Argentina
Buchungscode: AR-ACON-NOV20
Climb South Americas Highest Peak "Aconcagua" in the beautiful Central Andes mountain range through the much quieter and more scenic 360° traverse. This expedition is part of our Explorers Club program which offers non-guided but organized tours. Ideal for solo, autonomous and adventurous mountaineers looking for a group to share expenses.
Detailed presentation over the tour with all stages:
Highlights
- Climb the highest mountain of the American continent and the Western Hemisphere and one of the Seven Summits
- Stunning 360° traverse
- Hike in through the less frequented Vacas Valley
- Small group (max. 4 persons + organizers)
- Mountaineering through the beautiful scenery of the Central Andes
- Go with local organizers
- Chill in natural thermal baths in an unforgettable scenery after the climb
- Save costs and share expenses by travelling with a non-guided, but organized expedition
Detailed program:
Day 1: Mendoza
You started in Europe the day before and flew towards Santiago de Chile and took the bus across the beautiful Andes towards Mendoza, where we will pick you up and bring you to your accommodation. There is a welcome lunch in Mendoza, where we have time to get to know each other. The late afternoon and evening are then free and a cool pool awaits you at our accommodation to cool off.
Day 2: From Punta de Vacas to Pampa de Lenas
After a two hours ride to Punta de Vacas, we will check-in with the park rangers and deliver our duffel bags to our muleteers. We will hike to our first camp through the beautiful Vacas valley.
Day 3: Hike to Casa de Piedra
On our second approach day, after breakfast, we will hike to Casa de Piedra, gaining very slowly in altitude on this long, but easy trek.
Day 4: Hike to Base Camp Plaza Argentina
After two easy days hiking through the Vacas valley, we will start our trek to base camp by crossing the Relinchos river. On this day the hike is much steeper and we will gain more altitude as during the two previous days combined.
Day 5: Resting Day
Today we will relax at base camp after an arduous 3 days approach.
Today after breakfast we will break base camp and head slowly to high camp I. As usual after some snacks and hydration we will set camp.
Day 9: Resting Day
Today we will rest and stay hydrated to enhance our acclimation progress.
Day 10: Carry supplies from Camp I to Camp II
Port supplies to high camp II and return after some snacks.
Day 11: From Camp I to Camp II
Move to high camp II. Usual strategy: slow but steady ascent. Set camp after snacks.
Day 12: Resting day
Resting day at camp II.
Day 13: Carry supplies from Camp II to Camp III
Carry supplies to camp III and return to camp II after some snacks.
Day 14: From Camp II to Camp III.
Move to camp III. Prepare personal equipment for summit push for an early morning if the weather report is favourable.
Day 15: Summit Push
Summit push day! The longest and hardest day. We work our way to the roof of America and the western hemisphere. Return to camp III. Depending on the group and weather situation, descent to a lower camp.
Day 16: From Camp III to Plaza de Mulas
Hike down to base camp Plaza de Mulas on the Horcones Valley side. Enjoy a hot shower after some hard work on the stone sentinel.
Day 17: Hike down to Horcones – Transfer to Mendoza
Hike down to trailhead trough the Horcones Valley. Snack stop at Confluencia Camp. Transfer to Mendoza. Argentinean BBQ night.
Day 18: Mendoza – Thermal Bath Cacheuta
Today we will enjoy a relaxing morning at the swimming pool and after lunch we’ll head to Cacheuta’s beautiful natural thermal baths to relax during the afternoon. Argentinean stone-oven pizza night.
Day 19: End of Tour
All facts about this tour
Services included
- A personalized experience with a small group
- Mule transportation
from trailhead to basecamp - 3 nights in a private house with pool in Mendoza
- 15 nights in professional and spacious tents for 2 persons
- All transfers as stated
- All meals
- Assistance with the obtainment of the park permit
- High altitude first aid kit and emergency oxygen
- GPS Live Tracking – Service for friends & family
- VHF Radios and walkie-talkies
- Satellite predefined messages
- 3 hot showers in base camps
- Thermal baths in Cacheuta
Data
November – December 2021/22
Price
3.500,- € incl. all services mentioned
Services not included
- Additional costs due to any change in the activity requested by the client
- Other services not mentioned
- Mandatory rescue and evacuation insurance
- Personal porters to high camp
- Aconcagua Park Permit
- Personal equipment
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Number of participants
Max. 4 persons
Requirements
- Health, condition and endurance for walking times up to max. 12 h
- Previous altitude experience with at least a 5000m peak-climb
- Winter-camping experience
- Willpower & team spirit
- Personal travel insurance, travel cancellation insurance and mountain rescue insurance
Still unsure if you can meet these requirements? Better not classify yourself too high! Unfortunately, those who run to the limit all the time cannot fully enjoy the beauties of nature. You can best compare the pure walking times and the vertical gain meters to be mastered with tours that you have already done in the past.
Altitude
Altitude sickness in Aconcagua is very common, but can easily be avoided with a good acclimatisation strategy. The 360 traverse, due of its longer approach, is ideal for good acclimatisation. To acclimatise properly, we will be drinking constantly 4-6 liters on a daily basis.
Weather
Aconcagua’s unpredicable weather is a big challenge. Temperatures range as high as 27 degrees at midday and as low as -15 degrees at night in low altitude and -35 in high altitude. Proper equipment is a Must to cope with these weather swings. An important feature of the weather on Aconcagua is the wind-chill factor. When the wind is particulary strong and cold, this factor can have the effect of lowering the temperature by as much as 15 degrees.
Additional information – important notice
Program and route changes are possible at any time during the tour due to the nature of our trips. Road conditions, sudden changes of the weather, bureaucratic arbitrariness, difficulties with public transport and many other influencing factors can cause that the planned itinerary can change.
Travel documents
Passport (has to be valid at least 6 months after the end of this trip)
Health
No requirements, we recommend a tetanus, polio, diphtheria and hepatitis A vaccination!
Equipment
- Fleece pants, soft shell pants, waterproof gore-tex pants and shorts
- Light gloves, fleece gloves and waterproof, insulated mittens
- Crampon-compartible double/triple mountaineering boots
- Liner socks, hiking socks (optional: heating socks)
- Upper body light weight, mid weight layer, fleece
- Gore-tex jacket with hood, down parka with hood
- Sunglasses category 4, mountaineering goggles
- Sun hat, warm hat, beanie, neck gaiter
- Trekking daypack, big backpack 75l and duffle bag for airtravel (optional)
- Sunscreen factor 50, lip balm, personal first aid kid, garbage bags
- Bottle 1l (2x), soft bottle, thermos flask, hydration system
- Sleeping pad, inflatable pad, sleeping bag (-40 C)
- Wet towels, hygenic cleaning towels, toileteries
- Trekking poles, headlamp (extra batteries), ice axe, crampons and harness
- Bowl, spoon, fork, knife, mug
- Water sandals for river crossings