Aconcagua
Aconcagua (6962m) is the highest mountain in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres - the roof of the Americas and the second of the Seven Summits in terms of both height and prestige. This 21-day expedition uses the Normal Route via Horcones Valley and high camps at Nido de Condores and Camp 3. While non-technical, the extreme altitude and harsh Andean weather make this a serious mountaineering objective requiring excellent fitness and prior high-altitude experience. The reward: standing on the highest point in the Americas, with the Andes stretching endlessly in every direction.
Trip details
- Country: Argentina
- Summit elevation: 6962m
- Duration: 20 days
- Price: from $10,000
- Success rate: 75%
- Recommended seasons: December-February
Highlights
- Aconcagua 6962m
- Roof of the Americas
- Seven Summits
- Andean wilderness
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Mendoza & organisation (760m)
Day 2: Mendoza (760m) - Puente del Inca (2700m)
Day 3: Puente del Inca (2700m) - Confluencia (3400m)
Day 4: Acclimatisation hike to Plaza Francia (4000m)
Day 5: Confluencia (3400m) - Plaza de Mulas / Base Camp (4300m)
Day 6: Rest day at Base Camp (4300m)
Day 7: Acclimatisation to Cerro Bonete (5000m) - Base Camp (4300m)
Day 8: Rest day at Base Camp (4300m)
Day 9: Carry to Camp 1 (5050m) - Base Camp (4300m)
Day 10: Rest day at Base Camp (4300m)
Day 11: Base Camp (4300m) - Camp 1 (5050m)
Day 12: Camp 1 (5050m) - Camp 2 (5550m)
Day 13: Rest day at Camp 2 (5550m)
Day 14: Camp 2 (5550m) - Camp 3 (5970m)
Day 15: Aconcagua summit (6962m) - Camp 3 (5970m)
Day 16: Buffer day for bad weather
Day 17: Buffer day for bad weather
Day 18: Camp 3 (5970m) - Base Camp (4300m)
Day 19: Base Camp - Puente del Inca - Mendoza (760m)
Day 20: Transfer to the airport and flight home
What's included
- Gift kit - cap, dry-fit shirt and 100L duffel bag!
- A personal area for every customer in the HighAir app
- Round-trip transfers from/to Mendoza airport to hotel
- Internal transfers Mendoza - Puente del Inca - park entrance
- 2 nights in a 5-star hotel in Mendoza (single room) on B&B basis
- 1 night at Puente del Inca including breakfast and dinner
- Professional local English- and Spanish-speaking guides
- Magnus satellite device (one per group)
- Mules to carry personal gear to Base Camp (up to 35 kg per person)
- Personal porter for high camps (up to 20 kg per person)
- Single tent accommodation throughout the climb (Base Camp & high camps)
- Tent setup and takedown service at high camps (C1, C2, C3)
- 3 meals per day throughout the climb in fully equipped dining tents
- Showers at Base Camp during the stay
- Internet (WiFi) and charging stations at camps
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen cylinders
- Assistance with park entry permits and logistical storage
- Detailed gear list + training plan for the climb
- Personal gear checklist and an online gear consultation
- Online preparation call with your group and guide before departure
- Meaningful donation to the fight against cancer!
What's not included
- International flights (we recommend the best routes from your city)
- Travel & medical insurance, including evacuation cover (required)
- Park entry and climbing permit - $1000–$1300 per person
- Personal gear - clothing, footwear and climbing equipment
- Lunch & dinner at Mendoza hotel
- Personal expenses (tips, laundry, drinks)
- Early departure costs (food, hotel nights, flight changes)
- Additional porters beyond the included allowance (20 kg)
- Anything not listed in the included section
Good to know
- Aconcagua (6962m) is the highest peak outside Asia - a minimum of 3 weeks on the mountain with acclimatization rotations to altitude is required.
- The Aconcagua Provincial Park permit is not included: about $1,000 to $1,300 per person depending on the season, and we help you obtain it.
- Camping is on the mountain itself - sleeping in tents at 5500m, 6000m and 6800m. Full warm camping gear and a sleeping bag rated to -25°C are mandatory.
- Visa rules depend on your passport. Many nationalities enter Argentina visa-free; check before you travel.
- Extended medical clearance required - ECG, blood tests and doctor's approval for climbing to 7000m.
- Prior experience at altitude (minimum 5000m) is required - Aconcagua is not suitable for beginners.
- Safety before summit - Aconcagua requires long-term preparation. Many don't summit due to weather, not fitness.
- In the event of an early descent from the mountain, for any reason, all additional costs involved are the traveler's responsibility, such as extra hotel nights, meals, and any required flight changes.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Aconcagua compared to Kilimanjaro?
Aconcagua is significantly harder. It is the highest peak outside Asia (6,962 m) and the expedition runs 20 days - the altitude is higher, the cold sharper, and you carry heavy gear up to Camp 2. Prior experience at an altitude of at least 5,000 m, such as Kilimanjaro or the Everest Base Camp trek, is required.
How much is the Aconcagua permit?
The Aconcagua Provincial Park permit costs about $1,000 to $1,300 per person, depending on the season and route. It is not included in the price and is paid directly to the park authority; we guide you through the purchase and all the required paperwork.
Do I need technical climbing experience for Aconcagua?
No. The Normal Route, which we climb, is a walking route rather than a technical climb - no ropes and no crampons (unless it snows). That said, the high altitude and extreme cold demand prior altitude experience and quality warm gear.
When is the Aconcagua climbing season?
The season is December to February, the southern-hemisphere summer, when the peak can be climbed in the safest conditions. Outside that window the mountain is officially closed. We run one expedition a year, in January, at the heart of the season.
What is the success rate on Aconcagua?
The overall success rate on Aconcagua is only about 40%; ours is 75%, well above average. The secret is a carefully paced acclimatization schedule, a guide who knows the mountain intimately, and choosing the right climbers for summit day.