Aconcagua Expedition - Summit Trek

Scheduled itinerary - Aconcagua ascent (17 days)

Day 1 • Argentina - Arrival in Mendoza
Arrival in Mendoza, latest around midday. One of our staff meets you, followed by private transfer from the airport to the hotel. The team leader will check your personal equipment. If necessary there will be time to buy or rent missing equipment. This evening we have dinner together, whereby the meeting with the SummitClimb team takes place. Overnight stay at the ***hotel B/HB.

Day 2 • Mendoza - Puente del Inca (2725 m) 
In the morning we drive together to the park administration. Here we apply for the permit for the Aconcagua ascent and register for the tour. According to Mendoza's government law, the permit must be obtained personally and we will assist you in filling out the appropriate forms. We continue to Puente del Inca. Overnight stay at the hostel B/FB.

Day 3 • Punte del Inca - Confluencia (3300 m) 
After the transfer to the national park gate we hike to Confluencia. This stage has only small differences in altitude to cope with. Nevertheless, we take our time and walk at a moderate pace. After about 12 km we reach the camp Confluencia at 3300 m altitude, about 4-5 hours walking time. Campsite tent, B/L/D.

Day 4 • Plaza Francia
Today we go for an acclimatization hike to the impressive "South Face" (Plaza Francia) of Aconcagua: the 3000 m high south wall, the steep south summit and on the right the main summit, the highest point of the American continent. Here is the base camp for the ascent of the south face of the Aconcagua. After a delicious lunch with a fantastic view we return to Confluencia camp. Campsite tent, B/L/D.

Day 5 • Confluencia - Plaza de Mulas (4260m): Aconcagua base camp
After breakfast we leave Confluencia and make our way to the higher basecamp Plaza de Mulas. The hike leads us through a desert-like and slightly ascending terrain. A steep final ascent announces that we will soon reach the base camp. This 20 km long stage has numerous brook crossings and narrow paths. In the Plaza de Mulas we meet other international expeditions at a large tent, walking time approx. 8 hours, 900 m. Overnight in base camp, full board B/L/D.

Day 6 • Plaza de Mulas (4260m): Aconcagua base camp
Rest day and training: We hike to the glacier to practice the use of crampons and familiarize ourselves with the material. Overnight in base camp / full board B/L/D.

Day 7 • Acclimatization - Plaza Canada (4900m) / Mount Bonete
To acclimatize we climb slowly and comfortably to the altitude of 5000m. A good acclimatization stimulus before we return to base camp. An acclimatization hike to Mount Bonete is an alternative tour. Overnight in base camp / full board B/L/D.

Day 8 • Aconcagua base camp
Rest day. This also helps with further acclimatisation. Relax in the base camp with good food, tea, mate and coffee, water and juices. Overnight in tent - base camp / full board  B/L/D.

Day 9 • Ascent - Plaza Canada (4900m)
After breakfast we ascend to Plaza Canada. We already feel the better acclimatization. In about 3-4 hours we should have reached the camp. The group equipment for camping is brought by high-altitude porters. We relax the rest of the day. Overnight at campsite, B/ snacks /D.

Day 10 • Ascent - Nido Condores (5650m)
The next camp is 3-4 hours away. We gain altitude steadily. As soon as we arrive at the camp, our team starts cooking water and preparing the meal. There may be snow on the way and in the camp. Overnight at campsite, B/ snacks /D.

Day 11 • Rest day - Nido Condores (5650m)
A day at this altitude helps us to adapt (acclimatize) for the next ascent.

Day 12 • Ascent - Cholera / Camp Berlin (6000m)
We hike to the last camp before the summit. This day we adjust to the weather forecast that we will spend only one night in the exposed altitude. We go to sleep early, because the next morning is the most exhausting day. Overnight in a tent / full board.¨

Day 13 • Aconcagua - Summit (6962m)
The summit day to Aconcagua (6962m) starts early from the last camp. At this altitude temperatures are below freezing and warm, windproof and waterproof clothing is essential. Depending on the wind and the weather, we get up between 2 and 3 a.m. and head for the summit around 4 a.m. The route leads over moderately steep terrain with loose scree to the Canaleta, a gully that leads to the summit of Aconcagua.

At the summit of Aconcagua you will be rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view of the Andes chain to the Pacific Ocean. After the summit success we descend to Camp Berlin, if possible further down. For the ascent and descent Cholera - Aconcagua Peak - Cholera we count 10-12 hours.

Day 14 • Aconcagua base camp
The day after the Aconcagua ascent we reach the base camp (if not reached before). It is time to rest and to sort out the equipment. A hearty summit meal is waiting for us. Overnight in tent, base camp / full board.

Day 15 • Confluencia - Mendoza
Descent to Confluencia via the ascent route. Return to Mendoza and a farewell dinner together. ***hotel B/B.

Day 16 • Reserve day
We're planning a reserve day in case of bad weather. If we climb Aconcagua in time, we can use the day in Mendoza or its surroundings known for wonderful wine (costs of this day are not included in the program) ***hotel B/B.

Day 17 • Mendoza 
Transfer to Mendoza airport, onward journey or flight home from Mendoza.

Aconcagua - participation

Requirements are the following: a very good physical condition and endurance, good health, team spirit and being able to hike on the mountain. Altitude experience over 5000 meters is always helpful and therefore recommended. 

Technical requirements: The normal route over the north-west flank has no technical difficulties, so no experience in rock or ice climbing is required. Depending on the current condition of the route, crampons and ropes may be used to secure the route. Such decisions will be made by the local mountain guides.

Physical requirements: On the technically easy normal route (north-west flank), in addition to the inevitable good physical condition, psychological strength and a strong will are also required. The biggest challenge during this expedition are the effects of high altitude on the body. Our program is structured in such a way that we attach great importance to the correct acclimatization process and altitude tactics, and provide a very experienced high-altitude mountaineer as a tour guide.

*Tip: The Kilimanjaro tour is the ideal preliminary stage for the Aconcagua climb, but of course mountaineers may also test themselves in high-altitude mountaineering directly at the highest mountain of South America.