QUEWAR
Nevado de Quewar is a volcano with an altitude of 6,130 meters above sea level, located in the Andes mountain range, in Salta Province, Argentina. It is an inactive volcano, covered by seasonal snow for most of the year and containing a small glacier inside its crater.
Quewar is one of the few mountains where frozen remains of a human sacrifice from the Inca Empire have been found. Near the summit, two unusual Inca ceremonial structures were discovered. One of them may be the only known example of an ushniv, a stepped platform located at a high-altitude ceremonial site.
In 1999, during an expedition led by archaeologists Johan Reinhard, José Antonio Chávez, and María Constanza Ceruti, the remains of an Inca child mummy were recovered at the summit of Quewar. The child had been sacrificed in a capacocha ceremony and was later damaged with dynamite by treasure hunters.
PLAN
DAY 1:
Arrival at Salta airport.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 2:
This day we prepare all the equipment and begin the acclimatization period.
After organizing, we head towards the small village of Tilcara (2,450 m) and continue to the Serranía de Hornocal (4,200 m). A spectacular natural watercolor, where we take advantage to do a short acclimatization walk.
Return to Tilcara, overnight at hotel.
DAY 3:
This day will be our first trek: Casa Colorada, 7 hours round trip to reach an altitude of 4,300 m.
Overnight at hotel in Tilcara.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, the journey continues to Salinas Grandes (3,540 m), 2 hours by car, where we make a short stop to see this sea of salt.
The trip continues along the legendary Route 40 to our first mountain base camp, practically at the base of Mount Tuzle (5,600 m).
Overnight in tents.
DAY 5:
In the morning, after breakfast, we make our first ascent. It takes 5 hours to climb and 2 hours to descend from the summit of Tuzle (5,600 m).
After returning, we take the car and continue along Route 40 to San Antonio de los Cobres (3,600 m), where we spend the night.
Hotel.
DAY 6:
At an easy pace, we approach the small village of Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes (4,000 m), where we meet the muleteer and all his mules.
It is approximately 5 hours of walking to reach the base camp of Volcano Quewar (4,550 m). Overnight in tents.
DAY 7:
Acclimatization day. A 4-hour hike to reach 5,000 m. Return to base camp. Overnight in tents.
DAY 8:
After breakfast and with all the equipment, we move to high camp (5,150 m). Overnight in tents.
DAY 9:
In the morning, around 5 AM, departure towards the summit of Quewar. Approximately 6 to 8 hours of ascent and 3 hours descent back to our high camp. Overnight in tents.
DAY 10:
After breakfast, the muleteer arrives and with all the equipment we descend to the village of Santa Rosa, then continue the trip to San Antonio de los Cobres. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 11:
Transfer to Salta, 3.5 hours by car. Overnight at hotel.
Included:
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Amarok 4x4 vehicle for the entire route.
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6 hotel nights.
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All meals during the expedition days.
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AAGM certified high mountain guide.
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Muleteer and mules for carrying equipment.
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High-altitude tents (North Face, Mountain Hard Wear, Ferrino).
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Large base camp tent with all kitchen equipment, stoves, chairs, tables, etc.
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VHF radio and satellite phone.
Not included:
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Extra hotel nights in case of early return.
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Restaurant meals.
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Personal equipment.