Aconcagua 360°, 19-day expedition from Valle de Vacas

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 to 16: 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.