Our expeditions are the result of many years of working on Aconcagua. Our detailed itinerary has proven successful time after time. The painstaking work of our mountain guides plus a well supported climb, give you an excellent opportunity to reach the summit of America’s highest peak.
The approach to base camp is by a three-day hike up the Horcones Valley. We will spend two nights at the intermediate camp of Confluencia for acclimatization. Then we will continue to Plaza de Mulas.
Once at Base Camp, we will spend the next four days (or 6 who join the Extended Itinerary Option) for acclimatization and rest. During the acclimatization period, we will practice using our equipment and working in teams. Your body will be given the opportunity to adapt to the new altitude. Our porters will be transferring equipment & supplies up to the higher camps, so that you can save your energy for reaching the summit. On the mountain, we have three camps at high altitude. The guides (1 guide for every 3 or 4 climbers) will be responsible for leading the climb. Our guides pay special attention to the safety of everyone in the party. Guides will also be in charge of various chores, such as cooking and providing hot water. The expedition also includes two extra days to get to the summit, in case our guides judge the weather to be too rough to continue.
Mendoza.
An Aconcagua Adventures representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Mendoza. At the hotel, we will check your equipment. Arriving in the morning will give you some time to tour the city. Mendoza is a wonderful and safe city, with friendly people, sidewalks cafes, shopping malls and thousands of trees.
Puente del Inca.
182 km / 113 miles separates Mendoza from Puente del Inca. Early in the morning our mountain guides will meet you up at the hotel and drive to the Park Permit Office and then to Puente del Inca (2,275m / 8,890ft). It is about a two-and-a-half hour drive to Puente del Inca. Mountain guides will organize mule loads in the evening. Hosteria Puente del Inca offers private rooms with hot shower and good food. There we will spend our first night on the mountain.
Confluencia Base Camp.
We will drive to the Normal Route’s trailhead (Horcones). Here you will register your entry into Park Aconcagua with the climbing permit purchased on Day 2. Mules will carry the expedition equipment to Camp Confluencia, so you will only carry a day pack. It takes 4 to 5 hours to trek to Confluencia (11,450ft / 3.300m). We will spend two nights at this campsite to let you acclimatize properly before getting to Plaza de Mulas. A day hike to the impressive South Face Base Camp (Plaza Francia) is one of the activities scheduled. To make your stay more comfortable, our Confluencia base camp includes a dining tent, as well as a toilet tent.
Plaza de Mulas Base Camp.
The group will leave Confluencia for Plaza de Mulas after breakfast. An easy but long hike, the trek will take 7 to 9 hours before arriving at Plaza De Mulas Base Camp (14,000ft / 4.260m). The group will spend a total of 4 days at the Base Camp for proper acclimatization and rest (6 days for Extended Itinerary members). Our permanent Plaza de Mulas Base Camp is led by its own manager and also has a dining tent and a toilet. Mountain guides will give our customers instructions about crampons use.
An exploratory trek in the surroundings of Plaza de Mulas is scheduled for acclimatization, as well as a carry of equipment to Camp 1 (returning to Base Camp the same day). A digital oximeter will be used to check your acclimatization. The last day at Base Camp prior to the climb, mountain guides will take a look at your personal equipment and suggest what you can leave behind to lighten your load. You will only carry your personal equipment, about 10-12 KG (22 – 26 lbs).
Plaza Canada Camp.
3-4 hours to Canada Camp (16,100ft / 4.910m). Set up camp. The terrain here will not present any trouble. Typically, there is no snow here, but the ice we find allows us to stock up on water. The altitude, as well as the climate, can cause dehydration. On the mountain, therefore, it is necessary to drink large quantities of water daily. From this campsite on, our mountain guides will melt ice to provide the group with a constant supply of hot water.
Nido de Cóndores Camp.
We typically depart for Nido in the mid-morning. After a 5-6 hour hike, we reach Nido (17,600ft / 5.250m), a large flat area. Some rocks will be a wind break for our tents. The porters have left all the equipment for the expedition at this camp.
Berlin Camp.
It is a steep but short climb (4 hours) up to Camp Berlin (18,900ft / 5,780m). Again the porters will carry the equipment. Set up camp and rest.
Summit Day.
This is our summit day. It will take 12 hours or more to reach the summit and return to Camp Berlin. We will begin very early in the morning. Mountain guides will check each climber’s personal equipment before leaving Camp Berlin. At this altitude temperatures are well below freezing. We will go over the Travesia, then the Canaleta (moderately steep terrain with loose scree), before finally reaching the Summit. From the roof of the Americas you will be able to look down on the expansive plains to one side, and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Spare some time for pictures and phone calls to those who supported you! Return to Camp Berlin to spend the last night at these altitudes.
Plaza de Mulas Base Camp.
Return hike from Camp Berlin to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (about 6 hours). Porters will carry the group’s equipment.
Mendoza City.
Mountain guides will organize mules loads for the 8 – 10 hour journey to Puente del Inca. We will be driven from the trailhead to Puente del Inca.There we will pick up the gear and a mini van will be waiting for the group to take us back again to the hotel in Mendoza City.
Mendoza City.
Brealfast. End of the adventure of a lifetime.
Extra days in case of bad weather.
These days can be taken at any of the altitude camps, or even at Base Camp.
This itinerary must be considered as a guideline only. Even though we will do our best to follow it, several events may cause changes while climbing a mountain of this height.
The Normal Route.
The Normal Route of Mount Aconcagua, also known as the North-West Ridge, is a non-technical climb that should not be underestimated; extreme altitude (6.960m / 22,840ft) and weather (-20C / -30C) make this a challenging climb. Proper acclimatization, personal equipment and physical fitness are a must.
Climb requirements.
Required for this climb are: excellent physical preparation, proper equipment, basic mountaineering skills, knowledge of winter camping, and the mental preparation for a climb that will require perseverance, physical endurance, and patience. We recommend that those considering this climb already have experience climbing up to at least 5.500 meters (~18,000 ft).
| 
