Tupungato Volcano, 6550 m

Route and Schedule

It is possible to climb Tupungato in a seven day rountrip tour from Santiago. 

The aprox. day schedule is (see map below ) : 
 

1. Santiago - Alfalfal - Bocatoma Colorado (2 h ride, road ends here, 25 km from Alfalfal, no public transportation and a permit is required) - 3 h walk to Rio Museo (2400 m) 
2. Rio Museo - You can have serious trouble crossing Río Azufre. Mules may be necessary and/or ropes - Vegas del Flojo (at the base of the huge volcano Tupungato at 3300 m) 
3. Vegas del Flojo - Portezuelo (i.e. pass) Tupungato (4800 m) 
4. Portezuelo - High camp at 5500 m sheltered by large boulders 
5. High camp - Summit ~ 6550 m - High camp 
6. High camp - Vegas del Flojo 
7. Vegas del Flojo - Alfalfal - Santiago 

If more acclimatization is needed, rest one day at Vegas del Flojo. The trip has an average duration of 10 days on a more comfortable schedule. This is a tigth one with no spare time or rest. The long approach walk gives you accl. though. 

Permits

Permits have to be obtained from GENER S.A. (the have a powerplant in the valley and built the road towards Tupungato) to enter past the gate of el Alfafal. 

Send your request to : 

GENER S.A. 
Miraflores 222 
Casilla 3514 
Santiago CHILE 

FAX Nr. 56-2-6868668 or Phone 56-2-6868470 

Include names, passport numbers, duration of stay in the valley and state that any accident is your sole responsibility. A permit from DIFROL (Dirección de Fronteras y Límites) could be necessary, because you are entering border region and the valley actually belongs to the Army, but if CHILGENER doesn't ask for it, don't bother. 

Tupungato Area Map (Source : "Andes Central", Lliboutry)