Between Volcanoes and Glacial Lagoons
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Your First 5000 in the Amazing Six-Thousanders Valley!
The Bertrán volcano is located 200 kilometers from Fiambalá (Catamarca) in the San Buenaventura Mountain Range, near the San Francisco Pass. Its 4.5km crater and more than 300 meters deep leaves even the most incredulous speechless.
As part of the altitude acclimatization process, we will ascend Cortaderas Peak (300m) and Falso Morocho (4484m) mountain.
This expedition is designed for those with experience in mid-mountain terrain who are looking to summit their first 5000-meter peak while enjoying the unique environment of the Valley of the Six-Thousanders.
The scenic beauty of the surroundings, along with its biodiversity, and the added bonus of reaching a beautiful summit of over 5000 meters, will undoubtedly leave you wanting more in the Valley of the Six-Thousanders.
An excellent experience in the highlands of Catamarca. The itinerary was designed for proper acclimatization, incorporating routes with stunning scenery. Sil paid attention to every detail, looking after the group, ensuring maximum enjoyment, and sharing her knowledge. She was also very attentive during the pre-trip planning, providing guidance on the necessary gear to ensure nothing was overlooked. Thank you, Sil, for a wonderful experience, for your care, and for the encouragement you provided at just the right moments.
Florencia G.
Bertran Volcano Expedition, 5260m - Argentina
Suitable for those with:
- Prior mountaineering experience at altitudes above 4000 meters.
- Good physical condition and health.
- Mental resilience and the ability to adapt to a rugged environment and the group dynamic.
Why chose us?
- Small groups and personalized attention.
- You only need to focus on training and bringing your personal gear.
Requirements:
Medical clearance including a stress test (ergometry).Ratio:
1 guide per 4 participants.Minimum group size:
2 people.Difficulty:
Moderate. Involves hiking with a backpack over unstable terrain—including trails, rocky ground, or snowfields.Dates:
January 4–8.Inquire about other dates for one or more people.
Starting point:
Fiambalá, Catamarca.Duration:
5 days / 4 nights.
Itinerary Itinerary
9:00 AM: Meeting in Fiambalá.
9:30 AM: 4x4 transfer to Hostería Cortaderas.
2:00 PM: Trekking at Cerro Cortaderas.
Services: Shared rooms (with the group), beds with linens, and private bathroom | Meals: Box-lunch | Afternoon snack.
Distance: 9km - 630mts accumulated ascent - 7hs of activity.
Services: Inn | Breakfast | Lunch (box lunch) | Dinner.
8:00 AM: Travel to Las Grutas, check-in procedures. Setting up camp. Ascent of Cerro Falso Morocho.
Activity: 6 hrs | Ascent: 500 m | Distance: 9 km.
Accommodation: High-mountain tents or shelter (subject to availability). | Meals: Breakfast | Box-lunch | Afternoon snack | Dinner.
9:00 AM: 4x4 approach transfer. 10:00 AM: Ascent of Bertran Volcano
Activity duration: 8 hours | Ascent: 750m | Distance: 9km.
Services: Overnight stay in high-mountain tents or a refuge (subject to availability) | Breakfast | Box-lunch | Dinner.
8:00 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM: Breaking camp and return to Fiambalá.
Arrival in Fiambalá; end of services.
A fantastic experience! It was an unforgettable day because the snow-capped San Francisco volcano allowed us to reach its summit, and because Andes Extreme Adventures managed to make the difficult easy! Thank you!
Marcelo Y.
San Francisco Volcano Expedition, 6016m - Argentina
What is included?
Accommodation
- Hostería Cortaderas: 2 nights, beds with linens, shared rooms (group-based) with private bathroom.
- High-mountain tents or emergency shelters – subject to availability.
Meals
- Lodge: Breakfast, packed lunch, afternoon snack, trail snacks.
- On the mountain: Breakfast, packed lunch or lunch, trail snacks or afternoon snack, dinner (menu cost included).
- Mineral water during the stay.
- Group cooking gear, stoves, fuel, cooking utensils, table, and chairs. The packed lunch includes sandwiches, a sweet treat, fruit, and a sports drink.
The casual lunch consists of empanadas or a snack platter.
Professional Guides
- EPGAMT-certified professional guide licensed in Catamarca and WFR-certified.
- Assistant guide (if applicable).
- Personalized, specialized pre-trip assistance.
- Advice on renting or purchasing gear.
Communication
First Aid
- Satellite communication.
- VHF communication.
- First aid kit.
- Use of medical oxygen in emergencies.
Insurance
- Personal Accidents.
- Civil Liability.
4x4 Transfers and Logistics
- Round-trip transfer in a private 4x4 vehicle from Fiambalá.
- Off-road approach to the mountain; altitude reached depends on terrain conditions and accessibility.
- Mountain area entry registration at Paso San Francisco.
- Small groups.
Not included
Personal Gear
- Personal gear.
- Technical gear for personal use.
- Included pre-trip advice applies to cases where gear is purchased or rented in advance. It is available from the moment of booking.
- We can provide rental gear if booked in advance.
See required gear below.
Additional Expenses
- Breakfast of 'Day 1'
- Personal clothing / personal gear.
- Dinner at the inn (only the breakfast is included).
- Meals during the hike / Meals outside the mountain itinerary.
- Meals in Fiambalá on rest days, as well as the day before and the day after the activity concludes.
- Drinks.
- Round trip from Catamarca to Fiambalá (325km).
- Access fee to 'Balcón del Pissis' road (if applicable).
- Access fee to the Fiambalá Hot Springs (if applicable).
- Other extras not specified in the program.
- Expenses incurred due to abandoning the activity.
- Rescue and evacuation expenses.
Optional:
Photography - Video
Special meals
- High-quality, watermark-free photography.
- Drone photography/video.
- Special menu options (Vegetarian, Keto, Vegan, etc.).
- One guide per person or an assistant when the group size requires it.
“Leave no trace.”
During the mountain activity, all waste that came with us returns with us.
Papers, fruit peels, toilet paper, wet wipes, feminine dressings, etc. They can be discarded upon arrival at the shelter or in the destination city upon completion.
Help us keep the mountain clean. Thank you so much!
Technical Material.
- Bag or backpack to transport all your luggage.
- Bag or nylon to waterproof it in case of rain.
- 20/40 liter backpack to carry personal items.
- Backpack or nylon cover to waterproof the trekking backpack.
- Trekking poles.
- Trekking or mountain boots with semi-rigid soles.
- Climbing helmet (with size adjustment).
- Sleeping bag, fiber or duvet (-15°C to -30°C).
- Insulating and/or inflatable mat.
- Headlamp. Replacement batteries.
- In case of adverse or winter-like weather conditions:
- Crampons.
- Snow gaiters
Self Care
- Sunglasses or goggles, CAT 4.
- Sunscreen factor 60 or higher.
- Lip protector.
- Personal hygiene elements. Quick drying towel.
- Personal first aid kit (band-aids, gauze, adhesive tape, povidone-iodine, 1 pair of disposable gloves, 2 elastic bandages, ibuprofen, sublingual reliveran, loperamide, rehydration salts) and prescription medication if applicable.
- Suggestion: 70% alcohol to sanitize your hands.
Outfit
- Two t-shirts (long sleeve/short sleeve).
- Diver or fleece jacket or windstopper.
- Fine down jacket or synthetic filling.
- Expedition down jacket (500gs filling).
- Waterproof jacket.
- Snow gaiters.
- Trekking or fleece pants.
- Waterproof pants.
- Warm hat, sun cap and buff neck scarf.
- A pair of fleece gloves, a pair of waterproof gloves.
- Optional: Mittens and/or Mitten Covers.
- A pair of espadrilles or crocks (for resting in the shelter).
- Two pairs of thin stockings.
- Two pairs of thick socks.
Others
- Kitchen items (knife, fork, spoon, plate and unbreakable cup).
- Containers to store at least 3 liters. of water per person.
- Steel thermos for personal use (at least 500cm3).
- Plastic bags to self-manage your waste.
- Personal portable charger (powerbank) for camping or shelter days.
- Snacks (Ideas: nuts, gummies, cookies, nougats, cereal bars, candies, chocolates, salty snacks, etc.).
An incredible high-mountain experience in the magical "Valley of the Six-Thousanders" in Catamarca. It had all the elements of high-altitude mountaineering—varied weather conditions, valuable learning opportunities, and teamwork—making for an intense yet thoroughly enjoyable week. The service and professionalism truly made this a fantastic experience. We leave having summited three peaks, plus an ascent of Nevado San Francisco—a mountain we will undoubtedly return to in order to reach the actual summit.
Carla C.
San Francisco Volcano Expedition, 6016m - Argentina
