How It Works
This is not a collection of tours.
It is a structured expedition system designed to take you from high-altitude trekking to technical alpine climbing and remote expedition environments.
Every step is intentional. Every objective builds toward the next.
01 The Foundation Stage
Ausangate introduces multi-day trekking at high altitude in remote Andean terrain, building endurance and acclimatization.
Huayhuash is a longer, more demanding high-altitude trek across isolated mountain passes, designed for sustained endurance and mental control.
This stage develops your foundation in the Andes.
02 Summit Stage
Cotopaxi introduces glacier travel, rope systems, and structured summit systems in a controlled alpine environment.
Chimborazo pushes you into extreme altitude, where oxygen is minimal and efficiency becomes critical.
This stage transitions you from trekking into summit climbing.
03 Expedition Stage
Illimani introduces technical alpine climbing on steep glacier terrain requiring rope systems and precise movement.
Sajama takes you into one of the most remote high-altitude environments in the Andes, demanding full self-sufficiency and expedition resilience.
This stage represents full alpine expedition capability.
The Foundation Stage
Ausangate Foundation Expedition
Start here if this is your first high-altitude trek.
Ausangate is your entry into the Andes—designed to build endurance, develop acclimatization, and introduce you to multi-day trekking above 4,500 meters in remote terrain.
Huayhuash Endurance
Circuit Expedition
Choose this if you already have trekking experience and want a bigger challenge.
Huayhuash is longer, more demanding, and more remote—built to test sustained endurance, recovery, and mental control across high mountain passes.
Summit Stage
The Expedition Stage
Sajama High Altitude Expedition
Choose this if you want a full high-altitude expedition experience.
Sajama is more remote, more isolated, and more demanding overall. The climb is less technical than Illimani, but the altitude, exposure, and expedition environment require stronger endurance, resilience, and self-sufficiency.
This is about operating in one of the most remote high-altitude environments in the Andes.
Illimani Advanced Alpine Expedition
Choose this if you want to step into technical alpine climbing.
Illimani introduces steeper glacier terrain, rope systems, and precise movement at altitude. It’s a more direct, technical ascent where efficiency and control on snow and ice matter as much as endurance.
This is the transition from high-altitude climbing into real alpine mountaineering.
Booking a Trip With Us
It’s very easy.
You pay a $150 deposit now and then the remaining balance 14 days (2 weeks) before the trip.
That deposit is non-refundable, but, it can be transferred to a different trip if you can no longer make it.
The remaining balance can be paid off in one lump sum, or, we can set up a payment plan.
When you’re ready to book we send you an electronic invoice. You can pay using Visa, Mastercard, Amex etc through our partner platform: WeTravel
Afterwards, we’ll send confirmation that your spot is reserved.
From that point onwards, you can book your flights (don’t leave this too late – flights generally get more expensive the closer you get).
Contact us: info@ascendandes.com
Leading Up to Your Trip
Few Days After Confirmation
We will send you our “pre-trip information” document – providing a lot more detail about your upcoming trip: visas, weather, packing lists, vaccines etc…
We will also send you a survey asking for things like flight details, emergency contacts, health conditions, dietary preferences, passport copy etc.... This allows us to start organizing the finer details of your trip.
Two Days Before
You will receive an email with a detailed hr-by-hr schedule and a list of recommended optional activities (for any free days). There will also be some final pieces of info related to airport transfers, welcome meeting etc..
A few days before the trip we also create a WhatsApp group connecting you with everyone else joining.
During Your Trip
Your professional guide will lead the expedition as planned, managing the route, pacing, and daily logistics from start to finish. They are responsible for adapting to mountain conditions, handling any issues that arise, and making real-time decisions to ensure a safe and efficient journey.
Throughout the expedition, your guide’s priority is your safety, performance, and overall experience in the mountains. From navigation to group management, everything is handled so you can stay focused on the climb, the environment, and the progression through the Andes.
After Your Trip
We will send you a survey asking for feedback on your experience.
You can already hear from our past guests in their testimonials.
We also have some special offers to those on our trips:-
- if you tag us (@) on a post of your trip then we add you into a draw for a free AA trip
- if you book a new trip within 2 weeks of your current trip ending, you get a $100 on your next progression expedition
- if you book a new trip after this point, we still offer a $50 discount on any of our progression expeditions.
Have Questions?
Reach out to us here and we’ll help you choose the right expedition, answer your questions, and get you fully prepared for your journey into the Andes.
