Aconcagua Expeditions

Aconcagua Normal Route
22,840 ft/6962 mts.


Aconcagua is the highest point on the American continent and the tallest peak in the world outside of Asia. Rising approximately 4,000 ft above its surrounding peaks, Aconcagua, "The Stone Sentinel", dominates the rugged Andean landscape. The ascent to its summit offers spectacular views of the Andes mountain range.

Aconcagua was first climbed in 1897, up the Northwest side of the mountain by Swiss Mountain Guide Matthias Zurbriggen. This route has become the most popular way to climb the mountain, and is known as the Ruta Normal or Normal Route. The extreme altitude, severe winds, and cold temperatures make an ascent by this, or any other route on this mountain, very challenging.

Following the Horcones Glacier, we'll attempt the summit on the northeast aspect of the mountain, on the classic original route.


Aconcagua Normal Route Trip Details

  • Skill level: non-technical ascent, expedition style. Strenuous hiking, mainly on summit day.
  • Location: Aconcagua, Andes Range, Argentina
  • Length: 19 days
  • Climber/guide ratio: 3:1
  • Capacity: 10
  • Prerequisites: excellent physical condition
  • Cost: US$ 4,300
  • Departure dates:
    • 11/22/10
    • 12/4/10
    • 1/5/11
    • 2/2/11

Included
  • Certified Mountain Guides (bilingual)
  • 2 nights 5* Hotel accommodations in Mendoza and Penitentes. 2 nights Hosteria in Penitentes.
  • Assistance obtaining the permits (permit's fee not included)
  • All meals while in the mountain
  • Restaurant meals in Mendoza and Penitentes (as seen on the Itinerary)
  • Camping and cooking gear for the group
  • Base camp services: dining tent, WC, hyperbaric chamber, emergency oxygen
  • Satellite phone service.
  • Mules
  • Porters for group gear
  • Wine tour
  • Private ground transportation throughout the trip.
  • 24/7 assistance in the US before and during the program.
  • AMG Cap and T-shirt
  • Real time online dispatches

Not included
  • Plane tickets
  • Park Fees
  • Restaurant meals and those not listed in the itinerary
  • Restaurant drinks
  • Personal equipment (see the Aconcagua Normal Route Equipment List)
  • Personal Insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Sat Phone calls.
  • Rescue costs and extra expenses caused by abandoning the expedition.




Aconcagua Normal Route Trip Itinerary



Day 1 Mendoza (2,428 ft). You should arrange your flight in order to arrive to Santiago (Chile) or Buenos Aires in the morning of Day 1 and connect to Mendoza the same day. We'll be waiting for you at the airport and then we'll drive to the Hotel. After having an introductory meeting and checking gear we'll go out for a welcome dinner in one of the best restaurants in town.
Day 2 Mendoza - Penitentes. Early in the morning we’ll obtain the mandatory permits and immediately drive to Penitentes (8,860 ft) where we’ll arrange the loads for the mules. Night at the Hotel.
Day 3 Penitentes - Confluencia. We'll drive to the entrance of the Park and after check-in and a quick meeting with the park ranger we'll hike about 3 hours to Confluencia Camp (11,010 ft).
Day 4 Plaza Francia Trek. After a 3-4 hour hike, we'll reach the lookout of the impressive South Face of Aconcagua (13,400 ft). Return to Confluencia camp.
Day 5 Confluencia - Plaza de Mulas. We'll hike for about 6 to 8 hours to Plaza de Mulas base camp (14,300 ft) crossing "Playa Ancha" and then climbing "Cuesta Brava".
Day 6 Plaza de Mulas. Rest day. We'll just relax and enjoy the surrounds.
Day 7 Canada Camp carry. We'll climb to Camp 1 "Canada" (16,010 ft) and return to Base Camp. 3 to 5 hour hike.
Day 8 Plaza de Mulas. Rest day. We'll do a short trek to the Horcones glacier and get some practice on using our crampons and ice axes. We can even do some penitente's ice climbing if conditions permit.
Day 9 Canada Camp. We'll move to Canada Camp, setting up our tents there, with the help of porters.
Day 10 Nido de Cóndores Camp. It will take us about 5 hours to reach this camp, at 17.500 ft. From here we'll be able to see one of the best sunsets ever!
Day 11 Nido de Cóndores Camp. We'll have a full resting day, getting ready for the next push.
Day 12 Berlin Camp. Reaching the highest camp will be our goal this day. After a 3-5 hour hike we'll reach 19,600 ft and get prepared for summit day.
Day 13 Aconcagua summit (22,841 ft). Early in the morning we'll start our summit day. After reaching Independencia shelter at 21,476 ft and crossing the "big traverse" we'll start climbing the groove "Canaleta". After this strenuous section we'll traverse the Guanaco's ridge, which will take us straight to the highest point in the Western hemisphere. 10-13 hours roundtrip.
Days 14/15 Extra day. We include two extra days in case of bad weather or for further acclimatization.
Day 16 Berlin Camp - Plaza de Mulas. We'll wake up late and hike down to base camp, where we'll arrive for lunch. In the evening we'll prepare the mule's loads to go down the day after.
Day 17 Plaza de Mulas - Penitentes. This day we’ll put on our hiking shoes again and go all the way down to the Park entrance and then to our hotel in Penitentes where we’ll spend the night.
Day 18 Penitentes - Mendoza. After breakfast we’ll drive to Mendoza, check-in to our hotel and have some free time. This night we’ll get together at a local "bodega" for a wine tour and the last dinner to celebrate the climb. .
Day 19 Flight back Home. Transfer to the airport. End of the program.

Restaurant meals included: day 1 (D), day 2 (L,D), day 17(D) and day 18(D).
Hotel includes breakfast.

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