The ascent through Valle de Vacas and the descent through the Normal Route is an original program that offers a complete view of the highest mountain of America , allowing you to enjoy the magnitude of the mountain and its splendor.
Itinerary
DAY 01 Mendoza – Altitude: 760 m.
Our expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. On your arrival to the international airport
in Mendoza, an INKA Expeditions representative will be waiting for you. After receiving
you, he will drive you to your Hotel and after you rest, a group meeting will follow and
you will be introduced to your guides and team members.
Accommodation: Hotel double or triple room / Transportation: Airport – Hotel in
Mendoza.
DAY 02 Mendoza / Puente de Inca – Altitude: 2700 m.
After breakfast we will go to get the entrance fee at the Aconcagua Park Office. Then
after organizing your luggage, we will be transported with the guides to Inka’s office to
meet the staff and finalize arrangements; pay the remaining balance, get the required
vouchers. From the office, we will be driven along a picturesque road to the mountain.
After 3 hours of travel, we arrive to Puente de Inca, where we will spend one night. In
the afternoon, we prepare the equipment for transportation to the base camp by mules.
This day is concluded with dinner and rest.
Transportation: Mendoza – Penitentes / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 03 Puente de Inca / Pampa de Leñas –Altitude: 2950 m.
During this day we start the approaching from Puente de Inca to Pampa de Leñas.
After a night in Puente de Inca, we are transported to the entrance of Aconcagua Park,
Punta de Vacas. On this day, we trek from 4 to 5 hours up to the camp Pampa de Leñas
(2950 m). This is where we meet up with our equipment and we assemble the
dormitory tents. After refreshment, we enjoy dinner.
Transportation: Penitentes – Punta de Vacas – Accommodation: Double Tents Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner
DAY 04 Trekking to Casa de Piedra - Altitude: 3250 m.
In the early morning we prepare our equipment again to be transported by the mules
and we have a large breakfast. On this day, we advance towards an intermediate camp,
passing through the Quebrada de Vacas, for 6 to 7 hours where you see the Quebrada
de Relinchos Stream. This is where we will be able to see the first sight of the Western
Face of the Aconcagua. This place is named Casa de Piedras (3250 m) and it is where
we spend our last approaching night, from Base Camp. Again we assemble the
dormitory tents and then we have dinner.
Accommodation: Double Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner
DAY 05 Trekking to Plaza Argentina - Altitude: 4200 m.
This is the last day of approaching to Plaza Argentina (4190 m). We start trekking for
5 to 6 hours, going through the margins of the Relincho Stream and ascending the
steep slope of the same name, which takes us to Inferior Plaza Argentina. This is where
we will be able to see the last native vegetation before climbing towards the glaciers,
where Plaza Argentina is placed. At this camp, we meet up with our personal
equipment, the INKA Expeditions staff and the modern infrastructure domes that will
assure us a comfortable stay; we also start preparing for the ascension.
Accommodation: Double Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner
DAY 06 Rest day at Plaza Argentina - Altitude: 4200 m.
At Plaza de Argentina we rest and use the day for acclimatization. This is a good
opportunity to get to know the Camp, take a shower and explore the area. We get
together with the guide, do a medical checkup, reorganize and review the equipment,
prepare the loads, the fuel and food for transportation for the next day. This is the
moment to get to know the climbers from other parts of the world and to meet the
people that work at the camps.
Accommodation: Double Tents / Dormitory Dome– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 07 Carry of equipment to Camp 1 - Altitude:4900 m.
Keeping backpacks as light as possible we continue to take our supplies higher, this is
important to make acclimatization easier. During the load transportation to the high
camps, we reach a level of 5000m. This is a hard day, where we will be walking for 6
hours ascending on easy terrain. This is when we start enjoying the real beauty of high
altitude, ascending higher and higher, obtaining an spectacular view of the Quebrada
de Relinchos and the Horcones Valley. Then we return to Base Camp.
Accommodation: Double Tents / Dormitory Dome – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner
DAY 08 Rest day at Plaza Argentina - Altitude:4200 m.
After the hard days of carrying and climbing, we rest and recover our energy at Base
Camp. We want everyone to have the best possible chance to acclimatize and make
the summit.
Accommodation: Double Tents / Dormitory Dome– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 09 Ascent to Camp 1- Altitude: 4900 m.
After breakfast we start our ascent. After a 5 to 6 hour walk on easy terrain we arrive
to Camp 1 (5000m). We grab our suppliers that we brought the day before and assem-
ble the camp. We will then divide the loads in order to carry the following day. We rest
then and have dinner.
Accommodation: Double Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Box & Dinner
DAY 10 Carry of equipment to Camp 2 - Altitude:5500 m.
We carry food and fuel to Camp 2 (5500m). This program helps us keep our backpac-
ks as light as possible and continue with our gradual acclimatization to altitude. During
the load transportation to high Camp 2, we reach a level of 5500m. Besides this effort,
it is very important to control our body adaptation to altitude and the evolution of our
acclimatization. Then we return to Camp 1, have dinner and rest.
Accommodation: Double Tents – Meals: Breakfast, LunchBox & Dinner
DAY 11 Ascent to Camp 2 - Altitude: 5500 m.
We have breakfast and start the ascent from Camp 1 to Camp 2 (5500m). We meet
with the load that we brought two days before and assemble the camp before we load
division for carrying the following day. We then rest and have dinner.
Accommodation: Double Tents– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 12 Acclimatization at Camp 2 - Altitude: 5500 m.
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 body more opportunities to acclimatize.
Accommodation: Double Tents– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 13 Carry equipment to Camp 3 - Altitude: 5970 m.
After a very early breakfast, we start ascending for around
4 hs to camp 3, Plaza Canadá, strategically situated because for its altitude and cover from winds.
From there, you can see unforgettable sights of the highest peaks of the Central Andes. The Guide individually
reviews each member of the group and gives his final recommendations. We also plan
the final strategies for the last day of ascension. We have dinner and rest.
Accommodation: Double Tents– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 14 Summit day - Altitude: 6962 m.
The day begins at 5:00 am. This is the most demanding day of our expedition. We
continue on the Normal Route up to Independence Refuge (6380 m). This is normally
where we see the first sun rays of the day. We ascend the "Portezuelo del Viento"
where we can experience strong winds, even on calm days. We pass by the superior
part of the Western face and climb "La Canaleta", a 300 m channel that takes us to
edge of the summit. From here we go through the Filo del Guanaco, which leads us to
the summit. There we can directly observe under our feet the Southern Wall of the
Aconcagua. An indescribable feeling
of satisfaction takes over as we reach the summit at 6962 m, where is waiting for us
a 360° view and the experience of achievement that you only finally understand once
you reach it. After sharing these moments of accomplishment and emotion with our
expedition mates we then return to camp 3.
Accommodation: Double Tents– Meals: Breakfast,
DAY 15 Reserve day
We consider these two days spare days in case of bad weather. If we do not use them,
we can stay at Base Camp to rest and enjoy the mountain.
Accommodation: Double Tents– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 16 Reserve day
We consider these two days spare days in case of bad weather. If we do not use them,
we can stay at Base Camp to rest and enjoy the mountain.
Accommodation: Double Tents– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 17 Descent to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp- Altitude:4300 m.
We descend to Plaza de Mulas, the biggest camp in all the Aconcagua Park. Our team
will be waiting for us with a special reception. From this base camp you’ll see a unique
sunset that makes the west face of Mt. Aconcagua look like it is on fire! We enjoy the
surroundings and later we have a celebration dinner.
Accommodation: Double Tents / Dormitory Dome– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 18 Return to Puente de Inca / Mendoza
We have breakfast and then start the descent from Plaza de Mulas to Puente de Inca
through the Horcones Valley. From there we have the graet view of the magnificent
South Wall of Mt. Aconcagua. In Puente de Inca there will be a private transport waiting
to take us to the hotel in Mendoza City.
Transportation: Horcones – Puente de Inca – Mendoza – Accommodation: Hotel in
Mendoza double or triple room – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Box.
DAY 19 Mendoza
Breakfast at the hotel. End of services.
Accommodation: Not included – Meals: Breakfast.
Inclusion
- Mountain Guide. (english speaking , experienced, professional, qualified to operate within Provincial Park Aconcagua).
- Transport IN Airport- Hotel in Mendoza by private vehicles.
- Transport IN-OUT Mendoza-Penitentes by private vehicles (single timed transfer).
- Transport IN-OUT Penitentes- Park Entrance (trailhead) by private vehicles for the entire group.
- Two (02) nights accommodation in a 3* hotel in Mendoza City (Sharing room, Double/Triple occupancy), Breakfast and taxes included.
- One (01) night accommodation in Hotel in Los Penitentes: Taxes, breakfast & dinner included. (Sharing room, Double/Triple occupancy).
- Assistance with the procedures to obtain the permit to enter the provincial Park Aconcagua.
- Freight mules to carry up to 30kgs from Penitentes to Plaza Argentina per climber.
- Freight mules to carry up to 10kgs from Plaza Argentina to Plaza de Mulas per climber.
- Freight mules to carry up to 30kgs from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes per climber.
- Fully equipped dining-room and kitchen and WC tents.
- Wifi (Confluencia, Plaza de Mulas, Plaza Argentina, C1, C2 and C3)
- Sleeping tents and luggage storeroom. (Penitentes & Base Camp)
- Guides will have radio for communications between high camps, base camp, Penitentes and Mendoza.
- All meals included on the mountain.
- Regular Porter service to carry DBL base tents, group's trash and personal waste
Exclusions
- Aconcagua's Entrance Permit fee. The price varies according to the nationality of the visitor and the selected route.
Personal equipment asked on the Required Equipment list.
- Rescue costs or other costs due to the abandonment of the expedition. (Riding mule, pack mule, individual transfers, helicopter flight for evacuation or rescue, extra nights, meals, extra costs for changes in your flight ticket, personal porter service, set up and stake off of tents, etc). -
- Personal expenses (tips, laundry, phone, drinks, satellite phone, internet access, showers, and personal porters to carry your personal equipment and your share of the common equipment).
- Extra nights in a hotel in case of early return to the city/ in the case you don’t use the “spare days” and decide to come back to Mendoza.
- Transfer out Penitentes – Mendoza in case of early returning or abandon the expedition.
- Travel and Medical insurance that covers Helicopter evacuation or rescue inside the park.
- Meals and Drinks not specified in the itinerary. E.g.: Lunches and Dinners in Mendoza or Uspallata. Drinks at the included dinner in Los Penitentes.
- Transport OUT Hotel- Airport.
- Any other service not excusively specified as "SERVICES INCLUDED" in the previous list.
Reviews
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Expedition Information
$4,990
Q1, Q4
Aconcagua
Mountaineering,
Trekking,
Climbing
Fitness Level
4
Technical Level
2
Group Size
1-12
