Aconcagua Summit

Duration

12 Days

Tour Type

Adventure
Climb
Trek

Group Size

Tour Guide

Argentina

Aconcagua Summit

Overview

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. Thus it is one of the Seven Summits (the highest mountains in each of the seven continents).

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

Then it is important to note; mules will carry the expedition equipment & they are not loaded with more than 30-40kg. 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. For additional porters to carry your personal equipment, you can hire these from us. A porter will carry a maximum 15kg limit of your gear.

As a result; there is an option to extend the route for a couple of days to add more time for acclimatisation along the trail. A lot depends on your own personal fitness and your ability at altitude.

Mountain & Summit Stats
Altitude: 6,962m.
Duration: 12D/11N
Route: Normal – 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 50-60%
Threats: Biggest threat is the cold (-20 to -30c) and altitude.
Summit Season: 01/01/22 – 15/02/22

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	Not Included	Conditions of Operation – Aconcagua 12 Days
Breakfast x 10, Lunch x 10, Dinner x 10 X2 nights in Mendoza (Hotel) Private Transport – collection & drop-off to trek start point (Mendoza – Penitentes – Mendoza) Professional bilingual high-mountain guide x1 Mule – Can carry 60kg of equipment from Penitentes to the Plaza de Mulas (for personal equipment needed at the higher camps) X1 Porter – Can carry up to 15kg of food & equipment to each high camp. For any additional support carrying your personal equipment you can hire an additional porter at the Plaza de Mulas (cost c.$200 usd per day max.) All Camping & Dining equipment Medical: We will have oxygen available on the expedition, oximeter (to read oxygen levels in your blood), along with a medical box set for the expedition. There are medical stations with a doctor at each checkpoint also.	Personal expedition equipment & sleeping bags (recommend to bring a good 4 season sleeping bag, necessary for the high camps) International Airfare & Domestic Flights Hotels before & after the agreed dates Adventure Travel & Evacuation Insurance (you will require insurance for entry to the park, required at the time of processing permits) Entrance permits to the Aconcagua National Park (We will help you secure these permits) – approximately $800 usd per person, for summit permits Tips for crew Any additional extras	The route will be fixed as detailed in the itinerary there will be no changes to the planned route during the expedition; unless we encounter significant problems with climate conditions. Our remit is to ensure we take you safely to the summit of Aconcagua. We reserve the right to change the plan in the event it is necessary to do so, with your safety in mind. You will accept the decisions made along the route in the event there is a requirement to change plan. We ask that you take on this expedition ready for the challenge of being in the Andean mountains for 10 Days. Our guide is there to support you and provide encouragement when necessary, but you take ultimate responsibility for your own conditioning and your physical and mental aptitude along the route. The following terms & conditions also apply to your reservation – Booking Terms & Conditions – Unu Raymi Expeditions

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

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

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.

Equipment

Details

Itinerary

Our expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. Here equipment preparation begins that will be transported by the muleteers to Plaza de Mulas.

You'll also complete steps for the permission to enter into the Provincial Park of Aconcagua. You'll be given help with this administration.

Accommodation: Hotel, Mendoza
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

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. Afterwards, heading across the picturesque route of surrounding mountain ranges, you'll head to the Gully of Pitchforks. Here you'll check-in to the Park where the expedition & ascent will begin. Trek of 3 - 4 hours, you'll arrive at the place known as Confluence. Dinner at Camp.

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Breakfast. You'll trek from 4 to 6 hours, up to the viewpoint of Plaza Francia and the south wall of Aconcagua, with elevation of 4,200m. The descent will take around 2 to 3 hours.

Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

It's an early start with breakfast. you'll begin the trek very early at around 7:00 am., today takes a time estimated from 8 to 10 hrs. Installation of Camp.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Breakfast. Today is a day to rest, look around the basecamp and begin preparation for the ascent.

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. Acclimatisation trek to the High Field camp and return to camp at Nido de Condores

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

This day begins at 4:00 am., with 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 2 to the Base Camp 'Plaza de Mulas', to enjoy dinner in the comfort of the Base Camp.

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.

It's never goodbye, only until the next time!