Aconcagua Normal Route
The Roof of the Americas
Aconcagua Normal Route
At 6,960 meters (22,841 feet), Aconcagua (the "stone sentinel" in Quechua) is the highest mountain in the Americas and the highest peak outside of Asia. The normal route is ideal for mountaineers looking to summit this legendary peak. Our program features a gradual 3-day approach to Plaza de Mulas (4,200m) and a careful acclimatization plan and gear porting to safely maximize your chances of success.
Itinerary
Click on each day to view details.
DAY 1 Meeting in Mendoza
Group meets in Mendoza, Argentina. Equipment check and afternoon briefing at the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine Argentinean cuisine and wine.
DAY 2 Trek to Confluencia
We will begin our approach to Base Camp. This 25 mile approach gives us the chance to begin our acclimatization. We follow the Horcones Valley, and camp our first night in Confluencia, at 10,900'. Mules carry our gear.
DAY 3 Plaza Francia Viewpoint
Hike to the base of the majestic South Face of Aconcagua, at 13,000', toward Plaza Francia. Return to Confluencia to spend our 2nd night, before heading to Base Camp the next day. This hike will facilitate our acclimatization process.
DAY 4 Arrival at Plaza de Mulas
After 3 days of hiking through colorful desert landscape we reach our Base Camp, Plaza de Mulas, at 13,800'.
DAY 5 Rest & Acclimatization
Rest and acclimatization day at Base Camp. We want everyone to have the best possible chance to make the summit. The most effective way to do this is to take the time to acclimatize to the low oxygen environment. We will incorporate rest days into our schedule and climb in traditional expedition style. We will be carrying loads up to our next camp, and returning to sleep below at the previous camp. The next day we will move to the higher camp. This day (Day 6) we will practice snow and ice techniques on the Nieve Penitentes, unique snow and ice formations created by direct sunlight.
DAY 6 Carry load to Plaza Canada
Carry a load to Camp I, Plaza Canada, at 16,170'. Return to Base Camp.
DAY 7 Move to Camp I
Leave Base Camp. Move to Camp I. Beautiful campsite with impressive views of the north side of Aconcagua and alpine Cerro Cuerno.
DAY 8 Carry load to Nido de Condores
Carry a load to Camp II, Nido de Condores, at 17,820'.
DAY 9 Move to Camp II
Leave Camp I. Move to Camp II.
DAY 10 Carry load to High Camp
Carry a load to Camp III / High Camp below the Polish Glacier, at 19,200'.
DAY 11 Move to Camp III
Move to Camp III. This unique spot will be our High Camp where we will spend at least 2 nights. Here we are surrounded by interesting rock formations only a day from the summit.
DAYS 12-14 Summit Days!
Summit! Weather permitting. We allow a window for our Summit Day in case of poor weather and depending on how group is acclimatizing.
DAY 15 Descent to Base Camp
Descent from High Camp to Base Camp.
DAY 16 Return to Mendoza
Hike out the Horcones Valley with its impressive views of Aconcagua's South Face. Mules carry our gear. We arrive in the afternoon to Penitentes where we may take a quick shower and head on to Mendoza to the comfort of the Mendoza Park Hyatt. If extra weather and acclimatization days are not used on our expedition, you and your team may arrive a day or two earlier to Mendoza. Evening banquet with your team, if too late summit Certificates will be given at breakfast or lunch the next day.
NEXT DAY Leisure Day
Leisure day in Mendoza, possibly fly home this afternoon or continue traveling in South America.
NOTE: The above itinerary is a guideline only. While we will do everything possible to meet it, changes may occur due to weather conditions or other contingencies. Please be flexible if necessary.
Dates of
Trips
2025 – 2026
- 🗓️ Nov 28 – Dec 15, 2025
- 🗓️ Dec 20 – Jan 5, 2026
- 🗓️ Jan 10 – Jan 26, 2026
- 🗓️ Jan 31 – Feb 16, 2026
Price
$6,500 USD
Per person
The cost includes
- ✓Professional mountain guides
- ✓2 nights accommodation in Mendoza at Park Hyatt Hotel with buffet breakfast (1 night at start and 1 night at end).
- ✓1 night accommodation in Penitentes, en route to the mountain, with breakfast and dinner.
- ✓Mules
- ✓Full expedition meals (5 full days at base camp included, usually more than enough). Extra days at base camp will have an additional cost per person.
- ✓Ground transportation (except return airport transfer, considered leisure service as many travel after; can be arranged at hotel reception).
- ✓All community equipment: tents, stoves, high-end base camp, cooking gear, first aid kits, satellite phones, radios, rescue backpack, pulse oximeters, etc.
Services not included
- ✗Aconcagua climbing permit.
- ✗Porter fees are not included in any of our trips, but porters are available for hire on EVERY route we offer.
- ✗Personal equipment.
- ✗Costs derived from abandoning the expedition: helicopter, transfers, additional guides, hotels, mules, etc.
- ✗Lunch or dinner in Mendoza, Uspallata, or Puente del Inca.
- ✗No refunds or compensations for expedition cancellations due to force majeure (earthquakes, landslides, Aconcagua Park emergency orders, etc.).
- ✗Additional hotel nights in Mendoza or Puente del Inca beyond those included.
- ✗Any service not included in the "Included services" section.