Aconcagua Climb: Facts & Information. Routes, Climate, Difficulty, Equipment, Preparation, Cost

Mountaineers all around the world dream of climbing Aconcagua. The highest peak in South America attracts thousands of climbers each year, who make the pilgrimage to the Southern latitudes of Argentina in order to reach this major goal.

Aconcagua's 6,961 meters (22.840 ft) above sea level make it the highest point in the Western and Southern hemispheres. It is part of the majestic Andes mountain range, and one of the legendary Seven Summits (the highest mountains in each of the 7 continents).

So what do you need to keep in mind when planning your very own Aconcagua climb? We’ve broken down the very basics in 12 pro tips to help you out as you start planning your next mountaineering adventure in the Andes.

Aconcagua’s climbing season is here! Check out all the upcoming dates in 2019 – 2020 and join a group!

1. Where is Aconcagua?

Aconcagua is located in the province of Mendoza, in Argentina, and belongs to the Andes mountain range.

The beautiful city of Mendoza, land of wine and adventure, is the best starting point for a climbing trip to South America's most challenging summit. You can get there on a domestic flight from Buenos Aires (Argentina) or Santiago (Chile).

2. When is the Best Season to Climb Aconcagua?

The climbing season for Aconcagua goes from November to March. The very final day to enter the Aconcagua Provincial Park is the last day of February.

Since December and January are the months with the most favorable weather, this is when most expeditions take place. High season is considered to be from December 15th to January 31st. Keep in mind that the ascent permit fee varies across the seasons (low, mid, high).

Finally, there are off-season exceptional ascents, although these are exclusively for highly experienced mountaineers.

The exact duration of the seasons is as follows:

Low season: November 15th to November 13th; and February 21st to March 15th
Mid-season: December 1st to December 14th; February 1st to February 20th
High season: December 15th to January 31st

3. How Long Does it Take to Climb Aconcagua? What are the Main Climbing Routes?

There are two main routes to climb Aconcagua.

The Aconcagua ascent through the Normal Route is the most popular one. It takes between 18 and 20 days, although there are shorter programs of 12 days (have a look at this personal account by Oleksii, who did the Aconcagua fast 12-day ascent with guide Gastón Oyarzún and described it as "the most powerful emotion in my life").

Given its peak altitude (6,961 m), acclimatization is central to the itinerary. This is one of the parameters that account for the duration of the different expeditions. These ranges of days include some extra days in case of bad weather, so you still have the chance of reaching the summit. The Normal route consists of the ascent through the North-Eastern ridge, entering through the Horcones valley. The base camp is at the famous Plaza de Mulas. Local EPGMAT certified guide Sebastian offers an 18-day program via the Normal Route, as well as an extended version of 20 days, for those who need extra acclimatization.

The alternative Polish Route -also known as "False Polish" or "Polish Traverse Route"- can take around 17 days, and has a similar level of difficulty than the Normal Route, and presents no technical difficulties. It is not to be confused with the Polish Glacier Route (with its two variants, the Original and the Direct), which involves actually reaching the summit via the Polish Glacier, which requires experience in glacier traverse.

Another usual itinerary is the 360° route, which combines the Polish and Normal routes. It starts off at the Vacas Valley and has its base camp at Plaza Argentina. Later, the descent is the same as in the Normal route.

Other much harder and challenging routes require vast rock and ice climbing experiences, such as the ascent through the South face, which is a top goal only suitable for extremely advanced and pro mountaineers.

Check out all the programs to climb Aconcagua led by local certified mountain guides through Explore-Share!

4. How Can I Prepare to Climb Aconcagua?

To pursue the Aconcagua ascent you will need a very good fitness level, in order to keep up with the high altitude over a period that ranges between 18 and 20 days. Yet, given that it is not a difficult ascent from a technical point of view, it is a goal reachable by people with different levels of experience. This is why the “Colossus of America” is considered the highest non-technical mountain in the world.

We've spoken to Sergio Furlan, an physical education expert in Mendoza that offers training programs for high altitude mountains. He suggests to start training at least 6 months in advance. Furthermore, you should dedicate 90 minutes to training 5 days a week, and schedule an additional outdoor excursion every 2 weeks.

The tailored programs that Sergio offers, which can be done at a distance, are created based on an initial assessment that includes a psychological and physical evaluation. The training plans, which are carefully designed to meet the particular needs of each climber, consider various capacities: strength, endurance, tolerance to maximum effort, overcoming the VO2 max, and the immense general performance that any person who wants to reach a high altitude mountain must-have.

Being very well trained increases the odds of reaching the summit and minimizes the risks of pulmonary, peripheral, and cerebral edema. Furthermore, an adequate training program will allow you to enjoy the mountain and make the best of your adventure.

Keep reading: What are the Best Trips in Mendoza to Prepare for Aconcagua?

Part of the Explore-Share.com team accepted the Aconcagua challenge! Photo: Explore-Share.com

5. How Do I Choose a Guide for Aconcagua?

For your safety and enjoyment, look for guides with UIAGM/IFMGA certification, AAGM certification (Argentinean Mountain Guides Association), or EPGAMT certification (Provincial School of Mountain and Trekking Guides, Mendoza).

There are plenty of specialized agencies in Mendoza, but the most important thing you should look for is that they work with guides that hold any of the certifications above.

6. What's the Weather Like in Aconcagua?

During the climbing season (November-March) temperatures vary considerably and change throughout the day and night. In Plaza de Mulas (base camp for the Normal Route), temperatures can get as low as -18°C in bad weather conditions. At high camps, the temperature is generally around -25°C. Above 5,000 m, temperatures below -20°C are common. On the summit, temperatures can easily reach -30°C.

7. What to Pack for Aconcagua? Gear List

Your equipment needs to be complete and with high-quality items. The following is a general list, which you should go over with your guide before the expedition.

Clothing: lightweight plus expedition weight long underwear, fleece jacket, and trousers, parka suitable for expeditions, waterproof and breathable jacket, wind pants.
Head: sun hat, wool hat, goggles, balaclava, safety helmet.
Gloves: first layer gloves, and fleece waterproof gloves.
Footwear: trekking shoes, mountaineering double boots, wool socks, liner socks, sandals
Climbing equipment: ice axe, crampons, ski poles
Other equipment: sleeping bag (suitable for the temperatures mentioned above), sunscreen, lip screen, pocket knife, plastic bags

Guides and agencies normally take care of tents and food.

8. Open Group or Private Trip?

Both alternatives are possible. If you are alone, there are certainly many open expeditions for the Normal Route and the 360° itinerary along the season. Alternatively, for more technical options, private guiding is the way to go.

9. How Much Does it Cost to Climb Aconcagua?

Prices depend on the chosen route, and guides or agencies. A regular Normal route, 18-day expedition can cost between US$4,000 and US$4,500.

Prices normally do not include the ascent permit fee.

For more info on this topic, check out our blog post: How much does it cost to climb Aconcagua?

10. Do I Need a Permit to Climb Aconcagua?

Official permits are required to ascend Mt Aconcagua. They are processed in person in the city of Mendoza, before the ascent. Most guides and tours offer help along the process, although the cost of the permit is not included in their overall fee. Ascent permits for the Normal Route range between US$291 – US$800, depending on the season and your nationality.

11. How Can I Increase the Chances of Reaching the Summit of Aconcagua?

The main top 3 reasons people fail to reach the summit are:

Lack of a proper or enough acclimatization
Bad weather
Insufficient physical preparation

Physical fitness is, of course, essential to attempt this ascent. But above all, the key is acclimatization! Itineraries between 18 and 20 days are thought out with this in mind and include climbing other mountains in the area prior to the big ascent. This 18-day program guided by Pablo Kuntz, for example, includes an acclimatization ascent to Cerro Bonete.

But if you prefer a program with a shorter itinerary, an interesting option is to use an Altitude Training System with a Hypoxic tent, so you can acclimatize while you're still at home (only available for rental in Canada and the US). IFMGA-certified guide Rodrigo Mujica offers a 12-day ascent to Aconcagua, by using this acclimatization method.

12. When Should I Book My Trip to Aconcagua?

As much in advance as possible is of course always better. Spots for expeditions during the high season (mid-December to the end of January) tend to sell out quickly. Those for mid or low season usually have better availability. Guides that work independently usually take one or two groups per season. To increase your chances, consider requesting your booking 6 months before the high season begins.

13. What insurance do you recommend for climbing aconcagua?

When climbing Mount Aconcagua, you’re exposed to risks like harsh weather, altitude sickness, and potential accidents. In addition to your physical preparation, having proper rescue and evacuation insurance is essential. Explore-Share partners with Global Rescue to offer climbers tailored insurance that covers emergency rescue, evacuation, and medical support. Before starting your climb, make sure you're fully protected. You can learn more about their insurance options here.

EXTRA. Do you want a first-hand Aconcagua sneak peak? Have a look at what Pablo, EPGMAT certified guide, told Explore-Share.com about the Aconcagua experience on our "Meet your guide" video series.

Climbing Aconcagua is a unique and extremely fulfilling adventure. Check out all the options available to climb South America's most iconic mountain and start planning your next mountaineering challenge!