Climbing Aconcagua via the Normal Route (20 days)

Upon arrival in Mendoza, you will enjoy the comforts of one of the best hotels in the city and then the city, and then begin with an orientation meeting (please note meeting time in your confirmation letter). At this meeting, we will perform a comprehensive gear check, an overview of the entire climb, and answer all questions. Guides will assist you with any gear rentals or purchases, if required. For the evening, you are free to walk the streets of Mendoza and enjoy the many great restaurants in the area (meals not included).

After registration with Aconcagua Provincial Park, we will drive to Penitentes to start our acclimatization. We will have lunch in Uspallata and continue our journey. Upon reaching Penitentes, we will check in to our quaint hotel at the base of the mountain. In the afternoon we will prepare loads for the mules at our depot at Los Puquios for the following day. (B, L, D)

After breakfast we will take a short drive to the entrance of the park in a private van. Permits will be presented as we start our 3.5-hour trek to Confluencia Camp (3,300 m). We have light backpacks and
will walk on a well-worn, picturesque trail. Upon arrival at Confluencia, AMG staff will greet the climbing group with refreshments and a tour of camp. After a good rest, we will set up our tents and take some time to explore the surrounding area and view the beautiful rock formations. You will spend
two nights in Confluencia with full meals and hot drinks provided throughout the day. It is a lovely camp and our staff will be there to assist you. (B, PL, D)

Today we trek to Plaza Francia and back to Confluencia. At Plaza Francia, we will eat lunch and be able to view the spectacular South Face of Aconcagua while further acclimating. The South Face of Aconcagua is famous for its difficult ascents where many of the best climbers in the world have come to test their skills. After exploring the area, we descend back to Confluencia Camp for the night. Six to seven hours (B, PL, D)

We make our way to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (seven to nine-hour trek). Guides ensure we walk at a moderate pace so everyone arrives feeling well. The trek follows the Horcones Superior River and then rises up onto a lateral moraine next to the Horcones Glacier. Upon arrival, team members can relax in the dining tent with hot drinks and snacks. Our Base Camp is a full-service camp with full meals and Wi-Fi. Hot showers are available upon request. Seven to nine hours. (B, PL, D)

We make our way to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (seven to nine-hour trek). Guides ensure we walk at a moderate pace so everyone arrives feeling well. The trek follows the Horcones Superior River and then rises up onto a lateral moraine next to the Horcones Glacier. Upon arrival, team members can relax in the dining tent with hot drinks and snacks. Our Base Camp is a full-service camp with full meals and Wi-Fi. Hot showers are available upon request. Seven to nine hours. (B, PL, D)

This is an exciting day as we climb Mt. Bonete, 5,100 m. For many climbers, this will be their first summit over 5,000 m. From the top, we have great vistas of Aconcagua and the surrounding mountains. The climb of Mt. Bonete also gives us essential acclimatization necessary to climb Aconcagua. Following our climb, we return to Plaza de Mulas and enjoy a nice evening in Base Camp. Six to seven hours. (B, PL, D)

Acclimatization trek to Camp 1, known as “Camp Canadá.” Team members will carry food, fuel, and other supplies to be used in our camps higher on the mountain. We will begin by walking through a field of Penitentes, with two to five-foot tall pinnacles of ice, and then follow switchbacks that lead us steadily up to Camp Canadá. Once we reach camp, we will cache our gear, have a packed lunch and then return to Base Camp. Three to four hours. (B, PL, D)

Rest and acclimatization day. Everyone will make sure that their equipment is ready and we are well-rested to make the move to a camp higher up the mountain. (B, L, D)

This morning we move to Camp Canadá. Team members will carry personal gear and additional supplies. Porter staff will carry sleeping tents. Once at Canadá, the group will enjoy lunch and set up tents. Three to four hours. (B, PL, D)

Today we move from Camp Canada to our Camp 2 “Nido de Cóndores,” where we spend three nights resting and acclimatizing. On this day, each climber will be responsible for carrying personal equipment only. Porter staff will carry expedition equipment, food, and sleeping tents. After reaching Nido de Cóndores, we set up tents with the guides and move our sleeping gear inside, then settle down for the night. Guides will serve you dinner in your tents. Three to four hours. (B, PL, D)

Today is a rest day and an opportunity to further acclimatize and enjoy the comfort of our camp. Resting on this day will improve your performance on summit day and greatly increase your chances for successfully reaching the summit. AMG is the only company that offers this rest day instead of moving higher up the mountain. (B, L, D)

Carry to High Camp, “Camp Cólera.” All climbers will carry expedition food, fuel and some camp equipment that we will need in Cólera and for our summit attempt. This will be a short hike, but we will move slowly to acclimatize and prepare for summit day. Once at Cólera, you will have lunch and then return to Nido de Cóndores. Four hours (B, PL, D)

Climb from Cólera to the summit and return to Camp 3. The Great Day! We will wake up early in the morning and dress for our summit attempt. Guides will serve hot drinks and a quick breakfast. They will let us know what time to leave our tents so we all rise together and start moving toward the summit. This keeps us warm and moving together as a team. The climb is gradual as we follow switchbacks for two hours until we reach a small A-frame hut called “Independencia.” From here we will traverse across the North Face of Aconcagua until we reach the Canaleta, a low-angle gully that leads us up towards the summit ridge. As we ascend the Canaleta, we can look down on the surrounding mountains, which begin to drop away as we go higher. A few hundred meters below the summit, the route traverses east and leads us directly to the summit! A cross proudly stands on top to mark the summit. There is plenty of room for everybody to take personal and group photos. It is a time for celebration! Time of day and the weather often determine the amount of time we spend on the summit. After we’ve all taken photos are absorbed the views, we will begin our descent back to Cólera Camp. eight to twelve hours.

We head down to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. We will take our time moving downhill with our climbing equipment and personal gear. Porters will carry sleeping tents and human waste. Once in Plaza de Mulas, the group will have the rest of the day free to celebrate our climbing experience and enjoy a great meal. Four hours. (B, PL, D)

We descend to Horcones, the entrance to the Park, on the last trekking day of the expedition. Your belongings will be carried by mules so you will only take a light backpack with a jacket and your packed lunch. Transfer to Mendoza City. Lodge in the hotel. That evening guides and climbers often get together for dinner to celebrate their climb. Six to seven hours. (B, PL) (Mendoza dinner not included)

Breakfast. End of services. (B)