Aconcagua Polish & Traverse Route with Porters

Tour Description

Marvelous ascent of Aconcagua 6,959m via Vacas Valley, following the Polacos route.During the trek to the base camp at Plaza Argentina, we will see a variety of native fauna and flora, guanacos and condors. At camp 2 near 5,850m we traverse to the Normal route and continue to the summit, this is know as the Falso Polaco or the Traverse route.

For the descent we will follow the standard route to the base camp at Plaza de Mulas and exit through the Horcones Valley.

This trip features spectacular views of Aconcagua, particularly along the less frequented ascent route.

Service included

• Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide.
• Ratio, Guide to Clients 1-3.
• Porter for group gear (tents) from base camp to Camp 1, 2, 3 & down 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 Picked up Plumerillos airport at Mendoza and transferred to Hotel to meet the guides, gear check and have a power point expedition presentation. Later we got 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 The Aconcagua Express vehicles transport us to the area called Punta de Vacas where we begin the first day’s trek towards the foot of Aconcagua through Vacas valley. This is a beautiful less traveled route with greener landscapes than the normal route. After 4 to 5 hours of hiking we reach our first camp called Pampa de Leña situated at an elevation of 2,800m. Here we eat a delicious barbecue along with the muleteers while the animals graze. Tent.

Day 4 Continuing along the same valley for 6 to 7 hours, we reach Casa de Piedra camp situated at an elevation of 3,200m. From camp up through the Relinchos pass we can clearly see the Polacos glacier on Aconcagua. This is the route we will take the next day. Tent.

Day 5 We climb up the steep and marvelous Relinchos valley to our base camp called Plaza Argentina situated at 4,200m. This is a long 8-hour day where we climb 1,000 vertical meters to reach Plaza Argentina. Our chef awaits us with hot drinks and a big dinner. Tent.

Day 6 Rest day at Plaza Argentina base camp. It is necessary to keep hydrated and rest in order to adapt well to the altitude before continuing on to the high camps and before summit day. Tent.

Day 7 Rest and hike around Plaza Argentina base camp. Tent.

Day 8 We carry part of the equipment up to high camp 1 and return to Plaza Argentina base camp. The trail leaves camp towards an old moraine until we reach camp 1 at an elevation of 4,822m. This trek is considered light in terms of weight to continue with an optimal adaptation to the altitude. This is the basic plan of successive stages: climbing up to high elevations and returning to lower ones, a key factor for safety and acclimatization. If this ascent plan is done slowly it increases the possibilities of success in reaching the summit in a comfortable and safe manner. Plaza Argentina camp.Tent.

Day 9 We climb to camp 1 to sleep at that elevation. The surroundings are truly magnificent in the heart of the Central Andes. Tent.

Day 10 We continue to camp 2 situated at the foot of Polacos glacier at an elevation of 5,760m. This ascent is incredibly beautiful since we can see the glacier in its full magnitude and several peaks that surround Aconcagua. We return to Plaza Argentina base camp to rest and recover energy. Tent.

Day 11 Rest at Plaza Argentina base camp. Tent.

Day 12 Climb to camp 1. Tent.

Day 13 Climb to camp 2. Tent.

Day 14 Traverse crossing from camp 2 to the foot of Polacos glacier towards Piedras Blancas camp at 6,030m. The trail is clear and easy to see from camp. This is the point at which the Polacos Traverse route and the normal route meet. It is also the camp where those trekking the Guanacos route arrive. Tent.

Day 15 We attempt summit from Piedras Blancas returning to the Berlin high camp. Tent.

Day 16 Extra day allowing for weather conditions in Berlin high camp. Tent.

Day 17 Second extra day allowing for weather conditions in Berlin high camp. Tent.

Day 18 Descent on normal route towards our Plaza de Mulas base camp. Tent.

Day 19 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 in 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. Hotel NH or Hyatt.

Day 20 Free day. Transfe to aiport.

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.
  
  
• To ascend the Polacos glacier by the direct route, the client requires previous experience in this type of climb, the safe use of crampons, ice axe, jumar ascending device, as well as an excellent management of climbing techniques, self arest, use of ropes and rappel. The program follows the same route as the group that traverses from camp2 to 6,000m. The group divides at the same point where the ascent of the Polacos glacier begins. The group comes down through “la Canaleta" on the normal route towards Plaza Argentina.
  
  
• Any departure dates can be re-scheduled with a minimum of 6 person.