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OVERVIEW

ACCOMMODATIONS

ITINERARY

NOTES

On arrival in Mendoza, Argentina and once you have cleared customs and immigration you meet your guide – Kevin Jackson from Epic Private Journeys – and are transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation.  Once you have settled in to your room Kevin will brief you on the wonderful adventure you have in store and answer any questions you may have.  The Hotel Aconcagua is located in the heart of the city, close to bars and restaurants.  What remains of the day is at your leisure.  This evening we sample the local cuisine.

Overnight – Hotel Aconcagua – Twin share – Full board basis excluding beverages

After breakfast we transfer into the city to obtain our permits for the climb.  The park service requires all members of the party to sign their own permit form and complete the appropriate information.  After we obtain our permits we transfer to Penitentes, a drive of approximately 4 hours, where we give our bags to the mule service.  This evening we stay at the Ayelen Mountain Hotel at the base of Penitentes ski resort situated at 8,900 ft (2,713 m).  This is our first night at altitude and so we begin our acclimating schedule.

Overnight – Ayelen Mountain Hotel – Double share – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

This morning we transfer to Horcones and register with the park service.  From here we begin our 10 km (6.2 miles) walk towards Camp Confluencia situated at just below 3,380 m (11,090 ft).  The walk should take around 3 ½ hours to complete.  The remainder of the day is set aside to rest and continue to acclimate.  Camp Confluencia has spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and is our first chance to appreciate the altitude in this arid environment.

Overnight – Confluencia Camp – Bunk-style accommodation – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

Today we make our way to Plaza Francia, approximately 3,900 m (12,795 ft), for our first view of Aconcagua and the imposing South Face.  We enjoy lunch at our maximum elevation, from which point we can absorb the magnificent view.  The South Face has only been climbed by a select few and its treacherous avalanches can be seen from Plaza Francia.  Today’s long trek allows us to take our time and to adjust to the ability level of the group.  We arrive back at camp in the late afternoon and have a chance to rest before dinner.

Overnight – Confluencia Camp – Bunk-style accommodation – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

With an early start, we begin our long trek towards Plaza de Mulas.  This is our longest day and requires the entire group to be prepared with ample water, snacks, and sunscreen due to the extreme aridity of this terrain.  We slowly gain altitude throughout the day as we follow the rocky terrain of the Valley de Los Horcones.  We have lunch on the trail at an unused campsite, known as Refugio Ibanez.  After approximately 22 km (12.2 miles) we reach our destination where we can enjoy hot water, good rooms, and ample food in the Refugio Plaza de Mulas.

Overnight – Refugio Plaza de Mulas – Private rooms in Refugio – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

This is a complete rest day.  We encourage everyone to enjoy the surrounds and take an easy walk, however there is no scheduled acclimating or trekking today. 

Overnight – Refugio Plaza de Mulas – Private rooms in Refugio – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

Today we trek up a local peak, Cerro Bonete (16,600 ft / 5,059 m).  This trek is in order for the group to get further acclimated and begin our preparation for our summit push.  Lunch will be packed to take on the trek with us, and dinner will be provided at the Refugio upon our return.

Overnight – Refugio Plaza de Mulas – Private rooms in Refugio – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

Today provides our fist look at the mountain and the terrain we will cover once we depart from base camp.  Climbing up past Camp Canada we progress to a higher elevation to further acclimate.  We return to the Refugio to overnight.

Overnight – Refugio Plaza de Mulas – Private rooms in Refugio – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

Today is a dedicated rest day.  Should you wish to continue to challenge yourself, there is an optional day hike available.

All our meals are served at the Refugio where we pack our necessary gear.  We have one last night in the Refugio before we begin our summit push. 

Overnight – Refugio Plaza de Mulas – Private rooms in Refugio – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

After breakfast we leave the Refugio and climb up the scree slopes to the pinnacles surrounding the flat promontory of Camp Canada, situated at 4,907 m (16,100 ft).  Hiking time is around 3 to 4 hours. 

We spend the night at Camp Canada and prepare for our next day’s hike to Nido de Condores.

Overnight – Camp Canada – Twin share tent – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

Today we make our way back up the mountain to Nido de Condores and overnight there.  Nido de Condores is a large flat area with some large rocks that provide wind breaks.  The view to the south, across a vast scree field called the Gran Acarreo, reveals the famous Canaleta Couloir and the summit of Aconcagua.  Today’s walk takes approximately 4 hours with numerous switchbacks before reaching our second camp at 5,395 m (17,700 ft).

Overnight – Nido de Condores Camp – Twin share tent – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

This day is scheduled for rest and/or to allow us to catch up to our schedule in case we have encountered inclement weather en route.

Overnight – Nido de Condores Camp – Twin share tent – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

Today we ascend the subtle crest of the Northwest ridge towards Camp Berlin at 5,791 m (19,000 ft).  If conditions allow, we push on and move up to our “high camp” known as Camp Cholera.  This camp, situated at 5,823 m (19,100 ft), offers better protection from the wind and is often less crowded than Camp Berlin.  Camp Cholera, while being a higher camp, does offer a more direct route to the summit and reduces our time at the extreme altitudes.  Your guide will make the determination whether to proceed to this camp as we make our ascent up the mountain.

Overnight – Camp Cholera or Camp Berlin – Twin share tent – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

From our high camp we depart between 2.00 – 3.00 am. 

The route continues along the Northwest ridge, passing the highest refuge in the world, Refugia Independencia, at 6,545 m (21,476 ft).  From these ruins we continue climbing up and right, crossing the Cresta del Viento (‘Windy Crest’).  We then traverse the upper part of the Gran Acarreo, which leads to the Canaleta, the most famous and challenging part of the Normal Route.

The Canaleta is an approximately 30 degree scree gully that rises 500 m (1,500 ft) and requires great patience and stamina.  Above the Canaleta, we find ourselves on the Cresta del Guanaco, the ridge that joins the lower South Summit to the higher North Summit.

We follow the ridge crest to the 6,962 m (22,841 ft) true summit, where an aluminium cross marks the highest point in the Western Hemisphere.  The 360 degree views from the summit are awe-inspiring as you gaze out towards the numerous 6,000 m peaks of the Andes. 

Summiting and returning to high camp takes between 9-12 hours.

Overnight – Camp Cholera or Camp Berlin – Twin share tent – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

Today we descend back to Base Camp and have a celebratory dinner, a hot shower, and plenty of rest before making our way back to Penitentes.

Overnight – Refugio Plaza de Mulas – Private rooms in Refugio – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

This morning we have the opportunity to descend in two different fashions.  Anyone who wishes to hike the remaining 25 km will depart at 8.30 am with their guide and meet the party back at the trailhead at around 3.30 pm.  Alternatively, we can descend via helicopter departing around 11.00 am and arriving around 3.30 pm at the trailhead.  Upon arrival in Mendoza, we enjoy a well deserved celebratory meal in the town.

Overnight – Hotel Aconcagua, Mendoza – Twin share – Full board basis excluding alcoholic beverages

Today we bid farewell to Argentina. 

Following breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the airport to connect with our homebound flights.