EcoAndes Travel: Tours in Ecuador, Galapagos Tours

Aconcagua (6959 m) is one of the greatest mountains in the world and it attracts mountaineers from all over the globe. It is the highest in America and the mountain's major difficulties are its altitude and its unpredictable weather, which sometimes can be very severe, so the attempt to the summit requires a very good physical preparation and the use of very good climbing equipment. The following itinerary describes the ascent of the normal North Face route, technically easy but offering great views of the Argentinean Andes.

Day 1: Arrival in Mendoza. After the reception at the airport we will go to your hotel. In the evening there will be a briefing about the next day’s activities.

Day 2: Mendoza - Penitentes Lodge (8992 ft – 2740 m)
Morning in Mendoza: Obtaining permits then in the afternoon we will go to Penitentes village. We will have lunch and Hostel accommodations. We will prepare the loads for the mules. We will enjoy dinner. (B, L, D).

Day 3: Puente del Inca – Confluencias camp (10890 ft – 3320 m).
Drive to the entrance of the Park. Trek to Confluencia Camp and dinner. (B, BL, D)

Day 4: Confluencias - Plaza Francia (13200 ft – 4025 m) – Confluencias. We will do an acclimatization trek to Plaza Francia at the base of the famous south face of Aconcagua. Return to Confluencias camp. We will have dinner. (B, BL, D).

Day 5: Confluencias Camp - Plaza de Mulas camp (14058 ft – 4286 m). Long day trekking to our Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. We will enjoy dinner. (B, BL, D)

Day 6: Plaza de Mulas (14058 ft – 4286 m). This day is to rest. We will do a short trek to the glacier. Practice with crampons. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Plaza de Mulas - Camp 1 (Canada) (16203 ft – 4940 m) - Plaza de Mulas. There will be equipment transportation to Camp Canada and return to Base Camp. (B, BL, D)

Day 8: Plaza de Mulas Camp. This day is to rest. (14058 ft – 4286 m).

Day 9: Plaza de Mulas - Camp Canada (16203 ft – 4940 m). We will climb to Camp 1
(Canada) and enjoy dinner. (B, BL, D)

Day 10: Camp 1 Canada - Camp 2 Nido de Condores (17325 ft – 5280 m)Climb to
Camp 2 Nido de Condores. (B, BL, D)

Day 11: Camp 2 Nido de Condores. This day is to rest and acclimate. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Camp 2 Nido de Condores - Camp 3 Berlin (19470 ft – 5936 m). We will climb to Camp Berlin. (B, BL, D).

Day 13: Camp 3 Berlin - Aconcagua Summit (22834 ft – 6959 m) - Camp 3 Berlin. Summit day and return to Camp Berlin. (B, BL, D).

Day 14: Camp 3 Berlin - Plaza de Mulas Camp. We will decent to Plaza de Mulas and enjoy of a delicious dinner. (B, BL, D)

Day 15: Plaza de Mulas - Puente del Inca – Penitentes Lodge.
We will decent to Orcones Valley and then transport to Penitentes hostel and have dinner. (B, BL, D)

Day 16: Penitentes - Mendoza. Drive to Mendoza and transfer to your hotel. Farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 17: Transfer to the airport. Transfer from the hotel to the airport. (B)

Day 18: Extra summit reserve day

Included: all transfers, hotel accommodation (3-4 star), professional mountain guides, all meals while on the mountains (as noted: B=breakfast, L=lunch, BL= picnic lunch, D= dinner), private transport to/from Mendoza to/from Penitentes, mules for cargo, complete camping equipment, high altitude tents, communal climbing gear (rope).

Not included: Tips, meals and other expenses in Mendoza, Aconcagua Park entrance fees:
·        Nov 15 – 30 Nov 30 and Feb 21 to March 15: us$ 100. - pp
·        Dec 1 to Dec 14 and Feb 1 to Feb 20: us$ 200. - pp
·        Dec 15 to Jan 31: us$ 300. - pp

Recommended dates: December, January, February and March