Chile🇨🇱 | landmarksOjos del Salado6,893 m summit, crater pond, Refugio Atacama, flamingo lagoons | things to do and best time to go

Copiapó is the best base for Ojos del Salado, because it is the nearest city with supermarkets, outfitters, and the tour agencies that run the 4x4 transfers to the mountain, about 5 to 6 hours away by road.The center around Plaza de Armas has the cheapest beds, with dorms and simple private rooms at US$15 to 40. Mining-town energy keeps the streets lively in the evening, and this is where you meet other climbers sorting permits, gear, and shared rides. The area is walkable and reasonably safe by day. At night, stick to the main streets near the plaza.For a quieter alternative, look at Caldera … read more 👉

Copiapó is the best base for Ojos del Salado, because it is the nearest city with supermarkets, outfitters, and the tour agencies that run the 4x4 transfers to the mountain, about 5 to 6 hours away by road.The center around Plaza de Armas has the cheapest beds, with dorms and simple private rooms at US$15 to 40. Mining-town energy keeps the streets lively in the evening, and this is where you meet other climbers sorting permits, gear, and shared rides. The area is walkable and reasonably safe by day. At night, stick to the main streets near the plaza.For a quieter alternative, look at Caldera on the coast, roughly an hour from Copiapó. Beachside guesthouses are cheaper off-season and good for resting before or after the expedition, though the social scene is thinner.On the Argentine side, Fiambalá has simple guesthouses and campgrounds where overlanders and high-altitude climbers gather. It suits you if you are crossing from Catamarca, and the thermal springs help tired legs.At the mountain, the refuges are basic and shared, with bunks or tent space around the Atacama and Tejos huts. Bring a sleeping bag rated to at least -15°C (5°F).