The Andes Survivor- Trekking and Exploration - El Sosneado, Mendoza

A story that shocked the world...

On Friday October 13th 1972, a Uruguayan plane, carrying 45 passengers to Chile, many of whom were students and players from a rugby team, crashed in the Andes Mountains.
Twelve died from the impact and those who survived had to endure, among other things, the fearsome Cordillera with its thirty degrees below zero at night and the scarcity of food reserves.
Finally fed up with the very low temperatures, the threatening avalanches and anguished by the continuous death of their companions and the slow wait for rescue, two of them decide to cross the immense mountains to reach Chile.
On December 22nd of that same year, after having remained isolated from everything for 72 days, the world learns that sixteen defeated death. These events gave rise to the book and later to the film "Alive". Our tour invites you to visit this miraculous place that, on the other hand, has a very important landscape content.

Dates Season  2024/25 (the classic programs will be 3 days and the Impacto/night in Memorial programs will be 4 days, starting at 8 am at the El Sosneado parador)

• Classic programs (3 days)

December: 6 to 8 / 20 to 22 (anniversary date) / 27 to 29
January: 3 to 5 / 17 to 19
February: 7 to 9 / 21 to 23
March: 1 to 3 (Carnival Holiday) / 22 to 24 (Monday 24 holiday)
April (without carrying*): 2 to 4 (Wednesday 2 holiday) / 18 to 20 (Holy Week)
       *It is because there are no animals available; They are left without pasture and are lowered into lower valleys. 

• Programs with overnight stay at the Memorial + Place of Impact option (4 days)

December: 20 to 23 (anniversary date)
January: 17 to 20
February: 7 to 10
March: 1 to 4 (Carnival Holiday) and 22 to 25
Horseback riding: Same dates as the classic trekking program.

Itinerary:

Program subject to climatic, geographic or political conditions. Modifications to it may occur on the fly depending on circumstances and various factors. The decisions will be made exclusively by the guides, baqueanos and coordinators.

Day 1:  Meeting in El Sosneado at 8.30 am. Quick equipment check + presentation of guides. Transfer by vehicle to the west along the route that leads to the Soler and National Gendarmería shelter. Passing by the old abandoned thermal hotel, we will reach the Araya cattle station. Start of trekking. This day we will walk to the El Barroso base camp. We will first cross the Atuel River, on foot or with the help of horses. March lunch. Arrival at camp. Snack, dinner, rest.

• Estimated walking time: 7 hours.
• Elevation: 350 meters in total ascent (500 meters in ascent / 150 meters in descent)
• Starting height: 2200 meters above sea level
• Camp height: 2550 meters above sea level.

Day 2: Early departure to the Las Lágrimas Glacier. This day's journey will be the most demanding, since after three hours of walking we will cross the Río de Las Lagrimas and then we will ascend for two and a half extra hours to the site where the remains of the plane are located, at 3600 meters above sea level. We will silently pay our tribute to the victims, and then reconnoitre the place. Descent to camp. 

• Estimated walking time: 7 hours one way, 5 hours back. Total = 12 hours.
• Elevation: 1050 meters in ascent and 1050 meters in descent. 
• Starting height: 2550 meters above sea level
• Maximum height: 3600 meters above sea level
• Camp height: 2550 meters above sea level.

Day 3: Breakfast and camp disassembly. We will walk back and descend to the Araya Post. Return to El Sosneado. End of our services. Homecoming. 

• Estimated walking time: 6 hours.
• Elevation: 350 meters in total descent (500 meters in descent / 150 meters in ascent)
• Starting height: 2550 meters above sea level
• Final height: 2200 meters above sea level

Note

Program subject to climatic, geographic or political conditions. Modifications to it may occur on the fly depending on circumstances and various factors. The decisions will be made exclusively by the guides, baqueanos and coordinators.

 

Included Services

• Local transfer to and from El Sosneado.
• Baqueanos and pack animals to the Barroso camp (up to 5 kg per person). Important: the date of Easter due to climatic reasons, pack animals are not available.
• Saddle horse to be able to cross the river, in case it is high.
• Professional mountain guides.
• Mandatory entry and ascent permit in the Valley of Tears.
• Full board in the mountains (breakfast, energy drinks, lunch, snacks, dinner).
• General kitchen equipment (pots, heaters).
• Equipment and main first aid kit.
• Communication equipment for emergencies: VHF, Satellite Telephone.
• tents
• Dining tents at El Barroso base camp (with chairs, tables, crockery and kitchen).
• Previous informative meetings.
• Personal accident insurance.
• Assistance and permanent coordination.

Services NOT included

• Trip to El Sosneado
• Expenses caused by abandoning the program
• Tips for Guides and Baqueanos.