San Jose Volcano Expedition
Take on one of the great volcanoes of the central Andes on an expedition to Volcán San José, a 5,856-meter colossus that stands guard over the Cajón del Maipo. The route combines treks through foothill valleys, high-altitude camps, and a final ascent over volcanic terrain and snow to reach an active crater with fumaroles and panoramic views that extend across the entire mountain range. A demanding and comprehensive high-altitude expedition, ideal for mountaineers seeking their first challenge above 5,000 meters, with the support of certified local guides who know every corner of this mountain.
Expedition to the San José Volcano (5,856 m above sea level), one of the most imposing active volcanoes in the central mountain range
High-altitude camps overlooking the Cajón del Maipo and final ascent through volcanic terrain, snow and fumaroles
Ideal challenge for a first six-thousander, with certified local guides and professional high-mountain logistics
Location: Cajón del Maipo, Santiago, Chile.
Reservations:
To confirm your booking, a 50% deposit of the total expedition cost is required. To process the payment, please contact us at apuexpeditionchile@gmail.com and we will send you the necessary information and instructions.
Day 1 | Santiago – Lajas camp (3,700 m above sea level)
Departure from Santiago at 8:00 am towards Cajón del Maipo. From the Valle de La Engorda we begin a 3-hour hike to the Plantat Refuge, where we take a short break to hydrate and rest before the first base camp.
Day 2 | Lajas Camp – Camp C1 (4,300 m above sea level)
After a delicious breakfast, we began the 4-hour ascent to Camp 1 , a key location for acclimatization and oxygenation in preparation for the summit.
Day 3 | Camp 1 – High Camp C2 (4,800 m above sea level)
The ascent takes approximately 4 hours to reach the High Camp , where you can rest and plan your summit day.
Day 4 | High Camp (4,800 m) – Summit (5,856 m) – High Camp
The most anticipated day. We started with breakfast at 3:30 am and began the ascent at 4:30 am. After about 7 or 8 hours, we reached the summit , enjoying the sunrise over the Andes. Return to High Camp.
Day 5 | High Camp – Santiago
At 8:00 am we began the descent, breaking camp and returning to Santiago.