Climbing volcano Monte Pissis, Argentina

Original program here
Route track for downloading to your GPS (.kmz)

MCS AlexClimb climbing programs in Argentina

Maximum altitude: 6880 m
Program category: Mountain Climbing
Difficulty: basic (SPECIAL SKILLS ARE NOT REQUIRED)
Duration: 12 days
Season: December - February
Optimal format: group 4 participants / 1 guide

Program price from: 2700 USD

Contact the organizer via WhatsApp or Telegram +44 7727 445099

It's hard to find a climber who hesitates when asked which mountain he would like to ascent in South America.

It's hard to argue with this – the highest, most famous, and most popular mountain in South America is Aconcagua, with its summit at 6,959 meters.

However, not everyone knows the other side of Aconcagua popularity – the exorbitant prices for organized ascents (in the 2026 season, packages cost $7,000-$9,000), the dense tourist flow, and the extremely low success rate – no more than 20% of climbers reach the summit.

If you don't want to fall victim to marketing, it would be wiser to the similar altitudes beforehand, without the expense of an Aconcagua expedition.

For this purpose, the Ojos del Salado and Volcano Pissis may be the optimal solution.

Located in the same volcanic range as Ojos del Salado, Monte Pissis, 6,880 m, is the third-highest mountain in South America – its summit is only 70 m lower than Aconcagua! After Ojos del Salado, Monte Pissis is the second-highest volcano in the world.

Monte Pissis was named after the French geographer and explorer Pierre Joseph Pissis, who explored the high puna in Argentina and Chile in the second half of the 19th century.

The Pissis Volcano area offers excellent conditions for comfortable, complete acclimatization before ascending to an altitude of almost 7 km. This reduces health risks and significantly increases the chances of a successful ascent.

Climbing Monte Pissis does not present any significant technical difficulties. However, the use of basic mountaineering equipment, such as crampons and trekking poles, is required.

The starting point for the Monte Pissis route is the town of Fiambola, a popular spa resort in Argentina. You can soak in the hot thermal baths with a bottle of fine Argentine wine before, after, or even instead of the summit climb!

Inspired by their first mountaineering successes, many beginners immediately after descending from Mont Blanc, Kazbek or Elbrus begin making ambitious plans for ascents of the world's highest mountains.

Don't rush – the higher your next goal, the more careful should be your preparation and planning!

Guided ascent of volcano Pissis (6880 m)

Altitude mountain climbing, basic level

Day 1 - Flight from Buenos Aires to Rioja by LRJ, hotel accommodation

Day 2 - 4x4 transfer Rioja - Fiambola - Cortaderas, 369 km, 4 hours, accommodation in comfortable hotel located at an altitude of 3,300 m

Day 3 - Acclimatization trip (4x4), ascent to the summit of Cerro Colorado (4,505 m) and Cerro Falso Maroccio (4,478 m), return to the hotel

Day 4 - Acclimatization trip on the Ojos del Salado trek (4x4 to the Quemadito campsite), trek to the El Chorro campsite at 3,800 m (11 km, 3 hours), setting up camp, overnight in the tents

Day 5 - Ascent to the summit of Chango (4,625 m) (elevation gain 825 m), descent to the El campsite Chorro, rest, return to Cortaderas (4x4 transport from the Quemadito campsite)

Day 6 - Transfer to Fiambola with a visit to the local attraction "Indian Caves," check-in at the hotel. Afternoon - complete relaxation at the thermal springs

Day 7 - Reserve day, rest

Day 8 - 4x4 transfer to camp at 5,400 m at the foot of the Pissis volcano, with a visit to the beautiful natural landmark "Pissis Balcony" at 4,500 m, overnight in the tents

Day 9 - Hike to the high camp at 6,000 m on the southeastern slope of the Pissis volcano, overnight in the tents

Day 10 - Ascent to the summit of Pissis volcano at 6,880 m, descent to the camp at 5,400 m, overnight in the tents

Day 11 - Transfer to Fiambola, hotel accommodation, spa relaxation

Day 12 - Reserve day, rest

Day 13 - Transfer to Rioja Airport LRJ

Price of the program "Climbing volcano Monte Pissis from Argentina", season 2026:

2700 USD - in a group of 4 participants

What you need to be prepared for:

• active program, a lot of moderate physical activity (hiking);
• carrying a 15-17 kg backpack;
• air temperature at an altitude of more than 6000 m can drop to - 15 ° C;

Conditions: adequate physical fitness, no medical contraindications

The price includes: services of a English-speaking mountaineering guide, use of a basic set of medicines, public equipment (tents, kitchen and navigation equipment), all the ground transfers along the Program, meals during being outdoors, accommodation in hotels and campsites in accordance with the program.

The price does not include: mountaineering insurance, roundtrip airfare (La Rioja LRJ), personal equipment rental, restaurant meals and drinks, tips for the service personnel

MCS EDIT 2025