Join Rodrigo, an IFMGA-certified mountain guide, for a 17-day expedition to the summit of Aconcagua via the iconic normal route! Porter assistance optional.
Group
Andes
17 Days
Jan, Feb, Dec
Very high
Advanced
* Conquer an iconic mountaineering goal - the tallest mountain outside of Asia
* As much - or as little - porter assistance as you'd like
* Enjoy a lively basecamp atmosphere and make friends with climbers from all over
Join me for a summit of South America’s highest peak – the iconic Aconcagua! During this 17-day porter assisted journey, you will enjoy incredible panoramic vistas from the highest points in the continent as we we summit this impressive mountain via the normal route.
Aconcagua is a peak that needs no introduction: at 6,959 m (22,834 ft), it the highest mountain in the western and southern hemispheres, and also the tallest mountain anywhere outside of Asia. The normal route was first pioneered in 1897 by the great Swiss mountain guide Matthias Zurbriggen. While mountaineers today may choose from a few different known routes, the normal route is still considered the most popular. Experienced mountaineers from all over the world journey to the mountain to test themselves with a tough high altitude ascent in extreme and unpredictable weather conditions.
During this 17-day expedition style trip, we will journey up the normal route with the optional assistance of porters. While this route is typically more crowded than others on Aconcagua, it is perfect for those who love social basecamps with lively atmospheres and who may not be able to carry a load of 45-50 lbs up the mountain. During this program, you will have the flexibility to choose when you want the aid of a porter, whether it’s every day, alternating days, or on an as needed basis. Note that porter fees are extra and not included in the cost of this trip.
While the exact itinerary is subject to the weather conditions on the mountain and a summit is never guaranteed, I’ve included a day-bay-day outline of the route below, so you can get a sense of the journey we must endure before we take in the view from the top of two hemispheres.
Book now to achieve your goal and complete an iconic high altitude ascent of one of the most famous mountains on earth!
Check out my other mountaineering trips in South America, including ascents of Aconcagua via different routes: 20-day Aconcagua Summit through Ameghino Valley, Polish Glacier Route to Aconcagua, or Tupungato Volcano Climb Expedition!
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Mules and horses
- Tents
- Cooking utensils
Price for an individual to join a group departure. Not included: Porter fees, flights to/from Mendoza, Aconcagua climbing permit; meals in Mendoza; personal gear and equipment; personal items and services; rescue/early departure expenses; Satellite phone charges.
Group meets at the hotel in Mendoza for gear check and briefing. Then, we enjoy a delicious dinner in the city of Mendoza.
We drive to the area around Penitentes (8,500 ft), which is a ski area during the winter months. Optional afternoon hike to help you acclimatize.
We begin the approach to base camp (total 25 mile trek) with the assistance of mules.
Today we trek through the Horcones Valley until we stop to camp at Confluencia (10,900 ft).
We hike in the area around Confluencia to acclimatize. Our high point will be 13,000 ft. We spend another night at the campsite in Confluencia.
We hike to our basecamp, Plaza de Mulas, at 13,800 ft.
Today is a rest and acclimatization day at base camp. We have the opportunity to practice snow/ice mountaineering techniques on Nieve Penitentes.
We take a load to Camp 1, called Plaza Canada at 16,170 ft. After we admire the views of Aconcagua and Cerro Cuerno, we return to basecamp for the night.
We return to Camp 1 for the night.
Take a load to Camp 2, called Nido de Condores at 17,820 ft, returning to Camp 1 at the end of the day.
Ascend to Camp 2 to spend the night there.
Carry a load to Camp 3, Piedras Blancas at 19,200 ft. Return to Camp 2.
Ascend to Camp 3, our high camp.
Our opportunity for a summit push will occur during these days, weather permitting. If necessary, this would also give us additional time to acclimatize.
Descend from Camp 3 back to basecamp.
We hike back down through the Horcones Valley with the assistance of mules. We reach Penitentes in the afternoon, where a vehicle takes us back to the Park Hyatt in Mendoza for our farewell dinner.
Following breakfast, program ends. You may return home or continue your travels in Argentina.
More info
From London to Buenos Aires:
From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:
From New York to Buenos Aires:
-Airline: United EWR–EZE (11 h 5 m) US$1,005 round trip
From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:
(*) Total price includes taxes + fees for 1 adult. Additional bag fees and other fees may apply.
Meeting point
5.0
(7)
Mountain Guide
An Internationally Certified UIAGM / IFMGA Mountain Guide, Rodrigo has been a guide for 30 years. He has led 24 expeditions to Denali and 28 expeditions to Aconcagua — the highest peaks in North and South America, respectively. He has been a member of expeditions to Shisha Pangma and Cho Oyu in the Himalaya, and his climbs in Patagonia include the North and Central Towers of Paine, Agujas Guillaumet and Poincenot, as well as Cerro Torre attempts. He’s made Patagonian Ice Cap explorations including the first east-west traverse of the northern Ice Cap. He holds first ascents in Antarctica, the Andes and Alaska; speed ascents of Denali, Aconcagua, and Juncal. He’s guided the Ellsworth Mountains and Mt. Vinson in Antarctica and has extensive climbing and guiding experience in Yosemite and the Alps, including Frendo Spur and the Grand Jorasses. He’s a former Technical Committee member for the American Mountain Guides Association and a Senior Guide at Exum Mountain Guides in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rodrigo speaks fluent English, French and Spanish.
Certificates
ANGM | UIAGM
Matthew
5
From the start Aventuras Patagonicas was welcoming, which set the trip up on the right foot. The guides, Wes, Lucia and Sebastian were all excellent and worked very hard to get the group of climbers safely up and down the mountain. The food was excellent and well organized. The gear provided on the mountain (tents) were also of good quality. I would climb again with Patagonicas.
Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.