Expedition itinerary

Days 1–6: Journey to base camp

Day 1: Arrival in Mendoza (760 m)
Our driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is free to explore the many small coffee houses and the city. During the day, the guide will contact you to arrange an appointment for the equipment check the next day.
Hotel, (-/-/-)

Day 2: Mendoza – Time to pack and get permits
Today we will pick up the climbing permits at the “Park office” in Mendoza. The team and guides will also get to know each other. Other items on the agenda for today include checking equipment together with the guides and sorting and packing the equipment.
Hotel, (-/-/-)

Day 3: Mendoza – Penitentes – Camp Confluencia (3,390 m)
Today we will be taken from Mendoza to Penitentes to our camp. There are also storage facilities there for stowing away any items we don’t need. We will enjoy a coffee while our guides make the final preparations for transporting our luggage to base camp. Then we will drive a few minutes by van to the Horcones Valley (2,950 m), where we will pick up the stamps for our permits. Then we will finally set off for base camp! After a leisurely hike, we will reach our first camp, ‘Confluencia’. During the entire trek to base camp, you will only need to carry your daypack with the most important items; the mules will carry the rest.
Trek: 3-4 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Day 4: Confluencia – Viewpoint (4,050 m) – Confluencia
Today we will take a short hike to a viewpoint from where we will have an impressive view of the south side of Aconcagua. The main goal of today’s hike is to acclimatise properly. After the hike, we will return to camp where we will spend the night.
Hike: 6-7 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Day 5: Rest day
We will use this day as a rest day at Confluencia Camp so that we are well prepared for our big adventure.
Tent, (B/L/D)

Day 6: Confluencia – Base Camp Plaza de Mulas (4,350 m)
After a challenging seven-hour trek, we reach our well-equipped base camp today.
Trek: 7-9 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Days 7–14: Acclimatisation and ascent

Day 7: Rest day
A rest day is also important for acclimatisation! You can spend today exploring the base camp, reading, sleeping or perhaps even doing yoga in the heated communal tent. But most importantly: drink plenty of fluids!
Tent, (B/L/D)

Day 8: Cerro Bonete Trek (5,004m)
Another acclimatisation hike to neighbouring Cerro Bonete, where we can enjoy views of the western flank of Aconcagua. This also means we have our first 5,000m summit under our belts!
Tent, (B/L/D)

Day 9: Plaza de Mulas – Plaza Canadá (5,050 m) – Plaza de Mulas
Today, we will transport some of our equipment to the first high camp at 5,050 m. This will reduce the amount we have to carry later on and also help us to acclimatise. We will spend the night at base camp again.
Trek: 3-4 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Day 10: Rest day
Another rest day at base camp Plaza de Mulas to really recharge our batteries before we set off tomorrow.
Tent, (B/L/D)

Day 11: Plaza de Mulas – Plaza Canadá (5,050 m)
Today, the team leaves base camp and sets off for the first high camp.
Trek: 2.5–3 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Day 12: Plaza Canadá – Nido de Cóndores (5,560 m)
Further ascent to the second high camp. Be prepared for your rucksack to weigh between 18 and 22 kg!
Trek: 3–4 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Day 13: Nido de Cóndores – Cólera (5,970 m)
Today we reach the highest high camp of our expedition! You will enjoy your dinner at almost 6,000 m above sea level… That’s higher than most places in the world!
Trek: 2-3 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Day 14: Summit day! (6,962 m)
A long, strenuous but impressive summit day awaits us! We start very early to make the most of the day and carry only a light daypack with water, snacks, some clothing and our camera. After enjoying our moment at the summit, we return to the high camp ‘Cólera’.
Trek: 8-12 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Days 15–19: Buffer days, descent and return journey

Days 15–16: Buffer days for the weather
To reduce the risk of bad weather, we have planned two extra summit days.

Day 17: Cólera – Plaza de Mulas
Today we descend back to base camp, where we can enjoy the comforts and celebrate our summit success with a dinner together.
Trek: 2-4 hours, tent, (B/L/D)

Day 18: Plaza de Mulas – Horcones – Penitentes – Mendoza
Today we hike back ‘to civilisation’. Most of our luggage will be carried by mules again, leaving us with only a light daypack. In Horcones, the van will pick us up and take us to Los Penitentes to pick up the rest of our luggage and from there to Mendoza. Check-in at the hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
Trek: 6-7 hours, drive: 3-4 hours, hotel, (B/-/-)

Day 19: Hasta luego Argentina!
Today it’s time to say goodbye. With lots of exciting memories in our luggage, we begin our journey home. Transfer to the airport and individual return flight.
(-/-/-)