Aconcagua Normal Route with Porters

Tour Description Expedition to the roof of America, Mount Aconcagua 6,959 mts along the normal route, through Horcones valley and Plaza Mulas base camp at 4,300 mts. After a progressive ascent program reaching the high camps Nido Condores 5380 mt and Berlin 5,850 mts we have several days to climb the final step to the summit at 6,959m.

Service included

• Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide.
• Ratio, Guide to Clients 1-4.
• Porter for group gear (tents) from base camp to Canada, Nido Condores, Berlin or Piedras Blancas & back to Plaza de Mulas.
• Mules for individual gear to base camp and return with 25 kg. pp.
• High quality expedition common gear: The North Face, Mountain Hardware & Marmot tents, isolate mattress, high camp stoves & Gaz.
• First aid kit, hyperbaric chamber, oxygen bottles, oximeter, including O2 at our high camps.
• Satellite phone the entire expedition, per minute payment basis.
• Radio communication VHF & BLU HF.
• Full base camp set up dining tent, chair, tables, etc..
• All meals during the expedition in the mountain.
• Permanent access to hot drinks, tea, coffee, biscuits at base camp tent.
• Mendoza two Hotel nights double occupancy with breakfast at the NH Hotel or equivalent .
• Penitentes two Hotel night with double occupancy with half pension.
• Private transportation including airport pick-up and drop-off.
• Airport assistance in Mendoza.
• All local organization and supervision by Aconcagua Express Staff
• The Aconcagua, Summit Of America book by Mauricio Fernandez.

Service does not include

• Aconcagua climbing permit per person.
• All personal climbing gear.
• Porter for personal gear, except for those who have purchased this service.
• Any cost involve in a early or late departure.
• Meals & drinks in Mendoza.
• Airport drop off.
• Accident and rescue insurance.
• Cash for extra expenses.
• Any other service not mentioned in the list.
• Gratuities are not included.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1 Pick up at Plumerillos airport in Mendoza and transferred to Hotel to meet the guides, gear check and have a power point expedition presentation. Later we go to have a great Argentinean asado. Hotel

Day 2 Transfer to Aconcagua Provincial Park permit office, to obtain the respective climbing permits, a mandatory personal procedure, and then head west to the village of Penitentes, situated at the foot of the valleys that access the mountain. Lodging at Hotel Penitentes.

Day 3 After carrying out the park entrance procedures, we begin a three-hour hike through Horcones valley to Confluencia Inferior situated at 3,300m. Tent.

Day 4 Trek to Plaza Francia at 4,100m, situated at the foot of the southern wall of Aconcagua and from where we can observe some of the climbs and variants achieved by the most well known mountaineers from around the world. Return to Confluencia camp. Tent.

Day 5 We continue on towards Plaza de Mulas base camp at 4,300m of elevation. This is a 7 to 8 hour hike to our Plaza de Mulas camp. Our Chef awaits us here with a big dinner and hot drinks. Tent.

Day 6 Rest at Plaza de Mulas base camp. It is necessary to drink plenty of water and rest to achieve a good adaptation to the altitude before continuing on to the high camps and before summit day. Tent.

Day 7 Ascent of peaks near Plaza Mulas base camp. Tent

Day 8 Carry to Camp Canada or Nido de condores, depending on the group and the guide.

Day 9 Rest in Plaza Mulas base camp. Tent.

Day 10 Move to Camp Canada or to Nido de Condores

Day 11 Move to Nido de condores if the previous night was in camp Canada or rest in Nido de condores.

Day 12 Either rest in Nido or move to high camp.

Days 13 Move to Piedras Blancas camp (A.K.A. Colera camp) or first summit day.
*Don’t get to anxious about rushing up to the summit.

Days 14, 15 & 16 Summit days and return to high camp. Tent

Day 17 Descent to Plaza de Mulas. Tent.

* Day 18 From Plaza de Mulas we have mules to help carry out our gear, allowing for a “light” trek through Playa Ancha and Horcones Valley to the village of Penitentes in a 6 to 7 hour hike. At the Park Rangers station transport awaits us to take us to Hotel Mendoza to reach the comfort of this beautiful Argentinean city and meet later for our group dinner at a super local restaurant with all the guides and assistants. End of expedition. Hotel NH or Hyatt Park Plaza.

* With good weather and good acclimatization the trip may be back in Mendoza earlier.

Important

• All itineraries are subject to change due to changes in the weather, individual’s acclimatization rates and the guide’s preferences.
• Personal porter service available upon request at additional cost.
  
• Any departure dates can be re-scheduled with a minimum of 6 persons