Cerro El Plomo Expedition

4-5 days

Farellones, Santiago

High-altitude Expedition

Follow in the footsteps of the Incas to the 5,424-meter summit of Cerro El Plomo, with views over the Santiago valley and great Andean peaks like Aconcagua and Tupungato.

Cerro El Plomo. At 5,424 meters, it’s one of the highest peaks visible from the city, and for the Incas, it was sacred ground. In 1954, muleteers discovered the frozen body of an eight-year-old boy near its summit: an offering left more than 500 years ago in the Capacocha ceremony, and one of the best-preserved high-altitude Inca mummies ever found. Today his story lives on at Santiago’s Natural History Museum, and the mountain itself remains one of the most striking climbs in the Central Andes.

This expedition follows in the footsteps of the Inca priests: from La Parva through Laguna Piuquenes to Piedra Numerada, then on to Refugio Federación, at the foot of the final ascent, before the push to the summit. It’s a sweeping high-altitude traverse, with views across the Andes and down to the Santiago valley far below.

Quick Facts

Distance: 32 km round trip

Difficulty: Difficult — high-altitude mountaineering

Best Season: November to March

Itinerary

Option A: 5 days (recommended for better acclimatization)

Day 1: Santiago to Piedra Numerada
Pickup in Santiago and private transport to La Parva. We begin the trek past Laguna Piuquenes, crossing high-altitude terrain typical of the Central Andes, to reach Piedra Numerada (~3,600 m), where we set up our first camp.

Day 2: Acclimatization climb to Cerro Pintor
An acclimatization day: we climb from camp to the summit of Cerro Pintor (4,180 m), taking in sweeping views of the Andes and the Santiago valley below, before descending back to Piedra Numerada to rest and sleep at the same altitude.

Day 3: Piedra Numerada to Refugio Federación
We continue along the Molina River valley to Refugio Federación (4,100 m), at the foot of the final ascent. The rest of the day is for resting and preparing for the summit push.

Day 4: Federación to the summit and back
Alpine start, well before sunrise. We climb the historic route to the summit of Cerro El Plomo (5,424 m), following in the footsteps of the Capacocha pilgrims of more than 500 years ago, before descending back to Refugio Federación.

Day 5: Return to Santiago
Descent via Piedra Numerada back to La Parva, and private transport back to Santiago.

Option B: 4 days

Day 2: Piedra Numerada to Refugio Federación
We continue along the Molina River valley to Refugio Federación (4,100 m), at the foot of the final ascent. The rest of the day is for resting and preparing for the summit push.

Day 3: Federación to the summit and back
Alpine start, well before sunrise. We climb the historic route to the summit of Cerro El Plomo (5,424 m), following in the footsteps of the Capacocha pilgrims of more than 500 years ago, before descending back to Refugio Federación.

Day 4: Return to Santiago
Descent via Piedra Numerada back to La Parva, and private transport back to Santiago.

Inclusions

Certified bilingual mountain guide (English & Spanish), Sernatur & WFR certified
All meals throughout the expedition
Camping equipment (tent, cooking and dining setup)
Mules or porters to carry group gear and camp equipment
Private round-trip transport between Santiago and La Parva

What to Bring

Crampons and ice axe (for the summit push)
Mountaineering boots (crampon-compatible)
Three-layer clothing system for high-altitude conditions (base layer + insulating layer + windproof/down jacket)
Waterproof shell pants or insulated mountaineering pants
Warm gloves or mittens, plus a lighter pair of gloves
Warm hat and sun hat
Headlamp with spare batteries
Trekking backpack (50–60 L) for personal gear and sleeping bag
Sleeping bag (four-season, rated for sub-zero temperatures)
Sleeping pad
Trekking poles
Glacier glasses or category 4 sunglasses
High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
Water bottles (at least 2 liters total), ideally insulated
Personal medications and a small personal first-aid kit

Don’t have your own technical gear? Rental equipment (crampons, ice axe and mountaineering boots) is available for an additional fee.

Price

Price per person: 5-day itinerary: Solo traveler: CLP $1,750,000 Groups of 2+: CLP $1,400,000 per person 4-day itinerary: Solo traveler: CLP $1,500,000 Groups of 2+: CLP $1,200,000 per person

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Cancellation Policy

A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking, with the remaining balance due on the first day of the expedition. Free cancellation up to 5 days before the start date, with a full refund of your deposit. Cancellations made within 5 days of the start date forfeit the deposit. If the expedition is cancelled before departure due to weather or safety conditions, a full refund or rescheduling will be offered.

Important Notes

This is a genuine high-altitude mountaineering expedition, not a standard trek. Prior experience above 4,000 m is strongly recommended, along with good physical condition. Altitude sickness is a real risk at this elevation, and your guide will manage the ascent pace and acclimatization schedule accordingly. For everyone’s safety, the guide may decide to turn back before the summit if weather or health conditions require it.

Not recommended for first-time high-altitude climbers without prior consultation. Reach out via WhatsApp to discuss your experience level before booking.