Aconcagua Climbing Expedition

General overview

Aconcagua (6962 meters/22,841 feet) is the highest mountain in all of the Americas and one of the “7 Summits.” This magnificent Andean peak offers a high altitude adventure, and a chance to be part of a big mountain expedition for a relatively low cost. Climbing Aconcagua could qualify you for Everest from Tibet or Everest from Nepal.

The highest mountain of America, Aconcagua is in Western hemisphere, west-central Argentina near Chile border. Its name “Sentinel of Stone” originated from the Quechua Ackon Cahuak

The Normal Route is the easiest route on Aconcagua. Walk along good trails and scree slopes (sometimes with snow) to reach a very high but attainable summit. We have chosen this route because it allows us to approach through the beautiful Horcones Valley on the lower part of the mountain, making for an easy and enjoyable ascent.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival to Mendoza, 900m (2,953’):Transfer from airport to hotel and have dinner with the team
Day 2 – Drive to Penitentes, 2300m (7,546’): Orientation meeting and gear check, rent/buy and necessary equipment, and acquire permits
Day 3 – Penitentes to Confluencia, 3300m (10,827’): Breakfast at hotel, private transport to the National Park, trek 3-4 hours to camp
Day 4 – Acclimatization hike to Plaza Francia, 4150m (13,615’): Day hike to Plaza Francia, camp at Confluencia
Day 5 – Confluencia to Plaza de Mulas, 4300m (14,108’): Hike 18km (11miles) to the next camp. Walking time: 5-8
Day 6 – Rest day
Day 7 – Acclimatization hike to Plaza Canada, 4900 meter (16,076’)
Day 8 – Rest day
Day 9 – Plaza de Mulas to Plaza Canada, 4900meter (16,076’): Hiking time: Approximately 4 hours
Day 10 – Plaza Canada to Nido de Condores, 5600m (18,373’): Hiking time: Approximately 5 hours
Day 11 – Rest day
Day 12 – Nido de Condores to Colera, 5950m (19, 520’): Hiking time: Approximately 3-4 hours
Day 13 – Colera – Summit – Colera – 6962meter / 22,841’: Start around 2am. The average round trip time is 12 hours.
Day 14 – Colera to Plaza de Mulas
Day 15 – Plaza de Mulas to Mendoza: Hiking time: 8 hours
Day 16 – Extra day for acclimatization/weather
Day 17 – Flight home
The above itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, performance of the group, political/administrative problems, and any other events not described.

Good to know

Leadership

This expedition to Aconcagua maximizes many years of accumulated wisdom of the higher ranges of the world, a strong record of reaching the top of 8,000ers: Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Shishapangma, and many other summits. We have conducted countless 7000-meter peak expeditions, and consider ourselves specialists in leading, organizing, and getting teams to the summit and back down safely. We have been running trips to Aconcagua since 1990

Expedition organiser: Max is a fluent English, Spanish, and Portuguese speaker. He is a Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and AmaDablam leader, and technical expert. He is a relaxed, considerate and thoughtful person, an expert leader and a highly-skilled professional.

Experience

For the Normal Route, you don’t need to have previous climbing experience. We will teach you all of the mountain skills you need to know during the trip. You should be a fit and active walker in good health and able to carry (to the high camp, but not the summit) a rucksack containing your sleeping bag, clothing, food and water.