Aconcagua Expedition to summit

Proposal

ACONCAGUA is one of the most visited mountains in the world, is the roof of America and of the Western hemisphere. Its 6962 meters above the sea level, it attracts people from all over the world. The climate and conditions of the high mountain make this expedition a unique adventure.

Our style for Aconcagua:

We assist the group throughout the year, in physical and mental preparation and with the possibility to join other treks as practice.
We carry out previous meetings between the group with audiovisuals and specific talks.
We advise you during all the previous months in your equipment.
We advise you in your preparation and training, it does not matter if you do not live in Buenos Aires.
We offer an itinerary that includes progressive and staggered acclimatization.

Dates Season 2025-2026

4rd to 21th of December 2025 - Normal Route
5nd to 22tht of January 2026 - Normal Route
3rd to 20th of February 2026 - Normal Route

Distances - Trekkings and ascent to the summit:

5 Km from Puente del Inca to Horcones (entrance to the Aconcagua Provincial Park). Incluided in the programs: Short Trekking, Long trekking and Expedition.
28 Km from Horcones to base camp Plaza de Mulas (56 km round trip). Incluided in the programs: Long Trekking and Expedition.
16 Km round trip from Confluencia to Plaza Francia viewpoint. Incluided in the programs: Short trekking, Long Trekking and Expedition.
8 Km from Confluencia to Horcones. Included in the program: Short Trekking
8 km round trip from Plaza de Mulas base camp to Plaza Canadá camp 1. Incluided in the programs: Long trekking and Expedition.
13 km from Plaza de Mulas base camp to the summit (26 km round trip). Incluided in the program: Expedition.

Total:

Short Trekking (4 days): 37 Km round trip
Vertical drop: 1100 mts.
Maximum height: 4050 m.a.s.l

Long Trekking (7 days): 85 Km round trip
Vertical drop: 2100 mts.
Maximum height: 5050 m.a.s.l

Expedition to the summit (18 days): 111 Km round trip
Vertical drop:4050 mts.
Maximum height: 6962 m.a.s.l

Itinerary - Exclusive programming in Aconcagua

Day 1: Mendoza: Meeting in the city of Mendoza in the morning. Check in at the hotel. Presentation of guides, equipment check, advice for rental, printing of permits, others. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Mendoza-Puente del Inca (2800 masl): Transfer to the Aconcagua Provincial Park office for the application of ascent permits. Last minute purchases. Transfer to Puente del Inca (2800 masl). Check in at a mountain hostel. Rest, short walks, hydration. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Confluencia (3300 masl): Breakfast. We will start with our great adventure in Aconcagua. Transfer to Horcones (2900 masl). Presentation of permits and entrance to the Aconcagua Provincial Park. First section of the trek. We pass through the Horcones lagoon where we get the first great view of the Colossus of America, with its impressive and majestic south wall. We cross the bridge over the Horcones River and continue to the Confluencia camp (3300 masl). Rest. Use of domes for meals and meetings. We will use mountain tents, from now on, to sleep. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Confluencia (3300 masl): Breakfast. We will dedicate this day to walk through the area with options between the Plaza Francia viewpoint (base south wall) or the slopes of Cerro Tolosa. Return in the afternoon, rest and hydration. We will prepare for the next, very long day, trying to go to rest early. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Confluencia-Plaza de Mulas (4350 masl): Breakfast. We will start early with a walk that will finish at the base camp of the normal route, Plaza de Mulas. We will cross the Horcones River and then we will cross a long sector that seems to be very flat, called Playa Ancha. Finally, we have a continuous ascent up the Cuesta Brava. In the afternoon we reach Plaza de Mulas. Rest and lots of hydration. Medical check. We will accommodate ourselves in new domes with dining tents and other tents to rest. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Plaza de Mulas (4350 masl): Breakfast. Rest day, medical check-up and general controls. Hydration and good nutrition. Short walks through the area to get to know the camp, one of the largest in the world. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Plaza de Mulas-Canada-Plaza de Mulas (4350 masl): Breakfast. To acclimatize, we will ascend to the Plaza Canada camp carrying some equipment. We will return to Plaza de Mulas and continue with rest and hydration. Option to rest or short walks. New medical and personal equipment check. Dinner and overnight. Long Trek groups and Bonete ascent: Descent to Confluencia-Horcones and transfer to the city of Mendoza. End of Program.

Day 8: Plaza de Mulas (4350 masl): Breakfast. New day of rest. Hydration and good nutrition. Short walks in the area to get to know the camp. Dinner and overnight

Day 9: Plaza Canada (4950 masl): Breakfast. First day in which we will spend the night above the base camp. We will ascend the same path as the day of the portage. Depending on the availability of water or snow, we will decide whether to stop at Plaza Canada or Cambio de Pendiente, a little further up. High mountain tents. Hydration and nutrition. Rest. Dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Plaza Canada (4950 masl): Breakfast. Rest day in Plaza Canada with possible portage to Nido de Condores. Hydration and acclimatization.

Day 11: Plaza Canada-Nido de Condores (5550 masl): Breakfast. Ascent to the height camp of Nido de Cóndores, one of the classics of the mount. Until here, in case of emergency and with good weather, helicopters can arrive. Rest, hydration and nutrition. Dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Nido de Condores (5570 masl): Breakfast. This day we will rest in this camp, before finally attacking the summit. Correct hydration and medical controls. Lunch, dinner and overnight.

Day 13: Nido de Condores or Berlin (5950 masl): Breakfast. Rest again in Nido de Condores or ascent to the highest camp of the normal route of Aconcagua, camp Berlin (5950 masl). This will be decided by the guides depending on the group. We start getting ready for the big day with good hydration and nutrition. Going to sleep very early.

Day 14: Summit-Berlin or Nido de Cóndores (6962 masl - 5950/5550 masl): Very early, we get ready to start the day we have been waiting for a long time. We ascend to Independencia (6300 masl), then we cross to a cave and begin the final attack by the famous Canaleta to the northern and main peak of the highest mountain in America. Photos and celebration. Then we start the long descent to the Colera or Nido de Condores camp. Rest and overnight.

Day 15: Colera-Plaza de Mulas (4350 masl): Breakfast. Descent to Plaza de Mulas. Rest and recovery. Overnight

Day 16: Plaza de Mulas-Horcones (2900 msnm) and Mendoza city: Descent to Horcones with porterage of mules. Transfer to the hotel in the city of Mendoza. End of the expedition and our services.

Day 17: Extra day in case of bad weather or final day in Mendoza.

Day 18: Extra day in case of bad weather or final day in Mendoza.

Elevation Profile

Included Services

PROFESSIONAL MOUNTAIN GUIDES: Registered guides with great experience from the AEX staff. These same guides participate in other annual trips and treks included in the training plan and permanent assistance. This is how you can meet them during the year during your preparation.
TRAINING AND PREPARATION: Perhaps the most important point of our style and service. We include up to 4 weekly face-to-face training classes in AMBA (Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area) and material + remote monitoring, for those who live anywhere else in Argentina and the world.
ACCOMMODATION: Two (2) nights of accommodation in the city of Mendoza, in a 3 *** Hotel, double or triple base with breakfast. Does not include half board or drinks. One (1) night in a mountain hostel in the area of ??Puente del Incaa. Camps in the mountains: Every night of the expedition in double base tents and in domes with bunks and mattresses.
TRANSFERS: Included from the city of Mendoza to the start of the trek, round trip.
MEALS: All meals included on the mountain. Hot and cold meals (on the go); breakfasts and snacks. Energy and snacks. See menu options in the Menu section.
TRANSFER OF LOADS: We transport all your personal mountain equipment from Penitentes - Puente del Inca to Plaza de Mulas (Base Camp) round trip. Our responsibility and trustworthy service means getting your luggage on time and in perfect conditions.
DINING TENTS: The dining tents are fully equipped with tables, chairs, dishes and electricity, to provide maximum comfort and protection.
BEDROOM TENTS: High mountain tents for 2 and 3 people, in base camps and in high altitude camps.
BATHROOMS / SANITARIES: The use of bathrooms is included in the base camps.
WATER: We include drinking water (hot and cold) in the base and high camps. The water is obtained from meltwater streams + a purification and potabilization process.
EQUIPMENT DEPOSIT: In Puente del Inca and Plaza de Mulas you can leave your equipment in the care of the staff.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PORTERS: We include porterage for the general equipment to the high-altitude camps. These porters collaborate so that each one does not carry so much weight.
COMMUNICATION: We have permanent communication through VHF radio transmitters and satellite phones, in addition to the fact that there is usually mobile data in the base camp area and camp 1.
MEDICINE AND DOCTORS: In the Aconcagua Provincial Park there are controls and mandatory medical check-ups, so that each person is calm when it comes to continuing with the expedition. In addition, our guides are highly trained to resolve any emergency situation, in addition to the park´s helicopters, which can evacuate someone in the event of an eventual emergency situation.
PERMANENT ASSISTANCE: We offer you permanent assistance before and during the expedition. For the permits, for your equipment, for your training, for the previous departures and we make a diagnosis so that you know where you stand so that you can calmly undertake the general planning.
DISCOUNTS: Special discounts in stores, sales houses and rental of mountain equipment. Also on training expeditions, up to 30% off

Services NOT included

Transfers from the city of origin to the City of Mendoza.
Permit to enter the Aconcagua Provincial Park (prices to be defined by the Park).
Meals in the city of Mendoza.
Meals and accommodations extra than those specified in the program.
Personal porters.
Expenses caused by abandoning the program.
Expenses for evacuation and eventual transfer in different places of the Aconcagua Provincial Park.
Staff team. Consult for the same.
Tips.

Note

PAYMENT PLAN:

We can take your booking with an initial partial payment, through Paypal or with credit card. And the rest can be paid at the beggining of the expedition in cash. Ask us for more information.

EVACUATION SYSTEM AND ABANDONMENT OF EXPEDITION:

In the unlikely event of an accident or in the case one of the passengers can not continue with the expedition, the procedure we implement in our expeditions is the following:

During the first 4 days (until Confluencia camp), the passenger can be evacuated by our guides and helpers of the expedition. If necessary, we hire a mule.
In the section between Confluencia and Plaza de Mulas, the guides and assistants are able to descend the passenger. During the stay in Plaza de Mulas, the evacuation without cost is no longer responsibility of the company. We advise you and assist you during the procedure. The cost of helicopter, mule or guide-assistant, is at the expense of each passanger. Self-evacuation system is forbidden (descending by your own). However, in almost all our expeditions, on day 8, from Plaza de Mulas, we have a group of passengers from other groups that are descending . In this case, the person could descend with this group which is in charge of one of our guides.
In highest camps (last 8 days), evacuation on foot is included, with the assistance of a guide or assistant, to Plaza de Mulas base camp. Meals and tents in Plaza de Mulas are also included. Descent can be done with the rest of the group that tried the summit. Costs of animals or helicopters for evacuation are not included.

TRAINING PLAN

We have designed a schedule with different trips to the mountain that will prepare you to live up to this great goal. Every month we go out to the mountains focused on physical, psychological and technical training to be prepared for the opportunity to try great mountains such as Lanin-Tronador-Domuyo-Chañi and many others in Argentina.

You can check our calendar with all our trips with a special discount for Aconcagua expeditionists: CLICK HERE

Requirements to enter the Aconcagua Park season 2022 / 2023: We will have more information soon

March lunches (cold meals): Milanesa (tradional Argentine beef cut) and tomato sandwiches, sandwiches, snacks, salads, tapas, etc.
Dinners: Vegetable stews-bacon-red chorizo, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, roasted meat, Chow Fan, chicken with rice, pizzas.
Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Mate Cocido, Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit.
Individual bag with energetic snacks: Nougats, bars, nuts, chocolates, alfajores, candies, others.
It is necessary to complete the personal and medical file to clarify if

Where to sleep

First night in a 3-star hotel in Mendoza city. Second night in a mountain hostel in Puente del Inca. Then in mountain tents, with a sleeping bag and insulation + mattress.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have never climbed a mountain, can I dream of reaching the highest summit in America?

As long as you are physically fit and you can take previous trekking and mountaineering trips with us or on your own. In case your experience is basic, it is essential that you take a long or two short trip to summits higher than 4000 m.a.s.l.

I do not have the equipment that is required, can I rent it? What should I buy?

We will advise you on this. Almost everything can be rented; in Mendoza there is a store which we work with that rents boots, jackets, pants, goggles, crampons, gloves of third layer,etc. There is equipment that should be purchased as underwear, footwear and trekking clothes, trekking poles, headlamp, gloves, among others.

How demanding is this expedition? How much do we walk per day?

We do not walk every day. The expedition length is due to the period of acclimatization to the height that our bodies need; there are days when we only rest. The longest days are: the day we walk from Confluencia to the Base Camp Plaza de Mulas, with a 10 hour-walk, and the day in which we attempt the summit, up to 20 hours of activity.

Where do we spend the night?

Overnight is in mountain camps in comfortable igloo tents, for 2, 3 or 4 people.

Do we need to carry a tent?

Tents are included in the service. We also include the dining tent with tables and chairs.

What is the minimum age to be part of the expedition?

From 18 years old.

How much does the backpack weigh?

Between 8 to 12 kilos to the base camp. 15 kilos from the base camp and on, except on the summit day when we will be carrying only water,food and headlamp.

Is there porter service?

We have a mule porter service, which will carry the general equipment and the personnel that you do not use until the base camp.

How is the evacuation system?

In the unlikely event of an accident or in the case one of the passengers cannot continue with the expedition, the procedure we implement in our expeditions is the following:

During the first four days (up to Confluencia camp), the passenger can be evacuated by our guides and helpers of the expedition. If necessary, we hire a mule.
In the section between Confluencia and Plaza de Mulas, the guides and assistants are able to descend the passenger. During the stay in Plaza de Mulas, the evacuation without cost is no longer responsibility of the company. We advise you and assist you during the procedure. The cost of helicopter, mule or guide-assistant, is at the expense of each passanger. Self-evacuation system is forbidden (descending by your own). However, in almost all our expeditions, on day 8, from Plaza de Mulas, we have a group of passenger from other groups that are descending . In this case, the person could descend with this group which is in charge of one of our guides.
In the highest camps (last 8 days), evacuation on foot is included, with the assistance of a guide or assistant, to Plaza de Mulas base camp. Meals and tents in Plaza de Mulas are also included. Descent can be done with the rest of the group that tried the summit. Costs of animals or helicopters for evacuation are not included.

What do we eat?

In all our expeditions we provide the meals service IN FULL BOARD PLAN. In this case, which is a long and high altitude expedition, the demands are great, so we intensify the intake of nuts and carbohydrates of rapid or medium digestion.

March lunches (cold meals): Milanesa (tradional Argentine beef cut) and tomato sandwiches, sandwiches, snacks, salads, tapas, etc.
Dinners: Vegetable stews-bacon-red chorizo, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, roasted meat, Chow Fan, chicken with rice, pizzas.
Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Mate Cocido, Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit.
Individual bag with energetic snacks: Nougats, bars, nuts, chocolates, alfajores, candies, others.

It is necessary to complete the personal and medical file to clarify if you have any special diet.

¿Para quién es Aconcagua Expedition to summit - Normal Route?

Aconcagua Expedition to summit - Normal Route es una expedición que la puede realizar cualquier aventurero con la preparación física, equipo y experiencia previa adecuada con salida desde Mendoza , en la región Cuyo, Argentina. Tiene una duración de 18 days. Todos nuestros programas incluyen guías de montaña certificados, logistica de expedición y seguro de accidentes personales.

¿Qué nivel físico se necesita para Aconcagua Expedition to summit - Normal Route?

Como medír la dificultad de un ascenso o una expedicion? es una pregunta que surge a menudo. Para esto desarrollamos un sistema de graduación que ayuda al participante a medir la dificultad, dado a que evaluamos 5 variables sobre la intensidad de cada propuesta.
• El peso de la mochila en relación a la duración de la jornada
• La exigencia física
• El nivel técnico del terreno y equipo requerido
• El grado de fortaleza psíquica necesaria
• La altura máxima que se alcanza
Hace click el botón y evalua vos mismo la dificultad ->:

¿Qué equipamiento necesito para participar del Aconcagua Expedition to summit - Normal Route?

En cada uno de nuestros programas vas encontrar un apartado de EQUIPO REQUERIDO. conta con nosotros para asesorarte y prepararlo de forma adeacuada para maximizar el disfrute de la actividad. Contamos con una tienda de alquiler, para resolver si te falta algo.
Chequealo ahora! ->

¿Qué incluye Aconcagua Expedition to summit - Normal Route?

PROFESSIONAL MOUNTAIN GUIDES: Registered guides with great experience from the AEX staff. These same guides participate in other annual trips and treks included in the training plan and permanent assistance. This is how you can meet them during the year during your preparation. TRAINING AND PREPARATION: Perhaps the most important point of our style and service. We include up to 4 weekly face-to-face training classes in AMBA (Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area) and material + remote monitoring, for those who live anywhere else in A

Difficulty Graduation System

Click on each indicator to see details

60%

Backpack (M)

Backpack: Weight / Duration of the Day.

Clic para detalles

100%

Physical (F)

Physical demand

Clic para detalles

40%

Technical (T)

Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.

Clic para detalles

100%

Psycho (P)

Psychological Strength

Clic para detalles

100%

Height (A)

Height Exposure

Clic para detalles

How to interpret these values?

Each aspect is evaluated from 20% to 100%, where:

20-40%: Basic or beginner level
60%: Intermediate level
80-100%: Advanced or expert level

Only for experienced adventurers

This adventure requires advanced experience and excellent physical condition.

Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

Backpack for trekking (70 to 90 liters)
Large Bag (90 or more liters). It wiil be carried by the mules
Warm sleeping bag (-15 comfort degrees, eg 1000gms of feather or synthetic good).
Insulated sleeping pad (10 to 15mm).
Inflatable insulating mattress (optional)

FOOT WEAR

High mountain boots (synthetic or plastic double boots)
Trekking shoes
Light trekking shoes (trail-running type)

BASE LAYER (first skin)

Underwear.
Cotton shirts (to be in the camp and to sleep)
T-shirts and / or short-sleeved synthetic shirts
Synthetic shirts with long sleeves
Pants or leggings made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton). To wear as warm indoor pants
Thin gloves made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton)
Fleece cap
Pairs of synthetic thin socks (not cotton)
Buff neck

MIDDLE LAYER

Trekking socks (synthetic-thermal)
thick mountain socks
cotton or wool socks ( wool is for sleeping)
2 long trekking pants
Shorts
Sweatshirt (Fleece 100 or Fleece 200)
Thin - Feather duvet jacket
Thick feather-duvet jacket
Fleece gloves (with fingers)
Sun hat

OUTER LAYER

Waterproof jacket - parka (gore tex or similar)
Pants cover (gore tex or similar)
Waterproof and breathable gloves
Ski gloves
Mountain gaiters

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

Crampons (possible to rent)
Climbing helmet
Trekking poles

PERSONAL ELEMENTS

Passport, ID card, ID.
Medical insurance
Medical and personal information completed, authorization.
Permit printed for payment.

OTHER ELEMENTS

Frontal flashlight with batteries (with spare batteries)
Sturdy plastic bags for storing clothes.

HEALTH & HYGIENE

Sun glasses with UV protection Category 4
Spare lenses (can be goggles, highly recommended)
Personal first-aid kit (medication with the relevant recipe)
Sunscreen, Lip balm
Soap, shampoo (small) and small towel.
Toilet paper. Baby wipes.

KITCHEN ITEMS

Containers to drink water, for at least 4 liters (2 bottles of 1 liter and 1 bag of hydration with hose of 2 lt.)
Small thermos
Personal dishes: Plate, glass / jug, cutlery

OPTIONAL, not mandatory (check space and weight)