Aconcagua Ascent

We need to obtain our climbing permits in person this morning before departing Mendoza on the spectacular drive to Puente del Inca. The drive showcasing some of the finest scenery in the central Andes and the 180 kilometres appear to fly by. Puente del Inca is a fascinating town with excellent views across to nearby Aconcagua National Park, situated five kilometres away. There are nearby hot springs where you can have a soak as part of your preparation for your climb. In the afternoon we further prepare for our expedition by packing loads for the mules. Your accommodation is at the Puente del Inca Hotel and, in the evening, we have an opportunity to enjoy a local meal and a stroll around this beautiful town.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

Today we enter Aconcagua National Park. It is a 5-kilometre drive from Puenta del Inca to the park entrance where you start your climb. The walking to Confluencia is fairly gentle; however, you will find the altitude may start to have an effect. Walk slowly and have plenty of breaks - the scenery is such that you do not need much of an excuse to take the occasional rest! Your gear is carried on mules. This enables you to concentrate your energies on the task of climbing the mountain. Confluencia is well set up and will be our home for two nights to help with our acclimatisation. You will have the indulgence of large dinner tents, electric light, tables and chairs for meals – sheer luxury!

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

As part of the acclimatisation process it is important to gain altitude without compromising safety. You have the opportunity to trek to the base of the mythical south face of Aconcagua, at Plaza Francia (4100M). This is the most vertical face of the mountain, with hanging glaciers and towering walls extending 3000 metres above. After the trek to Plaza Francia you return to Confluencia for a comfortable night’s sleep.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

Your journey continues with a hike to the base camp at Plaza De Mulas (4260m). The scenery has changed from the lower altitudes where the vegetation is lusher. It is now the stark beauty that is associated with high desert environs. It can be very hot and dusty during the day, with the occasional thunderstorm passing over, allowing you to practise your quick-change routines (shorts into polar fleece). As this will be our base camp for a number of days we want you to be as comfortable as possible. There will be a separate dining tent, another for the kitchen and one for equipment storage. You will have toilet tents and, naturally, sleeping tents.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

Rest, Training & Acclimatisation Saturday is generally a day of rest and acclimatisation, whilst Sunday and Monday are set aside for training. We will complete short walks around the Plaza De Mulas area including a nearby glacier and a trek to Mt Bonete (5.000m), getting used to the concept of ‘slowly, slowly’ walking, learning about climbing equipment and perfecting your use of crampons and ice-axes. All this is useful knowledge for the ascent to the summit. It is also important acclimatization period, giving your body the chance to adapt to the higher altitude and facilitating your chances of success on the mountain.

Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners 

You will start the process of load carrying today as well as setting up the camps that will be used on the way to the summit. The trek from Plaza De Mulas to Camp 1 ‘Canada’ is challenging, as you will gain 650 vertical metres, before returning to base camp. It is often loose terrain, amidst desolate and windy conditions. There is usually no snow. There will be plenty of rest breaks and the pace will be slow. All this is part of your acclimatisation and to “climb high then sleep low”, back at Plaza De Mulas (4260M).

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

Rest and acclimatisation A relaxing, decadent day is spent gently strolling around base camp and going through the final stages of preparation, making sure all your equipment is ready. You should also relax as much as you can. It is also an opportunity to gain more experience with crampons and any of the other equipment.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

We are now reaching the ‘business end’ of the trip and it is important to work together as a team. At Camp 1 you will need to assist with gathering snow and ice for water, and building rock walls to protect the tents from wind. The route to Camp 1 ‘Canada’ is the same as Day 9, covering scree and with little snow.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

A straightforward climb to Camp 2, ‘Nido De Condores’ (5250m). You will be trekking across further scree and snow, with an ever-decreasing supply of oxygen. The views of the central Andes, however, are getting more and more spectacular. We normally have two nights at ‘Nido’, so it is in your interests to be comfortable. You will be required to assist with flattening out the areas for our tents and continuing to gather snow and ice for cooking, cleaning and drinking.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

Acclimatisation and Climbing Take it easy today as this is a rest day. There are incredible views of the Central Andes from ‘Nido’, so you can sit back and take it all in, play some cards or spend some time visualising yourself on the summit of the mountain.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

This is another load-carrying acclimatisation day. It is a short but steep climb up to Camp 3, ‘Berlin’. This will be your last camp on the mountain and the launching pad to the summit. The excitement level is building as we approach the higher altitudes. We will schedule very regular breaks to ensure everyone is ascending at a sensible pace. You will normally be walking on snow, surrounded by towering mountains.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

The big day has finally arrived. You start the climb early in the morning, possibly as early as 4 am depending on the weather conditions. The temperature will be well below freezing. A light breakfast will be served, before you head off on your attempt to the 'top of the Americas'. Your route will take you via the Travesia, then onto the Canaleta, which is moderately steep with loose scree and snow. The Canaleta is 400 metres in length and is at 30 degrees to the horizontal. The top of the Canaleta finishes on the top of the Cresta del Guanaco, which is a ridge that connects the south and north summits. There is an aluminium cross that marks the summit of the Americas. From here you can see the Pacific Ocean on one side and the expensive plains of Argentina on the other. It is a feeling of elation unlike any other, to stand atop the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. After using a whole roll of film or filling a memory stick with images of yourself on top of the world, it is time to head back down to Camp 3 ‘Berlin’. Depending on time you will either stay at ‘Berlin’ or time permitting, head down even lower on the mountain to Plaza De Mulas. You can rest tonight with the knowledge that you have been to the mountain and hopefully ‘knocked it off’. Summit Attempt For safety reasons, only one attempt will be made by climbers and guides to reach the summit. If you are assessed as unfit to attempt the summit when the climb attempt is made, there will be no further opportunity to do so.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

A short trek today down to Plaza de Mulas where the afternoon is spent relaxing and unwinding.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

The return trek is always relaxing as the pressure is off. You will have the mules to carry loads, so you are free to skip along the trail with just a light backpack. Back in Puente del Inca, there is a hot shower waiting and a beautiful meal.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

We are back in Mendoza again - home to great restaurants, cold beer and hot showers – you beauty! Time to relax and reflect on what you have just achieved. A climb of Aconcagua, the Stone Sentinel, is a huge effort and we will have a great time celebrating the expedition over dinner that night in Mendoza.

Meals included: 1 breakfast 

After breakfast your arrangements come to an end. If the following 2 days have not been used as contingent days during the summit attempt additional accommodation in Mendoza until your departure will be at your own expense. Our agent in Mendoza, with the assistance of the leader, will be able to book additional accommodation for you at our hotel.

Meals included: 1 breakfast 

This day is a contingent day and will be provided at no extra cost in the event of bad weather or other unforseen events during the summit attempt. It is not set aside for further acclimatization.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

This day is a contingent day and will be provided at no extra cost in the event of bad weather or other unforseen events during the summit attempt. It is not set aside for further acclimatization.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner