Aconcagua Expeditions
Aconcagua Full Traverse
During this expedition you’ll have the chance to travel around the whole mountain, avoiding re-tracking and having a full perspective of the Stone Sentinel. We’ll approach Plaza Argentina basecamp through the Vacas Valley and then along the Rio Relinchos, which means a slower and better acclimatization when we arrive to basecamp. Then we’ll traverse the mountain bellow the Polish Glacier to reach our high camp at the northeast ridge, from where we’ll make our summit attempt. After reaching the highest peak in the western hemisphere, we’ll descend to Plaza de Mulas basecamp, and later to the park entrance to go for our well deserved rest and celebration in Penitentes and Mendoza. Surrounding the mountain is the most unique and rewarding way of climbing Mount Aconcagua.
Aconcagua Full Traverse Trip Details
- Skill level: Physically demanding, non-technical climb on a high altitude environment.
- Location: Aconcagua, Andes Range, Argentina.
- Length: 20 days
- Climber/guide ratio: 3:1
- Capacity: 10
- Prerequisites: excellent physical condition, high altitude experience recommended
- Cost: US$ 4,600
- Departure dates
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 (tents, cookware, food, etc.)
- Private ground transportation throughout the trip.
- 24/7 assistance in the US before and during the program.
- AMG Cap
- 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 Full Traverse Trip Itinerary
Day 1
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Flight to Mendoza. You should arrange your flight in order to arrive to Santiago (Chile) in the morning 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 a typical Argentinean "parrilla". Mendoza. (2,428 ft). |
| Day 2 |
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. |
| Days 3 to 5 |
Approach to Plaza Argentina Base Camp (13,700 ft). Mules will carry our gear. Our first day we’ll follow the Vacas valley. On the second day we’ll continue up the Relinchos Valley to our base Camp. |
| Day 6 |
Plaza Argentina Camp. Rest day. |
| Day 7 |
Camp I Carry. We’ll leave base camp and head northwest over the moraine of the Relinchos Glacier to arrive later to Camp I. We’ll spend some time at the site, leave our loads and return to basecamp. (4-6 hours) |
| Day 8 |
Camp I (16,000 ft). We move to our next camp, Here we’ll set our tents and spend the night. (4-5 hours). |
| Day 9 |
Ameguino camp carry. We’ll climb to Camp II “Ameguino Col” (17,650 ft) and return to C1. 3 to 5 hour hike. |
| Day 10 |
Ameguino camp. From Camp I, we’ll climb to the Ameghino Col, setting our camp there. |
| Day 11 |
Camp III carry (17,900 ft). This day we move completely to Camp III, just traversing at almost the same altitude. (2 to 3 hours). |
| Day 12 |
Colera camp carry (19,000 ft.). This day we’ll do our last carry, to our higher camp. From here we’ll be able to see almost the whole route to the summit. Back to Camp III. 3 to 5 hour hike. |
| Day 13 |
Colera Camp. We’ll traverse to the northeast ridge, where we’ll set our tents. Here we’ll rest and get ready for our big day! |
| Day 14 |
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”. Passing 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. |
| Day 15 |
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 16 |
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. On our way we’ll be able to contemplate the magnificent South Face, as well to cross the Playa ancha and the Horcones River. |
| Day 17 |
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 18 |
Back home. After breakfast we’ll drive you to the airport for your flight back. End of the program. |
| Days 19-20 |
Extra Days. These 2 days will be used for better acclimatization and/or weather days, if necessary. |
Restaurant meals included: day 1 (D), day 8 (L,D), day 16 (D) and day 17(D).
Hotel includes breakfast.
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