Argentina: Expedition to Aconcagua (6.962 m) normal route the highest mountain of South America
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- Argentina: Expedition to Aconcagua (6.962…
About Aconcagua: Stand on the highest spot of the Southern Hemisphere and observe the magnificence of The Andes The normal route is technically easy. The hard part is the altitude. This is why we are so careful with the acclimatization. The approach to Plaza de Mulas is a long distance of about 40 km. We are also used to making acclimatization trekking to Plaza Francia, the Base Camp of the Southern Wall.
It takes us three days to get to Plaza de Mulas. To reach a better acclimatization and to enjoy a unique view of the Aconcagua we will make a trekking to Mt Bonete (4900 mts) . After that, we start the climbing to the Summit. Our suggested program is set for two days of double equipment porting and security. When the last stage begins, we go higher and higher until we reach the summit. In the Aconcagua , sometimes the presence of a white wind difficults the ascent, this is why we use the security days, increasing the chances to reach the summit.
The “Colossus of America” is the goal of climbers of all latitudes and the athletic aspiration of thousands of annual lvisitors, who cherish this unique and exclusive experience, the one this magnificent mountain offers.
- 20 Days/19 Nights
- Dicember to March
- Moderate


Travel Program
Day 1: Flight from USA/Europe - Arrival to Mendoza (760 m)
The Guide 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 be introduced to your guides and team
Overnight
Hotel
Flight
Arrival to Argentina.
Driving
1 hour aprox.
Hiking
1 hour aprox
Meals
-/-/-
Day 2: Mendoza transfer - Penitentes (2700 m)
We will obtain individual entrance and ascent permits. You will be personally assisted in this procedure in our commercial office. After this we travel to Villa de Penitentes, where we stay at a Hotel in the mountain. There we get the equipment ready for transportation to the base camp by mule
Overnight
Camping
Driving
5 hours aprox.
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 3: Penitentes - Trekking Confluencia (3368 m)
We drive you to Horcones Park, where we get our first view of the mountain. We will get our permits checked at the Ranger station. Then, we head off to Confluencia by walking 4 or 5 hours
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 4: Confluencia - Acclimatization Trekking 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
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 5: Approach from Confluencia to Plaza de Mulas BC (4250 m)
After 8-9 hours hiking across “Playa Ancha” and climbing up through a very steep path, we reach Plaza de Mulas, the biggest base camp in Aconcagua Park. By the end of the day, most of us will feel the altitude.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 6: Rest day at Plaza de Mulas BC (4250 m)
The first day in Base Camp is always a rest day and a good occasion to take a bath and explore the local terrain
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
1 hour aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 7: Plaza de Mulas - Ascent to Mountain Bonete (5000 m)
We’ve included this climbing in order to acclimatize better, and give you more chances to summit. Also you’ll enjoy a spectacular view of the west face of Aconcagua.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Climbing
3 hours approx
Meals
B/L/D
Day 8: Rest day at base Camp Plaza de Mulas (4250 m)
We’ll stay in Plaza de Mulas to rest from the climbing of Bonete. We will divide expedition loads to carry to the high camps (community gear, fuel and food). We double carry to keep pack weight down and help ensure good acclimatization
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
1 hour aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 9: Plaza de Mulas - Carry Equipment and food to C1 (4900 m)
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.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
7 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 10: Rest day at Plaza de Mulas (4250 m)
This is a day we mainly use to recover energy, to rest, to hydrate ourselves and for abundant meals.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
1 hour aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 11: Ascent from Base Camp to C1 (4900 m)
The following morning we definite start the ascent to Aconcagua. We 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.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
1 hour aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 12: Move to C2 (5400 m)
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.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 13: Carry equipment from C2 to C3 ¨ Colera ¨ (6000 m)
This day, we carry equipment to Camp 3 called “Camp Colera”. After carrying the equipment up, we return to Camp 2 to sleep, to give our bodies more chances to acclimatize
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 14: Ascent from C2 to C3 (6000 m)
We 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.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 15: C3 - Ascent Summit Aconcagua (6962 m)
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.
Overnight
Camping
Climbing
6 hours aprox
Hiking
12 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 16: Extra Day - Reserve day
These extra days are built in to provide the best possible conditions for each participant to summit.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
1 hour aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 17: Extra Day - Reserve day)
These extra days are built in to provide the best possible conditions for each participant to summit.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
1 hour aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 18: Return from Camp 3 to Base Camp.
We’ll enjoy a great dinner to celebrate the experience.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Meals
B/L/D
Day 19: Return from Base Camp to Penitentes and back to 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.
Overnight
Camping
Hiking
6 hours aprox
Driving
5 hours aprox.
Meals
B/L/D
Day 20: City Mendoza - Transport to airport - Fligh Back Home
We have breakfast at the hotel. Check Out and end of services.
Overnight
Hotel
Driving
1 hour aprox.
Hiking
1 hour aprox
Flight
Go back home by plane.
Meals
B/-/-
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
What's Included
Services included in the prices:
- Transportation- All the transportation are according to the schedule, for the group, in private vehicle.Transport Airport – Hotel in Mendoza (18 km). Transport Mendoza-Penitentes (180 km). Transport to and from Penitentes – Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua Park Entrance (7 km). Return to Mendoza from Horcones (187 km)
- Accomodation- City of Mendoza: Two (2) nights of lodging in a 3 *** hotel in the city of Mendoza, double or triple, half board, beverages not included. Penitentes: One (1) night at Mountain Hotel in Penitentes, Double or triple, half board, beverages not included. The welcome dinner, breakfast and taxes are included. Mountain Camps: All nights of the expedition at double tents or dormitory dome ( 4 or 8 persons) , Full Board
- Meals – All meals are included during the approaching, at Base Camp and high altitude camps. Meals are prepared daily by the cooks. Our diet include, among other things, fresh fruit, meat, chicken, vegetables, fresh eggs, bread and other. Our meals are energy balanced with all your body requires for the ascent. We are also are prepared to elaborate special meals, like vegetarian, celiac and other kinds
- Communication-There is permanent communication through VHF, UHF radios, Satellite Telephones, between Base Camps, mountain expeditions, Penitentes and Mendoza. This guarantees safety and organization that will lead your expedition to be a successful one. We also offer an e-mail service in Plaza de Mulas at reasonable costs
- Dinning tents -The dining domes are completely equiped with tables, chairs, dishes, electricity and heat, to provide the highest comfort and quality services. You will be attended by our Camp Team, in charge of preparing meals and of offering an excepcional service with a friendly treatment M
- ules for Equipment Transportation -We take your equipment (30 kg/person) from Penitentes to Plaza Argentina and then we transport 10 kg with the load of your preference from Plaza Argentina to Plaza de Mulas. Then from Plaza de Mulas we take back 30 kg to Horcones Park Entrance and then Penitentes. Our “responsibility and confidence service” means taking your equipment on time and in perfect conditions to and from Base Camp and back to Penitentes. We own our tame mules and the carriers are experimented
- Medical Equipment -We have medical kits at base camps that include all regular medicines and oximeters, oxygen tubes and hyperbaric chambers exclusively for our clients in ready to solve all kinds of problems. The guides also carry a medical kit for high camps. We have access to rangers, rescue teams, police, professionals medicine doctors and medical institutes specializing in mountain accidents, who are immediately put on alert and get ready whenever they are required by BC personals
- Dormitory Tents – We provide our clients with the best mountain tents available (The North Face, Mountain Hard Wear) equipped with comfortable mats at the base camps. Also we have exclusive dormitory tents for 4 or 8 persons, with bunk beds, electric light and carpet. We have private bathroom for our clients, toilettes at Confluencia Camp and letrines at Plaza de Mulas and Argentina Camps. We also offered hot water baths at convenient prices
- Porters -The porter is in charge of helping the group with the extra weight the group equipment represents. Our programmed expeditions includes the carry of double tents. This is to avoid extra unnecessary efforts so you can preserve your energy, for the day you reach the summit. If you need a porter to help you with your personal gear, all you need to do is ask for one
- Others Service – Assistance in the obtainment of Aconcagua Provincial Park entrance permits. The Aconcagua is a reserved area, managed by the Government of the Province of Mendoza. To be able to enter the park one must obtain a permit, for trekking or for ascending to the summit. You will be personally assisted in this procedure at our sales office. The permit cost is not included in our services
- Facility for the deposit and care of equipment. A person in charge of the camp supervises your equipment while you ascend. Personal equipment reviews and advice for rental, if necessary
Not included:
- Aconcagua Park climbing fee (tax charged by Mendoza government, according to dates)
- Personal equipment
- Rescue or other costs due to abandon of expedition
- Personal expenses (tips, laundry, phone, drinks, and porters or other items not specified above.)
- Extra nights in hotel in case of early return to the city
- Meals in Mendoza
- All other services not listed as included
What to Bring
What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition
This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, mountaineering or mountaineering is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.
These items should be on your hiking checklist:
Hiking backpack for hiking 30 to 40 liters
Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)
Medium weight socks
Sleeping bag (-10º to 15ºC)
Small daypack for one day hiking 20 liters
Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
Hiking boots or shoes
Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down
Rain poncho (or rain gear)
Long-sleeved shirts
Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
Lightweight pants
Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
Water bottle for hiking or trekking
Strong waterproof duffel bag
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Towel for personal hygiene each participantFirst-aid kit
Regular and long underwear
Knife or multi-tool
Light cap and wool hat
Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips
The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike
Grooming and personal hygiene kit
One Hiking Buff per person
Technical Equipment for High Altitude Expedition Mountains
3 Locking carabiners, we recommended per person
We recommend 2 ice screws for each client
1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person
2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommended GRIVEL company
1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains
2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)
Gloves(Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000meters
Harness, we recommended GRIVEL company
Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress
Crampons, we recommended GRIVEL company
Walking sticks (optional), a pair per person, we recommended GRIVEL company
Down Jacket for expedition
Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GOROTEX certification
First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients
Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things
Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair
Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.
In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.
Prices & Dates
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» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays
Prices (per person):
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Deposit for reservations: * 1.605,00 USD USD (1.433,00 EUR) ✓, Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!
Places: *Available
Trip- code: ►Code-number (►AR-101) ✓
Duration: 20 days
Participants: Minimal: 4 Maximal: 15
Members: We have some members confirmed- join in our group Contact Us!
Country / Location: Argentina, province of Mendoza, department of Las Heras
Mountain Guide: Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Other dates / additional info: Contact Us!
3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2023
Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.

Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Expert guide certified by AGOMP General Sales Manager of Peru Expeditions
- WhatsApp: +51 943 081 066
- E-Mail: [email protected]
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Frequently Asked Questions
What our travelers or clients always ask questions before joining our trips, tours & expeditions, read all the information provided here.
Suggested FAQs
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
Every day we have active walks around approximately 4, to 5 sometimes 6 hours of walking, everything is according to your pace and physical condition of each person, in each of our travel programs you will find more detailed information, and if If you need more information about each day of the travel program, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts or questions, for this please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
For our mountain climbing trips: If they are easily accessible mountains: For easy-climb mountains, well, you don’t need much experience, but if you already want to climb mountains above 6,000 meters and the conditions become more difficult, we recommend if you already want to go through mountains above 6,000 meters, have a basic or intermediate course for a good preparation. It is very important to be physically, technically and psychologically prepared.
Regarding the preparation of children: Everything will depend on which mountain you want to climb with your children, once you are clear on which of our tours or mountains you want to go with your children, we can give you some advice or see how to prepare them before going with they.
Regarding older people: It all depends on the condition of experience and how well the person is in health, on many occasions older people are the best to walk in the mountains because they have more experience, so it is always good to ask and find out about their experience of older participant. If you have any other questions, please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
To do long-distance hiking you need to at least train or do some tours such as visiting lagoons to get the experience and feel comfortable with what you do, it is always good before doing a long-distance hiking tour to test yourself so as not to be with the problems of altitude sickness during the trekking, and if you travel with children it is good to first train them before taking them, if they are accompanied by an adult of legal age, they must do a good acclimatization before going on the long-distance tour or with high altitude camps If you want to know or learn more advice, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
The preparation is according to what type and what technical level you want to go and climb a trek or mountain, the preparation will always gain experience little by little.
For this type of demanding or technical climbing sports, it is recommended to do some summits above 5 thousand meters beforehand and have good knowledge of high mountain technical equipment such as the use of technical ice axes, ice screws, correct use of crampons, and of course all the technical material. For more information, we can schedule an appointment to be able to explain in more detail everything about the mountain equipment and the preparations prior to joining our outings. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
For the pick-ups of each trip, depending on the place or the trip that you are going to make with us, the meeting point is always at our office, in one of our trips we pick you up where you are staying or staying, or in some cases a A representative of our company will pick you up and then ship you to your transport to continue with your destination of the tour or trip you have booked with us. If you wish to request more information, do not hesitate to contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
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?
In all our trekking or mountaineering trips we do not include personal equipment in our prices, so you have to have your own equipment: Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc. ) and also within each page of the trips that we sell is a small list so you can see it on our website.
Our company can also rent the materials that you would need for your trip, see the list here on our website: https://peru-expeditions.org/equipment-rental/ . For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
In our trips, either hiking or mountaineering: Depending on the type or destination of the trip that you are going to book, in some parts of the treks you go with mules or donkeys or sometimes with horses, and within the mountain trips, the approach camps are also They go with mules or donkeys, but there are some stretches where pack animals can no longer reach. In this part, our logistics is fully supported by the porters.
Who are the porters? They are people from the area who were born and live in the heights of the towns, they are very strong and are very acclimatized, the reason is that after the tourist season ends they dedicate themselves to agriculture and livestock for that reason they are people They are used to the altitude and have lived in nature all their lives and they are happy to be in the mountains together with our expeditions. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
About accommodation or meals during the tour: Well, depending on the type of tour, when the tour is a classic cultural tour or a city tour, we eat during the route in tourist restaurants and sleep in category hotels that the client has requested.
If the tour is with camps and trekking: During the activity, logistics we include the service of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with traditional and typical meals of the region where you are going to travel with us, during the night we stay in tents, and we have a special tent for the kitchen and another for the dining room.
If the trip is at altitude or in the mountains: We bring special high mountain food, It are quicker meals to cook and we provide complete logistics such as Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and we sleep in special 4-season high mountain tents, with the best tents. If you have any questions or concerns, we can schedule an appointment via Whatsapp to clarify all your doubts and give you better information so that your trip is an unforgettable tour.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
Safe and effective vaccines are available that provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Billions of people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against COVID-19, help end the pandemic and stop new variants emerging.
We also recommend having accident insurance, we always recommend. We are Partners –Global Rescue. If you have any other questions about the trip we can schedule a date for a calling via WhatsApp. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
In mountains above 5000 meters: A local guide takes a maximum of 3 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide
In technical mountains: In large-big mountains we manage the travel policy, a guide and a maximum of 2 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Can I join a group?
We as a local company and connoisseurs of tours have departures on different dates. The best thing to do is to join a travel group to take care of your budget, and of course you can join our groups, but on trips like mountaineering we recommend going in small groups. To join a group, ask us for the dates and we will send you the necessary information to be able to join any of our trips.
Why go in a private trip: For trips whether trekking or high mountains, going privately is the most recommended option, but the costs are more expensive. So, if one joins a group, the prices will be more reasonable. In the mountains, the only disadvantage is if you are in a wall with another partner and if one of the participants gets tired or gets sick. In this case, you have to abort or cancel the summit and return together. For more information, contact us. We can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify all your questions.
In a mountain, for example, if 3 people go and one of the participants falls ill on the route, for security reasons they have to cancel or abort the summit or return all together. The same in a technical mountain if the climbing partner gets sick they all have to return, for these reasons sometimes it is better to go private only because for a single person the costs are more expensive for the same reason that the trip would already be private .
For more information please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What happens in the event of bad weather?
About the meteorological conditions of the climate, we try to organize the trips of each tour in the best season to have the best views and enjoy the selected trip but sometimes even is good season we can have bad weather, in this case on hiking or treks trips The complications are minimal, but when this happens during high-altitude climbing expeditions, the complications can become very difficult, that is why the bosses or leaders of the local guides must always make the most correct decision for the safety of our passengers, so we always recommend listening to the best advice from the local guide assigned for each tour. If you have any other questions please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066