South America Climbing Trekking Expedition - Group Travel

I am looking to hear from adventurous types to join me on the adventure of a lifetime to South America. A group of between 10 and 20 people would be ideal.

Dates are flexible, but initially I am thinking December 2012 and January 2013 for approx. 6-8 weeks.

In 2000/2001 I undertook the same trip with a group of mates and had the time of my life!

The basic outline of the trip was as follows:

Peru
• Cusco to acclimatise
• Trekked the Inca Trail from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu (Including climbing to the top of Wayna Picchu) – 4 days and 3 nights
• Aguas Calientes hot springs (Just the ticket after finishing the Inca Trail)
• Visit to Pisac Markets in the Sacred Valley and lunch afterwards
• Lake Titicaca (Christmas Day Lunch on one of the islands)
• Colca Canyon trek 2 days (Including Cruz del Condor – where you see the massive Andean Condors soaring on the early morning thermals)
• Arequipa (Including Santa Catalina Convent and seeing Juanita the “Ice Maiden" at The Santuarios Andinos Museum)
• Puno
• Chivay including a visit to the hot springs
• Climb of El Misti Volcano (5825m)

Bolivia
• Le Paz stop over
• Climb of Huayna Potosí (6088m)

Argentina
• Buenos Aries (New Year’s Eve – one of the best in my life) – often described as the Paris of the Southern hemisphere, and probably one of the most romantic cities you will ever visit
• Mendoza – a world famous wine region
• Climb of Aconcagua (At 6962m is the tallest mountain in the Western hemisphere): on the normal route it is more like an extreme trek than a technical climb, but don’t be fooled, climbers die on this mountain every year

As for the itinerary, although the above is the exact trip I undertook, it is not set in stone and I am open to suggestions. That said, I would like this trip to be predominantly about adventure. If you are looking to relax, then I’d suggest that maybe Bali is more for you.

You are going to need a good level of fitness, and climbing at altitude can be very dangerous.

Cost wise, in 2000/2001 the flight content cost just under $4,000. The land content cost $4,400, but at this time we were only getting 48₵ to the US$. As a comparison, a 23-day climb of Aconcagua with a top outfitter costs US$4,500 + permit fee.

Obviously unless you already have the required equipment, this would be an extra cost. I am happy to email you an equipment list upon request.

I am not a professional out-fitter so I am not in this to make money, this would be a privately organised trip for a group of like-minded people, and I can guarantee you will be talking about this trip for years.

If you any questions please feel free to email me and I will happily answer them for you. I would also be happy to provide photos of my previous trip to give you an idea of the adventure that awaits you.

South America Climbing Trekking Expedition