Ascent to Aconcagua, “Centinela de Piedra,” 24 days

Summit Aconcagua with Jean-Marc, an IMFGA-certified mountain guide, on a 24-day trek that includes plenty of time for acclimatization and summit success.

 
 

Details

 

Trip Duration

24 days

Mountain Range

Andes

People per Guide

4 people

Trip Level

Sustained

Offer Period

Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec

Type of Trip

Group

Highlights

 
     

    The Cerro Aconcagua or “Centinela de Piedra” at 6962 meters is the summit of the Americas and the highest mountain outside Asia. This giant dominates all the 5,000 m summits which surround it. I invite you to climb Aconcagua with me on a 24-day guided trek. 

    As one of the “7 summits,” Aconcagua is a dream destination for many climbers and mountaineers. It is a very demanding but achievable climb. The ascent of Aconcagua by the normal route does not present major technical difficulties. In fact, the only tricky section lies just below the summit – the Canaleta is a corridor of rocks ascending more than 350 vertical meters with a 50% gradient. As your guide, I’ll help you navigate this difficult part safely.

    We’ll also find many other difficulties on the climb to the summit: fog, altitude, cold and wind. The Viento Blanco (white wind) is a cold, strong wind that can blow violently for days. Furthermore, temperatures can suddenly drop down to sub-zero conditions, so it is essential to come extremely well equipped against the cold.

    Proper technical gear is also essential. Depending on the season you can encounter firm hard-packed snow which can make climbing more difficult; crampons, ice axes and ropes are therefore indispensable.

    Another thing to consider is your personal fitness level. You need to be very fit to be able to manage the effects of altitude and have the best chance at reaching the summit.

    Though this is a challenging trek, it is also an incredibly rewarding one. I will make sure you are properly prepared and aid you in your altitude adjustment. Plus, I have great partners in Argentina that will help us in the organization of our trek. Together we will take on the mighty Aconcagua! And when we reach the summit, the views are incredible and the sense of accomplishment is immense.

    So if climbing Aconcagua is your dream, don’t delay! Take this opportunity to summit the Andes. 

    I also lead ascents of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.

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    Price per person

     
    Group of 1
    5070 USD
    Group of 2
    5070 USD
    Group of 3
    5070 USD
    Group of 4
    5070 USD
    Group of 5
    5070 USD
    Group of 6
    5070 USD
    Group of 7
    5070 USD
    Group of 8
    5070 USD
     

    Price includes

     
    • Guiding fee
    • Accommodation
    • Transport during the trip
    • Luggage transfer during the trip
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
     Cancellation Policy
     

    Itinerary

     
    • Day 1: Flight to Buenos Aires

      Flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival in Buenos Aires – Transfers, free time, overnight at hotel.

    • Day 2: Buenos Aires - Mendoza

      Transfer to airport and flight to Mendoza (2 hour flight). Overnight at hotel (meals not included). Explanatory  Conference on Aconcagua and equipment inspection by our guides. You can rent equipment during this time, if needed.

    • Day 3: Start of acclimatization Mendoza/Vallecitos

      Transfer to Vallecitos at 2900 m. Night at meal at Mausy refuge.

    • Day 4: Cadent 4000 m

      Cadent ascent of 4000 meters. Dinner and overnight at the shelter Mausy.

    • Day 5: Grand Camp Piedra

      Ascent to Camp Piedra Grand at 3400 m altitude. Transport equipment with mules. Dinner and overnight in tents.

    • Day 6: Adolfo Calle 4200 m - 4000 m Stepanek

      Ascension crossing the Adolfo Calle 4200 m and Stepanek at 4000 m altitude. Back to Grand Piedra Camp. Dinner and overnight at Grand Piedra.

    • Day 7: Vellecitos / Penitentes (2725)

      Piedra refuge descent to Grand Vellecitos. Transfer Vellecitos / Penitentes. Accommodation in the hotel. Preparation of loads for the mules. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included).

    • Day 8: Start of Aconcagua: Penitentes / Confluencia (3300)

      Transport to the entrance of Aconcagua Park. Presentation of license. Trek to Confluencia camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

    • Day 9: Confluencia / Plaza Francia

      Trek to Plaza Francia (base of the South Face of Aconcagua), lunch and return to Confluencia.(Breakfast, lunch, dinner).

    • Day 10: Confluencia / Base Camp Plaza de Mulas (4260)

      Trek base camp to Plaza de Mulas. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).

    • Day 11: Base Camp Plaza de Mulas (4260)

      Acclimatization and reorganization of the gear for the top. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).

    • Day 12: Base Camp Plaza de Mulas / Bonete Summit (5100m) / Base Camp Plaza de Mulas.

      Trek to summit of Mount Bonete and back to Base Camp Plaza de Mulas. This trek takes about 6 hours to reach an altitude of 5100 m. This allows time to perfect our acclimatization (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).

    • Day 13: Base Camp Plaza de Mulas / Camp 1 Canadá (4910) / Base Camp Plaza de Mulas

      Acclimatization trek and transport equipment to Camp 1 Canada and return to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).

    • Day 14: Base Camp Plaza de Mulas / Camp 1 Canadá (4910)

      Ascent to Camp 1 Canadá. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

    • Day 15: Canadá Camp 1 / Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores (5250)

      Ascent to Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

    • Day 16: Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores / Camp 3 Berlín - Cólera (5900).

      Ascent to Camp 3 Berlín. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

    • Day 17: Camp 3 Berlín-Cólera / SUMMIT (6962) / Camp 3 Berlín-Cólera.

      Ascent from Camp 3 Berlín to Cólera the SUMMIT and return to Camp 3. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

    • Day 18: Camp 3 Berlín - Cólera / Base Camp Plaza de Mulas

      Descent to base camp Plaza de Mulas. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

    • Day 19 to 20: Contingency/bad weather days

      Extra days due to contingencies or bad weather that may prevent the normal development of the program. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner). Note: if we do not need these days and head back to Mendoza, hotels and meals are not included.

    • Day 21: Base Camp Plaza de Mulas / Puente del Inca / Mendoza

      Descent to Puente del Inca. Transport to Mendoza. Accommodation at the hotel. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

    • Day 22: Fly to Buenos Aires

      Transfer to the airport. (Breakfast). Flight to Buenos Aires. Night hotel in Buenos Aires.

    • Day 23: Flight home

      Flight home. Breakfast – Transfer Hotel / Airport – International flight (meals not included).

    • Day 24: Arrival in home country
     
     

    Other details

     
    Skill level required

    Intermediate

    Fitness level required

    Extremely Fit

    Meeting point

    Mendoza

    Accommodation

    In Santiago, Mendoza and Penintentes the accommodation is in comfortable hotels. During the trek accommodation is in tents.

    More info

    Trip organized on request for a group of 4 people minimum - Dates to decide with the group. All the climbs can be completed with a day pack. Travel bags are transported by vehicles or porters. You will be guided by me, a French IFMGA guide, accompanied by a local English-speaking guide + kitchen team, porters and muleteers.

    This is a tour that is achievable by all as long as you have been training for it- 5 to 7 hours steady/gentle walking per day with a vertical ascent of 1000m.

     

    About the Guide

     
    Jean-Marc Kaufmann

    Jean-Marc Kaufmann

    Mountain Leader

    • 4 reviews
     

    UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide

    - The passion of virgin areas -
    Climbing, mountaineering, trekking, off-piste skiing, ski touring, heliskiing, I have used all the resources available in the mountain to explore the Alps in France, Italy, Switzerland, and also Nepal, Peru and Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Alaska, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco and Turkey, Norway, Greenland and Spitsbergen…
    Currently, with the enthusiasm of being a guide, I traverse the world’s mountains and I share my passion with those whom I call “clients” but after many years of common adventures have become my friends.

     
     

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    What People are Saying about Jean-Marc Kaufmann

     

    Hello to all who like the intensity of amazing heights reached with sometimes a bit of sweat but so rewarding that the memories live in you year in or out. I travelled many times with Jean-Marc as guide. Heliskiing in Canada, Touring skiing (seals\' skin skiing) in Tromso, Spitzberg or more simply in ski resorts like France, Italy and Bulgaria. I recommend him for the complete trust in what he is sure I can do and his guiding ability on top of our sharing a good bear after the day\'s efforts (I am Belgian so ...). I even tried myself at 53 years\' old to a bit of climbing with \"Aiguille d\'Entrève\" and discovered a new ability. Great moments past and to come.
    Read review
    Chantal
    Jean-Marc nous a guidé avec beaucoup de professionnalisme dans l\'ascension du Grand-Paradis cet été. Ce fut une très belle première expérience d\'alpinisme pour moi, en toute confiance. Les passionnantes discussions à bâtons-rompus comme le respect du silence (dans la longue descente) m\'ont paru précieux également.
    Read review
    Noémie
    J’ai eu la chance de rencontrer Goulven et d’être guidé par lui sur le Grand Paradis en août 2014. C’est un super compagnon de cordée, un pro de la sécurité, un excellent leader, un défenseur de belles valeurs montagnardes et une personne très riche par le métier diversifié qu’il exerce, guide de haute montagne mais aussi copilote d’hélicoptère.
    Read review
    Gauthier
    Je recommande vivement de vous entourer de Goulven pour vos expéditions. Outre ses excellentes compétences techniques, vous découvrirez un guide aimant partagé sa riche expérience humaine et professionnelle et soucieux de vous faire vivre de belles choses à ses côtés!
    Read review
    Charles
     

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