Normal Route Cerro Aconcagua

Duration

18D / 17N

Tour type

Mountaineering

Tour altitude

6972 m

Group size

2 to 10 people.

Description

Guided climbing expeditions to Aconcagua offer a great way to experience the spectacular Andes of Argentina and reach a Seven Summit. This expedition is a great stepping stone for the world’s highest peaks, like Mount Everest, and a great introduction to full blown expeditionary climbing. Aconcagua, often referred to as the “Stone Sentinel,” is the highest peak in South America, the highest peak in the world outside of Asia, and one of the Seven Summits. Join our experienced guides and reach the summit of this much sought after peak

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Tour Program

Itinerary

Day 01

MENDOZA (760m)

Upon arrival in Mendoza, you will enjoy the comforts of one of the best hotels in Mendoza which will be our meeting place. Your confirmation letter will confirm our meeting time where we will provide a complete orientation to include: a comprehensive gear check, an overview of the entire climb and a question and answer period. Guides will assist you with any gear rentals or purchases if required. For the evening you are free to walk the streets of Mendoza and enjoy the many great restaurants in the area. Accommodation: Hotel double or triple room. –Transportation: Airport – Hotel in Mendoza.

Day 02

MENDOZA / PENITENTES (2,725m)

After registration with Aconcagua Provincial Park we drive to Penitentes to start our acclimatization. Upon reaching Penitentes we will check in to our quaint hotel at the base of the mountain and have lunch. In the afternoon, the mule’s loads are prepared at our Depot at Los Puquios for the following day. Transportation: Mendoza – Penitentes – Accomodation: Hotel – Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 03

PENITENTES / CONFLUENCIA (3,300m)

After breakfast we take a short drive to the entrance of the Park in a private van. Permits will be presented as we start our 3.5 hour trek to Confluencia Camp (3,300m). We have light backpacks and the walking is on a well-worn, picturesque trail. Upon arrival to Confluencia you will be greeted by AMG staff with some refreshments and a tour of camp. After a good rest we set up our tents and take some time to explore the surrounding area and view the beautiful rock formations. You will spend two nights in Confluencia with full board and hot drinks provided throughout the day. It is a lovely camp and our staff is there to assist you. Transportation: Penitentes – Horcones – Accommodation: Tents/Dormitory Dome – Meals. Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner

Day 04

CONFLUENCIA / PLAZA FRANCIA (4,000m) / CONFLUENCIA

Today we trek to Plaza Francia and back to Confluencia. At Plaza Francia we view the spectacular South Face of Aconcagua while gaining further acclimatization. Here you will enjoy a delicious lunch and a spectacular view. The South Face of Aconcagua is famous for its difficult ascents where many of the best climbers in the world have come to test their skills. After exploring the area we descend back to Confluencia Camp for the night. 6-7 hrs. Accommodation: Tents/Dormitory Dome – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner

Day 05

CONFLUENCIA / PLAZA DE MULAS (4,260m)

We make our way to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (7-9 hours trek). Guides ensure we walk at a moderate pace so everyone arrives feeling well. The trek follows the Horcones Superior River and then rises up onto a lateral moraine next to the Horcones Glacier. Upon arrival you can relax in your dining tent with hot drinks and snacks. Our base camp is a full-service camp with full board and Wi-Fi, hot showers are available upon request. 7-9 hrs Accommodation: Tents/Dormitory Dome– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner

Day 06

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/Dormitory Dome – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07

CARRY EQUIPMENT AND FOOD TO CAMP 1 – ALTITUDE: 5050 MTS.

This is a challenging day where we 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/Dormitory Dome – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner

Day 08

REST DAY AT PLAZA DE MULAS – ALTITUDE: 4300 MTS

This is a day we mainly use to recover energy, to rest, to hydrate ourselves and for abundant meals. Accommodation: Tents/Dormitory Dome – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 09

ASCENT FROM BASE CAMP TO CAMP 1 – ALTITUDE: 5050 MTS.

The following morning we start the ascent to Aconcagua. We move to Camp 1, called “Plaza Canada”. We meet with the load that we brought the days before and we assemble the camp to stay overnight. 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 – ALTITUDE: 5550 MTS.

Camp 2, called “Nido de Condores” (meaning Condor Nest), is located in a high pass at 5550m and provides a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11

ACCLIMATIZATION DAY AT CAMP 2 – ALTITUDE: 5550 MTS.

This day is dedicated to improving the acclimatization to altitude. The guide may propose different activities according to the condition of the group. We take the opportunity to rest and give our body more opportunities to acclimatize. Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12

ASCENT FROM CAMP 2 TO CAMP 3 – ALTITUDE: 5970 MTS.

We start a 4 hours walk to Camp 3, located on the North Ridge. We will prepare our tents, eat and rest, to be ready to get the summit. Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13

SUMMIT DAY – ALTITUDE: 6962 MTS.

It is the most demanding day of the expedition. We climb the North Ridge to Independencia Refuge at approximately 6.500 m. We 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 descend to Camp 3. Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14

14 & 15 - SPARE DAYS IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS

We have two 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/Dormitory Dome – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17

PLAZA DE MULAS / HORCONES / MENDOZA

We 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. Transportation: Horcones – Penitentes – Mendoza – Accommodation: Hotel double or triple room –Meals:Breakfast, Lunch Box.

Day 18

MENDOZA

Breakfast. End of services. NOTE The proposed itinerary can be changed due to weather conditions or other forced situations that put in risk the group security. The guides have the authority to change the program according to their criteria. You can be sure the changes have two fundamental objectives. These are to maximize the security and the summit chances. And they are based on our guides knowledge and experience

Included in the tour

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

Not included in the tour

Aconcagua Park Entrance Permit. Ascent Fee. (Tax charged by Mendoza government, according to the selected route, dates and nationality. You will get a discount for hiring the assistance of authorized company).
Mandatory MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR EXTREME SPORTS (Should cover evacuation and rescue by helicopter)
Required personal equipment.
Rescue costs or other costs due to the abandonment of the expedition. (Riding mule, pack mule, individual transfers, extra nights, meals, extra costs for changes in your flight ticket, personal porter service, etc.) – It is recommended to take a Travel Insurance to cover these expenses.
Personal expenses (tips, laundry, phone, drinks, satellite phone, internet access, showers and porters)
Extra nights in a hotel in case of early return to the city/ in case you don’t use the “spare days” and decide to descend to Mendoza.
Transfer out Penitentes – Mendoza in case of early returning or abandon the expedition.
Meals and Drinks not specified in the itinerary. E.g.: Lunches and Dinners in Mendoza. Lunch in day 2 of itinerary.
Transportation OUT Hotel – Airport.
Any other service not specifically mentioned as included in this document.

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