Tour Overview
Aconcagua Mountain is a part of the Andes mountain range, located in the province of Mendoza, Argentina. The summit is located just 15 kilometres away from the international border with Chile. Thus it is one of the Seven Summits (the highest mountains in each of the seven continents). Following then; with a good climate, you’ll be able to enjoy an incredible 360° view from the summit that you’ll never forget. After all the work you put into the summit; you’ll view infinite mountain ranges, white fields and glaciers, including the stunning peaks of Cerro Mercedario and Cerro Tolosa. Then it is important to note; mules will carry the expedition equipment & they are not loaded with more than 30-40kg. From Base Camp 1 to Base Camp 3 (Day 9 onwards), you will be required to carry your own equipment and around 7kg of group equipment also. For additional porters to carry your personal equipment, you can hire these from us. A porter will carry a maximum 15kg limit of your gear. As a result; there is an option to extend the route for a couple of days to add more time for acclimatisation along the trail. A lot depends on your own personal fitness and your ability at altitude. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Mendoza - Preparing for entry to Aconcagua.
Location: Mendoza, Aconcagua
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel, Mendoza
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. Here equipment preparation begins that will be transported by the muleteers to Plaza de Mulas.
You’ll also complete steps for the permission to enter into the Provincial Park of Aconcagua. You’ll be given help with this administration.
Day 2 : Mendoza – Penitentes (2,750m)
Location: Mendoza, Penitentes, Confluencia
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast in accommodation. At 11:30 a.m. you’ll leave in the direction of Penitentes. At around 1:00pm stopping to have lunch in Uspallacta. The equipment that will be transported by the muleteers is sent in advance to the Plaza of Mulas and the equipment that also will be transported by the muleteers to Confluencia.
Day 3 : Penitentes – Laguna Horcones – Confluencia (3,300m)
Location: Laguna Horcones, Penitentes, Confluencia
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast in camp. Afterwards, heading across the picturesque route of surrounding mountain ranges, you’ll head to the Gully of Pitchforks. Here you’ll check-in to the Park where the expedition & ascent will begin. Trek of 3 – 4 hours, you’ll arrive at the place known as Confluence. Lunch in the Camp. Free afternoon.
Day 4 : Confluencia – Acclimatisation trek to Plaza Francia (4,200m)
Location: Plaza Francia
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast. You’ll trek from 4 to 6 hours, up to the viewpoint of Plaza Francia and the south wall of Aconcagua, with elevation of 4,200m. The descent will take around 2 to 3 hours.
Day 5 : Confluencia – Plaza de Mulas (4,250m)
Location: Plaza de Mulas
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It’s an early start with breakfast. you’ll begin the trek very early at around 7:00 am., today takes a time estimated from 8 to 10 hrs. Installation of Camp.
Day 6 : Plaza de Mulas (Rest & Preparation)
Location: Plaza de Mulas
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast. Today is a day to rest, look around the basecamp and begin preparation for the ascent.
Day 7 : Plaza de Mulas – Cerro Bonete (5,000m).
Location: Cerro Bonete
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast early. Ascent to the Hill Bonnet. Moderate trekking from 4 to 5 hours. From here you’re rewarded with an impressive sight of the West face of Aconcagua. Taking in lunch you then return back at the field base for the evening. Installation of camp.
Day 8 : Plaza Argentina - Camp I “Canadá” (4,800m).
Location: Plaza Argentina
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast. Starting the ascent to Camp 1 taking the first part of the Polish Route. After a 5 to 6 hour walk on easy terrain you’ll arrive at Camp 1 (4,800m). Installation of Camp.
Day 9 : Campo I “Canadá” – Campo II “Nido de Cóndores” (5,350m)
Location: Nido de condores
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast. Continuing the ascent to the second camp, Nest of Condors. Impressive sight of the Mountain chain. You are high enough (over three miles above the Pacific) to grandstand above the smaller part of the Andes. Trek from 2 to 4 hours. Installation of camp.
Day 10 : Camp II “Nido de Cóndores” - Camp III “Cólera” (5,970m)
Location: Camp Colera
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast. Ascent to the third high field “Rage” or “Berlin”. Time estimated from 2 to 4 hours. Installation of the High Field camp. This is a very important day, to rest early in the evening and with light dinner.
Day 11 : Camp III “Cólera” – Summit (6,962m) - Camp III “Cólera”
Location: Camp Colera
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This day begins at 4:00 am., with breakfast. You’ll climb the North Edge up to the refuge Independence, located at around 6,450 m. It is in this place where the sunbeams reach us for the first time during this day.
You’ll encounter the ” Portezuelo of the Wind “, where you must face strong winds even in days of relative calmness. From there voyaging on the top part of the West face and climb ” The Canaleta “, a channel of 300 mts. that leads us to the summit edge.
After The Canaleta, the ” Edge of the Gump ” represents an easy voyage up to the summit. The latter part normally takes us an hour. From the edge of the Gump we can observe directly under our feet the 3,000 mts. of vertical ice and rock of the South Wall of Aconcagua, considered to be one of the biggest walls of the world.
At the summit is the ultimate prize: a sight of 360 º and the experience of personal feelings and indescribable emotions, which only are understood by experiencing it for yourself. The satisfaction of reaching your aim, coupled with the termination of the expedition, mean it is time to begin the ascent and make your way back to Mendoza. It is necessary to save some of your energy for the descent to field 3.
Day 12 : Camp III “Cólera” – Plaza de Mulas
Location: Plaza de Mulas
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return from the Camp 3 up to the Camp Base, to enjoy dinner realized in the comfort of the Camp Base.
Day 13 : Plaza de Mulas – Penitentes – Mendoza
Location: Mendoza, Penitentes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After taking down the camp and preparing the bundles that will be transported by the mules there is one final day of 7-8 hrs of trek that takes us via the Lagoon of Pitchforks and the meeting with the route, where our transport waits, that will lead us back to the city of Mendoza.
It’s never goodbye, only until the next time!
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary section.
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Fully Guided
Professional bilingual high-mountain guide.
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Meals
Breakfast x 12, Lunch x 13, Dinner x 12
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Transport
Private Transport – collection & drop-off
What's Not Included
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Additional Services
Not Included.
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Insurance
Not Included.
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International Travel
Not Included.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Private Transport – collection & drop-off
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Medium to High.
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What is the maximum group size?
15 People at max.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For 3 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Always
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
This depends on the type of tour you've booked. If there is paperwork to be sent (i.e. domestic flights etc.) we will forward these to you ahead of time.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It can be possible in instances, a lot depends on the type of tour being run and it's accessibility
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
We don't fund charities directly but we work with local communities where we can to support them and provide resources whenever possible. We utilise local resources with all of our trips so in that respect you are contributing to the local economy and the welfare of it's people.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Unu Raymi Expeditions; we’ll always keep our commitment to deliver the best customised experience created from your own personal & group requirements. We’ll provide as many available options for planning your ideal trip; operating & incorporating many off-the-beaten path experiences for your trip or expedition. Before your trip begins we’ll work with you to ensure you are fully prepared and ha
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you wold like to share facilities with someone this can be organised
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. All hygiene standards that are being developed will be adhered to in compliance with state legislation and protocols.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We have the flexibility to alter trips as necessary if there are travel restrictions in place. For all other changes please refer to our terms and conditions.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
This will depend if you have booked a private or group tour
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Free Date Changes
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform unu raymi tour operator & lodges, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 44 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of unu raymi tour operator & lodges charges.
Up to 50 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Aconcagua Summit – 13 or 16 Days
13 Days Starting and ending in Mendoza, Capital Department, Mendoza Province, Argentina
Visiting: Mendoza, Aconcagua, Penitentes, Confluencia, Laguna Horcones, Plaza Francia, Plaza de Mulas, Cerro Bonete, Plaza Argentina, Nido de condores, Camp Colera ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 15
Age range:
18-65
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Gluten and Dairy Free.