Cerro Toco Hike Review: Summiting from San Pedro De Atacama

So, you’re thinking about hiking Cerro Toco from San Pedro de Atacama? It’s almost one of those things that seems too amazing to be true: a relatively accessible 5,600-meter (18,373-foot) peak in the Atacama Desert, supposedly doable in just a half-day. I’ve been there, and I’m going to let you know my experience –the awesome parts and those bits you probably ought to prepare for.

Why Choose Cerro Toco? An Atacama Highlight

Very few mountain experiences can equal it. I mean, really, what is so special with Cerro Toco? For starters, it provides you with these incredible panoramic scenes. The Atacama Desert spreads beneath you, sort of like an alien surface filled with different textures and a bunch of colors that simply don’t feel quite real. So, there are volcanoes, too: Licancabur rises majestically, as that iconic pyramid shape, as that symbol of the Atacama, along with all kinds of other geological wonders surrounding you. In addition to that, it has the perk of being doable in half a day, quite a find if one has limited time but the drive to take in those immense views. Yet, and it’s something to know now: do not, actually for even a second, believe that this trek will just be some simple stroll because its high altitude demands great regard. It’s just so gorgeous.

Booking Your Trip: What to Consider

San Pedro is chock full of tour companies, and a bunch of them, well, they offer the Cerro Toco hike. That is the million-dollar question, really: whom do you book with? First thing, seriously, do your due diligence! It’s actually worth it to check out reviews; a bunch of them have customer opinions to see what their experiences really were. Make certain, as well, to confirm that your tour guide is properly credentialed, has certification in first aid, and has some experience managing altitude circumstances. This detail is absolutely key; if your safety becomes a thing to bet on, do not cut corners. So, go through what the trip comprises as well; will the oxygen tank and altitude sickness gear be available in an emergency, or not?

We must, almost for sure, talk on the value issue, and it shifts wildly among agencies. Usually, inexpensive tour companies slice prices in order to appear enticing; however, what they provide in exchange often has problems with equipment or experience levels on staff. At times, it is better to spend more with credible operators ensuring that everybody takes adequate care during their climb. Like your personal circumstances? Reserve upfront, notably in the season that experiences spikes with travel since you wish to ensure available space. Finally, consider adaptable trip programs offering extra departure times during low demand because that adaptability adds advantages towards the very experience that may suit schedules or prevent cancellations from low occupancy numbers.

The Ascent: What to Expect on the Trail

So, the day dawns pretty early – we’re speaking someplace about 7:00 a.m. – when almost every trip begins. Now, the trek starts by using a vehicle, from San Pedro towards the foundation associated with Cerro Toco, which usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours along a very rugged trail; therefore, expect the jostling. During this drive, slowly; very, very, seriously consume lots of fluids because you want every body fully hydrated beforehand! As soon as at ground zero, so the guides provide an instruction explaining crucial safeguards, the altitude’s effects, just how exactly, or instead precisely how, they intend to go up effectively. Often trips include acclimatization; so you climb slowly but with repeated short pauses.

That terrain? Let’s go through that terrain. It changes somewhere around gravel covered surfaces through rocky climbs, getting considerably harder for the last segment ahead of achieving greatest elevation; appropriate walking shoes – think trekking shoes offering decent ankle brace – definitely become vital at times such places! Because we gained height slowly but gradually it grew obvious we must reduce each physical expenditure down drastically to counteract shortness connected alongside respiratory challenges. It’s kind of crazy up there.

Be attentive; almost immediately tell one or all individuals who appear weary, short about wind, and feeling dizziness right away! A lot depends towards how each trip administrator monitors climber effectively when this issue appears that would ensure security. Anticipate chill wind because altitude could feel extremely unforgiving without dressing adequately, so go bring appropriate protection particularly towards wind resistance jackets along extra layers guaranteeing adequate temperatures remain secure. So, oxygen support might become used regarding conditions experienced alongside critical periods; do understand exactly that policy your trip provides beforehand since readiness becomes valuable during emergencies like this!

Summit Views and the Descent

Getting up to the peak felt like an achievement, and what greets people there really gets those feelings solidified as this awesome sight encompassing desert panorama below plus encompassing mountains appearing completely striking when illuminated using that Andean solar energy source – just amazing memories for some people such like me for sure! You have the chance towards spending someplace around thirty mins at the greatest, provided weather remains benign.

Seriously! I found capturing pictures while walking that border proved necessary because I did feel moved for certain watching over almost unlimited expansion, as this second got almost definitely frozen completely. Don’t just hold out forever since wind increases considerably including heights bringing very lower felt thermal numbers necessitating prompt movement quickly immediately shortly thereafter!! The trip down? I kind of felt something similar after you understand what? – perhaps almost trickier relative reaching greatest highpoint for those reason since the direction can cause improved force alongside legs requiring cautiousness stopping virtually slipping within lose stone. Often guides motivate utilizing skiing style movements which offers control as pressure alleviation with thigh area and calf muscles also; please heed and take any guidance they have to provide regarding it!! Verify after, and double make very certain you possess appropriate steps towards leaving none mark. We take out trash plus have least bad consequences onto these gorgeous locations.

The complete round takes someplace round five including six hours generally speaking although might change influenced considering circumstances related together including pace about collection regarding participants along including pauses through trek on its own; and as for coming at San Pedro, individuals find an overwhelming contentment over success with accomplishing such substantial altitude successfully. Keep drinking fluids though because really, being always hydrated could remain completely key helping alleviate virtually whatsoever unwanted results linked regarding this climb by oneself.

Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness: Preparation is Key

Alright, this actually goes on about altitude sickness. No jokes because these things may truly change drastically including individuals. Spend, well possibly at absolute minimum, almost about two or possibly 3 days in San Pedro previously aiming Cerro Toco. Drink quite a bit! It’s sort of simple: hydration allows that body adjust and it’s easy adequate. Don’t indulge, anyway certainly in first times, on food heavy around saturated fats either alcohols; quite usually these things can negatively affect you actually especially with these conditions! Usually it makes feelings after take light eats providing gradual gasoline as high intensity workout is what happens upward up that height.

The best action individuals frequently perform involves drinking coca beverage either munching that actually is completely traditional and supposed alleviate some impacts concerning altitude through getting blood supply in the oxygen. Be certain, actually extremely attentive when that’s physical challenges manifesting! Indicators actually feature throbbing inside those mental faculties and also dizziness alongside experiencing breathing difficulty possibly nausea. Must individuals exhibit signs along similar things straightway report the issue plus make guides knowledgeable since going higher really seriously worsens factors really!

Make any one individuals trips contains emergency support apparatus alongside trained pros who understands well in assessing situations; these kinds of resources can quickly bring critical interventions guaranteeing the healthiness with climbers if everything truly quickly goes amiss and transforms dangerous on the market there. Consider that sometimes you ought not at all be bashful by turning aside; zero peak tends worthwhile risking physical security so one should completely follow recommendations via guide.

Essential Gear for Your Hike

Exactly so equipment must individual pack precisely preparing to rise around Cerro Toco actually? I like I personally did this, too it’s not precisely optional but more as necessities: multiple layering system relating apparels mainly when environments is variable quickly together that highpoint is crucial, really, but should consist wind-resist outerwear that gives complete weather safety, or a base to wick all of them humidity leaving someone totally dry at the very least with the base clothing layers under more. Strong Trekking/hiking athletic shoes especially possessing efficient traction alongside feet ankles helps and aids greatly during the time spent inside the rocky rough routes alongside trails which can have a greater importance. A cozy skullcap accompanied plus a pair from winter mitt/handwear covers provides important highpoint defense versus these frost chunk hazards is highly wise. Safeguarding skin plus those optic sensation during such rigorous light settings necessitates usage high sun safeguards especially including hat together those grade that can be really extremely high sunscreen rated along lenses; or goggles.

And now speaking further: constantly maintain fully equipped liquid transporter especially being it can get the water or liquid packs so staying replenished takes on more effectiveness and far more better especially for staying fully full! Should those sensitive to this taste of just tap supplies you might evaluate packing supplements for your mineral needs including what’s lost by perspiring at extreme hiking, at top places also, so plan ahead. Take high food that include proteins with it actually and high carbohydrate bars and nutrition those which will supply long period with sustained energy whenever you rise.

Bring tiny individual initial aid supplies usually containing anything like discomfort comfort medications along things pertaining small scrape treatments or any type of your unique prescriptions in case of needing these kinds stuff without challenge around availability. Take backup supply if needed to a digital cam especially for getting images capturing and catching amazing scenery together peak that is definitely a necessity so not being left on completely minimal memory availability. Some other product like little small lightweight day rucksack is quite a benefit with respect holding personal items like a mini binocular system for checking additional distant places and an oriented magnetic system helping regarding keeping directions while having limited signal access will actually turn out assisting a small, if the requirement happens as these items are not just for regular, as those come mostly into being necessary!