Alpine start. Long summit day on the standard route: mixed volcanic scree and firn snowfields. Roughly 9–12 hours round trip. Descent to high camp.

Day 9

Descent to base camp

Pack up high camp and descend to base camp. Celebrate.

Day 10

Return to Copiapó

Drive out. Farewell dinner. Overnight at 400 m.

Day 11

Departure or buffer day

Transfer to Copiapó airport. One or two flex days built into the schedule to allow for weather or acclimatization needs.

What's included

Included

  • All ground transport from Copiapó and back
  • All meals from Copiapó pickup to Copiapó return
  • All accommodation (hotels in Copiapó, base camps, high camp)
  • Expedition tents, camp stoves, cookware, fuel
  • Group ropes, snow stakes, technical group hardware
  • Lead guide (Fena) and second guide on summit day for groups over 3
  • Base camp medical kit including emergency supplemental oxygen
  • Satellite communications on the mountain
  • Starlink internet at base camps
  • Permits and park fees
  • Airport transfers (Copiapó CPO)

Not included

  • International flights and Copiapó (CPO) flights
  • Travel and rescue insurance (required — must cover high-altitude mountaineering)
  • Personal climbing gear (see equipment list)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Guide gratuities
  • Anything of personal nature

Pricing

$7,200 USD

All-inclusive from Copiapó

$1,500 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot. Balance of $5,700 invoiced 90 days before departure. Balance is refundable up to 60 days before expedition start.

Reserve your spot — $1,500 deposit
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