Volcán San José (5856 m) – 6 Days Expedition
Overview
Volcán San José (5856 m) is one of the highest peaks in the central Andes, located on the border between Chile and Argentina in the Cajón del Maipo region.
This 6-day expedition is designed for proper acclimatization and a safe summit attempt, following the normal route through high-altitude camps. The ascent takes place in a remote and demanding environment, offering a true high Andes experience.
The climb is non-technical but physically demanding, requiring endurance, altitude tolerance, and previous mountain experience. It is an excellent objective for those preparing for 6000m peaks.
Technical Information
Deep local knowledge of Chile’s most iconic climbing regions, from the Central Andes to the deep Patagonian south.
- Altitude: 5856 m
- Duration: 6 Days
- Location: Cajón del Maipo, Chile / Argentina border
- Season: December – March
- Difficulty: Challenging (High altitude)
- Group size: Private / Small groups
Itinerary
Day 1 – Santiago / El Cabrerío / Base Camp EL PLANTAT (~3100 m)
Transfer from Santiago to Cajón del Maipo and access point (El Cabrerío area).
Approach hike to base camp.
- Hiking time: 3–5 hours
- Focus: logistics and initial acclimatization
Day 2 – Base Camp / Camp 1 (~4000 m)
Load carry towards Camp 1 and sleep.
- Hiking time: 4–6 hours
- Focus: acclimatization and load rotation
Day 3 – Camp 1 to Camp 2 (~4600 m)
Relocation to Camp 1 with full equipment.
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Focus: progressive altitude gain
Day 4 – Summit Attempt (5856 m) & Return to Camp 2
Early alpine start.
Summit push to the top of Volcán San José via high-altitude slopes.
Descent back to base camp after summit attempt.
- Total effort: 10–12 hours
- Focus: summit
Day 5 – Return to Refugio El Plantat
Descent back to base camp.
- Total effort: 4-6 hours
- Focus: descent
Day 6 – Descent & Return to Santiago
Descent to trailhead and transfer back to Santiago. Stop to lunch in a restaurant in Cajón Del Maipo.
- Hiking time: 3–4 hours
- Transfer time: 3 hours
What Makes This Experience Unique
- One of the highest peaks in central Chile
- Remote and less crowded than other high Andes objectives
- Ideal preparation for 6000m expeditions
- True high-altitude expedition close to Santiago
Requirements
- Excellent physical condition
- Previous high-altitude experience (recommended 4000–5000 m peaks)
- Good endurance and mental resilience
- Basic mountaineering experience
Included
- Certified mountain guide
- Group equipment (tents, cooking gear)
- High mountain safety equipment
- Transportation from/to Santiago
Not Included
- Personal gear
- Sleeping bag
- Food (optional add-on)
- Insurance
Optional
- Equipment rental
- Private expedition
- Extra acclimatization days
- Custom expedition planning
- Porter to carry your stuff.
Booking
- Private departures available on request.
- Custom itineraries can be designed based on your experience and goals.