Day 01 · MENDOZA – Altitude: 760 mts
Our expedition starts in Mendoza, Argentina. A representative of INKA Expediciones will be waiting for you at the airport. We will stay at the hotel in the city. A group meeting will follow and you will be introduced to your guides and team members.
Accommodation: Hotel double basis –Meals: Breakfast
Day 02 · Mendoza / Penitentes – Altitude: 2700 mts.
We will obtain individual entrance and ascent permits. You will be personally assisted in this procedure. After this we travel to Villa de Penitentes, where we stay at a Hotel in the mountain. There we get the equipment ready for transportation to the base camp, by mule.
Accomodation: Hotel – Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 03 · Penitentes / Pampa de Leñas – Altitude: 2950 m.s.n.m.
We drive you to Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua Park Entrance. We will get our permits checked at the Ranger station. Then, we head off to Pampa de Leñas by walking 4 or 5 hours, starting the 3 days approaching trekking to the base camp.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 04 · Pampa de Leñas / Casa de Piedra – Altitude: 3240 mts.
On this day, we advance towards an intermediate camp, passing through the Quebrada de Vacas, for 6 to 7 hours. This is where we will be able to see the first sight of the Western Face of the Aconcagua. We spend our last approaching night, from Base Camp.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 05 · Approach from Casa de Piedra to Plaza Argentina – Altitude: 4.200 mts.
We start trekking for 5 to 6 hours, ascending the Relicho steep slope , which takes us to Inferior Plaza Argentina. This is where we will be able to see the last native vegetation before climbing towards the glaciers, where Plaza Argentina is placed.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 06 · Rest day at Plaza Argentina – Altitude: 4.200 mts.
At Plaza de Argentina we rest and use the day for acclimatization. This is a good opportunity to get to know the Camp, take a shower and explore the area. We get together with the guide, do a medical check up, reorganize and review the equipment, prepare the loads for transportation for the next day.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 07 · Carry equipment and food to Camp 1 – Altitude: 5000 mts.
We transport in a way to keep our backpacks as light as possible and fundamentally to be able to gradually adapt to the altitude. During the load transportation to Camp 1, we reach a level of 5000 m. Then we return to Plaza Argentina.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 08 · Ascent from Base Camp to Camp 1 – Altitude: 5000 mts.
We start the ascent to Camp 1 taking the first part of the Polish Route. After a 5 to 6 hour walk on easy terrain we arrive to Camp 1 (5000 mt). We meet with the load that we brought the day before. We assemble the camp and then we load division for carrying the following day.
Accommodation:Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 09 · Carry equipment to Camp 2 – Altitude: 5.500 mts.
We continue with our gradual acclimatization to altitude. During the load transportation to high camp 2, we reach a level of 5500 mt. This is a hard day, of about 6 hours of walking, where we ascend on easy terrain. Then return to Camp 1.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10 · Rest day at Camp 1 – Altitude: 5.000 mts.
This is a day we mainly use to recover energy, to rest, to hydrate ourselves and for abundant meals. We must prepare ourselves mentally, for the final stage. We talk with our expedition mates and agree on final plans and strategies with our guides.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11 · Ascent to Camp 2 – Altitude: 5500 mts.
We start the ascent from Camp 1 to Camp 2 using the Ameghino Traverse Route. We meet with the load that we brought two days before. We assemble the camp and then we load division for carrying the following day. We rest and have dinner.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12 · Carry equipment and food to Camp 3 – Altitude: 6000 mts.
We carry food and fuel to Camp 3 “Colera” . This is a hard day, of about 4 hours of walking. Besides this effort, it is very important to control our body adaptation to height and the evolution of our acclimatization. We return to Camp 2 and rest.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13 · Ascent to Camp 3 “Colera” – Altitude: 6000 mts.
Early morning, after breakfast and after disassembling our tents, we start ascending for around 4 hs. We take the last part of the Upper Guanaco’s Valley Route. Our Camp 3 is placed at the same altitude as the Berlin refuge (from the Normal Route), strategically situated to cover from winds.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14 · Summit day – Altitude: 6962 mts.
It is the most demanding day of the expedition. We use the last part of the Normal Route, climbing the North Ridge to Independencia Refuge at approximately 6.500 m. We ascend through the “Portezuelo del Viento” , climb “La Canaleta”, and pass through the “Filo del Guanaco”, that leads us to the summit. The prize is waiting for us, a 360° view and the experience of overcoming, that you only finally understand once you reach it. At the end of this experience, we descend to Camp 3.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Days 15 and 16 · Spare days in case of bad weather conditions.
We have three extra days set aside on our itinerary to attempt summit. These extra days are built in to provide the best possible conditions for each participant to summit. Accommodation:Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17 · Descend to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp.
Return from Camp 3 to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, the largest camp in Aconcagua. We’ll enjoy a great dinner to celebrate the experience.
Accommodation: Tents – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18 · Return from base camp to Penitentes and back to Mendoza.
We have breakfast and then start the descent from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes. There is a private transport waiting for us to take us to the hotel in Mendoza City and have a special dinner.
Accommodation:Hotel double basis –Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19 · Mendoza
We have breakfast at the hotel. Check Out and end of services.
