Trekking to the Stone Sentinel - Plaza de Mulas - Base Camp - Aconcagua - Argentina

Trekking to the base camp of the highest mountain in America

  • Start Date : 2025-Feb-02
    End Date: 2025-Feb-09
  • Hora Inicio: 9 am
    Hora Fin: 8 pm
  • Meeting Point:Mendoza City
    End point: Mendoza City
  • Duration:7 days + trip
    Availability: 7 spots
US$ 1075 US$ 860.- Cot Oficial 20 % Off

Special price booking until 05 de April!

Trekking Aconcagua - Plaza de Mulas - 7 days

Proposal

Aconcagua is one of the most visited mountains in the world, is the roof of America and of the Western hemisphere. 6962 meters, attracts people from all over the planet. The climate and conditions of the planet.  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.
  • We advise you during all the previous moinths in your equipment.
  • We propose an itinerary that includes staggered and progressive acclimation.

 

Dates Season 2022/2023:

Short trek - 4 days:

  • December 3
  • January 5
  • January 17
  • February 4
  • February 19th

Long trek (Cerro Bonete or Plaza Canada, camp 1) - 7 days:

  • December 3
  • January 5
  • January 17
  • February 4 - Option crossing to Quebrada de Matienzo - Las Cuevas - NEW!
  • February 19th

 

Itinerary - Exclusive programming in Aconcagua:

NOTE: We are not doing Cerro Bonete due to a new disposition of the Parque Provincial, that requires to pay the ascent permit for Aconcagua, to make an ascent to Cerro Bonete, we offer instead an ascent to Plaza Canada Camp (5000 masl).

We recommend to spend the night before in Mendoza City.

Day 1: Mendoza-Puente del Inca (2800 masl)  Meeting in Mendoza city in the morning. Guides presentation , equipment/gear check , advice for rent, printing of permits among other lats minutes details.  Transfer to the office of Aconcagua Provincial Park for the application and payment of all the permits. Last minute purchases. Transfer to Puente del Inca (2800 masl). Check In in mountain hostel. Rest, short walks, hydration. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Confluencia (3300 masl). Breakfast.  Transfer to Horcones (2900 masl). Presentation of permits and admission to the Aconcagua Provincial Park. First section of the trekking. 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 Confluencia camp (3300 masl). Break. Use of domes for meals and meetings. We will use mountain tents to sleep, from here on. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Confluencia (3300 masl). Breakfast. Walk through the area with options between the viewpoint of Plaza Francia (base south wall) or the slopes of Cerro Tolosa. Return in the afternoon, rest and hydration.Preparation for the next day. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Plaza de Mulas (4350 masl). Breakfast. Walk to the base camp of the normal route, Plaza de Mulas. We will cross the Horcones river to get to Playa Ancha , a long sector that has the appearance of a great flat. Finally there is a continuous ascent through Cuesta Brava.  We reach Plaza de Mulas in the afternoon. Rest and  hydration. Medical check. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5Plaza de Mulas (4350 masl). Breakfast. Rest day, medical check-up and general controls. Hydration and good nutrition. Short walks in the area to get to know the camp, one of the largest in the world. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Plaza de Mulas - Plaza Canada. Breakfast. On this day , our objective is to  ascent to camp 1 of the normal Aconcagua route.Great views of the area and the reoute to summit. Return to Plaza de Mulas camp. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Descent to Confluencia-Horcones, 10-hour descent. Transfer to Mendoza city, arriving at 6 pm. End of our services.

Note

This program is subject to weather, geographical, and politics conditions. Modifications can happen during the activity depending on several factors. All the desitions will be on charge guides and company coordinators.

Included Services
  • Professional mountain guides
  • Specific advice on materials and personal equipment.
  • Transfers from the city of Mendoza to Valllecitos and Horcones (uphill)
  • Transfers from Horcones to the city of Mendoza (downhill)
  • Technical safety equipment, VHF radios, mountain first aid kit.
  • Base camp service (tents, chairs, tables,etc.) in Confluencia and Plaza de Mulas.
  • Tents during the whole expedition.
  • Full board (all meals) during the entire expedition: breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner.
  • Porter mules for general and personal equipment to Plaza de Mulas camp.
  • 1 night in hostel in Puente del Inca
  • Permanent assistance

Services NOT included
  • Permits to enter Aconcagua Provincial Park (in case of climbing Mount Bonete, you need the same permit as Mount Aconcagua)
  • Meals and accommodation extra than those specified in the program.
  • Tips
  • Evacuation expenses and eventual transfer in different places of the provincial park (helicopter and mules).
  • Personal Equipment (see listing request)
  • Transfers from the city of origin of each passenger to Mendoza city (ask for bus tickets from Buenos Aires or Chile )

Photo and Video Gallery


Albums

ac30jpg762
Aconcagua Trek - Confluencia, Plaza Francia, Plaza de Mulas

Plaza de Mulas Trek. Mount Aconcagua Base Camp

Where do you sleep

  • First night we sleep on a Hostal in Puente del Inca
  • Rest of the nights we sleep on tents, and we use domes for meetings and meals

Faq

Do I need to be trained?

For any mountain activity you need to have a previous physical preparation, or be physically active. In this case we suggest training (jogging twice to three times a week, cycling or swimming) and doing a good leg workout (gym, crossfit, etc.)

Do I need to have previous experience?

We recommend  walking at least once before this trekking with a backpack, although no previous experience is required. Having slept in a tent also helps as a experience for this trekking.

Where do we spend the night?

Overnight is spent in mountain campsite in igloo tents, comfortable and for 2, 3 or 4 people.

Do I have to carry a tent?

The tents are included in the service. If you want to bring yours, ask us.

What is the weather like?

Even though we visit the area in summer, temperatures tend to fall at night.

Are there any breaks to rest?

Stops are given with a frequency and graduation according to the intensity. There are breaks for lunch, snack, and rest.

How old do I have to be to do this activity?

From 12 years old. We also recommend you to contact us before registering or registering a minor just to make sure that his/her experience is the suitable for this trek.

How much does the backpack weigh?

In a woman backpack, from 8 to 10 kilos, in a man from 10 to 12 kilos. 

Is there a porter service?

We have a mule porting service, which will carry the general equipment, such as kitchen items, food, tents, and security items, in the sections from one camp to another.

What do we eat?
  • Lunch: Milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold sandwiches, snacks, salads, tapas, etc.
  • Dinners: Vegetable stews with bacon or chorizo ;chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various , barbacue (goat), Chaw Fan, chicken with rice among other meals
  • Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Mate Cocido, Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit.

It is necessary to complete the personal / medical file to clarify if someone does not eat some type of food.

Difficulty graduation

Mochila: Peso / Duración de la Jornada.

Exigencia Física

Técnico: Dificultad en el Terreno / Equipo.

Fortaleza Psicológica

Exposición a la Altura

Backpack (M)

This point has to do with the weight that we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or crossings where we have pack animals allow us to bear less weight on our backs. And the multi-day journeys in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules) generally make us carry more weight, especially in the early days.

20% Up to 5 Kilos: Short excursion walks / Trekking Talampaya

40% Up to 8/10 Kilos: Round-trip trekking / Vallecitos 3 and 4-day programs

60% Up to 12/15 kilos: Crossing trekking with porting / Crossing of the Andes Paso Portillo

80% More than 15/18 kilos: Cross-country trekkings with little or no portage / Trekkings in Patagonia (Paso Vuriloche, PN Lanin or Nahuel Huapi, etc)

100% More than 25 Kilos: With a lot of equipment on top and little or no porting / Continental Ice

Physical (F)

We consider physical demands to the wear that we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscle (resistance = many hours walking) and of legs and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

20% half a day or less with little unevenness.

40% more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.

60% Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range / intense 4-day trekking (Uruguayan plane)

80% Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents (Lanin - Domuyo) or more than 5000 meters. Ice courses.

100% Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua, mountains of more than 6000 meters.

Technical (T)

The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain. How much can it cost us to climb a slope, if it is very steep or if we have to use our hands in some section (simple climbing), both in rock and snow-ice, or materials such as crampons and pegs in other ascents.

20% flat land

40% trails with moderate ups and downs. General crossing trekkings . Sierra de la Ventana, Córdoba, Patagonia, Cuyo, north, others. Classic ascents

60% Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons. Domuyo, Cordón del Plata, Cordillera Central.

80% Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador. Bolivia, Peru.

100% Highly technical terrain. Glacial transit and climbing in sections. Hill climbing with sections on slopes of more than 60 ° inclination

Psycho (P)

We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and will power to achieve a goal. And depending on the attitude with which we face distances, slopes, terrain and many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

20% We will not be much affected.

40% This is a normal level of attention.

60% We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.

80% The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.

100% Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.

Adventures (A)

It is the factor that, the height above sea level, influences us depending on the activity we carry out. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point

0% + sea level.

20% Up to 2000 masl.

40% + 2000 masl.

60% + 4000 masl.

80% + 5000 masl.

100% + 6000 masl.

Gradual Adventure Activity Difficulty System designed by Leandro Scheurle.
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Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT
  • Backpack for trekking (60 to 80 liters)
  • Warm sleeping bag (-5 to -10 comfort degrees, eg 700gms of feather or synthetic good).
  • Insulated sleeping pad (10 to 15mm).
  • Trekking poles
  • Sturdy plastic bags for storing clothes.
CLOTHES
  •  5 pairs of trekking socks 
  • Underwear
  • 1 pair of trekking boots (in good conditions) 
  • 1 second pair of footwear  to cross rivers
  • Long trekking pants (NO JEAN)
  • 1 pair of leggings
  • 2 Dry fit synthetic short sleeve t-shirts
  • 1 Long sleeve shirt
  • 2 fleece sweatshirt
  • 1 waterproof / breathable jacket  (parka,ultrex,goretex) 
  • 1 sun hat (with flaps)
  • 1 handkerchief to cover your neck from the sun (multifunction scarves type Buff)
  • Warm gloves 
  • Warm hat 
PERSONAL ELEMENTS
  • Passport or ID.  
  • Medical insurance
  • Travel assistance insurance. Required. 
MISCELLANEOUS
  • Front flashlight with batteries (With spare batteries) ***
  • Sunglasses (Category III or IV)
  • Sunscreen (not less than factor 45). Lip balm
  • Toilet paper. Wet wipes
KITCHEN FOR PERSONAL USE
  • Containers to contain water for at least 2 liters (can be plastic bottle)
  • Cutlery, plate or tupper and glass. Plastic cup (No glass or metal)
  • Dishcloth
OPTIONAL, not mandatory (see space and weight)
  • Warm jacket (synthetic or feather)
  • SILVER TAPE tape, for blisters and repairs.
  • Steel thermos
  • Binoculars, monocle. Camera
  • Book, travel diary, pencil, pen.
  • Games; cards, dice, etc
  • Whistle and lighter.

Rental Equipment

Trekking sleeping bag

Booking in Advance

US$ 16 + options

Pair of Trekking Poles

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Rental mittens

Booking in Advance

US$ 8 + options

Pair of Crampons

Booking in Advance

US$ 15 + options

Rental : helmet, crampons and ice ax

Booking in Advance

US$ 36 + options

Combo Top: helmet, crampons, ice ax and full harness

Booking in Advance

US$ 50 + options

Category 3 sunglasses - Shepra Julbo Spectrom

Booking in Advance

US$ 5 + options

Backpack for trekking and mountaineering - Woman

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

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