Climbing Mount Aconcagua, 18 days
Join one of the Andes mountains' top guides on an 18-day mountain climbing trip to the summit of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America!
Group
Andes
18 Days
Jan, Feb, Dec
Extremely Fit
Intermediate
Highlights
- Join one of the most experienced guides of the Andes to the top of Aconcagua.
- Live a truly unforgettable experience in the Andes mountains.
- Climb one of the world's Seven Summits!
Description
Climbing Aconcagua is a mountaineering feat you will never forget! Join me on this 18-day program and discover the most iconic mountain of the Andes!
Mount Aconcagua (6961 m) is the highest summit in Argentina and also in the Americas. It’s located in the Andes Mountains, 112 kilometres away from the city of Mendoza.
This is an 18-day expedition via the Normal Route. During the first days, we’ll do acclimatization trekkings to Plaza Francia. Then, we’ll trek 40 kilometers in three days and reach Plaza de Mulas while enjoying the beautiful Andean landscapes. After that, we’ll be ready to start climbing Aconcagua. For further details about this trip, you can find the itinerary and the next departure dates below.
Keep in mind that one of the advantages of this route is that it offers a medical service in Confluencia, which provides wider medical support. Also, the approaching camp is set permanently and the distance between high camps is very regular and short in comparison with other routes. Therefore, acclimatization will be easier. Furthermore, white wind is one of the most common obstacles during the climb. We have taken this into account and scheduled in extra days to increase the chances of reaching the summit.
So, are you ready for the rush of climbing to the top of the highest mountain in all of the Americas? Then contact me now and let’s start planning an adventure of a lifetime! I will be happy to be your guide to the top of this iconic peak!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Transportation start and back
- Transport during the trip
- Group porters
- Mules and horses
- Clean drinkable water
- Mountain guide expenses
- Hot shower
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Camping equipment tents
- Camping equipment cooking utensils
Price details
SERVICES INCLUDED, in detail:
Professional mountain guide. Experienced and qualified to operate in Aconcagua.
Assistance with the procedures to obtain the permit to enter Park Aconcagua.
Ground transportation in private vehicles. Transport IN Airport – Hotel in Mendoza /Transport IN-OUT Mendoza – Penitentes – Park Entrance
Two (2) nights of accommodation in a 3* hotel in Mendoza City (Sharing room, Double/Triple occupancy), Breakfast included.
One (1) night of accommodation in Penitentes (Sharing room, Double/Triple occupancy). Breakfast & dinner included.
Transportation by freight mules of your personal equipment without limits in kg IN-OUT Penitentes-Base Camp
Lodging at base camps in mountain tents or dormitory tents for 4 or 8 persons and high camps in mountain tents.
All meals included on the mountain.
Drinking water (hot and cold) in all our camps (base camps and high camps)
Fully equipped dining dome at base camps. Exclusive restrooms for our clients.
Internet and charge of your device for free at base camps.
Hot shower for free at base camps.
Facility for the storage and care of equipment.
Full porter service to carry double tents, garbage and human waste and part of common equipment
Communications between high camps, base camp, Penitentes and Mendoza.
Medical equipment available at base camps and high camps.
Dining domes at high camps equipped with benches and tables. Restroom tents exclusive for our clients.
These items are not included in the price:
- Aconcagua Park climbing fee (tax charged by Mendoza government, according to dates. Last season, the permit fee costed USD800 on high season per person).
- Personal equipment.
- Rescue or all other costs due to the abandoning of the expedition.
- Extra nights in the hotel in Mendoza.
- Meals in Mendoza.
- Any other item not listed as included.
- Out of the total amount, USD 400 are a non-refundable deposit.
Itinerary
Day 1: Mendoza
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 the team members.
Accommodation: Hotel double or triple room.
Day 2: Penitentes
We will 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 the equipment ready for transportation to the base camp, by mule.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 3: Penitentes / Confluencia (3368 m)
We’ll drive you to Horcones Park, where we’ll get our first view of the mountain.
We will get our permits checked at the Ranger station.
Then, we’ll head off to Confluencia by walking 4 or 5 hours.
Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 4: Trek to Plaza Francia (4200 m)
We’ve included this day in order to acclimatize better, and give you more chances to summit. We’ll trek for about 5 hours until we arrive to Plaza Francia, base camp of the impressive Aconcagua South Wall. This is one of the nicest points of the expedition.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 5: Confluencia / Plaza de Mulas (4250 m)
After 8-9 hours hiking across Playa Ancha and climbing up through a very steep path, we’ll reach Plaza de Mulas, the biggest base camp in Aconcagua Park.
By the end of the day, most of us will feel the altitude.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 6: Rest day at Plaza de Mulas
The first day in Base Camp is always a rest day and a good occasion to take a bath and explore the local terrain.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 7: Carry equipment to camp 1
This is a challenging day where we’ll gain 1.000 m. with a heavy load on easy terrain.
Then we’ll return to Base Camp. It’s important to take advantage of the comfort and lower altitude at Base Camp.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 8: Rest day at Plaza de Mulas
This is a day we mainly use to recover energy, to rest, to hydrate ourselves and for abundant meals.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 9: Ascent to Camp 1 (4900 m)
The following morning we’ll start the ascent to Aconcagua.
We’ll move to Camp 1, called Plaza Canada. Until now, we were working on get an optimal acclimatization. We want everyone to have the best possible chance to do summit.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 10: Move to Camp 2 (5400 m)
Camp 2, called Nido de Condores (meaning Condor Nest), is located in a high pass at 5.400 m. and provides a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 11: Carry equipment to Camp 3
This day, we’ll carry equipment to Camp 3 called Camp Colera. After carrying the equipment up, we’ll return to Camp 2 to sleep, to give our bodies more chances to acclimatize.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 12: Ascent to Camp 3 (6000 m)
We’ll start a 4 hours walk to Camp 3, located on the North Ridge. We will prepare our tents and eat and rest, to be ready to get the summit.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 13: Summit day (6961 m)
It is the most demanding day of the expedition.
We’ll climb the North Ridge to Independencia Refuge at approximately 6.500 m. We’ll ascend through the Portezuelo del Viento , climb La Canaleta, and the Filo del Guanaco, that leads us to the summit.
The prize is waiting for us, a 360° view and the experience of overcoming, that you only finally understand once you reach it.
At the end of this experience, we’ll descend to Camp 3.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 14 to 15: Spare days
We have three extra days set aside on our itinerary to attempt summit.
These extra days are built in to provide the best possible conditions for each participant to summit.
Accommodation:Tents Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 16: Return to Base Camp
Return from Camp 3 to Base Camp. We’ll enjoy a great dinner to celebrate the experience.
Accommodation: Tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 17: Base Camp / Penitentes / Mendoza
We’ll have breakfast and then start the descent from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes.
There is a private transport waiting for us to take us to the hotel in Mendoza City.
Accommodation: Hotel, double or triple room.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 18: Mendoza
We have breakfast at the hotel. Check out and end of services.
Details
Accommodation - Two (2) nights accommodation at a three-star hotel in Mendoza City (prices based on double or triple occupancy), breakfast included.
- One (1) night accommodation at Penitentes, breakfast and dinner included.
- Tents. |
More info About the client-guide ratio: Up to 3 clients: 1 Guide for the whole expedition 4 clients: 1 Guide for the whole expedition + 1 assistant for Base Camp-Summit-Base Camp From 5 to 8 clients: 2 Guides for the whole expedition 9 clients: 2 Guides for the whole expedition + 1 assistant for Base Camp-Summit-Base Camp From 10 to 12 clients: 3 Guides for the whole expedition Basic equipment required (you can rent it on site) 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. Should you hire the help of a porter? If you have never carried a backpack of 20kgs over 5000 or 6000 meters, you have to know that it's a very demanding physical activity. You need to be very well trained. Otherwise, we recommend you hire the services of a personal porter to have a better chance of reaching the top. It is very common to hire a porter (around 1000USD). If you do that, you'll carry a backpack of around 35-60 liters. Trash and personal waste It is mandatory to remove everything from the mountain. You can't leave food behind just because you are exhausted from carrying it. So please think about this carefully when organizing your backpack. The same happens with trash and personal waste: nothing can stay on High Camps. 1) NON-STOP FLIGHT OPTIONS FROM LONDON TO MENDOZA (*) From London to Buenos Aires:
From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:
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:
(*) Total price includes taxes + fees for 1 adult. Additional bag fees and other fees may apply. |
Meeting point Mendoza. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?
How do I get the pass to access Aconcagua Park?
I am vegan (not eating meat, fish, milk, eggs, or honey). Is there a solution for my diet?
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
Do I need some kind of pass to enter Aconcagua Park? How much does it cost? How is it processed?
How will accommodation be handled in Mendoza City?
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
What kind of logistics services do you offer for moving equipment?
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
What happens in the event of bad weather?
About the guide
Mendoza based company specialized in expeditions and trekkings to Mt. Aconcagua. All the trips are run by the best certified and professional guides, with unrivalled logistics and infrastructure.
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