Aconcagua 360°, 19-day expedition from Valle de Vacas
Join a certified mountain guide on a 19-day expedition to Aconcagua, the highest summit in America at 6962 m. This route ascends through Valle de Vacas and descends by the Normal Route, providing a panoramic view of this majestic Andean peak.
Details
Trip Duration
19 days
Mountain Range
Andes
People per Guide
4 people
Trip Level
Hard
Offer Period
Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
Type of Trip
Group
Highlights
Price per person
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation
- All meals during trip
- Transport to the start of the trip
- Transport during the trip
- Luggage transfer during the trip
Itinerary
- Day 1: Mendoza (760 m).
Our expedition starts in Mendoza, Argentina. A representative of INKA Expediciones will be waiting for you at the airport.
We will stay at the hotel in the city. A group meeting will follow and you will meet me and the team members.
-Accommodation: Hotel double or triple room.
-Transport from the Airport to hotel in Mendoza.
- Day 2: Mendoza / Penitentes (2700 m).
After breakfast, we will head to the permits office to obtain individual entrance and ascent permits. You will be personally assisted in this procedure.
After this, we’ll travel to Villa de Penitentes, where we’ll stay at a hotel in the mountain.
There, we’ll get our equipment ready. Equipment will be transported by mule to the base camp.
-Accommodation: Hotel in Penitentes.
-Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.
- Day 3: Penitentes / Pampa de Leñas (2950 m).
Trasfer to Punta de Vacas, at the entrance of Aconcagua Provincial Park. The park rangers will check our permits. Then we’ll begin a 4/5 hour trek to Pampa de Leñas. This is the beginning of our 3-day trek towards Base Camp.
-Transport: Penitentes/Horcones.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 4: Acclimatization trek to Casa de Piedras (3240 m).
We’ll continue a gradual ascent to an intermediate Camp via Quebrada de Vacas, called Casa de Piedra. This will take 6 to 7 hours. From this point we’ll get our first view of the beautiful east face of Aconcagua.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 5: Plaza Argentina base camp (4190 m).
A 5/6 hour trek ascending Cuesta del Relincho will take us to the low section of Plaza Argentina. There, we’ll observe Andean flora and follow the route towards the glaciers, where we’ll find Plaza Argentina base camp.
Accommodation: double tent / bedroom doms.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 6: Rest and acclimatization in Plaza Argentina (4190 m).
Rest & acclimatization in Plaza Argentina. This is a good opportunity to explore the base camp and take a shower. We’ll also do a health check, organize the equipment and prepare the loads we’ll transport the following day.
Accommodation: double tent / bedroom doms.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 7: Transport equipment and food to Camp 1 (5000 m).
We’ll transport part of our equipment and food so that our backpacks are lighter the day of the ascent and also to get gradually used to altitude.
In Camp 1 we’ll reach an altitude of 5000 m. Then, we’ll go back to Plaza Argentina.
-Accommodation: double tent / bedroom doms.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 8: Rest and acclimatization in Plaza Argentina (4190 m).
This day we’ll use it to recharge our energy level, rest, hydrate and have very good meals. The following day we’ll begin the ascent.
-Accommodation: double tent / bedroom doms.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 9: Ascent to Camp 1 (5000 m).
We’ll begin our ascent to Camp 1, taking the first section of the Polish Route. After a 5/6 hour trek on an easy terrain we’ll get to Camp 1 (5000 m). There we’ll find the equipment we left before. We’ll set up the campsite and then divide the loads that will be taken to Camp 2 the following day.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 10: Transport loads to Camp 2 (5500 m).
We’ll continue our gradual acclimatization. On camp 2 we’ll reach an altitude of 5500 m. This will be a hard day: a 6 hour trek on easy terrain will take us to Camp 2.
Then we’ll return to Camp 1 to spend the night.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 11: Rest day at Camp 1 (5000 m).
This day we’ll use it to recharge our energy level, rest, hydrate and have very good meals. We’ll prepare ourselves for the last part of this ascent. We’ll have a meeting and agree a group strategy to approach the summit.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 12: Ascent to Camp 2 (5500m).
We’ll begin the ascent from Camp 1 to Camp 2 using the Ameghino route. There we’ll find the loads we left before. We’ll set up the campsite and divide the loads we’ll take to Camp 3. Rest and dinner.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 13: Ascent to Camp 3 (Plaza Cólera, 6000m).
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll begin our 4-hour ascent. We’ll take the last section of the Valle de Guanacos Superior route. Camp 3 is located at the same height than Refugio Berlin (by the Normal Route), strategically located to withstand strong winds.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 14: Summit! (6961 m).
This is the most demanding day of the entire expedition. We’ll climb the north ridge to Independencia mountain hut, at 6500 m. Then, we’ll ascend through “Portuezuelo del Viento”, follow through “La Canaleta” and then “Filo del Guanaco”, that will lead us to the summit.
The big reward is awaiting for us. A 360° view and a feeling of overcoming that you can only understand once you experience it.
Then, we’ll descend to Camp 3.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 15: Extra days
Our itinerary includes three possible summit days. This days allow more chances to reach the summit.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 17: Return to base camp (Plaza de Mulas, 4250 m).
We’ll descend from Camp 3 to Plaza de Mulas, the biggest base camp in Aconcagua. We’ll enjoy a special dinner to celebrate the experience and admire the imposing view of the west face of Aconcagua.
-Accommodation: double tent.
-Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Day 18: Descent to Penitentes and transport to Mendoza
After breakfast, we’ll descend from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes. A private transfer will be waiting for us and take us to the hotel in Mendoza city.
Transport: Horcones / Penitentes / Mendoza.
-Accommodation: Hotel in Penitentes.
-Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
- Day 19: Mendoza
Breakfast at the hotel. End of our services.
-Accommodation: not included.
-Meals: breakfast.
Next departures
| Next dates | Info |
|---|---|
| 29/11/2019 to 17/12/2019 | USD 4270 per person |
| 06/12/2019 to 24/12/2019 | USD 4270 per person |
| 13/12/2019 to 31/12/2019 | USD 4270 per person |
| 20/12/2019 to 07/01/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
| 27/12/2019 to 14/01/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
| 03/01/2020 to 21/01/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
| 10/01/2020 to 28/01/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
| 17/01/2020 to 04/02/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
| 24/01/2020 to 11/02/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
| 31/01/2020 to 18/02/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
| 07/02/2020 to 25/02/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
| 14/02/2020 to 04/03/2020 | USD 4270 per person |
Other details
Intermediate
Extremely Fit
Mendoza city, Argentina.
-Hotel in Mendoza (double or triple bedroom) (2 nights)
-Hotel in Penitentes (1 night)
-Mountain camps: double tent / bedroom doms
Basic required equipment:
a) Clothing:
Light Weight Long Underwear. Expedition Weight Long Underwear. Fleece Jacket. Fleece Trousers. Parka. Jacket. Waterproof/breathable. Wind Pants. Waterproof/breathable.
b) Headgear:
Sun hat. Balaclava. Wool or pile ski hat. Head lamp. Glacier glasses.
c) Hands:
Synthetic gloves. Mittens. Gore-Tex over mitts.
d) Footwear:
Light hiking boots or trekking shoes. Climbing double (or triple) plastic or synthetic boots. Gaiters. Wool socks. Liner socks.
e) Climbing Equipment:
Ice axe. Crampons. Ski poles.
f) Camping:
Backpack. -20°C Sleeping bag. Ridge Rest sleeping pad. Therma rest pad. Dish, glass, knife, spoon and fork. Pocketknife. Water bottles. Pee bottle. Pee Funnel (for women). Sunscreen. Lip screen. Personal first aid kit.
g) Traveling:
Large duffel bag with lock. Smaller duffel with lock. Plastic bags. Travel clothes. Toiletry bag. Camera gear.
_____________________________________________
1) NON-STOP FLIGHT OPTIONS FROM LONDON TO MENDOZA (*)
From London to Buenos Aires:
- Airline: Norwegian Air UK
LGW-EZE (13 h 40 m) US$774 round trip
- Airline: British Airways
LHR-EZE (13 h 50 m) US$1,216 round trip
From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:
- Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas
AEP–MDZ (1 h 55 m) US$115 round trip
- Airline: LATAM Operated by Latam Airlines Argentina
AEP–MDZ (1 h 52 m) US$117 round trip
2) NON-STOP FLIGHT OPTIONS FROM NEW YORK TO MENDOZA (*)
From New York to Buenos Aires:
-Airline: United
EWR–EZE (11 h 5 m) US$1,005 round trip
- Airline: American - LATAM Operated by American Airlines for Latam Airlines Argentina
JFK–EZE (10 h 44 m) US$1,083 round trip
- Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas - Delta
JFK–EZE (10 h 55 m) US$1,270 round trip
From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:
- Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas
AEP–MDZ (1 h 55 m) US$115 round trip
- Airline: LATAM Operated by Latam Airlines Argentina
AEP–MDZ (1 h 52 m) US$117 round trip
(*) Total price includes taxes + fees for 1 adult. Additional bag fees and other fees may apply.
About the Guide
Sebastian is a professional licensed guide and Head guide and general director of INKA Expediciones, the leading company provider of expeditions and treks in Mt. Aconcagua, with the best logistics infrastructure and the highest success rates.
His first ascent of Aconcagua was at age 16, and since then he has summit 25 times. He has also summited Mount Blanc in France, Mount McKinley in Alaska, Mount Elbrus in Russia, Kilimanjaro in Africa and several mountains in Europe and America.
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