Aconcagua

Aconcagua, the behemoth of America! The Aconcagua located in the Andes at Argentina is with his 6962 meters the highest mountain of the southern and western hemisphere and the highest peak of the Americas. Moreover, it is one of the icons of the esteemed Seven Summit circuit, and the ideal introduction to high altitude peaks, as a stepping stone to an expedition above seven and eight thousand meters. For this reason, Aconcagua cannot be missing from your bucket list!

Aconcagua is located in the province of Mendoza and its natural boundary is marked by the Valle de las Vacas to the north and east and the Little Valle de los Horcones to the west and south. The mountain and its surroundings are part of the provincial Aconcagua Park. Aconcagua has a number of glaciers, the most important being the northeastern or Polish glacier and the eastern or English glacier are.

Difficulty

Aconcagua is a technically easy mountain to climb, when he from the north is approached via the Normal Route. No real climbing is required on this route, but the effects of the high altitude are heavy. Air pressure is at the top 40% of sea level.

Route

We offer the "360° route" or "circuit route" to. This route is a combination between the Polish Route, the Ameghino Traverse, Upper Guanaco and the Normal Route (The Normal Route is also possible on request).

The 360° route offers a unique variety to landscapes: the splendor of the Polish glacier, all faces from Aconcagua and the greatness of the Andes. More importantly, the 360° route also ensures that you can better can acclimatize and thus more opportunity have to the top reach. You thus enjoy a 360° experience where you can view this behemoth from different perspectives.

We begin with a three-day trek by Valle de Vacas to the Plaza Argentina Base Camp, while we took the east side of Aconcagua behold. After preparing everything, we begin the climb via the north side of Aconcagua, ascending to High Camps 1 and 2. From there we go to Camp 3 via the upper part of the Valle de Guanacos route, and eventually we reach the top via the last piece of the Normal Route. The descent is through the Normal Route to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, where you can enjoy the west side of Aconcagua. Finally leaves you the park via Horcones, where you can see the south side of Aconcagua can behold. You have Aconcagua that way in 360° can experience.

CIA

Comfort 70%: You will sleep in well-kept tented camps during the trek.

Intensity 90%: You participate in an active trip that requires a very good level of fitness. This means that you will exercise at least 2x a week and be active most of the time. The low level of comfort and the altitude factor make this trip intense.

Adventure 90%: You trek around the pristine wilderness, climbing to just under 7000m altitude.

Aconcagua

• Free to book from November to February
• € 5895 per persoon
• As little as 1 person!(*)

(*) You join an international group. This makes it perfect to book alone on a date of your choice.

• Optioneel bij te boeken: voorbereidingstraject bij Fisiotics onder leiding van Stef Maginelle en Sofie Lenaerts. Ervaren topalpinisten die jullie klaarstomen voor dit avontuur. Er reist geen Wildlinger begeleider mee, en jullie sluiten als groep aan bij internationaal gezelschap.

INCLUDING

• Experienced professional mountain guide (EPGAMT, AAGM, AGPMT and some guides also IFMGA)
• Support in obtaining the permit to enter the Aconcagua Park
• All land transportation in Argentina from airport pick-up to airport drop-off (unless you would be staying longer).
• 2 nights in a 3* hotel in Mendoza City (shared rooms, twin/double/triple), including breakfast
• 1 night in Penitentes (shared rooms) including breakfast and dinner.
• Transport of your personal luggage by mule to and from Puente de Inca -Base Camp
• Accommodation in base camps in tents for 4 or 8 people and in expedition tents (2 people) in high camps.
• During the climb, all meals are included
• Drinkable water
• Fully equipped dining tent in basecamp
• Toilets in basecamp
• Internet and charging capabilities in basecamp
• Shower with hot water in basecamp
• Material storage facilities
• Porter service for helping carry the common material and waste
  • You yourself carry your own backpack which weighs about 14kg plus about 6kg of communal equipment. In total your backpack weighs about 20kg.
  • If this is too much, you can optionally book a personal porter to carry 10 or 20 kg for you, at an additional charge.
• Communication between high camps, base camp, Puente de Inca and Mendoza
• Medical equipment in basecamp and high camp
• Dining tent in high camps equipped with benches and tables
• Toilet tents in high camp

EXCLUSIVE

• International flights there and back (but on request)
• Permit kost (we helpen je wel bij het verkrijgen van de permit, 1050USD pp)
• Porter for carrying your personal equipment, 10 or 20kg (can be done on request)
• All personal equipment (clothing, climbing and sleeping gear...)
• Lunch and dinner in Mendoza and lunch in Penitentes
• Supervisors of The Wildlinger
• Visa
• Travel insurance +6000m rescue/repatriation by helicopter + health care (Mandatory! see tab "safety")
• Cancellation insurance (recommended)
• Personal expenses
• Tipping
• Extra snacks

OPTIONAL

• Voorbereidingsprogramma bij Fisiotics

Aconcagua

Day 1: Arrival in Mendoza (760m).

Your expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. A representative from our local partner will wait for you at the airport and take you to your hotel in the city. A group meeting will follow and you will meet your guides and team members.*

Day 2: Mendoza - Puente De Inca (2700m)

After you have obtained the necessary permits for the Aconcagua Park, with the help of your local guide, you will go to the office of our local partner to go over and arrange the last things before the start of the expedition. After this you will travel to Puente de Inca, where you will stay in a mountain hut. There you will prepare your luggage for transport by mule to the base camp.

Day 3: Puente De Inca - Pampa De Lenas (2950m) trekking day 1

Today you will travel on to Punta de Vacas, the entrance to Aconcagua Park. At the Ranger station your permits will be checked, after which the 3-day trekking towards basecamp can effectively start. This day you will trek to Pampa de Leñas (4 to 5 hours), where you will spend the night in tents.

Day 4: Pampa De lenas - Casa De Piedra (3250m) trekking day 2

This day you will trek 6 to 7 hours through the Quebrada de Vacas to the next camp. Here you will be able to get your first glimpse of the eastern flanks of Aconcagua. *

Day 5: Casa De Piedra - Plaza Argentina (4200m) trekking day 3

You trek for 5 to 6 hours up the steep Relincho slope to basecamp Plaza Argentina. Along the way you will witness the last native vegetation slowly giving way to glacial landscapes.*

Day 6: Plaza Argentina (4200m) rest day (trekking day 4)

This day you rest and is used to acclimatize. You will have time to explore the camp, refresh yourself and explore the surrounding area. The guide will brief you on the following days, in basecamp there will also be a medical check-up and you will also reorganize and prepare your equipment and luggage for the following days.*

Day 7: Plaza Argentina - Camp 1 (4900m) - Plaza Argentina trekking day 5

Today you will bring all the equipment to Camp 1, then descend again to Plaza Argentina. This way your body can get used to the altitude.*

Day 8: Plaza Argentina (4200m) rest day (trekking day 6)

You will use this day to rest well, drink plenty of fluids and eat well so your body can prepare optimally for the climb.*

Day 9: Plaza Argentina - Camp 1 (4900m) trekking day 7

You will start the ascent to Camp 1 via the first section of the Polish Route. After 5 to 6 hours of hiking on easy ground you will reach Camp 1. Then you will build the camp with the equipment you brought up two days before. Finally, you will repack for the next few days.*

Day 10: Camp 1 - Camp 2 (5500m) - Camp 1 trekking day 8

You will acclimate again by taking the equipment from Camp 1 to Camp 2 and descending again to Camp 1 where you will spend the night. It is a fairly tough day where you will hike about 6h on easy terrain.*

Day 11: Camp 1 - Camp 2 (5500m) trekking day 9

You climb from camp 1 to camp 2 via the Ameghino Traverse Route. You then rebuild the camp with the gear you brought up the day before, and also pack your gear for the next day.*

Day 12: Camp 2 (5500m) rest day (trekking day 10)

Today is again about acclimatization, and giving your body the necessary rest. Depending on the condition of the group, the guide will suggest some things to do today.*

Day 13: Camp 2 - Camp 3 (Colera 5970m) trekking day 11

In the early morning, after breakfast and breaking down the tents, the approximately 4h climb to Camp 3 begins. You trek up via the last section of the Upper Guanaco's Valley Route. Camp 3 is at the same elevation as the Berlin Refuge on the Normal Route. This camp is strategically placed to protect you from the wind.*

Day 14: Camp 3 - Summit (6962m) - Camp 3 trekking day 12

Today is D-day and also the toughest day of all! You climb the North Face of Aconcagua up to Independencia Refuge at 6,500m altitude. Then you will continue the climb via "Portezuelo del Viento" , climb "La Canaleta", and the "Filo del Guanaco", to finally reach the summit of Aconcagua. As a reward, you will enjoy stunning 360° views and an incredible boost of self-satisfaction! After this you will descend again to camp 3.*

Day 15 & 16: reserve days in case of bad weather (trekking day 13 and 14)

We count 2 reserve days to ensure that everyone has as much chance as possible to summit in the best possible conditions.*

Day 17: Camp 3 - Plaza De Mulas (4300m) trekking day 15

You will descend via the Normal Route to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, the largest camp on Aconcagua. Here you will enjoy a fantastic dinner to celebrate this unforgettable experience overlooking the West Face of Aconcagua.*

Day 18: Plaza De Mulas - Puente de Inca - Mendoza trekking day 16

After breakfast you will start the descent to Puente de Inca and leave Aconcagua Park overlooking the South Face of Aconcagua. Here someone will be waiting for you to take you to the hotel in Mendoza.*

Day 19: Mendoza

After breakfast you check out and the trip is over. You can then choose to stay longer or book a cab to the airport to fly home.*

*Please note: This is a very adventurous trip where you are dependent on weather conditions, general conditions and condition of the group. Changes to the above program are therefore possible depending on conditions on the ground.

Aconcagua

Hotels, mountain huts & tents

At Mendoza you will stay in a comfortable 3* hotel.  At Puente de Inca in a comfortable mountain hut and during the draw  stay overnight in the basecamps in  4- to 8-person dome tents and in the altitude camps in 2-person expedition tents. Single rooms and tents are possible on request and subject to paying an additional cost.

Aconcagua

Safety

We collaborate with a local leading partner on expeditions and treks in Mt Aconcagua, with an enviable reputation in terms of top success and an unparalleled track record of customer safety. As a result, you can count on professional guides provided with the required training and certifications, expert local knowledge, the best logistics infrastructure and a customer-centric approach.

The Provincial School for Mountain and Trekking Guides (EPGAMT) is the only school specializing in Aconcagua, accredited with the Argentine Mountain Guides Association (AAGM) and a member of the Professional Mountain and Trekking Guides Association (AGPMT). Some guides have licenses from IFMGA.

Insurance

Finally, we ask each participant to provide a travel insurance concluded for the entire period of the trip. This travel insurance is mandatory!

Insurance trekking (above 6000m!): Call and email your insurer in advance, explain what you will be doing and make sure you have a good understanding of what all is covered and what the exceptions are. If required, we will advise you on how to properly obtain the necessary insurance.