Mountaineering in chile
Why climb in Chile
Chile's unique lunar landscape distinguishes it from other Andean countries. Climbs aren't technical, but still stand out: Aconcagua the biggest peak in both South America and outside of Asia is a short drive over the Andes, Ojos del Salado the tallest Volcano, plus some other out of the way adventures like Llullaillaco.
It's a very developed country, with a range of high value guide services. Base camps and logistics are well arranged. Flying in to Santiago is generally quite easy, with several good acclimitsation peaks near by. Plenty of nice hikes south in Patagonia for after your climb if you have time...
When to climb in Chile
The best time to go climbing in Chile is:
- December to October
The best time to climb 6000+ meter peaks in Chile is during the austral summer, from December to March, when weather conditions are more stable and temperatures are milder.
The northern Atacama region is defined by extreme temperature variations between day and night, as well as strong winds
In the Central Andes, summer provides the most favorable conditions, but sudden weather changes and high-altitude storms aren't uncommon.
Where to climb in Chile
In Chile, the main clusters of 6000+ meter peaks are found in the Atacama region and the Central Andes.
The Atacama region is home to the Ojos del Salado, the world's highest active volcano at 6,893 meters, along with other notable peaks like Nevado Tres Cruces - several of which can be done together in one tiring expedition. These are remote peaks.
The Central Andes feature prominent mountains such as Cerro Tupungato, Marmolejo, and across the border Aconcagua. All accessed from the capital Santiago.
Climbs in Chile
There are 10 Climbs in Chile. Get an idea of what separates them here:
Most popular
The classic climbs in Chile:
Lesser known
Escape the crowds and get of the beaten path in Chile with these climbs:
Other climbs in Chile:
Climb difficulties in Chile
How many of each difficulty grade can you find a route for.
| French Alpine | Difficulty description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| F | Easy. Suitable for beginners, minimal technical skills required. | 10 |
| PD | Not very difficult. Some technical skills required, with moderate exposure. | 1 |
| AD | Fairly difficult. Requires good technical skills and experience, with significant exposure. | 0 |
| D | Difficult. Requires advanced technical skills and experience, with high exposure. | 0 |
| TD | Very difficult. Requires very advanced technical skills, experience, and serious commitment. | 0 |
| ED | Extremely difficult. Requires exceptional technical skills, experience, and high commitment. | 0 |
Guide costs for climbing in Chile
There are 17 guides listed for Chile. Trips range from $460 to $6,850, and average $2,354 per expedition.