Aconcagua Argentina 6962m

Climb Aconcagua in Argentina, the most accessible of the seven summits. Starting from Mendoza climbing mt. Aconcagua is still a tough challenge not to be taken lightly. With the help of our Aconcagua guides you optimise your chances of success.

At 6962m Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Andes mountain range, and the highest mountain outside the Himalaya. Although not technically difficult, the high altitude and ice conditions can make this a very challenging climb. In this programme you will have 16 days from arriving at Plaza de Mules, the base camp to make the summit. This time is essential to allow you to acclimatise to the high altitude, it also provides you with an opportunity to see some impressive views of Aconcagua before attempting to reach the summit yourself.

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly UK to Buenos Aires

Day 2: Arrive Buenos Aires and fly to Mendoza

You will be transferred from the airport to your accommodation overnight. The rest of the day can be spent checking your kit, talking to your expedition leader, and relaxing with your team-mates before the start of the real fun tomorrow!

Day 3: Mendoza (760m) – Penitentes (2600m) – Confluencia (3300m)

We will drive to Penitentes where we will start our walk up to Confluencia, by following the Horcones Valley. An easy walk up the valley to reach our first camp.

3 hours driving and 3 hours walking (LD)

Day 4: Confluencia – Plaza Francia (4200m) – Confluencia

This is a great day for acclimatising, and we will get to see the impressive south face of Aconcagua, a 3000m wall of
ice and rock, which is equivalent to two north walls of the Eiger stacked on top of each other.

6 to 7 hours (BLD)

Day 5: Confluencia – Plaza de Mules (4230m), PDM

Today we will have a long day walking up to Plaza de Mules, the base camp for Aconcagua. First we will cross the
Playa Ancha (Wide Beach) and along the route we should get a view of the south face again and see the guachos
passing with their mules.

7 to 9 hours (BLD)

Day 6 to 21: PDM (Base camp) – Summit – Base

These days will be spent moving between the camps to acclimatise the group to the high altitude and initially
returning to stay in base camp. There are also a few days lee-way in case of bad weather. There are 2 to 3 camps
along the way.

Base camp PDM - Camp Plaza Canada (4910m) 3 hours
Base camp PDM - Camp Cambio de Pendiente (5200m) 4 - 5 hours
Base camp PDM - Camp Nidos de Condores (5400m) 5 - 6 hours
Nidos de Condores - Camp Berlin (5800m) 3 hours
Camp Berlin - Summit (6962m) – Camp Berlin 10 - 15 hours.

All days include (BLD) and base camp services when applicable.

Day 22: Base camp – Penitentes

We will walk the same way back out and later that evening. We will be able to have a well earned hot shower and a
cold beer!

7 to 10 hours (BLD) Hotel

Day 23: Penitentes – Mendoza

Drive back to Mendoza, with a lunch stop along the way.

3 hours of driving (BL)

Day 24:

Spend the day in Mendoza, relaxing and reflecting on the journey you have just undertaken in South America.
Mendoza can be explored with the tasty food and drink sampled to your heart's content!

Day 25: Fly to UK

Transfer to Buenos Aires for your return flight to the UK

Day 26: Arrive in UK