Icicle: Aconcagua 6959m expedition. Ascent via the Polish Traverse route, descent via Normal Route. 19 days expedition. Guaranteed departures.

Celebrating 24 years!

Aconcagua 6959m ascent 2023/4
Choice of 2 itineraries, to suit your acclimatisation requirements

Climbing Skill

Fitness & Stamina

Course overview

	Aconcagua is the “Seventh Summit” of South America. At nearly 7000m high, it is the second tallest of the 7 Summits, the only taller one being Mount Everest. Its name comes from the native Inca's who used to call the mountain Ancocahuac, the 'White Sentinal'.
	We offer a choice of two very different itineraries, to give you options both of the style of expedition and inclusions that you require, and to make a better choice as to what suits you best for acclimatisation.
	The obvious primary aim of the expedition is to summit Aconcagua 6959m, but this expedition is much more than that. You will learn how to adapt your climbing rate to your acclimatisation level, which is an essential skill at altitude. The guide carries a pulse oximeter to monitor your acclimatisation.
	A key factor in the success of any expedition is its how well rested and fed the team is, and as the quote goes "an army runs on its stomach"! We have taken this point on board and have ensured that the base camp is as comfortable as possible, and that it provides good food. We use a local logistics team to provide full time base camps on both sides of the mountain with these services:
		Kitchen & Mess Tents with electric lights, tables, chairs
		Food: 3 meals a day (inc packed lunch) & hot drinks
		Portaloo / Toilet Tent, Showers, & Equipment Store Room
		Staff: trained cook, camp manager, and porters
		Safety: radios (HF & VHF 2m), Gammow bag, oxygen
	Skills & fitness: no previous mountaineering experience is required, but many have climbed an Alpine 4000m peak, such as Mont Blanc before. Very good aerobic fitness is required and upon booking you will be sent an expedition dossier with training training schedules. View it here, and look at training plan 4.
	Dates: these are listed in the column on the right, and they show the live availability from our secure online booking system. When you book online, you receive immediate confirmation, your full trip dossier, course specific kit list and invoice.

View across the Andes from Camp 2 on the Falso de Los Polacos route.

Expedition notes

	Our formula is to restrict the group sizes, so that there is normally a maximum of 12 clients. The small group sizes enable us to run specialist ascents, where the group can bond well, and each expedition member has great access to the local guides.
	Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the planned itinerary, it must be realised that in this type of adventurous travel, changes to the itinerary may occur. Your final itinerary may differ in respect of the places where you stay overnight. Please bear this in mind, especially in the mountains!
	On the ascent of Aconcagua, you are guided by local guides who have detailed local knowledge. On the group itinerary you are led by experienced local guides are not ‘guiding’ or qualified in the same stringent way as IFMGA International Mountain Guides, but work in a far more traditional sense as route finders and assistants to our expedition members, so a higher degree of adventure and autonomy is required than on our Alpine trips. We also offer an IFMGA led itinerary, whose leaders are hold the highest qualification in mountaineering, and which has been designed to provide more acclimatisation. You select which itinerary suits you.
	With adventure travel, the unexpected is the norm in these areas and, despite painstaking planning and organisation, our adventure holidays can never be taken for granted like regular holidays. Many of the places that we visit do not have the same quality of emergency health and safety services that we are used to in the developed world. Internal flights can be cancelled, road transport is generally uncomfortable and unreliable, and hotels and any star ratings often do not approach the equivalent standards of the West. If you are not prepared for this, you should not book on this style of trip. We see these factors as a selling point, and it really defines for us what adventure travel is all about.

Outline expedition itineraries

Standard Itinerary

IFMGA Mountain Guided itinerary (limited availability)

Day	Standard trip outline
1	Arrival in Mendoza (760 m / 2,493 ft). Our driver will pick you up at the airport, and take you to your hotel. After checking in, you can relax or explore the many sidewalk cafes of the city. The trip guide will contact you to review the schedule for the next day. Evening meal not included in the trip price.
2	Mendoza. Team meeting, gear check, gear rental, climbing permit procedures. Your guide will help you getting through the bureaucracy. Checking the gear is important! Meals in Mendoza not included, but you can eat out very cheaply, and the local steaks and wine are very good.
3	Transfer in private vehicles from Mendoza to Los Penitentes, where the group will spend the night in a lodge (2,580 m/8,465 ft). In this small mountain village there is the logictics warehouse for preparation of the loads of the mules. / 3 hs drive. The evening meal in Penitentes is included.
4	Penitentes-Punta de Vacas (trailhead) - Pampa de Lenas camp (2,950 m/ 9,678 ft). After breakfast, we ride the van for a few minutes to Punta de Vacas where we get our climbing permits stamped at the Park Rangers checkpoint and begin the approach to base camp. After a 4-hour hike along Rio de las Vacas, we arrive at our first camp, Pampa de Lenas, where we enjoy a genuine asado criollo (gaucho bbq). For the entire hike to base camp, all you will need to carry is a day pack with some essentials; the mules will carry the rest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
5	Pampa de Len~as – Casa de Piedra (3,240 m/10,630 ft). Hike to Casa de Piedra, our second trekking camp. Great view of the Polish Glacier, and the Eastern Face of Aconcagua from the trail. / 6 hs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
6	Casa de Piedra – Plaza Argentina base camp (4,190 m/13,746 ft.). We follow the trail up the Relinchos Valley to Plaza Argentina. Our base camp chef greets us with a good dinner at a comfy dining tent: the perfect reward after the hardest day of the approach. / 6-7 hs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
7	Plaza Argentina. Resting day at base camp. Sleep, read in the dining tent, or try the yoga mats in our heated domo: whatever you do, get hydrated! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
8	Plaza Argentina – Camp 1 – Plaza Argentina (4,800 m/ 15,748 ft). With the trek to base camp, and the first stage of acclimatization completed, the climb itself begins carrying gear to Camp 1. After getting equipment, food, and gas, we return to base camp. / 5 hs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
9	Plaza Argentina. Rest day at Base Camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
10	Plaza Argentina – Camp 1 (4.800m/ 15,748 ft). The team leaves BC behind and moves to Camp 1 with the remaining gear. Our porters will carry the tents an other common gear, the climbers carry their own gear and their share of the common gear if needed (expect to carry a 15-20 kg backpack). / 4-5 hs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
11	Camp 1 – Camp 2 – Camp 1 (5350m/ 18,143 ft). Gear carry to Camp 2, called the Chopper Camp, towards the Guanacos Valley side (North). Ashtonishing view of Mt. Mercedario and other peaks of the Ramada massif. Return to C1. / 4-5 hs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
12	Rest day at Camp 1 (4.800m/ 15,748 ft). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
13	Camp 1 – Camp 2 (5.486m / 18,000 ft). Move to camp 2. / 5 hs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
14	Camp 2 – Co´lera (high camp) (5.970 m / 19,586 ft). We move to our high camp, from where we will attempt the summit. / 4-5 hs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
15	Summit day! (6.962m – 22,841 ft). We leave early to get the most of the (long) day. You will be carrying a very light backpack (water, snacks, some clothing, camera). / 8-12 hs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
16	Extra weather day. To secure the success of the expedition we have added two additional summit days in case of bad weather. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided on the mountain.
17	Extra weather day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided on the mountain.
18	Camp 3 – Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4.350 m / 14,271 ft). We complete the Aconcagua traverse by descending the Northwestern face of Aconcagua (Normal Route), towards the lively BC of the Normal Route. Celebration dinner in dining tents with tables and chairs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided on the mountain.
19	Plaza de Mulas – Horcones – Penitentes. The hike out takes approximately 6-7 hours. Most of the gear goes in the mules, so you walk light. From the trailhead at Horcones our van drives us to Mendoza, after picking up the gear at Penitentes. Hotel check-in (not included), end of the program. / 6-7 hs + 3-4 hs.

Standard Inclusions
	1) Hotel accommodation in Mendoza as indicated in the itinerary, based on double occupancy. Note that climbers descending early will incur extra hotel fees
	2) One night of lodging in Penitentes (dinner and breakfast included)
	3) Full board during the expedition (all the meals while in the Park, meals in Mendoza not included)
	4) Fully certified, English speaking guides
	5) All shared gear for the expedition (sleeping tents, stoves and cooking gear, radio, etc)
	6) Complete base camp services (dining tents, bathrooms, meals, storage)
	7) All the transfers in licensed, private shuttles
	8) Pack mules for common and personal loads, to and from BC
	9) Permanent VHF radio communication
	10) Guides are equipped with professional first aids kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates of acclimatization progres
	11) High altitude porters for common gear carried
	12) Assistance with climbing permit procedure
	13) Sat coverage and tracking during the trip, through an InReach device. Tracking of the expedition available online

Exclusions
	1) Travel to and from Mendoza in Argentina, and any visa fees
	2) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches and evening meals on nights in hotels
	3) Any purchases in base camps / hotels / restaurants
	4) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges
	5) Any extra nights in Mendoza or off the mountain, due to summiting early or retreating early from the mountai
	6) Mt. Aconcagua State Park climbing permit (link) paid in cash (c. $980)
	7) Personal porters
	8) Any cost incurred by the climber if he / she leaves the trip early (such as mules, transfers, guide, etc)
	9) Meals in Mendoza
	10) Drinks in Mendoza and Penitentes

Day	Itinerary written by Pablo, the lead IFMGA mountain guide
1	Arrival in Mendoza - Argentina (747 m). Upon arrival in Mendoza's airport, there will be a transfer waiting and transfer to a centrally located hotel at the heart of the city. Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina, worldwide known for it famous Malbec wines that can be enjoyed with a indisputable Argentinian meat, once you try it, all other wont be the same! The temperatures in the summer can be very high, reaching up to 38 - 40 degrees, which is quite the opposite of what people preparing for Aconcagua might expect. On the afternoon, there will be an information meeting with the main mountain guide, who will provide all the relevant information about the next days itinerary and practical details of the trip. Night in hotel.
2	Vallecitos Valley (2727 m) On the morning, after breakfast, the guide/s will do a thorough gear check to each team member. It is very important to make sure everybody has the right gear for the endeavor ahead. In case someone is missing something or need to supply it, there will be time to rent or buy at one of the Mendoza gear shops. After this, the group will head out to have their Aconcagua climbing permits issued at the National parks office located in down town. In the early afternoon, the team will be driven to Vallecitos valley, which lies southwest from the city on the route 7, the international highway that links Argentina and Chile. After a 1 h drive, at the Potrerillos dam, the transport will take a secondary road for around another hours heading up into the Vallecitos mountain area. The van will drive all the way to the front door of the mountain hut (2727 m). It is important to note, that this drive means an almost 2000 meters altitude gain and therefore the team will spend 2 nights at the hut, in order to ensure a good acclimatization basis. Early dinner and information briefing about the next day's activities. Night at the hut. Included meals: Breakfast, dinner.
3	Climb: Cerro Loma Blanca (3664 m) Today is the first climb of the program; the aim is Loma Blanca a close by trekking summit, perfect to gain more altitude and improve acclimatization. The climb starts from the hut and follows a side valley to the main Vallecitos valley. The trail ascents (1.5 h) gently, reaching a col between the Loma Blanca and Arenales. After a rest to enjoy the great view down to the lower Mendoza valley and the Potrerillos dam, the trail will follow a wide ridge that head up towards the mountain summit (1,5 h). The summit of Loma Blanca is one of the many summits along a ridge that rises westwards. The view, if the weather is clear, will allow seeing the main Vallecitos valley, part of the next days trails and the next climb Adolfo Calle. At the end of the valley, the Vallecitos peak can be seen. The descent (2 h) will be down by the southeast ridge until reaching the old ski lifters and then down a broad track to the old ski station and further down to the road and finally back to the hut, completing a circular hike. At the hut, a typical Argentinian "asado" will be waiting for the hungry team!. Night in tents. Ascent: 937 m / Descent: 937 m / Highest Altitude: 3664 m / Activity duration: 5 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
4	Vega Superior Campsite (3450 m) After breakfast, the team will get ready to move upwards to the first campsite of the trip: Vega Superior. It will be possible to leave some gear at the hut and should only be taken the need equipment, as each member must carry his/her own stuff. The hike is not very long and a good start for the days to come. First the ridge that passes by other minor refuges until the Vallecitos River and then changing sides to take the main valley. There will be 2 short steep sections until the reaching the hidden Vega Superior camp that is located at the foot of the San Bernardo and Adolfo Calle peaks. The whole hike will take about 2-3 hours, depending on the shape and acclimatization of each person. After arrival, the team will make a short workshop on how to setup the tents in both good and bad weather. Rest of the day is for rest and acclimatization. Night in tents. Ascent: 723 m / Highest Altitude: 3450 m / Activity duration: 3 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
5	Climb: Cerro Adolfo Calle (4267 m) Adolfo Calle is a pointy peak that looks very steep from the camp; most of the ascent is done over rocky terrain following a zigzagging trail. From the camp, the guides will show the way over a ridge that leads up to the moraine, the climb is quiet demanding and a good slow tempo is very important. After an hour, there is a col that opens into an inner valley between the Adolfo Calle on the left and Stefanek peak on the right. The path up the valley is easy and welcome after the steep section. 30 minutes later, another steep ascent starts, this time heading west, there trail is well marked and has a sequence of switchbacks that helps to win a lot of meters in a short time. After 1 hour, the inclination will decrease and there is a short scrambling part to reach the summit. The climb is usually completed between 3-4 hours. The summit is a rocky ridge with spectacular view to both the lower hot valleys of Mendoza's valley and above to all the surrounding mayor peaks like: Vallecitos, El Rincon, Loma Amarilla and the lower slopes of the areas giant: El Plata, a summit just below 6000 meters. The way down (2 h) will trace back the same path until the col, from there an even steeper scree will lead all the way to the start of the ascent and few minutes later back at the camp. Night in tents. Ascent: 817 m / Descent: 817 m / Highest Altitude: 4267 m / Activity duration: 5 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
6	Acclimatization to El Salto (4288 m) Relaxing morning start at the beautiful camping spot of Vega Superior. The idea today is to do a hike (3 h) to the next Campsite "El Salto", have lunch and head back down (2 h) for another night at Vega Superior. This day will provide the opportunity to have an extra acclimatization day, reaching once again 4200 meters and sleeping at a lower altitude. It is also perfect in case, any participant feels tired ort is having issues with the altitude and need a bit more time to adapt. Night in tents. Ascent: 638 m / Descent: 638 m / Highest Altitude: 4288 m / Activity duration: 5 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
7	El Salto Campsite (4288 m) The sunrises from Vega Superior are some of the best in the trek, giving us a great view up to Vallecitos eastern face, a scary looking side, but thankfully not our route of ascent. After packing the camp down, the team will hike up (4 h) to El Salto, leaving behind the green prairies for the alpine landscapes above 4000 meters. The way through the Vallecitos valley is nice and slowly gains altitude. The last section to reach the camp is the hardest section and it will be even more demanding due to the packs. This ridge is known as "El Infiernillo" (the little hell), because of the steepness and in a sunny day the temperature it can reach. Finally El Salto campsite (Waterfall camp), receives its name from the waterfall that precipitates into the valley slightly below the camp. The team will set up the tents, have lunch and then have a detail briefing about the next day climb to Vallecitos, the main goal of the valley. El Salto has an astonishing location with a great panorama down to the valley and all the neighboring peaks giving an alpine atmosphere. An early dinner and the last preparations before the climb. Night in tents. Ascent: 638 m / Highest Altitude: 4288 m / Activity duration: 4 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
8	Climb: Cerro Vallecitos (5461 m) The guides will provide an early breakfast around 4:00 AM and the team will move around 5:00 AM. Vallecitos is not a technical climb, but it is a very long ascent and for the first time the members will be reaching 5000 meters and hopefully, if the conditions in the mountain, the physical shape and the acclimatization are all good every body will reach the summit and also get the best possible glimpse to Aconcagua and its huge south face. The route ascents by a valley, that elevates along Vallecitos east flank. The terrain gets steeper the higher the team moves. At a certain point, the trail will lead to the left ridge of the valley and will follow it until about 5000 meters, from there a traverse to the right will mark the way to the Vallecitos col located between Vallecitos to the right and El Plata to the left. The col is at 5100 meters and from here the best view to Aconcagua. It is here that one realizes how high the mountain is in relations to all the others. By this time, the group has hiked for about 5 hours. After a short break, the hike (1 h) will be by Vallecitos ridge, which lead strait to the summit. This last part is spectacular and has amazing distant views, for example just before reaching the base of the summit the Tupungato volcano will be visible. The last few meters (30 min) are a bit of a very easy climb to reach the edgy summit. The descent will be done taking the same trail, as during the climb. The average time from the summit to the camp is between 3-4 hours. With this climb or attempt, the team would have archived the best possible acclimatization for the attempt to Aconcagua, while climbing and enjoying other mountains. Night in tents. Ascent: 1173 m / Descent: 1173 m / Highest Altitude: 5461 m / Activity duration: 10 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
9	Penitentes (2630 m) After a well-deserved rest and a good breakfast, the group will pack the camp down and begin to descent to the hut. This hike will take about 4 hours, once at the hut a transport will be waiting to take (2 h) the team for a good and juicy lunch at one of Uspallacta's good restaurants. After lunch an hours drive along the mountainous area that leads to a location known as Penitentes, the main entrance to Aconcagua Regional Park. The team will spend the night at a hotel, have a warm shower and sleep on a soft bed after many nights in the mountains. This a recovery breaks both away from the campsite life as well as a night at a much lower altitude. This is equivalent to putting an oxygen mask on! Night in hotel. Descent: 1561 m / Activity duration: 3 h Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
10	Confluencia Camp (3409 m) The vans will pick up the team about mid morning and take them (20 min) to the park main entrance, where the guides will help with all the formalities related with the permits and information regarding the park rules. A further 5 min. drive to the parking lot where the head of trail is (2821 m). Today's hike is a relaxing one and everybody will be doing great due to the accomplished acclimatization and good shaped archived during the previous days. From Penitentes all the way to Plaza de Mulas, Aconcagua's base camp, there will be pack animals to take all the gear including the team's personal equipment. The group will walk into a completely new landscape, much dryer and arid, but with its own charm! The colored mountains and the vastness of the place reminds of Tibet, no wonder this valley was chosen to film Seven Years in Tibet. After 45 min. hike there is a bridge locally known as Brad Pitts bridge, a legacy of the film's production team. The river Horcones flows down with fury, the trail will follow the right margin of the river heading rightwards towards an inner valley where Confluencia camp is placed. Confluencia's name mean conjunction and it was given a long time ago, when the campsite was located lower in the Horcones valley, precisely at the conjunction of the Upper Horcones and Lower Horcones Rivers. Now the campsite lies at another spot, but keeps the old name. This is the first of the 2-fixed camps in Aconcagua. Night in tents. NOTE: At Confluencia camp there is a mandatory medical check, which will be booked by the guides and informed to the team members. Ascent: 588 m / Highest Altitude: 3409 m / Activity duration: 4 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
11	Plaza de Mulas (4364 m) Continuing through the Horcones valley, after leaving the camp, the path will drop into a gorge and cross the Lower Horcones River, then climb up overlooking the Plaza Francia's valley where the famous South face stands. The Horcones valley opens up into a wide broad valley, which follows the mountain by the East flank. The colors and shapes of both rivers and mountains are an unforgettable spectacle. The hike is very pleasant as the gain in altitude is slow and progressive. The landscapes changes as dramatically from the wide riverbed, known as Playa Ancha, to a narrower valley with a more pronounce ascent from a place called Piedra Ibanez the lunch spot until Aconcagua's base camp: Plaza de Mulas. Base camp is located in a great spot, just at the foot of the mountain and also surrounded Cerros Cuerno, Catedral, Horcones, Bonete and some few more. A real alpine atmosphere. Night in tents. Ascent: 955 m / Highest Altitude: 4364 m / Activity duration: 8 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
12	Plaza de Mulas (4364 m) - Free/rest day After the long hike from Confluencia a well deserve rest day at Plaza de Mulas is a must. Plaza de Mulas is the mountains more concurred camp with all imaginable commodities like: well prepared camps, bathrooms, showers, bars and little restaurants. It also has its own art gallery, the highest in the world certified by the Guinness record Book, run by the Argentinian artist Miguel Doura. If some team members feel like a more active day, it is possible to do a short hike to the old hotel, now closed, or to take a look at the glacier descending from Cerro Cuerno. It is easy to enjoy a leisure day in Mulas! Night in tents. NOTE: At base camp there is a mandatory medical check, which will be booked by the guides and informed to the team members. Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
13	Plaza Canada - Camp I (4910 m) After enjoying a plentiful breakfast and having packed for the summit climb, the team will start the ascent towards the final goal: Aconcagua's summit. The first part up to a plaza called "El Semaforo" (the traffic light) takes about 1,5 hour. This is a place with a great view down to Plaza de Mulas. From this point the trail does a lots of switch backs and the ascent is slow but constant, about half way up, there will be a lunch stop at Conway stones/towers. Then the trail moves towards the north for a final steep section up to camp 1. Canada camp has a great panoramic view Eastwards into Chile and usually a fantastic sunset! Night in tents. Ascent: 546 m / Highest Altitude: 4910 m / Activity duration: 4 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
14	Nido de Condores (Condor's Nest) - Camp II (5574 m) The morning light will hit the camp at about 9 AM and the group will get ready to move up, heading to the famous Nido de Condores or Camp 2 (Eagle's nest). The trail traverses northwards, switching back at a place known as Cambio de Pendiente (Hills side change) heading southwards. During the hike, there is a perfect view of a good part of the summit day trail, strait up from this spot. Towards the East the Argentinian flag marks the location of camp 2. Nido de Condores is a huge campsite placed on a broad plateau facing northeast. This will be the first time the other side of the mountain will be seen. Honoring its name, the panoramic view is breathtaking in to the distant mountains of: Mercedario, La Mesa, La Mano, etc. The best sunset on the trip! Night in tents. Ascent: 664 m / Highest Altitude: 5574 m / Activity duration: 4 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
15	Camp Colera / Berlin - Camp III (5969 m) From today the schedule will be very flexible, as it is important to plan the summit bid according to the weather conditions and the team's well being, therefore the guide / guides will plan the next days and informed the team day by day. If the weather conditions are good, the group will take good time to have breakfast, pack the camp and get ready to go. Today's hike will be quite short in distance, but due to the altitude and the packs weight a bit slow. Some times, depending on the mountain conditions, there might be snow from this camp. The ascent will be done by a wide col that leads to the strait up to the high camps of Colera / Berlin. The walk takes between 3-4 hours and the first camp is Berlin. Depending on the weather conditions and/or the availability of snow to be melted, the guides will choose the most suitable camp. If the decision is to keep on to Colera, from Berlin there will be a 30 min. traverse to Colera's plateau. These camps are the highest on the mountain, just below 6000 meters. It is very important to take it very easy, drink as much as possible and rest for the next day. The guide/guides will do a detailed briefing about the summit attempt, where they will go over all the relevant details for the climb. A very early dinner and a good rest, as well as a mental preparation for the attempt are essential. Night in tents. Ascent: 395 m / Highest Altitude: 5969 m / Activity duration: 4 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
16	Climb: Cerro Aconcagua (6962 m) The big day is here! The start time will be determine according to the weather and physical conditions of the team, but it will be around 5:00 AM. The hiking rhythm will be very slow, which is the key to a good attempt. The first part of the climb is done in about 2 hours over some gentle slopes until a place know as Piedras Blancas (White stones) at 6050 m and usually reached at dawn's first lights. After a very short break, the ascent will continue the Eastern side with views over the opposite side of the mountain down into the valleys of Vacas. After 1.5 h hike, the team will be at the ruins of an old refuge called Independencia 6383 m where there will be a longer break to recover before starting the long traverse to La Canaleta. Few minutes from Independencia, there will be El Portezuelo del Viento (The wind passage), the beginning of the traverse, which will take about 2-3 hours until La Cueva 6680 m (The Cave) here another well deserve and important break before the steepest part of the climb: La Canaleta (the gorge). This 260 m section and 1.5 hours climb is the key to the summit and it is very important to gather all the will and determination to ascend it. The terrain, depending on the conditions, is a mixture of rocks and snow and the trail switchbacks as it gains altitude until a ridge like formation from where the famous "Guanacos" traverse begins. The summit is visible from this point and the traverse takes about 1,5 h more our, hike by the ridge where the world famous South Face ends, at of Guanacos the summit of the Americas is just few steps above. The Summit of Aconcagua! The rock sentinel, translation form the original Aymara name is a moment for life! A prefect views to the South face, to the neighboring peaks and in the distance the summits of Vallecitos. The descent will take between 3-4 hours and is a quite hard endeavor after the ascent. Back at the Colera/Berlin camp, the guide will prepare some food before going to sleep. Night in tents. Ascent: 993 m / Descent: 993 m / Highest Altitude: 6962 m / Activity duration: 10-12 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
17	Spare summit day This is a reserve day in case bad weather or bad conditions Note: Everything is included in the mountain from Canada camp and above. Plaza de mulas, Confluencia, Penitentes and/or Mendoza/Santiago accommodation and meals are not included Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner in the mountain.
18	Spare summit day This is a reserve day in case bad weather or bad conditions Note: Everything is included in the mountain from Canada camp and above. Plaza de mulas, Confluencia, Penitentes and/or Mendoza/Santiago accommodation and meals are not included Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner in the mountain.
19	Descent back to base camp Once the sun hit the tents, the team will start to prepare for the descent. The guide will cook some breakfast and after help to pack down the campsite. It will take about 4-5 hours to reach base camp, depending of the tiredness of the day before. Anyway, there is no hurry and the goal it to get down. Night in tents. Descent: 1605 m / Activity duration: 4-5 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner.
20	Back to Mendoza Trek from Base camp to Horcones (entrance to the National Park) and transfer (3 h) to Mendoza. Upon arrival in Mendoza, transfer to hotel and in the evening celebration dinner with all the team. Night in hotel. Descent: 1543 m / Activity duration: 8 h Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic.
21	Departure END of services Included meals: Breakfast.

Inclusions
	Local Mountain guide during the entire program – UIAGM certified
	Assistant mountain guide during the entire program from 4 pa
	Climbing guide-client ratio for summit attempt ONLY on Aconcagua: 1:3 – 2:7 – 3:10 and 4:12
	Private transportation throughout the entire mountain program
	2 nights in shared dormitory at Vallecitos’ mountain refuge
	1 night in shared double room in hotel at Penitentes
	1 night in tents in Confluencia Campsite camp
	3 nights in tents in Plaza de Mulas (Base Camp)
	High quality mountain tents – 2 pax per tent in Vallecitos and Aconcagu
	Group common campsite equipment for Vallecitos and Aconcagua
	Mule / horses for group campsite equipment and food in Vallecitos and to / from Aconcagua Base Camp (From park entrance to Plaza de Mulas and back – also for all the client’s equipment)
	Meals as specified in the day to day itinerary

Exclusions
	International and domestic flights
	Transfer-out in Mendoza from hotel to airport
	Aconcagua climbing permit (in 2019: USD 850 for high season and USD 650 mid-season)
	Additional transfers from hotel/city to airport and vice-versa
	Extra days at mountain hut, Confluencia Campsite and Mulas Base camp, in case a member must or decides to come down due to any reason, will be at member’s own expenses
	If attempting the summit on the 1st or 2nd scheduled days (Day 16 or 17) and leaving the mountain afterwards – the extra hotel nights and meals in Mulas, Confluencia, Penitentes, Mendoza or Santiago will be on each member’s own expense
	Private porters in Vallecitos and Aconcagua
	Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges, tips
	Everything not mentioned in the “Included” list.

ITINERARY NOTES - Where possible we follow the itineraries, but as mountaineering is always weather and conditions dependant, we are sometimes forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, a suitable different route will be attempted, and you will be informed at the first suitable opportunity. Please use this outline course itinerary as a guide to the style of expedition, with good conditions, as it will not necessarily be an exact blueprint for the exact routes and schedule that you will follow on the expedition.

Course Prices

Standard course	Guiding on Aconcagua in Argentina as per the choice of itineraries above	£3999
Live availability	Click on the planner logo to the right to see the real time live course availability
Book online	Secure online booking system

Ascending the Canaleta to reach the summit plateau of Aconcagua

Current course availability

Course Dates
Aconcagua Standard

No Dates Available

Course Dates
Aconcagua IFMGA

No Dates Available

Price: £3999

Book online

Alternative courses

Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru

Winter Mount Toubkal

Everest Base Camp trek

Client feedback

What attracted me most to your trip was that is was actually led by a qualified mountain guide. This made me far more confident in the leaders experience and focus on safety. As it proved, this local knowledge and experience was crucial in deciding which day we went for the summit, to avoid the strong winds that had beaten other teams on the days before

Peter T , Aconcagua

Well organised with a great local team. The food at base camp was amazing, so a big thanks to Martha and her team at Plaza Argentina

Simon A , Aconcagua

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