Mount Aconcagua normal route

The second day you will meet your team and together with your guide you will do the gear checking, gear rental if necessary and any climbing permit procedures required. Your guide will help you get through the bureaucracy.

Transfer in private vehicles from Mendoza to Penitentes ski resort (3 hour drive). 

There the group will spend the night in a lodge at 2580 m = 8465 ft. 

This small mountain village is a place where we have our warehouse and where we will prepare the loads for the mules.

Today we will hike from Penitentes to the trailhead (3-4 hours).

After breakfast, we will take a short ride in the van to the Hormone’s Valley (2950 m = 9678 ft). There we will get our climbing permits stamped at the Rangers’ checkpoint and will begin the approaching to base camp. 

After a relaxed hike, we will arrive at our first camp in Confluencia (3390 m = 11300 ft). 

For the entire hike into base camp you will be carrying only a day pack with some essentials, while the mules will take care of the heavy duties. 

From Confluencia, we will take a detour to admire the imposing south face of the Mount Aconcagua (4050 m = 13287 ft, 6-7 hours).

The main objective of the day is a good acclimatization. 

After a 7-hour hike we will spend the night back at the first camp.

After a demanding but easy 7 hours hike, we will arrive at our well-equipped base camp at Plaza de Mulas (4350 m =14500 ft, 7-9 hours).

We will dedicate this day to rest, sleep, read, enjoy chatting with the partners, having a good meal in the dining tent or practicing some yoga in our heated domo. 

Whatever you do, get hydrated!

Today we hike to Cerro Bonete (5004 m = 16417 ft, 5-6 hours). 

This is an acclimatization hike to the neighboring and not negligible at all 5000 m peak Cerro Bonete, which offers an awesome view of the west face of mount Aconcagua.

This day the team will climb to the first high altitude camp at Plaza Canadá (5050 m = 16568 ft, 3-4 hours) to carry part of the gear and then returns to Plaza de Mulas.

Rest day in Plaza de Mulas. This day you will be able to get a well-deserved hot shower (a very satisfying reward after completing the first stage of the climb).

On the 11th day the team will leave base camp at Plaza de Mulas and move to the camp I at Plaza Canadá (5050 m = 16568 ft, 2,5 -3 hours).This is the first step of the summit push.

The team will move to the camp II at Nido de Cóndores (5560 m = 18241 ft, 3-4 hours). 

Expect to carry up to 18-22 kg backpack.

This day we will climb to the highest camp of the trip — Cólera (5970 m = 19586 ft; 2-3 hours). 

You will have dinner at almost 6,000 meters high.

Today we climb the Mount Aconcagua (6962 m = 22841 ft, 8-12 hours). 

We will leave early to get the most of the long day. You will be carrying a very light backpack (water, snacks, some clothing, camera).

To optimize the chances of success of the expedition, we have added two additional summit days for contingency in case of bad weather and/or acclimatization issues.

Extra weather day.

Today we will come back to the comfort of the base camp at Plaza de Mulas (2-4 hours). Well-deserved celebration dinner awaits us there.

For this high most of the gear will be carried on the mules, so you will walk light (6-7 hours).

Our van will take us from the trailhead at Horcones to Mendoza, after picking up the gear at Penitentes (3-4 hours).

Hotel check-in (not included) and end of the program.