Trekking Cerro Aconcagua - Plaza Francia and Plaza de Mulas (4350 masl) - Colossus of America

trekking to the foot of the Sentinel de Piedra, Aconcagua, to Plaza de Mulas

  • Start Date : 2025-Jan-03
    End Date: 2025-Jan-10
  • Hora Inicio: 9 am
    Hora Fin: 20 hs
  • Meeting Point:Mendoza City.
    End point: Mendoza City.
  • Duration:7 days
    Availability: 12 spots
US$ 1075 US$ 860.- 20 % Off

Special price booking until 10 de November!

Trekking to Plaza de Mulas - Aconcagua

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.

Out 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.

 

Itinerary

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 overnight the day 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 5: Plaza 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

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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 fit?

Yes, you need to be fit , phisically active.

Do I need to have previous experience?

No, it is not necessary. We suggest though, to be an active person as we walk during the day and we sleep in campsites.

Where do we spend the night?

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

Do we have to carry a tent?

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

What is the weather like?

Although we will be there in summer, temperatures tend to be low at night.

Do we have any breaks/stops during teh ascent?

Yes.  We have breaks for lunch, snacks and rests.

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

13 years old  

How much does the backpack weigh?

Between 8 - 10 kilos in women backpacks and 10-12 kilos in men backpack.

Is there porter service?

We have a mule carrying the general equipment up to the base camp.

What do we eat?
  • In all our expeditions we provide the meal service ON FULL BOARD
  • Cold meals/Lunches: 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, Chaw 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 / medical file to clarify if you have any special diet

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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