Aconquija crossing trekking - from El Tesoro to Campo de los Alisos National Park - Inca Trail

One of the most complete, spectacular and wonderful trekking crossings in Argentina

  • Start Date : Request!
  • Hora Inicio: 11 AM
    Hora Fin: 8 PM
  • Meeting Point:Tucuman
    End: Tucuman
  • Duration:8 days
    Availability: 7 spots
Nevados de Aconquija Crossing Trek - # top10trekofargentina

Proposal

Inca City

La Cuidacita or Pueblo Viejo, are Inca archaeological sites located at 4,300 meters above sea level within the Aconquija National Park (Province of Tucumán). The Cuidacita Ruins have both incalculable cultural value and a mysterious enigma that goes from their origin to their functionality. The temperature on winter nights is -20º C while on summer days the temperature can reach 30º C; Towards the plain you can see the provinces of Tucumán, Santiago del Estero and Catamarca.

Itinerary

Day 1 Meeting at the San Miguel de Tucumán bus terminal or Tucumán airport. Transfer by charter vehicle to the town of Santa María (Catamarca) touring part of the beautiful roads of the Calchaquí Valleys. From there we will move to the El Tesoro ranch, base and beginning of our journey, at the foot of the giant Aconquija. Setting up the camp, welcome dinner and talk about the general considerations of the journey. First night at 2600 meters above sea level

Day 2 We get up and have breakfast in peace. We packed our backpacks while we broke down camp and prepared loads for the animals. First stage of the walking tour; going up through a small ravine and then through a gigantic high plain. Later, a small winding ascent will begin and, finally, we will arrive at our camping place: La Cienaga (3600 meters above sea level) or Piedra Ecripta. We will continue with hydration and enjoy an already captivating environment, with amazing views of the Catamarca deserts to the west.  

Day 3 Once again we get up early, have a very complete breakfast and walk… We climb again, the landscape becomes unmissable, and our breathing begins to labor a little due to the effects of the altitude. Suddenly we entered a large high valley, where many years ago those “tireless” Incas passed.  We arrive at Las Pirquitas, a high valley, surrounded by rocks from where we can observe numerous guanacos. This camp is already at 4200 meters above sea level. and it will be our last step on the Catamarca side.

Day 4 Key day, the day of the pass, the crossing of the Aconquija. We will get up earlier than ever. Taking advantage of the cool morning, we climb one valley and then another, the steps are increasingly shorter and slower, which allows us to have a good rhythm in the mountains.  Finally, the “Inca Pass” (4800 m.a.s.l.) fatigue does not prevent us from taking that unforgettable photo. Descent to Campo Colorado (4500 meters above sea level), our new camp.

Day 5: We will have two options that will depend on how the group is.

Option 1- Breakfast and start trekking to CIUDACITA RUINS where we will have lunch and return to the camp.
Option 2- We get up early at 4:00 am to have breakfast and begin the trek to RUINAS DE LA CIUDACITA, we have lunch and return to break camp and go to PIRKITAS (if we see that the schedules are given, we have to cross the gate before 2:00 p.m.).

Day 6: According to how day 5 develops:

Option 1- Breakfast and start of trekking to camp 4 (LA CIENAGA).

Option 2- Breakfast and start of trekking towards EL TESORO.

Day 7: If you opt for option 1. Breakfast and start trekking to the TREASURE. Transfer to San Miguel de Tucuman. End of the program (in the evening).

 

Note
Demanding crossing, one of the longest, with lot of unevenness

Included Services
  • Local transfer to and from San Miguel de Tucumán
  • Mules and pack donkeys throughout the tour
  • Professional mountain guides
  • Full board in the mountains (breakfast, energetic walking, lunch, snack, dinner)
  • General kitchen equipment (Pots, heaters)
  • First aid kit and main kit
  • Communication equipment for emergencies: VHF and Satellite Phone
  • Satellite monitoring via Spot throughout the journey
  • tents
  • Personal accident insurance
  • Permanent assistance and coordination

Services NOT included
  • tickets to Tucumán
  • Expenses incurred due to abandonment of the program
  • Tips

Photo and Video Gallery


Albums

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Crossing the Aconquija - Trekking

Trekking the Nevados de Aconquija

Where do you sleep

in Mountain tents, for 2 and 3 people.

Faq

How many hours do you walk for day?

In general we have a system of walking for about 3/4 hours in the morning; We make a big lunch stop and walk the same in the afternoon to the place where we set up camp.

What temperatures must be endured?

The Argentine north is characterized by having a significant thermal amplitude (hot during the day and cool at night and early morning). 
You should protect yourself from the sun with a hat, scarves, sunscreen and mountaineering glasses. And at night it is important to have a good sleeping bag and a coat since the temperature can drop to less than 0° Celsius.

What sleeping bag should I bring?

Sleeping bags or bags must be able to withstand a temperature of -5° Comfort, to be able to rest peacefully.

Is there anything you can tell me about the group? How many are there, ages, etc.?

In general, these are very heterogeneous groups (all types of people). Varied ages and sexes, people traveling alone, accompanied by a friend, couples, families, etc.

Where do you spend the night?

The overnight stay takes place in mountain camps in comfortable igloo-type tents for 2/3 or 4 people. 

Do I have to bring a tent?

The tents are included in the service.

Are there rest stops?

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

From what age can you do this activity?

From 13 years of age.

How much does the backpack weigh?

Between 12 and 15 kilos

Difficulty graduation

Mochila: Peso / Duración de la Jornada.

Exigencia Física

Técnico: Dificultad en el Terreno / Equipo.

Fortaleza Psicológica

Exposición a la Altura

Backpack (M)

This point has to do with the weight that we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or crossings where we have pack animals allow us to bear less weight on our backs. And the multi-day journeys in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules) generally make us carry more weight, especially in the early days.

20% Up to 5 Kilos: Short excursion walks / Trekking Talampaya

40% Up to 8/10 Kilos: Round-trip trekking / Vallecitos 3 and 4-day programs

60% Up to 12/15 kilos: Crossing trekking with porting / Crossing of the Andes Paso Portillo

80% More than 15/18 kilos: Cross-country trekkings with little or no portage / Trekkings in Patagonia (Paso Vuriloche, PN Lanin or Nahuel Huapi, etc)

100% More than 25 Kilos: With a lot of equipment on top and little or no porting / Continental Ice

Fitness (F)

We consider physical demands to the wear that we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscle (resistance = many hours walking) and of legs and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

20% half a day or less with little unevenness.

40% more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.

60% Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range / intense 4-day trekking (Uruguayan plane)

80% Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents (Lanin - Domuyo) or more than 5000 meters. Ice courses.

100% Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua, mountains of more than 6000 meters.

Technical (T)

The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain. How much can it cost us to climb a slope, if it is very steep or if we have to use our hands in some section (simple climbing), both in rock and snow-ice, or materials such as crampons and pegs in other ascents.

20% flat land

40% trails with moderate ups and downs. General crossing trekkings . Sierra de la Ventana, Córdoba, Patagonia, Cuyo, north, others. Classic ascents

60% Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons. Domuyo, Cordón del Plata, Cordillera Central.

80% Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador. Bolivia, Peru.

100% Highly technical terrain. Glacial transit and climbing in sections. Hill climbing with sections on slopes of more than 60 ° inclination

Psycho (P)

We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and will power to achieve a goal. And depending on the attitude with which we face distances, slopes, terrain and many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

20% We will not be much affected.

40% This is a normal level of attention.

60% We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.

80% The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.

100% Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.

Adventures (A)

It is the factor that, the height above sea level, influences us depending on the activity we carry out. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point

0% + sea level.

20% Up to 2000 masl.

40% + 2000 masl.

60% + 4000 masl.

80% + 5000 masl.

100% + 6000 masl.

Gradual Adventure Activity Difficulty System designed by Leandro Scheurle.
Copyright Argentinaxtrema.com © 2009. All rights reserved.

Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT 
  • Special backpack for trekking (65 to 85 liters)
  •  Warm sleeping bag (0° comfort feather example)
  • Insulating mat (10 to 15mm).
  • Trekking sticks
FOOTWEAR  
  •  1 Trekking boots  
  •  1 second lightweight trekking shoe     
BASE LAYER
  •  A couple of changes of underwear
  •  Several pairs of trekking socks (some may be made of first skin-inside-thin)
  •  1 pair of wool socks (sleeping coat)
  •  2 T-shirts made of polypropylene (dry fit type) or similar (not cotton) for walking
  •  1 long-sleeved thermal t-shirt
  •  Indoor pants (type of leggings or long underwear) for warmth
  •  Trekking pants. Lightweight-quick drying
  •  2 intermediate layers of outerwear (long-sleeved fleeces)
  •  Warm hat (fleece or synthetic wool)  
  •  Sun cap (with flaps)
  •  Neck scarf
  • warm gloves
  • Waterproof-windproof jacket (ultrex or gore tex or similar)   
PERSONAL ITEMS
  •  Document.
  •  Medical insurance, social work.
  •  Complete medical and personal record    
SEVERAL
  •   FRONT flashlight with batteries (spare batteries).  
  •  Resistant plastic bags for storing clothes.
  •  Personal tableware (plate, jug and cutlery).   
HEALTH & HYGIENE
  •  Sunglasses with category 4 UV protection. (IMPORTANT)
  •  Personal first aid kit (medication with the relevant prescription).
  •  Sunscreen, Lip balm
  •  Soap, shampoo (small to share) and small towel.
  •  Others
  • Toilet paper. Handkerchiefs. Baby wipes.   
  • Water containers for at least 2 liters (can be a plastic bottle), Camelback, Nalgene or similar
OPTIONAL, not mandatory (see space and weight)
  •  SILVER TAPE tape, for blisters and repairs.
  •  Mate, bulb and yerba.
  •  Steel thermos.  
  • Water purification tablets.
  •  Mini - sewing kit.
  • Long-sighted, monocle. Photographic or video equipment.
  • Book, notebook, travel diary, pencil, pen.
  • Games; cards, dice, etc.
  • Penknife
  • Warm jacket

Rental Equipment

Trekking sleeping bag

Booking in Advance

US$ 16 + options

Pair of Trekking Poles

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Rental mittens

Booking in Advance

US$ 8 + options

Pair of Crampons

Booking in Advance

US$ 15 + options

Rental : helmet, crampons and ice ax

Booking in Advance

US$ 36 + options

Combo Top: helmet, crampons, ice ax and full harness

Booking in Advance

US$ 50 + options

Category 3 sunglasses - Shepra Julbo Spectrom

Booking in Advance

US$ 5 + options

Backpack for trekking and mountaineering - Woman

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

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Contact and Enquiries

RECOMENDACION: Pueden comunicarse de formar directa al 54 9 1124012278
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