The Uruguayans Plane, Trekking to the place of the Miracle of the Andes.

An adventure full of history through the Valle de Las Lagrimas

  • Start Date : Request!
  • Hora Inicio: 3:30 pm
    Hora Fin: 5 pm
  • Meeting Point:El Sosneado, Mendoza
    End: El Sosneado, Mendoza
  • Duration:3 days
    Availability: 15 spots
Trekking to the Uruguayans plane - ALIVE

Proposal

A story that shocked the world...

On Friday October 13th 1972, a Uruguayan plane, carrying 45 passengers to Chile, many of whom were students and players from a rugby team, crashed in the Andes Mountains.
Twelve died from the impact and those who survived had to endure, among other things, the fearsome Cordillera with its thirty degrees below zero at night and the scarcity of food reserves.
Finally fed up with the very low temperatures, the threatening avalanches and anguished by the continuous death of their companions and the slow wait for rescue, two of them decide to cross the immense mountains to reach Chile.
On December 22nd of that same year, after having remained isolated from everything for 72 days, the world learns that sixteen defeated death. These events gave rise to the book and later to the film "Alive". Our tour invites you to visit this miraculous place that, on the other hand, has a very important landscape content.

Dates Season  2024/25 (the classic programs will be 3 days and the Impacto/night in Memorial programs will be 4 days, starting at 8 am at the El Sosneado parador)
  • Classic programs (3 days)

December: 6 to 8 / 20 to 22 (anniversary date) / 27 to 29
January: 3 to 5 / 17 to 19
February: 7 to 9 / 21 to 23
March: 1 to 3 (Carnival Holiday) / 22 to 24 (Monday 24 holiday)
April (without carrying*): 2 to 4 (Wednesday 2 holiday) / 18 to 20 (Holy Week)
       *It is because there are no animals available; They are left without pasture and are lowered into lower valleys. 

  • Programs with overnight stay at the Memorial + Place of Impact option (4 days)

December: 20 to 23 (anniversary date)
January: 17 to 20
February: 7 to 10
March: 1 to 4 (Carnival Holiday) and 22 to 25
Horseback riding: Same dates as the classic trekking program.

Itinerary:

Program subject to climatic, geographic or political conditions. Modifications to it may occur on the fly depending on circumstances and various factors. The decisions will be made exclusively by the guides, baqueanos and coordinators.

Day 1:  Meeting in El Sosneado at 8.30 am. Quick equipment check + presentation of guides. Transfer by vehicle to the west along the route that leads to the Soler and National Gendarmería shelter. Passing by the old abandoned thermal hotel, we will reach the Araya cattle station. Start of trekking. This day we will walk to the El Barroso base camp. We will first cross the Atuel River, on foot or with the help of horses. March lunch. Arrival at camp. Snack, dinner, rest.

  • Estimated walking time: 7 hours.
  • Elevation: 350 meters in total ascent (500 meters in ascent / 150 meters in descent)
  • Starting height: 2200 meters above sea level
  • Camp height: 2550 meters above sea level.


Day 2: Early departure to the Las Lágrimas Glacier. This day's journey will be the most demanding, since after three hours of walking we will cross the Río de Las Lagrimas and then we will ascend for two and a half extra hours to the site where the remains of the plane are located, at 3600 meters above sea level. We will silently pay our tribute to the victims, and then reconnoitre the place. Descent to camp. 

  • Estimated walking time: 7 hours one way, 5 hours back. Total = 12 hours.
  • Elevation: 1050 meters in ascent and 1050 meters in descent. 
  • Starting height: 2550 meters above sea level
  • Maximum height: 3600 meters above sea level
  • Camp height: 2550 meters above sea level.

Day 3: Breakfast and camp disassembly. We will walk back and descend to the Araya Post. Return to El Sosneado. End of our services. Homecoming. 

  • Estimated walking time: 6 hours.
  • Elevation: 350 meters in total descent (500 meters in descent / 150 meters in ascent)
  • Starting height: 2550 meters above sea level
  • Final height: 2200 meters above sea level

Note

Program subject to climatic, geographic or political conditions. Modifications to it may occur on the fly depending on circumstances and various factors. The decisions will be made exclusively by the guides, baqueanos and coordinators.

 

Included Services
  • Local transfer to and from El Sosneado.
  • Baqueanos and pack animals to the Barroso camp (up to 5 kg per person). Important: the date of Easter due to climatic reasons, pack animals are not available.
  • Saddle horse to be able to cross the river, in case it is high.
  • Professional mountain guides.
  • Mandatory entry and ascent permit in the Valley of Tears.
  • Full board in the mountains (breakfast, energy drinks, lunch, snacks, dinner).
  • General kitchen equipment (pots, heaters).
  • Equipment and main first aid kit.
  • Communication equipment for emergencies: VHF, Satellite Telephone.
  • tents
  • Dining tents at El Barroso base camp (with chairs, tables, crockery and kitchen).
  • Previous informative meetings.
  • Personal accident insurance.
  • Assistance and permanent coordination.

Services NOT included
  • Trip to El Sosneado
  • Expenses caused by abandoning the program
  • Tips for Guides and Baqueanos.

Photo and Video Gallery


Albums

ascendiendo

Vadeo del Atuel Superior
Uruguayan Plane Trekkking - Easter 2021

Grupo Viven 97, Rugby Club GER + Estacion Vertical + Gloria y Cristobal.

avion uruguayos trekking mendoza 1jpg318
Trekking to the Andes Survivor crash site

Classic trekking to the plane of the Uruguayans - 4 days.

Grupo Avion de los uruguayos trekking
Andes Survivor Crash site - General selection.

Expedition to the place of the Miracle of the Andes - Selection of several seasons

avion trekking 01
Trekking to the Andes survivors site - Fundación Diabetes Uruguay.

4 days to the remains of the plane with the group of the Diabetes Foundation Uruguay. Great adventure!

Where do you sleep

  • First night in mountain tents for two or three people, provided by us.
  • The nights that we sleep at Camp Barroso we have tents with tables and chairs. Here we sleep in small tents or there is also the possibility of spending the night in the large ones, on the floor.

Faq

Do I need to be trained?

For any mountain activity you need to have a previous physical preparation, or be physically active. In this case we suggest training (jogging twice to three times a week, cycling or swimming) and doing a good leg workout (gym, crossfit, etc.)

Do I need to have previous experience?

We recommend walking at least once before this trekking with a backpack, although no previous experience is required. Having slept in a tent also helps as a experience for this trekking.

How much does the backpack weigh?

In a woman backpack, from 8 to 10 kilos, in a man from 10 to 12 kilos. 

Where do we spend the night?

Overnight is spent in mountain campsite in igloo tents, comfortable and for 2/3 or 4 people.

Do I have to carry a tent?

The tents are included in the service. If you want to bring yours, ask us.

Are there any breaks to rest?

Stops are given with a frequency and graduation according to the intensity.

There are breaks for lunch, snack, and rest.

How old do I have to be to do this activity?

From 13 years old onwards. We also recommend you to contact us before registering or registering a minor just to make sure that his/her experience is the suitable for this trek.

What is the weather like?

Even though we visit the area in summer, temperatures tend to fall at night. Easily dropping to 0 degrees Celcious / 32 Farenheit

How can I get to El Sosneado?

By car: After San Rafael city, at 140 kms away, you will arrive to Parador El Chacallal, on route 144. You can leave your car over here during the days of  the trek. GPS coordinates: -35.080516, -69.582824

By plane: There are daily services to San Rafael city but the schedules do not usually suit our departing time. For that reason you must spend the previous night in San Rafael and on the following day, you should take the bus service CATA INTERNACIONAL to El  Sosneado. (Check with us the issuance of tickets and reservations)

What do we eat?
  • Lunch: Milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold sandwiches, snacks, salads, tapas, etc.
  • Dinners: Vegetable stews with bacon or chorizo; chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various , barbacue (goat), Chaw Fan, chicken with rice among other meals
  • 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 file to clarify if someone does not eat some type of food.

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

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT *** (If this equipment is not available, the guides reserve the right to participate in the trekking)
  • Trekking-expedition backpack (60 to 80 litres) *** - Note on backpacks: CLICK HERE
  • Sleeping bag for trekking (ext temp from 0 to -5°) (eg 600 gs. of down or good synthetic). ***
  • A pair of trekking poles ***
  • Physically Fit*** (where your GP indicates that you are fit to perform this activity).
  • Water-resistant plastic bags to store all the clothes inside the backpack.
CLOTHING
  • Socks: several pairs of trekking
  • Underwear
  • 1 pair of trekking boots (in conditions) ***. (Keep in mind that on the December date there is snow above)
  • 1 second pair of light shoes to wade (cross rivers) and get wet. Running type - (NO CROCS - NO SANDALS) ***
  • Long trekking pants (NO JEAN)
  • Long interior pants or leggings (not mandatory)
  • Dry fit synthetic short-sleeved t-shirts
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Coats: Fleece jacket and duvet jacket (feather)
  • Waterproof jacket (ideal also breathable and windproof) ***
  • 1 sun hat (with flaps)
  • 1 bandana to cover the neck from the sun (multifunction bandanas type Buff)
  • Warm gloves.
  • Warm hat
PERSONAL ELEMENTS
  • Passport/ID
  • Travel Medical insurance
OTHER ELEMENTS
  • Headlamp with batteries (Batteries). ***
  • Mountain sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen (not less than factor 45). Lip balm
  • Toilet paper. Handkerchiefs
  • Baby wipes.
KITCHEN FOR PERSONAL USE
  • Water containers for at least 2 liters (it can be a plastic bottle)
  • Cutlery / Plate or tupperware (not glass or aluminum) / Plastic or ceramic glass or jar (not glass or aluminum).
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.
  • Games; cards, dice, etc.
  • Penknife
  • Whistle and lighter.

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
Request info

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