360° Route - Aconcagua Summit

Duration

13 Days

Tour Type

Adventure
Climb
Trek

Group Size

Tour Guide

Argentina

360° Route – Aconcagua Summit

Overview

Ascend Aconcagua; via the lesser-travelled Vacas Valley 360° route. Aconcagua Mountain is a part of the Andes mountain range; located in the province of Mendoza, Argentina. The summit is located just 15 kilometres away from the international border with Chile; it is one of the Seven Summits (the highest mountains in each of the seven continents).

However; with a good climate, you’ll be able to enjoy an incredible 360° view from the summit that you’ll never forget. After that; you’ll view infinite mountain ranges, white fields and glaciers, including the stunning peaks of Cerro Mercedario and Cerro Tolosa.

Therefore; mules will carry the expedition equipment & they are not loaded with more than 30-40kg. Following then; from Base Camp 1 to Base Camp 3 (Day 9 onwards); you will be required to carry your own equipment and around 7kg of group equipment also. In addition; for additional porters to carry your personal equipment; you will be able to hire these from us. A porter will carry a maximum 15kg limit of your gear.

Similarly; there is an option to extend the route for a couple of days to add more time for acclimatisation along the trail. Above all; a lot will depend on your own personal fitness; your ability at altitude and how much time you have for your expedition.

Mountain & Summit Stats
Altitude: 6,962m.
Duration: 13D/12N
Route: 360° Vacas Valley – North Face
Difficulty: Non-technical & No risk of Avalanche.
Equipment: Expedition (Please refer to the videos below for equipment).
Requirements: Good physical condition and recommended prior experience at altitude.
Summit success: About 50%
Threats: Biggest threat is the cold (-20 to -30c) and altitude.
Summit Season: 15/11/21 – 24/02/22

Safety & Security: Your safety and security is our main priority.
Radio Equipment: On the expedition we will have radios & access to a rescue helicopter if required.
Medical: We will have oxygen available on the expedition, oximetro (to read oxygen levels in your blood), diamox (to combat any bad effects of altitude sickness), along with a complete medical box set for the expedition.
Health: Your health will be checked at regular intervals along the route (e.g. at every camp). All of our guides are fully trained in first aid and mountain rescue.
Pacing: It is important to go at a pace you are comfortable with and our guides will help support you in this.
Insurance: It is vital that you have adventure insurance for this trip.

Park Entrance Fees
Entrance fees for Aconcagua National Park for summit expeditions in 2020 are $800 USD per person.
National Park Website

Included
Breakfast x 13
Lunch x 14
Dinner x 12
Private Transport – collection & drop-off
Professional bilingual high-mountain guide
Arrieros & Mules
All Camping & Dining equipment (Sleeping bags to hire + Trekking Poles)

Not Included

International Airfare

Hotels before & after (can be organised as part of trip)
Tips for crew
Domestic flights (can be organised as part of trip)
Adventure Travel & Evacuation Insurance
Entrance permits to the Aconcagua National Park (We will help you secure these permits)
Any additional extras

Joining Arrangements	There will be a pre-trek briefing held usually the evening before departure, at your hotel, to go over the details of the trek and any specific requirements not already captured.
Food & Water	Prior to setting off we recommend you steer clear of street food and only eat in good restaurants, to avoid any stomach complaints. Likewise with tap water, it is largely untreated, please only consume bottled water only or sterilised water if you have the right equipment.
Special Diets	We’ll ensure that we cater for all of your dietary needs, at the point of booking we’ll collect this information from you. We can secure special menu requests also for your trek party.
Trekking Crew	We are able to customise our treks to suit you, but usually our treks are guided by a professional bilingual guide, mountain cook, arriero (horseman) and mules to carry all equipment (passenger horses also available on request). They become a large part of your trekking expedition and it’s a great experience working together.
Acclimatisation	This is a really important part of your trip planning process, please find a link below which explains a little more about preparing for altitude. Altitude Preparation
Preparation	Attached below are a couple of links which will explain how to prepare for your trip & trek in advance of your arrival. We recommend being prepared in advance to save time & stress whilst you’re in Peru. Trip Planning \| Trek Planning
Machu Picchu	An excursion to Machu Picchu can be included as part of your trip, including professional bilingual guide, entrance tickets, return trip bus tickets, Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountains (mountain climbs to be confirmed on reservation) & your return train ticket to Cusco. To be confirmed on reservation.
Covid-19 (Coronavirus)	We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. We also have access to on-call health services for your time with us.
Covid-19 (Useful Links)	World Health Organisation \| World Health Organisation – Peru \| Covid-19 Data – Peru \| Covid-19 Daily Statistics
Available Discounts	Throughout 2022 we’re offering a 15% discount for each member of a group larger than 4+
Reservation	Please contact us to reserve your trek and we will send you our deposit & payment options.
Customer Service	Please feel free to contact us at any point before your trip for any queries or problems.

Details

Itinerary

Our expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. Here equipment preparation begins that will be transported by the muleteers to Plaza de Mulas. Steps for the permission to enter into the Provincial Park of Aconcagua. You'll be given help with this administration. Overnight in Mendoza. Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Mendoza

Breakfast in accommodation. At 11:30 a.m. you’ll leave in the direction of Penitentes. At around 1:00pm stopping to have lunch in Uspallacta. The equipment that will be transported by the muleteers is sent in advance to the Plaza of Mulas and the equipment that also will be transported by the muleteers to Confluencia.

Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Driving to the entrance of Punta de Vacas, where permits will be checked. Then; starting off towards Pampa de Leñas by walking 4 or 5 hrs. This is the beginning of the 3 day approach trek to base camp.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today advancing towards an intermediate camp, passing through the Quebrada de Vacas; for around 6 to 7 hrs. From here you'll be able to see the first sight of the Western Face of Aconcagua.

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today you'll be trekking for around 5 to 6 hrs, ascending the Relicho steep slope, which takes us to Inferior Plaza Argentina. Here you'll be able to see the last native vegetation before climbing towards the glaciers, where Plaza Argentina is located for camp.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Breakfast. Rest and preparation for the ascent. Accommodation: Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today is spent transporting equipment to Camp 1, before returning to Plaza Argentina, with lighter packs. During the load transportation to Camp 1, reaching an altitude of 4,800m, provides a good opportunity for further acclimatisation.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Breakfast. Starting the ascent to Camp 1 taking the first part of the Polish Route. After a 5 to 6 hour walk on easy terrain you'll arrive at Camp 1 (4,800m). Installation of Camp. Accommodation: Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Breakfast. Continuing the ascent to the second camp, Nest of Condors. Impressive sight of the Mountain chain. You are high enough (over three miles above the Pacific) to grandstand above the smaller part of the Andes. Trek from 2 to 4 hours. Installation of camp. Accommodation: Camping. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Breakfast. Ascent to the third high field "Rage" or "Berlin". Time estimated from 2 to 4 hours. Installation of the High Field camp. This is a very important day, to rest early in the evening and with light dinner.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

This day begins at 4:00 am., with a breakfast. You'll climb the North Edge up to the refuge Independence, located at around 6,450 m. It is in this place where the sunbeams reach us for the first time during this day. You'll encounter the " Portezuelo of the Wind ", where you must face strong winds even in days of relative calmness. From there voyaging on the top part of the West face and climb " The Canaleta ", a channel of 300 mts. that leads us to the summit edge. After The Canaleta, the " Edge of the Gump " represents an easy voyage up to the summit. The latter part normally takes us an hour. From the edge of the Gump we can observe directly under our feet the 3,000 mts. of vertical ice and rock of the South Wall of Aconcagua, considered to be one of the biggest walls of the world. At the summit is the ultimate prize: a sight of 360 º and the experience of personal feelings and indescribable emotions, which only are understood by experiencing it for yourself. The satisfaction of reaching your aim, coupled with the termination of the expedition, mean it is time to begin the ascent and make your way back to Mendoza. It is necessary to save some of your energy for the descent to field 3. Accommodation: Camping. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Return from the Camp 3 up to the Camp Base, to enjoy dinner realized in the comfort of the Camp Base.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After taking down the camp and preparing the bundles that will be transported by the mules there is one final day of 7-8 hrs of trek that takes us via the Lagoon of Pitchforks and the meeting with the route, where our transport waits, that will lead us back to the city of Mendoza.