Mount Aconcagua Climbing Itinerary
Brief Itinerary
Day 01 - Arrive at Mendoza (760m/2,495ft). Rest and overnight in the hotel
Day 02 – Drive from Mendoza to Los Penitentes (2700m/8,860ft). Rest and overnight in the hotel
Day 03 - Drive from Penitentes to Horcones. Trek from Horcones to Confluencia (3390m/11,120ft)
Day 04 - Confluencia – Acclimatization - Plaza Francia (4000m/13,125ft)
Day 05 - Trek from Confluencia to Plaza de Mulas (4300m/14,110ft)
Day 06 - Plaza de Mulas – Acclimatization and Rest day
Day 07 - Carry equipment and food from Plaza de Mulas to Camp 1 (5050m/16,570ft)
Day 08 - Plaza de Mulas – Rest Day
Day 09 - Trek from base camp to Camp 1 (5050m/16,570ft).
Day 10 - Trek from Camp 1 to Camp 2 (5550m/18,210ft)
Day 11 - Camp 2 - Acclimatization and rest day
Day 12 - Trek from Camp 2 to Camp 3 (5,970m/19,585ft)
Day 13 - Summit day – Mount Aconcagua 6962m/22,840ft)
Days 14 and 15 - Contingency day for Summit
Day 16 - Return to Mount Aconcagua Basecamp
Day 17 - Trek from Aconcagua basecamp to Penitentes. Drive back to Mendoza.
Day 18 – Depart from Mendoza
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 - Arrive at Mendoza (760m/2,495ft). Rest and overnight in the hotel
Our expedition starts in Mendoza, Argentina. A representative of Protrek Adventure will be waiting for you at the airport. We will stay at the hotel in the city. A group meeting will follow and you will be introduced to your guides and team members. Overnight in the hotel. (Transportation: Airport – Hotel in Mendoza)
Day 02 – Drive from Mendoza to Los Penitentes (2700m/8,860ft). Rest and overnight in the hotel
After you obtain individual park entrance and ascent permits, assisted by your guide, we meet at our commercial office to finalize all the arrangements of the expedition. Later we travel to Villa de Penitentes, where we stay at a hotel in the mountain. There we get the equipment ready for transportation to the base camp by mule. Overnight in the hotel. (Transportation: Mendoza – Penitentes)
Day 03 - Drive from Penitentes to Horcones. Trek from Horcones to Confluencia (3390m/11,120ft)
We drive you to Horcones Park, where we get our first view of the mountain. We will get our permits checked at the Ranger station. Then, we head off to Confluencia by walking 4 or 5 hours. Overnight in tents. (Transportation: Penitentes – Horcones)
Day 04 - Confluencia – Acclimatization - Plaza Francia (4000m/13,125ft)
We’ve included this day in order to acclimatize better and give you more chances to summit. We’ll trek for about 5 hours until we arrive at Plaza Francia viewpoint, where we can see the impressive Aconcagua South Wall. This is one of the nicest points of the expedition.
Day 05 - Trek from Confluencia to Plaza de Mulas (4300m/14,110ft)
After 8-9 hours hiking across “Playa Ancha” and climbing up through a very steep path, we reach Plaza de Mulas, the biggest base camp in Aconcagua Park. By the end of the day, most of us will feel the altitude.
Day 06 - Plaza de Mulas – Acclimatization and Rest day
The first day in Base Camp is always a rest day and a good occasion to take a bath and explore the local terrain.
Day 07 - Carry equipment and food from Plaza de Mulas to Camp 1 (5050m/16,570ft)
This is a challenging day where we gain 1.000 m. with a heavy load on easy terrain. Then we’ll return to Base Camp. It’s important to take advantage of the comfort and lower altitude at Base Camp.
Day 08 - Plaza de Mulas – Rest Day
This is a day we mainly use to recover energy, to rest, to hydrate ourselves, and for abundant meals.
Day 09 - Trek from base camp to Camp 1 (5050m/16,570ft).
The following morning, we definite start the ascent to Aconcagua. We move to Camp 1, called “Plaza Canada”. Until now, we were working on getting optimal acclimatization. We want everyone to have the best possible chance to do the summit.
Day 10 - Trek from Camp 1 to Camp 2 (5550m/18,210ft)
Camp 2, called “Nido de Condores” (meaning Condor Nest), is located in a high pass at 5.400 m. and provides a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains.
Day 11 - Camp 2 - Acclimatization and rest day
This day is dedicated to improving the acclimatization to altitude. The guide may propose different activities according to the condition of the group. We take the opportunity to rest and give our bodies more opportunities to acclimatize.
Day 12 - Trek from Camp 2 to Camp 3 (5,970m/19,585ft)
We start a 4-hour walk to Camp 3, located on the North Ridge. We will prepare our tents, eat and rest, to be ready to get the summit.
Day 13 - Summit day – Mount Aconcagua 6962m/22,840ft)
It is the most demanding day of the expedition. We climb the North Ridge to Independencia Refuge at approximately 6.500 m. We ascend through the “Portezuelo del Viento”, climb “La Canaleta”, and the “Filo del Guanaco”, which leads us to the summit. The prize is waiting for us, a 360° view, and the experience of overcoming, that you only finally understand once you reach it. At the end of this experience, we descend to Camp 3.
Days 14 and 15 - Contingency day for Summit
We have two extra days set aside on our itinerary to attempt the summit. These extra days are built in to provide the best possible conditions for each participant to the summit.
Day 16 - Return to Mount Aconcagua Basecamp
Return from Camp 3 to Base Camp. We’ll enjoy a great dinner to celebrate the experience.
Day 17 - Trek from Aconcagua basecamp to Penitentes. Drive back to Mendoza
We have breakfast and then start the descent from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes. There is a private transport waiting for us to take us to the hotel in Mendoza City. Overnight in the hotel. (Transportation: Horcones – Penitentes – Mendoza)
Day 18 – Depart from Mendoza
We have breakfast at the hotel. Check Out and end of services
Mount Aconcagua Climbing Cost
Cost Inclusions
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All hotel accommodation in Mendoza as per the Itinerary on Bed and Breakfast basis – twin sharing basis
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All accommodation in Penitentes as per the Itinerary on Bed and Breakfast – twin sharing basis
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All ground transfers between Mendoza – Penitentes – Horcones and Return
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Full board meals during the expedition (while on the mountains)
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Experienced and professional climbing Guide
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A technical team of well-experienced guides and support staff
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Group cooking equipment and necessary gear
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High-quality individual tents in the base camp for all climbers
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High altitude tents for each member
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Group Climbing Gears, Fixed and Dynamic ropes, snow bar, all group climbing/mountaineering equipment supplies
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Loads transportation in mules, to and from base camp.
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Porters to carry the group central equipment
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Comprehensive first aid kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates of acclimatization progress.
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Assistance with climbing permit procedure.
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Permanent VHF radio communication.
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Sat coverage and tracking during the trip, through an In-Reach device.
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PTA Staff costs including their salary, insurance, airfare, equipment, food, and accommodation
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Achievement Certificate after successfully Climbing Aconcagua
Cost Exclusions
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International Airfare to and from Mendoza
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Visa fees
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Mt. Aconcagua State Park climbing permit.
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Personal Expenses – Telephone Calls, Internet, Laundry, Personal clothing, trekking and climbing gears, Camera and Drone Permit Fee
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Any meals in Mendoza and during the transit
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Additional Hotel stays in case of early arrivals or departures
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Porters for carrying a personal backpack
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Medical insurance, Accident cover, Emergency evacuation, high altitude rescue, other medical emergency expenses
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All expenses incurred from in the event of early departure (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc.)
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Reserve day – Taking an additional summit attempt after the first attempt
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Tips and Gratitude for Base Camp Staff and support staff
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Any other items not mentioned under the head ‘Cost Inclusions’
Registering for Mount Aconcagua Expedition
Eligibility: Is this Expedition suitable for me?
Mount Aconcagua Expedition is graded as a challenging climb. This expedition helps climbers to test their skills and improve their endurance. Such high-altitude climbs should not be underestimated, and climbers should approach the trek with proper training. We highly suggest that you start working on your fitness two months before the climb. Previous trekking experience is mandatory to sign up for the Mount Aconcagua Expedition. Excellent physical endurance, focus, and determination are required to complete the mount Aconcagua Expedition successfully. Happy Climbing!
Expedition Booking and Payment
Advance Booking Amount 30%
We suggest that you book your Mount Aconcagua expedition at the earliest and confirm your slot. This also enables you to get a good deal on your to and fro flight tickets and organizing your trip efficiently. A booking confirmation will be sent by e-mail along with the payment instructions and other trip details. All payments have to be made through an online transfer/ cheque deposit/ demand draft. After the payment for the booking is done, please mail us your transfer details at [email protected] so that we can follow up efficiently.
COVID-19 Full Travel Credits
After confirmation of the trip, if you cannot travel on the booked dates due to the COVID-19 travel restriction, you can postpone the trip to a future date whichever seems safe and suitable for you. You can choose any departure date that is convenient for you and we will offer a Full Travel Credit without applying any charge. Travel Credits can be redeemed on any trip which departs within 1 year of the original departure date. It cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. Travel credit can be transferred once to a friend or family member to be used against a new booking. The transfer is subject to our approval prior to the creation of the new booking.
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your Mount Aconcagua expedition booking, please e-mail us at [email protected]
Cancellations are processed only by e-mail and refunds for the same are as follows:
Cancellations before 30 days from the start date of the trek
— 90% refund
Cancellation between 30 days & 20 days to the start date of the trek
— 50% refund
Cancellation less than 20 days to the start date of the trek
— no cash refund
Mount Aconcagua
Region - Argentina
Duration - 17 Days
Max Altitude - 6,961m/22,841 ft
Grade - Challenging
Best Season - Nov - Feb
The Seven Summits are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents of the Earth – Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Carstensz Pyramid. Climbing to the summit of all of them is regarded as a mountaineering challenge, first achieved on 30 April 1985 by Richard Bass.
Mount Aconcagua Climb – While probably the most technically straight-forward of the Seven Summits, Aconcagua is a challenge to the strongest mountaineers' fitness and stamina. Mt. Aconcagua summit is the highest mountain in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres, 6,961 m / 22,841 ft, the tallest peak on Earth outside of the Himalayas, and the second of the Seven Summits, after Mt Everest.
The Normal route starts with an acclimatization trekking to Plaza Francia Viewpoint, and then we made the approach to Plaza de Mulas, a 40 km trek. It takes us three days to get to Plaza de Mulas. This guarantees very good acclimatization before start the climbing of Aconcagua. Our suggested program includes two days of double equipment porting and security. When the last stage begins, we go higher and higher until we reach the summit. In the Aconcagua, sometimes the presence of a white wind makes the ascent difficult, this is what we use the security days for thus increasing the chances of reaching the summit.