HomeArgentina ACONCAGUA NORMAL ROUTE - 25 NOV -11 DEC 2009
ACONCAGUA NORMAL ROUTE - 25 NOV -11 DEC 2009
Day 01 - . Mendoza/ Argentina – While in the city before and after the expedition we'll enjoy sharing our favorite restaurants for great food and excellent wine. Then we will fill the requirements of the entryway permits to Aconcagua Provincial Park. After completing the permit process, orientation, Leave No Trace discussion, and equipment check, we enjoy a group dinner in Mendoza and a good night's sleep after a long day of travelling.
Day 02 - Mendoza / Penitentes – Private transportation , with destination from Mendoza to Penitentes (aprox. 3 hs), where we will stay at the rustic style hostel which is also a skiing resort in winter time. (2.600 m /8500 ft ). During the afternoon we will prepare the climbing gear and the loads that the mules will carry to our base camp in Plaza de Mulas. Dinner and good night rest before our long hike to base camp. Day 03 - Penitentes 3200m/ 10500ft - Confluencia 3800m- After breakfast we make a final gear check before driving west to our destination Horcones valley where the rangers will check climbing permits. From there we´ll start walking passing by Horcones Lagoon and heading to the Bridge of the Peach Valley, to Confluencia
Day 04 – Plaza de Mulas 4200 m We leave from Confluencia and Playa Ancha, , following a scenic and enjoyable 7 hour hike. Night at Plaza de Mulas.
Day 05 - Plaza de Mulas / Rest day - We review intermediate skills depending on individual need, and additionally cover climbing technique which combines aspects of perfecting basic technique approaches on snow and rock ; developing consistency rest pacing ourselves and breathing techniques to make our progress through high altitude efficient and have a safe record climbing. Day 06 – Cerro Bonete 5100m/16800ft. This summit is located on the East face of Aconcagua, with a 4-5 hour acclimatization hike. Offering a complete view of the Normal Route
Day 07 – Plaza de Mulas – Canada High Camp 5000m/16500 ft. This day we do a load carry of camping gear and heavy personal climbing gear to Canada High camp. Looking to the South-West from this camp we can appreciate the beautiful sight of the high part of Aconcagua. We work at higher altitudes and descend to lower elevations, helping our bodies build red blood cells and allowing us to rest and recover for our summit attempt .
Day 08 – Plaza de Mulas – Acclimatization Prepare our camping gear, climbing equipment , review climbing skills , before our first night in Camp I – Camp-Canada.
Day 09 – Camp Canada 5000m/16500ft . We approach to our first high camp, for a 4-5 hour ascent. Night in Camp I .
Day 10 – NIDO DE CONDORES 5500m/1800ft This day we move to high camp II , this flat area will be our base camp , as we set up the higher camps and will allows us to recover, hydrate and prepare for our summit attempt.
Day 11 Rest day- Nido de Condores - This rest day will help us recover energy as well as a proper hydration will be one of the main keys for our summit attempt to the highest summit of South America , prepare our climbing gear and good night rest.
Day 12 - Nido de Condores – Colera High Camp 6000m / 19800 ft. The route follows to the West for approx 3-4 hours climb to Colera Camp. It is a protected area from the winds and more accessible for water. This will be our acclimatization goal for the day, we rest and prepare for our summit attempt.
Day 13 - Summit attempt Aconcagua 6962 m / 22700ft -. Our start is from Nido de Condores as our acclimatization program with Cotopaxi allows us to have a higher success rate due to physical , psychological and technical performance. From this campsite our 7-8 hour ascent follows the side of a slope through the Gran Acarreo to the base of the final head wall known as La Canaleta, approaches us to the summit of the second highest mountain of the Seven Summits in the World. On the summit we have an amazing 360 degree view. All around you will see the Andes Mountains consisting of several 20,000 peaks, including another of the highest peaks in South America, Mercedario. To the West lies Chile and the Pacific Ocean, to the East, we find the Argentinean plains and a direct view of one of the most technical climbs in the world, the famous 3000m / 9000ft wall, the South Face of Aconcagua . We descend back to Colera high camp for a deserved night rest .
Day 14 / Day 15 Extra summit day - Nido de Condores - Plaza Mulas These extra days are highly recommended as local weather patterns could be affected by prevailing winds, or low pressure systems coming from the West where we find Chile and the Pacific Ocean, and to the East, the Argentinean plains ; alternatively the group stays for physical recovery due to the demanding conditions of climbing at high altitude. This day could be used before our summit attempt on Aconcagua according to the needs and interests of the group members. We follow a carefully elaborated itinerary that provides excellent acclimatization and which includes enough extra days to wait out storms while still leaving adequate time and resources to make a summit. Today is dedicated to rest, acclimatization and preparation for the summit.
Day 16 - Plaza de Mulas-Penitentes Night rest in Plaza de Mulas and pack our equipment that will be sent by mules to Penitentes. A 5-6 hour hike takes us to Horcones where we will be pick up by our private transport that will take us to Penitentes. We will then meet with our equipment and have a well deserved rest at our hotel.
Day 17 - Penitentes - Mendoza Our 3 hour drive takes us back to Mendoza city. After arriving to the hotel we will able to to do last minute shopping and celebration dinner , enjoying the best wines in South America.
EXPEDITION ACONCAGUA NORMAL ROUTE Price per Climber : U$D 2550 ( based on 2 climbers ) Extra fee for private accommodations : US $ 100
PRICE INCLUDES :
Airport Transfers
Land transportation in Argentina.
Hotels based on double occupancy, mountain refuges and huts.
Meals on the mountain , hikes and climbs as described in the itinerary.
( B ) – breakfast ( BL ) – box lunch ( D ) dinner
Certified bilingual Mountain Guide ASEGUIM ( Ecuadorean Association of Mountain Guides) - UIAGM ( Argentina )
Normal route climbing ratio: 3 climbers / 1 guide
Camping Gear & mules
Group technical climbing equipment.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International flights and travel insurance
Personal climbing gear (check climbing list)
Entrance Fee Aconcagua National Park
Porter assistance if required
Meals in hotels and rest days
Money transfer fees if applicable
PAYMENTS DEPOSIT US $ 500 with registration form . includes a $ 200 non refundable registration fee . BALANCE due 90 days before climbing expedition departures. To customize your private trip that fits your time and needs or to join a climbing expedition please CONTACT US !
We offer a climbing program that has been elaborated for climbers from beginners to advanced experience, combining the high altitude mountaineering, offering one of the seven summits Aconcagua/ Argentina, as our main goal , with the development and practice of technical skills , while exploring the mystery of the mountains and the mystic of the Incan culture in Ecuador. Our mountain guides have a full background experience, all over South America and the Himalayas. Thank you again for preferring our services, we guarantee you our top quality services with our most knowledgeable and experienced staff. Do not hesitate in contacting us at any time at
