Mount Aconcagua

Home / Expeditions / Future Expeditions / Mount Aconcagua

MOUNT ACONCAGUA

ARGENTINA

DURATION
23 Days / 22 Nights
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Moderate to Hard
Mount Aconcagua is the highest peak in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres, located in the Andes mountain range in Argentina, South America. It stands at an impressive elevation of 6,959 meters (22,831 feet) above sea level. Aconcagua is a popular destination for mountaineers and trekkers, attracting climbers from around the world due to its challenging but non-technical ascent route.
Despite its height, Aconcagua is considered one of the Seven Summits, a group of the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, because its ascent does not require advanced technical climbing skills. However, climbers still face significant challenges such as altitude sickness, extreme weather conditions, and physical exertion.
The mountain is located within Aconcagua Provincial Park, which is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including llamas, condors, and unique alpine plants. Aconcagua's popularity among climbers makes it a bustling hub during the climbing season, with climbers attempting to reach the summit via various routes, such as the Normal Route or the more challenging Polish Glacier Route. Successful ascents of Mount Aconcagua require careful planning, acclimatization, and determination.
DAY 1: Arrival in Buenos Aires

DAY 2: Flight to Mendoza. Check in hotel

DAY 3: Rest day

DAY 4: Mendoza (permits and equipment logistics) meeting to review equipment, rent if necessary and process permits to enter Aconcagua Park | 760m

DAY 5: Mendoza to Bridge of the Inca | 2580m
  • Private transportation from the hotel to our lodge in Puente del Inca, where we will finish accommodating our loads that will be transported to Confluencia and later to Plaza de Mulas. Overnight in Puente del Inca.

DAY 6: Trekking to Confluencia
  • After a brief registration with the park rangers we begin the trekking towards Confluencia, the first camp on the Horcones Valley route. / 3-4hs 3250m

DAY 7: Confluencia – Viewpoint of the South Face (Plaza Francia)
  • On this day we take a detour to visit the impressive South Face of Aconcagua, it is one of the most beautiful treks in Argentina. The objective of the day is to acclimatize to the altitude. We return to Confluencia to spend the night. / 6- 7 hrs. 4000m

DAY 8: Confluencia – Plaza de Mulas
  • After a demanding trek with almost a thousand meters of unevenness, we arrive at Plaza de Mulas, the base camp of the normal route. 7-9 a.m. 4200m

DAY 9: Rest in Base Camp

DAY 10: Camp 1 Canadá
  • We ascend to the first high camp, to deposit part of the equipment and provisions that we will use. We return to the Plaza de Mulas to spend the night. / 3-4 hours 4930m

DAY 11: Rest day in Plaza de Mulas
  • Relax and hot shower.

DAY 12: Base Camp – Plaza Canadá
  • The group leaves base camp and moves to Camp. 1 for 2 1⁄2 – 3 1⁄2 hours.

DAY 13: Plaza Canada – Nido de Cóndores
  • We continue the ascent to the second altitude camp, 4-5 hours. 5300m

DAY 14: Rest in Nido de Condores

DAY 15: Nido de Condores – Cólera
  • We ascend to the last camp 2 1⁄2 – 3 1⁄2 hours. 6000m

DAY 16: Summit day! 
  • We return to Cólera to spend the night. / 8-12 hours. 6962m

DAY 17: Extra day for weather contingencies to optimize the chances of success

DAY 18: Extra day for weather contingencies to optimize the chances of success 

DAY 19: Cólera – Plaza de Mulas
  • We spend the night in the Camp after a great Shower. 3-4 hours. 4200m

DAY 20 – Plaza de Mulas – Horcones – Puente del Inca – Mendoza 8 hours + 3-4 hours of transfer. 760m

DAY 21: Rest day

DAY 22 – Transfer to Airport. Return Buenos Aires

DAY 23: Buenos Aires to Kuala Lumpur

End of trip

  1. Backpack; 35-45 litre alpine climbing pack
  2. Duffle bag for carry by the horse
  3. Thermal top
  4. Thermal bottom
  5. Heavyweight down jacket
  6. Fleece Jacket (recommended not more than 250g weight)
  7. Waterproof jacket
  8. Waterproof outer pants
  9. Trekking Pants
  10. Trekking/ Glacier Shirt
  11. Finger / Liner gloves
  12. Mountaineering gloves (waterproof)
  13. Fleece finger gloves /windstopper
  14. Technical boots (double or triple layer)
  15. Trekking shoes
  16. Socks – minimum 5 pairs – synthetic/wool blend sock
  17. Woollen hat/fleece hat
  18. Scarf or Bandanna or Buff (for sun protection) (recommended)
  19. Down Sleeping Bag (sleeping bag comfort rating -30c) and another sleeping bag for basecamp (rating -15c)
  20. Foam Matt /inflatable matt
  21. Helmet
  22. Glacier Glasses (sunglasses)

High quality 100% UV, 100% IR, minimum 80% light reduction.

Side shields are optional but size shape of lens should offer maximum protection from bright on snow

  1. Snow Goggles (optional)
  2. Water Bottle (1 litres) wide mouth nelgene (1 compulsory) extra will be good.
  3. Headlamp + Spare Batteries
  4. Trekking Poles
  5. Sun cream
  6. Baseball hat or sun hat (recommended)
  7. Lip balm
  8. Plate, cup & spork
  9. Pee bottle (optional)

Trek grading: Hard trekking. Climbing experience is important with minimum highest peak climb of 6000m.

Fitness: Good fitness is essential. Good technical skills. Familiar with rock climbing and repelling.  You should be able to hike for up to a week without undue difficulty, carrying a backpack weighing between 10-15kg in undulating mountain terrain with an elevation between 3000 – 5000 meter.

Go for your dream!