Arrival in Mendoza – Argentina (747 m)
Upon arrival in Mendoza’s airport, there will be a transfer waiting and transfer to a centrally located hotel at the heart of the city.
Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina, worldwide known for it famous Malbec wines that can be enjoyed with a indisputable Argentinian meet, once you try it, all other wont be the same!
The temperatures in the summer can be very high, reaching up to 38 – 40 degrees, which is quite the opposite of what people preparing for Aconcagua might expect.
On the afternoon, there will be an information meeting with the main mountain guide, who will provide all the relevant information about the next days itinerary and practical details of the trip. Night in hotel.

Vallecitos Valley (2727 m)
On the morning, after breakfast, the guide/s will do a thoroughly gear check to each team member. It is very important to make sure everybody has the right gear for the endeavor ahead. In case someone is missing something or need to supply it, there will be time to rent or buy at one of Mendoza’s gear shops.
After this, the group will head out to have their Aconcagua’s climbing permits issued at the National parks’ office located in down town.
In the early afternoon, the team will be driven to Vallecitos valley, which lies southwest from the city on the route 7, the international highway that links Argentina and Chile. After a 1 h drive, at the Potrerillos’ dam, the transport will take a secondary road for around another hours heading up into the Vallecitos’s mountain area. The van will drive all the way to the front door of the mountain hut (2727 m). It is important to note, that this drive means an almost 2000 meters altitude gain and therefore the team will spend 2 nights at the hut, in order to ensure a good acclimatization basis. Early dinner and information briefing about the next day’s activities. Night at the hut.
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner

Climb: Cerro Loma Blanca (3664 m)
Today is the first climb of the program; the aim is Loma Blanca a close by trekking summit, perfect to gain more altitude and improve acclimatization. The climb starts from the hut and follows a side valley to the main Vallecitos’ valley. The trail ascents (1.5 h) gently, reaching a col between the Loma Blanca and Arenales. After a rest to enjoy the great view down to the lower Mendoza’s valley and the Potrerillos’ dam, the trail will follow a wide ridge that head up towards the mountain summit (1,5 h). The summit of Loma Blanca is one of the many summits along a ridge that rises westwards. The view, if the weather is clear, will allow seeing the main Vallecitos’ valley, part of the next days trails and the next climb Adolfo Calle. At the end of the valley, the Vallecitos peak can be seen.
The descent (2 h) will be down by the southeast ridge until reaching the old ski lifters and then down a broad track to the old ski station and further down to the road and finally back to the hut, completing a circular hike. At the hut, a typical Argentinian “asado” will be waiting for the hungry team!. Night in tents.
Ascent: 937 m / Descent: 937 m / Highest Altitude: 3664 m / Activity duration: 5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Vega Superior Campsite (3450 m)
After breakfast, the team will get ready to move upwards to the first campsite of the trip: Vega Superior. It will be possible to leave some gear at the hut and should only be taken the need equipment, as each member must carry his/her own stuff. The hike is not very long and a good start for the days to come. First the ridge that passes by other minor refuges until the Vallecitos’ River and then changing sides to take the main valley. There will be 2 short steep sections until the reaching the hidden Vega Superior camp that is located at the foot of the San Bernardo and Adolfo Calle peaks. The whole hike will take about 2-3 hours, depending on the shape and acclimatization of each person. After arrival, the team will make a short workshop on how to setup the tents in both good and bad weather. Rest of the day is for rest and acclimatization. Night in tents.
Ascent: 723 m / Highest Altitude: 3450 m / Activity duration: 3 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Climb: Cerro Adolfo Calle (4267 m)
Adolfo Calle is a pointy peak that looks very steep from the camp; most of the ascent is done over rocky terrain following a zigzagging trail. From the camp, the guides will show the way over a ridge that leads up to the moraine, the climb is quiet demanding and a good slow tempo is very important. After an hour, there is a col that opens into an inner valley between the Adolfo Calle on the left and Stefanek peak on the right. The path up the valley is easy and welcome after the steep section. 30 minutes later, another steep ascent starts, this time heading west, there trail is well marked and has a sequence of switchbacks that helps to win a lot of meters in a short time. After 1 hour, the inclination will decrease and there is a short scrambling part to reach the summit. The climb is usually completed between 3-4 hours.
The summit is a rocky ridge with spectacular view to both the lower hot valleys of Mendoza’s valley and above to all the surrounding mayor peaks like: Vallecitos, El Rincon, Loma Amarilla and the lower slopes of the area’s giant: El Plata, a summit just below 6000 meters.
The way down (2 h) will trace back the same path until the col, from there an even steeper scree will lead all the way to the start of the ascent and few minutes later back at the camp. Night in tents.
Ascent: 817 m / Descent: 817 m / Highest Altitude: 4267 m / Activity duration: 5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Acclimatization to El Salto (4288 m)
Relaxing morning start at the beautiful camping spot of Vega Superior. The idea today is to do a hike (3 h) to the next Campsite “El Salto”, have lunch and head back down (2 h) for another night at Vega Superior. This day will provide the opportunity to have an extra acclimatization day, reaching once again 4200 meters and sleeping at a lower altitude. It is also perfect in case, any participant feels tired ort is having issues with the altitude and need a bit more time to adapt. Night in tents.
Ascent: 638 m / Descent: 638 m / Highest Altitude: 4288 m / Activity duration: 5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

El Salto Campsite (4288 m)
The sunrises from Vega Superior are some of the best in the trek, giving us a great view up to Vallecitos’ eastern face, a scary looking side, but thankfully not our route of ascent. After packing the camp down, the team will hike up (4 h) to El Salto, leaving behind the green prairies for the alpine landscapes above 4000 meters. The way through the Vallecitos’ valley is nice and slowly gains altitude. The last section to reach the camp is the hardest section and it will be even more demanding due to the packs. This ridge is known as “El Infiernillo” (the little hell), because of the steepness and in a sunny day the temperature it can reach. Finally El Salto campsite (Waterfall camp), receives its name from the waterfall that precipitates into the valley slightly below the camp. The team will set up the tents, have lunch and then have a detail briefing about the next day climb to Vallecitos, the main goal of the valley.
El Salto has an astonishing location with a great panorama down to the valley and all the neighboring peaks giving an alpine atmosphere. An early dinner and the last preparations before the climb. Night in tents.
Ascent: 638 m / Highest Altitude: 4288 m / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Climb: Cerro Vallecitos (5461 m)
The guides will provide an early breakfast around 4:00 AM and the team will move around 5:00 AM. Vallecitos is not a technical climb, but it is a very long ascent and for the first time the members will be reaching 5000 meters and hopefully, if the conditions in the mountain, the physical shape and the acclimatization are all good every body will reach the summit and also get the best possible glimpse to Aconcagua and its huge south face.
The route ascents by a valley, that elevates along Vallecitos’ east flank. The terrain gets steeper the higher the team moves. At a certain point, the trail will lead to the left ridge of the valley and will follow it until about 5000 meters, from there a traverse to the right will mark the way to the Vallecitos’ col located between Vallecitos to the right and El Plata to the left. The col is at 5100 meters and from here the best view to Aconcagua. It is here that one realizes how high the mountain is in relations to all the others. By this time, the group has hiked for about 5 hours. After a short break, the hike (1 h) will be by Vallecitos’ ridge, which lead strait to the summit. This last part is spectacular and has amazing distant views, for example just before reaching the base of the summit the Tupungato volcano will be visible. The last few meters (30 min) are a bit of a very easy climb to reach the edgy summit.
The descent will be done taking the same trail, as during the climb. The average time from the summit to the camp is between 3-4 hours. With this climb or attempt, the team would have archived the best possible acclimatization for the attempt to Aconcagua, while climbing and enjoying other mountains. Night in tents.
Ascent: 1173 m / Descent: 1173 m / Highest Altitude: 5461 m / Activity duration: 10 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Penitentes (2630 m)
After a well-deserved rest and a good breakfast, the group will pack the camp down and begin to descent to the hut. This hike will take about 4 hours, once at the hut a transport will be waiting to take (2 h) the team for a good and juicy lunch at one of Uspallacta’s good restaurants. After lunch an hours drive along the mountainous area that leads to a location known as Penitentes, the main entrance to Aconcagua Regional Park.
The team will spend the night at a hotel, have a warm shower and sleep on a soft bed after many nights in the mountains. This a recovery breaks both away from the campsite life as well as a night at a much lower altitude. This is equivalent to putting an oxygen mask on! Night in hotel.
Descent: 1561 m / Activity duration: 3 h
Included meals: Breakfast

Confluencia Camp (3409 m)
The vans will pick up the team about mid morning and take them (20 min) to the park’ main entrance, where the guides will help with all the formalities related with the permits and information regarding the park rules. A further 5 min. drive to the parking lot where the head of trail is (2821 m).
Today’s hike is a relaxing one and everybody will be doing great due to the accomplished acclimatization and good shaped archived during the previous days. From Penitentes all the way to Plaza de Mulas, Aconcagua’s base camp, there will be pack animals to take all the gear including the team’s personal equipment.
The group will walk into a completely new landscape, much dryer and arid, but with its own charm! The colored mountains and the vastness of the place reminds of Tibet, no wonder this valley was chosen to film Seven Years in Tibet. After 45 min. hike there is a bridge locally known as Brad Pits’ bridge, a legacy of the film’s production team. The river Horcones flows down with fury, the trail will follow the right margin of the river heading rightwards towards an inner valley where Confluencia camp is placed. Confluencia’s name mean conjunction and it was given a long time ago, when the campsite was located lower in the Horcones’ valley, precisely at the conjunction of the Upper Horcones and Lower Horcones Rivers. Now the campsite lies at another spot, but keeps the old name. This is the first of the 2-fixed camps in Aconcagua. Night in tents.
NOTE: At Confluencia camp there is a mandatory medical check, which will be booked by the guides and informed to the team’s members.
Ascent: 588 m / Highest Altitude: 3409 m / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Plaza de Mulas (4364 m)
Continuing through the Horcones’ valley, after leaving the camp, the path will drop into a gorge and cross the Lower Horcones River, then climb up overlooking the Plaza Francia’s valley where the famous South face stands. The Horcones’ valley opens up into a wide broad valley, which follows the mountain by the East flank. The colors and shapes of both rivers and mountains are an unforgettable spectacle. The hike is very pleasant as the gain in altitude is slow and progressive. The landscapes changes as dramatically from the wide riverbed, known as Playa Ancha, to a narrower valley with a more pronounce ascent from a place called Piedra Ibañez the lunch spot until Aconcagua’s base camp: Plaza de Mulas. Base camp is located in a great spot, just at the foot of the mountain and also surrounded Cerros Cuerno, Catedral, Horcones, Bonete and some few more. A real alpine atmosphere. Night in tents.
Ascent: 955 m / Highest Altitude: 4364 m / Activity duration: 8 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Plaza de Mulas (4364 m) – Free/rest day
After the long hike from Confluencia a well deserve rest day at Plaza de Mulas is a must. Plaza de Mulas is the mountains more concurred camp with all imaginable commodities like: well prepared camps, bathrooms, showers, bars and little restaurants. It also has its own art gallery, the highest in the world certified by the Guinness record Book, run by the Argentinian artist Miguel Doura.
If some team members feel like a more active day, it is possible to do a short hike to the old hotel, now closed, or to take a look at the glacier descending from Cerro Cuerno.
It is easy to enjoy a leisure day in Mulas! Night in tents.
NOTE: At base camp there is a mandatory medical check, which will be booked by the guides and informed to the team’s members.
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Plaza Canada – Camp I (4910 m)
After enjoying a plentiful breakfast and having packed for the summit climb, the team will start the ascent towards the final goal: Aconcagua’s summit. The first part up to a plaza called “EL Semaforo” (the traffic light) takes about 1,5 hour. This is a place with a great view down to Plaza de Mulas. From this point the trail does a lots of switch backs and the ascent is slow but constant, about half way up, there will be a lunch stop at Conway stones/towers. Then the trail moves towards the north for a final steep section up to camp 1. Canada camp has a great panoramic view Eastwards into Chile and usually a fantastic sunset! Night in tents.
Ascent: 546 m / Highest Altitude: 4910 m / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Nido de Condores (Condor’s Nest) – Camp II (5574 m)
The morning light will hit the camp at about 9 AM and the group will get ready to move up, heading to the famous Nido de Condores or Camp 2 (Eagle’s nest). The trail traverses northwards, switching back at a place known as Cambio de Pendiente (Hills side change) heading southwards. During the hike, there is a perfect view of a good part of the summit’s day trail, strait up from this spot. Towards the East the Argentinian flag marks the location of camp 2. Nido de Condores is a huge campsite placed on a broad plateau facing northeast. This will be the first time the other side of the mountain will be seen. Honoring its name, the panoramic view is breathtaking in to the distant mountains of: Mercedario, La Mesa, La Mano, etc. The best sunset on the trip! Night in tents.
Ascent: 664 m / Highest Altitude: 5574 m / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Camp Colera / Berlin – Camp III (5969 m)
From today the schedule will be very flexible, as it is important to plan the summit bid according to the weather conditions and the team’s well being, therefore the guide/guides will plan the next days and informed the team day by day.
If the weather conditions are good, the group will take good time to have breakfast, pack the camp and get ready to go. Today’s hike will be quite short in distance, but due to the altitude and the pack’s weight a bit slow. Some times, depending on the mountain conditions, there might be snow from this camp. The ascent will be done by a wide col that leads to the strait up to the high camps of Colera/Berlin. The walk takes between 3-4 hours and the first camp is Berlin. Depending on the weather conditions and/or the availability of snow to be melted, the guides will choose the most suitable camp. If the decision is to keep on to Colera, from Berlin there will be a 30 min. traverse to Colera’s plateau.
These camps are the highest on the mountain, just below 6000 meters. It is very important to take it very easy, drink as much as possible and rest for the next day. The guide/guides will do a detailed briefing about the summit attempt, where they will go over all the relevant details for the climb. A very early dinner and a good rest, as well as a mental preparation for the attempt are essential. Night in tents.
Ascent: 395 m / Highest Altitude: 5969 m / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Climb: Cerro Aconcagua (6962 m)
The big day is here! The start time will be determine according to the weather and physical conditions of the team, but it will be around 5:00 AM. The hiking rhythm will be very slow, which is the key to a good attempt. The first part of the climb is done in about 2 hours over some gentle slopes until a place know as Piedras Blancas (White stones) at 6050 m and usually reached at dawn’s first lights. After a very short break, the ascent will continue the Eastern side with views over the opposite side of the mountain down into the valleys of Vacas. After 1.5 h hike, the team will be at the ruins of an old refuge called Independencia 6383 m where there will be a longer break to recover before starting the long traverse to La Canaleta. Few minutes from Independencia, there will be El Portezuelo del Viento (The wind passage), the beginning of the traverse, which will take about 2-3 hours until La Cueva 6680 m (The Cave) here another well deserve and important break before the steepest part of the climb: La Canaleta (the gorge). This 260 m section and 1.5 hours climb is the key to the summit and it is very important to gather all the will and determination to ascend it. The terrain, depending on the conditions, is a mixture of rocks and snow and the trail switchbacks as it gains altitude until a ridge like formation from where the famous “Guanacos” traverse begins. The summit is visible from this point and the traverse takes about 1,5 h more our, hike by the ridge where the world famous South Face ends, at of Guanacos the summit of the Americas is just few steps above. The Summit of Aconcagua! The rock sentinel, translation form the original Aymara name is a moment for life! A prefect views to the South face, to the neighboring peaks and in the distance the summits of Vallecitos. The descent will take between 3-4 hours and is a quite hard endeavor after the ascent. Back at the Colera/Berlin camp, the guide will prepare some food before going to sleep. Night in tents.
Ascent: 993 m / Descent: 993 m / Highest Altitude: 6962 m / Activity duration: 10-12 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Spare summit day
This is a reserve day in case bad weather or bad conditions
Note: Everything is included in the mountain from Canada camp and above. Plaza de mulas, Confluencia, Penitentes and/or Mendoza/Santiago accommodation and meals are not included
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner in the mountain

Spare summit day
This is a reserve day in case bad weather or bad conditions
Note: Everything is included in the mountain from Canada camp and above. Plaza de mulas, Confluencia, Penitentes and/or Mendoza/Santiago accommodation and meals are not included
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner in the mountain

Descent back to base camp
Once the sun hit the tents, the team will start to prepare for the descent. The guide will cook some breakfast and after help to pack down the campsite. It will take about 4-5 hours to reach base camp, depending of the tiredness of the day before. Anyway, there is no hurry and the goal it to get down. Night in tents.
Descent: 1605 m / Activity duration: 4-5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Back to Mendoza
Trek from Base camp to Horcones (entrance to the National Park) and transfer (3 h) to Mendoza. Upon arrival in Mendoza, trabnsfer to hotel and in the evening celebration dinner with all the team. Night in hotel.
Descent: 1543 m / Activity duration: 8 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic

Departure
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Included meals: Breakfast