Push your limits and live the thrilling experience of reaching the summit of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas.
ACONCAGUA
Mount Aconcagua is the highest mountain in America and also the tallest peak outside of the Himalayas. Located in the Andes Mountain Range in Argentina, its elevation reaches 6,962 meters above sea level and represents the American
continent in the Seven Summits challenge, serving as a symbol of challenge and adventure for mountaineers and nature
enthusiasts from around the world.
Our expedition offers you the opportunity to join a group of mountaineers who, with the support of expert guides and top-notch equipment, will take on this epic challenge to make a milestone in their lives and create memories that will last forever.
On the first day, we will arrive at Mendoza Airport, where we will be transferred to our hotels to rest. In the evening, we will have a dinner with the entire team to finalize details and get to know each other before embarking on our expedition.
In the morning, our private transport will pick us up early for our journey to Horcones. Before reaching Horcones, we will make a stop at Puente de Inca to deliver the cargo that will be carried by mules to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Then, we will continue in a private vehicle to the Park Ranger’s Refuge in Horcones, where we will formalize our entry permits. Afterward, we will begin our trek to Confluencia Camp, where we will spend the night and initiate our acclimatization process.
The hike will last for approximately 3 hours, and each person should carry their own sleeping bag and a change of clothes for the following day, as all the heavy equipment was previously left with the mules at Puente de Inca and will be transported directly to Plaza de Mulas.
Distance: 7.3 km
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation gain: 450 m
Elevation loss: 0
Initial altitude: 2,950 ma.s.l
Maximum altitude: 3,400 ma.s.l
Final altitude: 3,400 ma.s.l
On our second day, we will embark on an acclimatization hike to Plaza Francia, from where we can admire the imposing south wall of Aconcagua. Following this hike, we will descend back to Confluencia for lunch and relaxation in the comfortable domes equipped with bunk beds.
Distance: 12 km
Duration: 4 to 6 hours
Elevation gain: 700 m
Elevation loss: 700 m
Starting altitude: 3,400 meters above sea level
Maximum altitude: 4,100 meters above sea level
Final altitude: 3,400 meters above sea level
Our destination today will be the base camp of the normal route (Plaza de Mulas). Here, we will spend the next few days acclimatizing our bodies to the altitude. In Plaza de Mulas, we will find the entire staff dedicated to making our stay as comfortable as possible.
Distance: 18.8 km
Duration: 7 to 9 hours
Elevation gain: 1,000 m
Elevation loss: 0
Initial altitude: 3,400 m.a.s.l
Maximum altitude: 4,400 m.a.s.l
Final altitude: 4,400 m.a.s.l
Rest and acclimatization day at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp.
We will continue our acclimatization by ascending to Camp 1 Canadá and returning to Plaza de Mulas.
Distance: 5.2 km
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
Elevation gain: 600 m
Elevation loss: 600 m
Initial altitude: 4,400 m.a.s.l
Maximum altitude: 5,000 m.a.s.l
Final altitude: 4,400 m.a.s.l
Our goal is to spend our first night at 5,000 meters to further acclimatize ourselves. We will arrive in the afternoon, set up camp, and then prepare to rest.
Distance: 2.6 km
Duration: 3 a 4 horas
Elevation gain: 600 m
Elevation loss: 0
Initial altitude: 4.400 m.a.s.l
Maximum altitude: 5.000 m.a.s.l
Final altitude: 5.000 m.a.s.l
Today, we will take the opportunity to continue acclimatizing, this time at a slightly higher altitude, reaching 5,000 meters above sea level. We will take a short walk near the campsite to admire the mountain from a different angle, take photographs, and rest.
Our next stop is the Nido de Cóndores Camp, where we will spend the following night. We will take the afternoon to hydrate and admire the landscape of the high Aconcagua.
Distance: 2.5 km
Duration: 4 a 5 horas
Elevation gain: 550 m
Elevation loss: 0
Initial altitude: 5.000 mm.a.s.l
Maximum altitude: 5.550 m.a.s.l
Final altitude: 5.550 m.a.s.l
We will continue with the acclimatization process at an altitude of 5,500 meters above sea level. This day will be dedicated to a short walk through the expansive plain of the campsite, where we can admire different mountains such as Cerro Mercenario, the third highest mountain in Argentina. An ideal place for taking photographs.
On this day, we will ascend to Camp Berlin for acclimatization and then descend back to Nido de Cóndores to spend the night.
Distance: 3.8 km
Duration: 3 a 4 horas
Elevation gain: 380 m
Elevation loss: 380 m
Initial altitude: 5.550 m.a.s.l
Maximum altitude: 5.930 m.a.s.l
Final altitude: 5.550 m.a.s.l
We will ascend to Camp Berlin to spend the last night before our attempt to reach the summit of Aconcagua.
Distance: 1.9 km
Duration: 2 a 3 horas
Elevation gain: 380 m
Elevation loss: 0
Initial altitude: 550 m.a.s.l
Maximum altitude: 5.930 m.a.s.l
Final altitude: 5.930 m.a.s.l
We will have an early breakfast and depart for the Aconcagua summit. In the early hours of the morning, we will follow a small ridge that leads us to the Independencia Shelter (6,546 meters). From here, we will search for the gully
that leads to the Guanaco Ridge, which we will ascend until we reach the summit of Aconcagua at 6,962 meters above sea level. If conditions allow, we will spend around an hour enjoying the views from this unique place. We will then descend to Camp 3 Berlín or Colera to rest and spend the night, with the possibility of continuing to descend to Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores if the group is in good physical condition.
Distance: 9 km
Duration: 7 a 10 horas
Elevation gain: 1.032 m
Elevation loss: 1.032 m
nitial altitude: 5.930 m.a.s.l
Maximum altitude: 6.962 m.a.s.l
Final altitude: 5.930 m.a.s.l
We will descend from Camp 3 Berlín or Colera to Plaza de Mulas to enjoy a good meal and a well-deserved rest.
Distance: 6 km
Duration: 4 a 5 horas
Elevation gain: 0
Elevation loss: 1.530 m
Initial altitude: 5.930 m.a.s.l
Maximum altitude: 5.930 m.a.s.l
Final altitude: 4.400 m.a.s.l
Descent to the park entrance. You will only carry your backpack; our mules will carry your personal equipment.
Dinner and night at the refuge in Penitentes. Transfer to the city of Mendoza.
End of the expedition.
Distance: 26 km
Duration: 8 a 9 horas
Elevation gain: 0
Elevation loss: 1.450 m
Initial altitude: 4.400 msnm
Maximum altitude: 4.400 msnm
Final altitude: 2.950 msn
Extra days for contingencies such as bad weather that may prevent the normal progress of the itinerary.
The following list is necessary for the expedition. If you do not have all the items, you can rent them in Mendoza.
FEET
Double boots
Trekking boots
Rest shoes or sneakers
Crampons
Gaiters
Three pairs of thick socks and three pairs of thin socks
LEGS
Trekking pants (2 units)
1st layer inner pants (2 units)
2nd layer thermal down or synthetic pants (1 unit)
3rd layer waterproof pants (1 unit).
TORSO
1st layer quick-drying T-shirt (2-4 units)
2nd layer fleece or thin jacket (1-2 fleeces and 1 thin to
medium jacket)
3rd layer thick down jacket, also called a parka (1 unit)
HEAD
Sunglasses with UV filter (1 unit)
Goggles (1 unit)
Hat or balaclava (2 units)
Buffs or multifunctional neck gaiters (1-2 units)
Helmet (1 unit)
Headlamp (1-2 units with spare batteries)
HANDS
1st layer thin gloves (1-2 units)
2nd layer medium to thick gloves (1-2 units)
3rd layer mittens (1 unit)
OTHER
Snacks (Electrolytes, protein bars, energy gels)
Trekking poles
Sleeping pad
Sleeping bag (- 30 °C)
Backpack (40-60 liters)
Duffel bag (1-2 units)
Nalgene-style thermos (1-2 units, 500 ml or 1 liter)
Insulated water bottle
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Hygiene kit
Personal first aid kit
Small towel
Hand warmers (chemical hand warmers)
Power ban