18-Day Aconcagua Normal Route
Expedition to the roof of America, Mount Aconcagua 6,962 m (22,841 ft) along the normal route, through Horcones valley and Plaza Mulas base camp at 4,300 m. After a progressive ascent program reaching the high camps Nido Condores 5,380 m and Berlin 5,850 m we have several days to climb the final step to the summit at 6,962 m.
You can start a private trek on any day November-March.
Ask for group departure dates!
Full Itinerary
DETAILED ITINERARY >>
ITINERARY IN BRIEF >>
Day 1: Arrival to Mendoza city. Transfer Airport - Hotel. Welcome briefing. Checking, renting or purchasing equipment.
Our expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. Upon your arrival at the airport or bus station, a representative will be waiting for you. After the transfer to your hotel you'll meet with your guide who will check your equipment. You'll have time to rent or buy equipment if necessary. In the evening there is a group meeting and later we go to a typical restaurant to enjoy dinner.
Altitude: 700m / 2300ft
Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: NH Cordillera
Day 2: Arrival to Mendoza city. Transfer Airport - Hotel. Welcome briefing. Checking, renting or purchasing equipment.
In the morning the group heads to the Government Offices to obtain individual entrance and ascent permits. You will be personally assisted in this procedure. Drive from Mendoza to a hotel in Villa de Penitentes, lunch en route or in Penitentes.
Altitude: 2750m / 9000ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Hotel Penitentes
Day 3: Hike to Confluencia
Transfer Puente del Inca - Horcones Lagoon (entrance to Aconcagua Provincial Park). Trekking Horcones - Confluencia. Approx. time: 3-4 hr up
Altitude: 3300m / 10800ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 4: Acclimatization hike
Hike from Confluencia to Plaza Francia the base camp for the South face of Aconcagua (Approx. time: 4-6 hr up and 2-3 hr down), return to Confluencia for overnight.
Altitude: 4200m /13800ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 5: Hike to base camp
Hike from Confluencia to Plaza de Mulas base camp (Approx. time: 8-10 hr up)
Altitude: 4260m / 14000ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 6: Acclimatization/ rest day
Acclimatization and rest day at Plaza de Mulas.
Altitude: 4260m / 14000ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 7: Acclimatization hike
Load carry and acclimatization from Plaza de Mulas to Plaza Canada and Nido de Condores (Approx. time: 3-4 hr up and 2 hr down), return to Plaza de Mulas for overnight.
Altitude: 5350m / 17500ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 8: Acclimatization / rest day
Acclimatization and rest day at Plaza de Mulas.
Altitude: 4260m / 14000ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 9: Climb to Plaza Canada
Climb from Plaza de Mulas to Plaza Canada (Approx. time: 3-4 hr up).
Altitude: 4800m / 15700ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 10: Climb to Nido de Condores
Climb from Plaza Canada to Nido de Condores (Approx. time: 2-4 hr up).
Altitude: 5350m / 17500ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 11: Climb to Plaza Colera
Climb from Nido de Condores to Plaza Colera (Approx. time: 2-4 hr up).
Altitude: 5850m / 19200ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 12: Summit bid
Summit bid: Ascent Plaza Colera - Mt. Aconcagua Summit - Plaza Colera (Approx. time: 7-10 hr up and 4-6 hr down), location for overnight to be determined.
Altitude: 6,962m / 22,841ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 13: Extra day
Extra day in case of bad weather, location for overnight to be determined.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 14: Extra day
Extra day in case of bad weather, location for overnight to be determined.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 15: Descent to Plaza de Mulas base camp
Descending Plaza Colera - Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (Approx. time: 7-8 hr down).
Altitude: 4260m / 14000ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping
Day 16: Descent and return to Mendoza
Descending Plaza de Mulas - Horcones (Approx. time: 5-7 hr down). Transfer Horcones - Puente del Inca - Mendoza.
Altitude: 700m / 2300ft
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: NH Cordillera
Day 17: Departure
Free day in Mendoza. Transfer to the airport.
Altitude: 700m / 2300ft
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: NH Cordillera
Pricing
18-Day Aconcagua Normal Route
from $4795 USD
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
INCLUDES:
- All accommodations per itinerary
- All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
- All transportation and transfers per itinerary
- Two hotel nights in Mendoza (4-star), in a double room with breakfast.
- Assistance to get the entry permit to the Aconcagua Provincial Park.
- Transfer in a private vehicle from your hotel in Mendoza to Penitentes and vice versa.
- One night in Penitentes, in a auadruple room with lunch, dinner and breakfast.
- Transfer from Penitentes to Horcones Lagoon and vice versa.
- Mules for the load transport from Penitentes to Confluencia and to Plaza de Mulas and all the way back to Penitentes. Capacity: 30 Kg per person in each section.
- Two nights in Confluencia camp including meals and drinks served in dining tents with tables and chairs, complete crockery, chef, electric light and toilets.
- Six nights in Plaza de Mulas Base Camp including meals and beverages served in a private dining tent with complete crockery, tables and chairs, chef, electric light, toilet facilities, storage while the group is in the altitude and permanent radio communication.
- Quality four-season mountain tents (The North Face, Mountain Hard Wear).
- Every meal in altitude camps.
- Bilingual (English-Spanish) mountain guide and assistants according to the number of passengers (1 guide each 3-4 clients). Each guide has his own medical kit and the technical preparation to use it accurately during the whole expedition.
- Porters for the general equipment (heaters, food, fuel, etc.) from the base camp up to the altitude camps, for the corresponding sections.
- Permanent radio communication from the Base Camps to Puente del Inca and Mendoza City, to coordinate bookings or eventual rescue operations.
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EXCLUDES:
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed
- Beverages and alcohol
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
- Optional tours
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
- All personal climbing gear
- Airport taxes
- Airfare (we can help book your flights)
- Airfare or bus tickets to and from Mendoza
- Climbing permits for Aconcagua Provincial Park
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Personal porters
- Extra hotel nights in Mendoza if necessary
- Extra expenses for abandoning the expedition or even for illness
- Emergency expenses for a rescue/evacuation operation
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, mail, telephone calls and other items not mentioned above
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