Aconcagua, 17 days

About the tour:

Expedition to Aconcagua begins in the resort town of Mendoza, which is also called the grape capital of Argentina. This town is situated at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. On arrival to Mendoza the expedition can sleep and rest. The next day we’ll go up to the closest to the national park hotel Puente del Inca (2700 meters above sea level). The next morning we’ll be taken to the entrance to the National Park Aconcagua from where we’ll start walking part of our expedition.
The first transition to the camp Confluence (3300m) is quite simple and takes only three to four hours (some participants go through this part of the route even for 1.5 hours!). At the Confluence the group stays for two nights required for acclimatization. On the day of rest we’ll climbe to the Plaza France (4100 meters). Then the group goes to the base camp Plaza de Mulas (4450m) which is the beginning of classical ascent route on Aconcagua on the Northwest ridge. The transition will take from 7 to 8 hours.
After the transition we’ll have a rest day in the base camp, gaining strength for the first acclimatization. We will establish several camps – Plaza Canada (5000m altitude), Nido de Kodores ( “Nest of condors”, 5600m) and already in the second way – assault camp in the village of “Berlin” (6000 m). Climbing to the summit of Aconcagua is planned for the 12-14th day depending on the weather and participants well-being.
After the ascent we descend to the base camp and celebrate the success of the expedition. During one quite a long day we will walk the entire track and already in the evening will be in Mendoza with a hot shower and delicious steaks. There are more than a thousand wineries in the city. Alpinists can participate in fine wines tasting and buy the drinks they liked.

Program of guided Aconcagua ascent by the classical route (17 days).

Day 1. Arrival in Mendoza. Transfer to the hotel. Introductory walks around the city, checking equipment.
Day 2. Transfer to Penitentes (2700m), Sending the main cargo mules to Base Camp. Transfer to the National Park entrance (Laguna Horcones) and proceed to Confluence (3300m, 2-3 hours). Camp.
Day 3. Acclimatization radial walk to Plaza de Francia (4200m), with views of the South Face (2700m high). 4-5 hours. Return to the camp.
Day 4. Long walk (8-9 hours) to the main base camp Plaza de Mulas (4350m). The path runs along the wide valley of Playa Ancha. Camp.
Day 5. Rest in Plaza de Mulas (4350m). A short climb to the glacier Orkones. Camp.
Day 6. Trek from Plaza de Mulas Camp-1 (Plaza Canada, 5000m). Camp.
Day 7. Trek from Plaza Canada to Camp 2 (Nido de Condores, 5400m), Camp.
Day 8. Climbing to Cholera Camp (6000m), descend to Plaza de Mulas (4350m).
Day 9. Rest day in Plaza de Mulas (4350m).
Day 10. Climbing from Plaza de Mulas (4350m) to Nido de Condores (5400m)..
Day 11. Climbing from Nido de Condores (5400m) to Camp 3 (Cholera, 6000m
Day 12. Aconcagua summit ascent(6957m), descent to Camp 3 (6000m).
Day 13. Reserve day in case of bad weather
Day 14. Reserve day in case of bad weather
Day 15. Descent to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp.
Day 16. Trek from the Base Camp to Laguna de Horcones. Transfer to Mendoza. Recreation and farewell dinner.
Day 17. Transfer to the airport.

The cost of Aconcagua ascent includes:

• Russian-speaking guide throughout the whole program
• Mountain guides. One per 3-4 people in the day of ascent
• Transfer airport-hotel-airport
• Hotel in Mendoza, 2 nights. Double rooms + breakfasts
• Assistance in obtaining necessary permits
• Transfer Mendoza-Puento del Inca-Mendoza
• Hotels in Puento del Inka + breakfasts
• Mules for equipment and food from Puente del Inca (Los Puquios) to Plaza de Mulas and back. The personal baggage maximum of 20kg.
• Two nights in Confluence with full board
• The base camp at Plaza de Mulas (5 nights)
• The food and fuel for the upper camps
• First-aid kit

The cost of Aconcagua ascent doesn’t include:

• International flights
• Climbing permit
• Porters
• Personal equipment
• Additional costs associated with deviation from the program
• Health insurance and expenses relating to evacuation in case of accident
• Personal expenses (drinks, internet, telephone calls, etc.)

Dates of tour: 13.02-29.02.2020