Aconcagua can be climbed without any technical experience, but should not be underestimated. General mountaineering experience is certainly needed to avoid injury or death, even on the "Normal route".

7summits.com offer fully serviced and guided trip up the 2 most used routes as well as an additional couple of days to acclimatize even better (EAP, or Extra Acclimatization Program, available for both routes).

On our Polish Traverse route you will ascend slowly on a less crowded and more scenic route. This route follows the approach of the technical Polish Glacier route but traverses to the normal route!

This means you will be able to enjoy the more wild and remote Vacas valley (less than 15% of the climbers use this route, 85% use the normal route!), without needing ropes and ice axes etc.

This route is recommended for it's beauty and versatility. It is a bit harder as the terrain is rougher and no porters for common gear (tents, food) are included, but recommended over the Normal route. As the program is also a few days longer, chances for summit success will be higher if you are strong and well trained (fit).

NEW: due to popular demand we now descend the Normal Route. This way you see the entire mountain and will have a shorter descent/trip!

Itinerary 7summits.com Polish traverse route:

DAY 1: MENDOZA (760)
We will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to the hotel. On this day, our guide will check your mountain
equipment and accompany you to hire the necessary things. You will enjoy the comforts of the best hotels in
Mendoza city. (Food is not included)
DAY 2: MENDOZA / PUENTE DEL INCA (2.725)
Before going to Puente del Inca, the whole group will apply for the climbing permit with the guides’ assistance. You
will have lunch and spend the night in Puente del Inca hostel. In the afternoon, the mules will be loaded and
prepared for the following day. (B, L, D)
DAY 3: PUENTE DEL INCA / PAMPA DE LEÑAS (3.000)
The group will be taken to the entrance of the Park in a private van and you will start with the trek to Pampa de
Leñas Camp. The equipment will be carried by mules. At arrival, you will set up tents and you will be able to rest.
(B, PL, D)
DAY 4: PAMPA DE LEÑAS / CASA DE PIEDRA (3.600)
After breakfast and pitching the tents, you will walk to Casa de Piedra. This trek lasts 6 hours. Like in the previous
day, the tents will be set up and you will be able to rest waiting for dinner to be ready. (B, PL, D)
DAY 5: CASA DE PIEDRA / PLAZA ARGENTINA BASE CAMP (4.000)
The trek to Plaza Argentina Base Camp lasts 6 hours. You will stay in our own campsite, with the necessary
comforts so as your staying in our camp, is as nice as possible. (B, PL, D)
DAY 6: PLAZA ARGENTINA BASE CAMP
You will be able to rest during the whole day or just go sightseeing around the area, and contemplate the beauty of
the mountain. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: PLAZA ARGENTINA / CAMP 1 (4.950) / PLAZA ARGENTINA
You will take part of the altitude equipment to Camp 1 where you will enjoy your packed-lunch and then return to
Plaza Argentina. This walk will help you to get a better acclimatization. Each member of the group will carry
–without exception- a food load and fuel for the expedition that will be between 7 kg as the minimum and 10 kg as
the maximum. (B, PL, D)
DAY 8: PLAZA ARGENTINA BASE CAMP
Resting and acclimatization day in Plaza Argentina. On this day, you will make sure that your equipment is ready
that and you will rest so as to be strong enough for the next days that demand more effort. (B, L, D)
DAY 9: PLAZA ARGENTINA / CAMP 1
After a 4 - hour trek, you will reach Camp 1. On the way, the group will have lunch and once you arrive, you will set
up the tents with the guides’ help. You will start to feel the altitude effects on your body. (B, PL, D)

DAY 10: CAMP 1 / CAMP 2: UPPER GUANACOS (5.500)
The group will climb up to the 5.500 m to install there Camp 2. The tents will be pitched, and the team will be able
to rest and recover for the following day. (B, PL, D)
DAY 11: CAMP 2
Rest day in Camp 2 to recover your strength and continue the trip. (B, L, D)
DAY 12: CAMP 2 / CAMP 3 (6.000)
Everybody will get up very early in the morning, you will have breakfast, and you will start ascending towards the
Normal Route. Here, Camp 3 will be installed, strategically located for its altitude and protected from strong winds.
The guide will check each member of the group and will give the last advices. Besides, he plans the final strategy
to the last climbing day in order to assure the greatest success possible in the summit. Dinner and rest. (B, PL, D)
DAY 13: CAMP 3 / SUMMIT (6.962) / CAMP 3
Climbing day from Camp 3 to the summit and return to Camp 3. This is the great day! You will get up very early in
the morning, have breakfast and start climbing. You will get to the summit, where you will live an incredible
experience, and then return to Camp 3. That night, you will rest with the satisfaction of having reached your aim.
(B, L, D)
DAY 14: CAMP 3 / PLAZA DE MULAS (4.260)
After a long trek, you will get to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. The group will have the day free to share those
emotions experienced throughout the expedition. (B, L, D)
DAY 15: PLAZA DE MULAS / PUENTE DEL INCA / MENDOZA
Descent to Puente del Inca and last effort in the expedition. Your belongings will be carried by mules so you will
only take a light backpack with a jacket and your packed lunch. You will return to Mendoza city. You will surely
reflect upon this experience and enjoy the last day in this beautiful city called “La Tierra del Sol y del Buen Vino”
(The Land of the Sun and Good Wine). (B, PL)
DAY 16: MENDOZA
Breakfast. End of the services. (B)
Day 17: Extra day for contingencies that may prevent the normal development of the program.
Day 18: Extra day for contingencies that may prevent the normal development of the program.

NOTE
THE ABOVE ITINERARY IS INTENDED AS A GUIDELINE ONLY. ALTHOUGH EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO
ADHERE TO IT, CHANGES MAY BE CAUSED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, TRANSPORT FAILURE OR
OTHER UNFORESEEN EVENTS. PLEASE BE FLEXIBLE IF NECESSARY.

Extra Acclimatisation Program (EAP):

Note that the standard programs might be too fast for some people. If you acclimatise slowly, then you can book the Extra Acclimatisation Program, in which you start 3 days before the main group (basically a private trip). This gives you extra time to acclimatise in Basecamp (3 extra nights including a training ascent), where the rest meets you.

Costs depend on EAP group size. Even if you book alone, if others book the same EAP, you will get the discount!

1 climber only: $580 per person (Normal route or Traverse).

2 Climbers per EAP group: $365 pp

3 or more Climbers per EAP group: $295pp

Note that if there are less than 4 passengers in the EAP group, the transportation from Mendoza to Puente del Inca will be in the regular bus.

Click here for the other programs and dates & prices:

Read all about Aconcagua, the history, the practical info and detailed description of the 2 most used routes in the recently published new 7summits.com guidebook: Aconcagua, summit of South America

1. Technical difficulty: This route does not present any technical difficulty. Even though in this expedition you take some part of the Polish Glacier, you do not require a previous climbing experience on rocks or ice.

1. Physical difficulty: Like in the Normal or Northeast route, the process of acclimatization is really important in order to succeed in reaching the summit. As this is a very important factor on any of our expeditions, the only previous requirement would be to follow a program of training adapted to the activity that you are going to do. The rest of the program is planned in order to make you enjoy and get to know one of the most beautiful traverse in the Aconcagua Mountain.

1. Other types of difficulties: The biggest problem that you have to face on your expedition is the effects of the altitude on your body. These can be overcome with a previous and correct acclimatization, which is covered in any of our programs. Another difficulty is the low temperatures on the mountain, the effects of which are reduced with a high-quality clothing and equipment.

Included services:

TRANSFER AIRPORT / HOTEL
We’ll be waiting for you at the airport to drive you to the hotel, allowing you to enjoy your trip fully.

HOTEL IN MENDOZA
You will stay in a comfortable hotel for two nights, both when arriving in Mendoza and when returning from the mountain. The rooms included in our program are double (each passenger will have to share his / her room with one of his / her expedition partners) and breakfast and taxes are included in the price. If you prefer a single room (only for you), please do not forget to let us know in your Booking Form. This service has an extra cost.

ASSISTANCE TO BUY THE CLIMBING PERMITS
Mount Aconcagua is located in a provincial Park, managed by the Government of Mendoza. To get into the Park, you should get a permit, the price of which will depend on the activity that you are going to participate in (climbing, long trek, short trek). This working paper must be done personally, as a government rule. That is why each passenger should go to the Park’s office with his or her own passport. The guide will assist you with the payment of the permit, and with the working paper.

TRANSFER MENDOZA / PUENTE DEL INCA / MENDOZA
We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Puente Del Inca in our own vehicles. We will drive over 180 kilometers, which separate Mendoza City from Puente Del Inca. The scenery throughout this journey is boasted as one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Central Andes.

MEALS
Throughout the expedition you will enjoy all meals (B: breakfast / L: lunch / PL: packed-lunch if you are on the move / D: dinner), carefully planned by professionals to have a balanced diet during those days in the mountain. During the expedition our cooks prepare every meal, with fixed menu from day three, except at the high altitude camps where our guides will be in charge of the cooking.
Those meals mentioned in the itinerary are included. If you are vegetarian or celiac, or if you need a special diet, please let us know in your Booking Form. It will be a pleasure for us to prepare a special menu for you. This service has an extra cost.

LODGING IN PUENTE DEL INCA
Puente Del Inca hotel was built here and it is the only lodging in this strategic zone, five kilometers far from the Aconcagua Park trailhead. You will spend one night in this place, at the beginning of your expedition, in rooms for three to six people (according to the number of members in the group) and with a private toilet. Complete breakfasts and dinners in the restaurant of the hostel are also included.

ASSISTANCE FOR THE ARRANGEMENTS OF LOADS TO BE TRANSPORTED BY MULES
Our mountain guides will advise you on what to include in your luggage and the way in which it should be arranged on the mules.

LOAD MULES
We own more than 100 mules which carry people or belongings. The difference between the mules that carry people and the mules that carry gear is that the ones for people are tamer. These animals pasture during autumn, winter and spring, this means, from the middle of March to the middle of November. Before starting with the summer season, these animals are tested and given medicine by veterinarians. They are treated with caution.
At the beginning of the Aconcagua season, they are transported by lorries to Puente del Inca without shoeing, in order to avoid any injury. During the season, they are treated with a lot of care and attention. It is important to take into account that after two trips to Plaza de Mulas and one to Plaza Argentina, the mules rest 4 or 5
days, so as to recover from this activity.

The negative aspect of these animals is their untamed character. That is why we have selected a professional team of muleteers, called “Arrieros”, who have dedicated their lives to the country animals”. Experience has taught them how to deal with these animals. From Puente Del Inca to the intermediate camps, Pampa de Leñas and Casa de Piedra, from here to Plaza Argentina and in the return from Plaza de Mulas to Puente del Inca, your belongings will be carried by mules. Each mule can carry up to a limit of 180 kg, but our mules only carry 60 kg to move comfortably on the mountain. Every client may transport on the mules a maximum of 30 kg on each stage of the approach. We strongly recommend you to bring a strong duffel bag.

TRANSFER TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE ACONCAGUA PARK
You will be driven in our own vehicles for 16 kilometers, from our hostel in Puente del Inca to Quebrada de Vacas, in order to start with the trek.

CAMP IN PAMPA DE LEÑAS AND CASA DE PIEDRA
While you are gaining height, your body needs some time to start with the acclimatization process. Therefore, it is extremely important to stop for a night in Pampa de Leñas and the following day continue with the trek to Casa de Piedra.

In every stop you will meet the Arrieros, who will give you your gear to spend the night. The guides will help you to set up the tents, and will prepare the dinner and breakfast.

PLAZA ARGENTINA BASE CAMP
Once you have arrived at Plaza Argentina, you will spend some nights in our own campsite, fullyprepared to make the trip around the magnificent South American Mountain, as comfortable as possible. With tents for eating, another for the kitchen, a third tent for equipment storage, and toilets. Here you will spend 4 nights. Excellent workers, who will prepare delicious meals and provide an excellent service, will attend you.

PLAZA DE MULAS BASE CAMP
When you return from Camp 3 Piedras Blancas, you will spend a night at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, fully prepared as well as Plaza Argentina. You will also find here tents for eating, another for the kitchen, a third tent for equipment storage, and toilets, and you will be attended by excellent workers.

PORTERS FOR THE HEIGHT CAMPS
On the Aconcagua Mountain, “the porters” have gradually become more important. Their maincharacteristic is that they are very strong people, they have been on the summit several times and this gives them a better athletic condition than athletes themselves. We believe that their job (which is carrying the ordinary equipment of expedition: altitude food, tents, stoves, fuel, and the garbage produced by the group),helps our participants to move in a comfortable way and with more energy to achieve their goal, which is getting to the summit. Therefore, these people are going with you, to help you.

A porter is capable of carrying up to 20 kilos in each trip; this is equivalent to the gear of three passengers.
The porters will help you to carry these things from Plaza Argentina Base Camp to Camp 1, from here to Camp 2 and then to Camp 3 “Piedras Blancas”, and finally in your return, from camp 3 to Plaza de Mulas.
Each client has to carry his own personal equipment (backpacks), but if you wish to hire a porter, let us know. This service has an extra cost.

OUR GUIDES
Our mountain guides are qualified professionals of the AAGM (Argentinean Association of Mountain Guides) and the EPGAMT (School of High Mountain and Trekking Guides). The last qualification is the result of 3 years of study. We believe that to succeed in our expeditions, professionals with experience and the ability to offer security should guide our teams.
The expeditions are led by a mountain guide to every 3 clients. Their equipment includes: VHF radio, a firstaid kit, complete with the appropriate drugs for altitude sickness, ropes, an altimeter, and professional clothing and equipment. All these will provide security and comfort.

EXTRA DAYS
Our expeditions include two extra days in case of contingencies that may prevent the normal development of the itinerary. Sometimes conditions are out of our control, and our guides reserve the right to modify the schedule in response to the circumstances and safety of the group. If this situation arises, the client will not receive any sort of severance payment.

COMMUNICATION
You will see that we keep track of where we are at specific sites along the way. We take advantage of the VHF and BLU radio lines that help us maintain contact between the highaltitude campsites, Plaza Argentina, Plaza de Mulas, Puente del Inca and Mendoza. Therefore, we can respond almost instantaneously, to whatever issue that may arise.

TENTS
Normally, during the summer high season, Aconcagua is a mountain with good weather conditions. Yet, if you happen to have a few stormy days, you will be responsive to nature’s whims at high altitudes. Therefore, we will be sure to provide you with the highest quality tents at these high altitude campsites. We use only two brands: The North Face and Mountain Hardwear, which have proved to work well for our clients over the years.
Usually, two climbers will sleep in each tent, but if our guide considers it necessary, a maximum of
three climbers may sleep in one tent.

Remember that you will have to set up your own tent with your partner. The guide will help you when necessary.

GIFTS
Once your expedition is over you will receive a summit certificate and an Aconcagua t-shirt from our company as a gift.

Not Included Services

ENTRY PERMIT TO ACONCAGUA PARK
It is essential to acquire a climbing permit to enter the Aconcagua Provincial Park. The price varies according to the season in which you enter the Park (low, mid or high). Please contact our staff to learn the current value according to the starting date of your expedition.

This procedure is personal and the payment must be done in Argentinean Pesos directly to the authorities of the Aconcagua Provincial Park, in Mendoza. Our guides will accompany you and will advise you on the process of purchasing the permit, on the morning of day 2 of the itinerary.
The amount of the permit is non-refundable and the price may suffer increases without prior notice by the authorities of the Aconcagua Provincial Park. The payment of the fee contributes to the maintenance of the Aconcagua Provincial Park (collaborating with its protection and preservation) as well as with the maintenance of the Medical Services and Rangers.

The permit entry to Aconcagua Provincial Park is not included in this program.

DRINKS AND OTHER PERSONAL COSTS NOT MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY
Extra expenses like food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary should be paid by you, as they are not included.

EXPENSES FOR GIVING UP THE EXPEDITION
In order to have better but cheaper services, the expedition is quoted taking into account the whole group. In any case that you give up the scheduled itinerary because of personal problems, mountain sickness, etc., you start taking private and individual services. The extra expenses that you will pay for, if necessary, are: mules from Plaza Argentina to Puente del Inca (around U$D 360.-), the private transfer from Puente del Inca to Mendoza city, etc. Once you give up the itinerary, the transfer in a regular bus is included.
The night in Mendoza hotel when you return can be taken as soon as you get the city. There is a possibility that you be evacuated by helicopter, and in that case your belongings will not travel with you. If you do not wait for your belongings in Puente del Inca, in this case you have to pay not only for the mule to carry your equipment down, but also a transportation to take your belongings to Mendoza. Each person is responsible for his belongings and personal equipment.

SLEEPING BAG AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
Neither the technical nor the mountain equipment is included services, so you would have to buy them or rent them. Take into account our guides if you need assistance.
If you rent equipment, you will be responsible for it. Apart from that, you must give the equipment back to the mountain shop in time.

PERSONAL INSURANCE
Having a personal insurance is not a fundamental requirement to climb Mt. Aconcagua. However, we suggest you to contact an insurance company if you wish to take insurance out, taking into account the risks involved in climbing a
mountain.

PORTERS FOR PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
The porters to carry the personal equipment are not included. They may help you to transport your belongings from one camp to another, thus offering you a better result on the mountain. So do not hesitate in letting us know, if you decide to hire one. The price will depend on the stretch your equipment will be carried.

TRANSFER HOTEL / AIRPORT
The transfer from the hotel to the airport at the end of the expedition is notincluded.

PROBLEMS WITH YOUR LUGGAGE (LOSS OR DELAY DURING THE FLIGHT)
If your luggage is lost during your flight, or it arrives later than you do in other flight, you will have to work the problem out with the corresponding air line.
7summits and our local partners are not responsible for such an event. In the same way, if your luggage does not arrive to Mendoza in time for the departure date of the expedition group to Puente del Inca, the expedition will be
carried out as initially planned, and you will be responsible for those extra expenses caused by this shortcoming.

Equipment and Clothing

Extra Acclimatisation Program (EAP):

Note that the standard programs might be too fast for some people. If you acclimatise slowly, then you can book the Extra Acclimatisation Program, in which you start 2 days before the main group (basically a private trip). This gives you extra time to acclimatise in Basecamp (2 extra nights including a training ascent), where the rest meets you.

Costs depend on EAP group size. Even if you book alone, if others book the same EAP, you will get the discount!

1 climber only: $580 per person (Normal route or Traverse).

2 Climbers per EAP group: $365 pp

3 or more Climbers per EAP group: $295pp

Note that if there are less than 4 passengers in the EAP group, the transportation from Mendoza to Puente del Inca will be in the regular bus.

Prices

Itinerary (Heights in meters)

Day 1: Mendoza (760)
We will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to the hotel. On this day our guide will check your mountain equipment and accompany you to hire the necessary things. You will lodge and enjoy the comforts of one of the best hotels in Mendoza city. (Food is not included)

Day 2: Mendoza / Puente del Inca (2.725)
Before going to Puente del Inca, the group will apply for the climbing permit with the guides’ assistance. You will have lunch and spend the night in Puente del Inca hostel. In the afternoon, you will make a short trek in the area, to start the acclimatization process. (B, L, D)

Days 03 & 04: Puente del Inca / Trekking / Puente del Inca

During these days you will climb some mountains (about 4.000 m. heights) with one of our guides. This way, you will increase you acclimatization process. (B, PL, D).

Day 05: Puente del Inca
In the morning you will rest, and at midday you will join the expedition group which is arriving from Mendoza. The whole group together will be able to enjoy lunch. (B, L, D)

Included Services

Apart from all the services mentioned in our Scheduled Expeditions, the EAP option includes:

Transfer from Mendoza to Puente del Inca
If the EAP group is made up of less than 3 people, the transfer from Mendoza to Puente del Inca will be in the regular bus. But if the EAP group is made up of more than 4 people, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Puente Del Inca in our own vehicles.

Lodging in Puente del Inca
You will spend three nights in this place, in rooms for three to six people (according to the number of members in the EAP group) and with private toilet. Complete breakfasts, lunches (or packed lunches) and dinners in the restaurant of the hostel are also included.

Our guides
Our mountain guides are qualified professionals of the AAGM (Argentinean Association of Mountain Guides) and the EPGAMT (School of High Mountain and Trekking Guides). The last qualification is the result of 3 years of study. One guide will accompany the EAP group during these days. The guide´s equipment includes: VHF radio, a first aid kit, complete with the appropriate drugs for altitude sickness, ropes, an altimeter, and professional clothing and equipment. All this will provide security and comfort.

Not Included Services

Drinks and other personal costs not mentioned in the itinerary
Extra expenses like food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary should be paid by you, as they are not included.

Note

Anyone who wishes to participate in the climb with their own groups or cannot join in the scheduled expeditions can take a private expedition.
The itinerary to develop is the same as in the scheduled expedition, but with changes in the included services and in the date of departure, which can be chosen by the passenger. Prices depend on exact itinerary, trip length and number of people in you group; see the example prices on the trips page or email us.

Reservations

To make a reservation, 7summits.com Expeditions’ booking procedure consists in two parts: in the first one you have to fill in the bookingform you will find in our website, which has to be sent back by fax or as an email attachment (PDF, or scan/jpg, signature is important). You will then receive the 2nd part by email, which is a Word document with detailed questions about your health, experience, flight details etc. You can email teh document back (no need for fax, so we can make changes to your flight details etc on file if needed).

Only once we receive the advance or full payment your space is confirmed.

Porters:

If you wish to have your personal gear portered, you can reserve a porter, please let us know when booking.

 

Read all about Aconcagua, the history, the practical info and detailed description of the 2 most used routes in the recently published new 7summits.com guidebook: Aconcagua, summit of South America

Bookings: sign up using the bookingform or  email us for special requests!