Climbing Aconcagua: Normal Route

Day 1: Mendoza
Arrive at the international airport in Mendoza and meet our local representative for a transfer to your hotel. Group meeting in the afternoon with your guides and other team members. Spend the evening exploring Mendoza, the centre of wine-making in Argentina.

Accommodation: Hotel Diplomatic or similar in Mendoza

Day 2: Mendoza (760m) – Penitentes (2,700m)
After breakfast, pay the entrance fee at the Aconcagua Park Office (if not already paid). Organise your luggage and transfer with the guides to our local representative’s office to meet the staff and finalise arrangements. From here, it is a 3h drive to the mountain hotel in Los Penitentes. In the afternoon, prepare equipment for transportation by mules to the base camp.

Driving time: 3h
Accommodation: mountain refuge in Penitentes
Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 3: Penitentes (2,700m) – Horcones (2,950m) – Confluencia (3,390m)
Start the day with a transfer to the Aconcagua Provincial Park entrance (10mins) in Horcones, and take in the first view of the mountain. After permits are checked at the Ranger Station, start trekking to Confluencia. Once there, organise your personal gear, and enjoy dinner. Gear is divided into two loads: one for high altitude and one to remain with you in Confluencia. High-altitude gear is transported by mules to base camp and consists of your crampons, ice axe, high-altitude boots, etc.

Walking for the day: 4-5h, ?440m
Accommodation: tents/dormitory tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch box, dinner

Day 4: Confluencia (3,390m) – Plaza Francia (4,000m) – Confluencia (3,390m)
Today is an acclimatisation day and is included in order to help you adjust to the elevations which can greatly increase your chances of reaching the summit. Trek to Plaza Francia viewpoint, with a superb view of Aconcagua. Plaza Francia is also the base camp for expeditions undertaking climbs on the highly technical south face.

Walking for the day: 7-8h, ?610m, ?610m
Accommodation: tents/dormitory tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch box, dinner

Day 5: Confluencia (3,390m) – Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,300m)
Early in the morning, start by walking across Playa Ancha, a deserted and windy valley. Slowly gain altitude while walking up to Horcones Superior Valley. After 8-9h hiking across Playa Ancha and climbing up through a very steep path, arrive at Plaza de Mulas. By the end of the day, you should start to feel the altitude. At base camp, meet the ascent team. A mess tent is set up for all meals, briefings and general use.

Walking for the day: 8-9h, ?910m
Accommodation: tents/dormitory tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch box, dinner

Day 6: Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,300m) acclimatisation day
The first day in base camp is always a rest day, time to drink plenty of water and eat well. This is a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with the camp, take a shower and explore the area. Get together with the guides, do a medical check-up, reorganise and review the equipment, prepare the loads and organise food for transportation for the next day.

Accommodation: tents/dormitory tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,300m) – Camp 1 Plaza Canada (5,050m) – Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,300m)
Begin the day by carrying some of the equipment and food to Camp 1, Plaza Canada. Keep your backpack light and carry as little as possible in order to be able to gradually adapt to the altitude.. Finally, return to Plaza de Mulas for the night.

Walking for the day: 5-6h, ?750m, ?750m
Accommodation: tents/dormitory tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch box, dinner

Day 8: Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,300m) acclimatisation day
Second acclimatisation day.

Accommodation: tents/dormitory tents
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,300m) – Camp 1 Plaza Canada (5,050m)
After breakfast, start the ascent to Camp 1. After walking 5-6h on easy terrain, arrive at Camp 1. Meet with the supplies brought the day before, assemble camp and then divide the load for the following days walking.

Walking for the day: 5-6h, ?750m
Accommodation: tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Camp 1 Plaza Canada (5,050m) – Camp 2 Nido de Condores (5,560m)
Today, move from Plaza Canada to Camp 2, named Nido de Co´ndores (Condors’ Nest) at 5,550m. The trek heads towards what looks like a saddle, quickly gaining altitude before reaching Cambio de Pendiente. From here, the inclination of the trail decreases considerably. Finally, take a gradual traverse towards Nido de Cóndores, offering some of the most incredible views in the Andes.

Walking for the day: 3-4h, ?510m
Accommodation: tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores (5,560m) acclimatisation day
Today is another acclimatisation day.

Accommodation: tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores (5,560m) – Camp 3 Plaza Cólera (5,970m)
Early in the morning, after breakfast and striking camp, begin the ascent to Camp 3, where camp is set up prior to the summit attempt. From here you get a chance to take in views of the highest peaks of the Central Andes. Cólera is strategically located and well protected from strong winds. Generally this is just a one night stay prior to attempting the summit, but you may stay one or two additional days here if required. The guide individually reviews each member of the group and gives his final recommendations, working together to plan the final strategies for the last day of ascent to reach the summit.

Walking for the day: 3-4h, ?410m
Accommodation: tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: summit day Camp 3 Plaza Cólera (5,970m) – North Summit (6,962m) – Camp 3 Plaza Cólera (5,970m)
The day begins at 05.00. This is the most demanding day of the expedition. Continue on the Normal Route up to Independence Refuge (6,380m), before ascending the Portezuelo del Viento, where strong winds can be experienced even on calm days. Pass by the superior part of the Western Face and climb La Canaleta, a 300m col that reaches the edge of the summit. From here, head across Filo del Guanaco, the ridge joining the South Summit (6,930m) to the North Summit (6,962m). Here, the Southern Wall of Aconcagua is directly under your feet, considered one of the largest faces in the world. Reach the summit at 6,962m, taking time to enjoy the view, and celebrate your achievement then return to Camp 3.

Walking for the day: 10-12h, ?992m, ?992m
Accommodation: tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 14 and 15: contingency days
These spare two days included in case of bad weather or acclimatisation issues. Your guides assess all these factors and make decisions regarding timing and route as best suits this particular expedition. Any attempt is made under optimum conditions but it’s important to accept that weather on Aconcagua is volatile and decisions are made accordingly and entirely at the discretion of the guides. If these days are not used, you can stay at base camp to rest and enjoy the mountain landscapes.

Accommodation: tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16: Camp 3 Plaza Cólera (5,970m) – Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,300m)
Return from Camp 3 to base camp for a special reception and celebration dinner.

Walking for the day: 5-7h, ?1670m
Accommodation: tents/dormitory dorm
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 17: Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,300m) – Penitentes (2,700m)/Mendoza (760m)
After breakfast, start the descent from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes. You are then transferred to the hotel in Mendoza.

Walking for the day: 7h, ?1,600m; driving time: 3h
Accommodation: Hotel Diplomatic or similar in Mendoza
Meals: breakfast, lunch box

Day 18: Departure
Departure after breakfast.

Meals: breakfast