At 22,841’ | 6,962m, Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the Americas and the second highest of the Seven Summits.
Aconcagua is often referred to as a “trekking peak”. It is a dangerous undertaking. While not technical ascent, Aconcagua is a highly underestimated climb, and the judgment of an experienced high-altitude mountain guide is essential.
Both routes in Aconcagua, Normal and Polish Traverse are long and extremely tough climb due to altitude and the unpredictable weather. Care needs to be taken if illness and injury are to be avoided.
A carefully planned acclimatization, extra days, porter’s assistance, pre-trip information, training, mountain gear advice, tasty food, best mountain guides on the business, customer service, comfortable base camps, and many other areas are where “WhiteFox Adventures” makes a big difference and this is why your chances of summiting and being safe climbing Aconcagua will significantly increase.
The importance we give to these details will make your trip a super experience.
The key to climbing Aconcagua is good acclimatization. This cannot be rushed.
Two additional days give us the chance of safe and successful climb.
Most experienced Argentinian mountain guides (English-speaking).
Includes porters support to carry group gear (tents and stoves).
Polish Traverse, via the Vacas Valley, is the most scenic route on Aconcagua.
Three days of approaching trek to Plaza Argentina basecamp. It starts at less altitude, and the ascending to the base camp is more gradual than in the Normal Route.
The descent is made by the Normal Route, which allows climbers to complete a full traverse of the mountain and to know its two faces.
Itinerary
High altitude illnesses are seen on a daily basis during the busiest times of the season in Aconcagua. Many of these can be avoided with a good acclimatization program. There are many ways to do this, and everyone acclimatizes at a different rate.
Our itinerary presents an ascent that offers an excellent opportunity for a safe and successful climb of Aconcagua. We work bearing in mind the Wilderness Medical Society guidelines, and our itineraries have been tried and tested by more than six thousand climbers over the course of the past 20 years!
DAY 1 – MENDOZA • 2,494’ | 760m
Upon arrival in Mendoza, you will enjoy our selected hotel, which will be our meeting place. After checking into your room, time is available to rest or explore the city. Our company will inform you our meeting time in the hotel lobby. We´ll meet our guide team. They will provide you with a complete orientation of the entire climb and a question and answer period. Guides will check expedition gear and will assist you with any gear rentals or purchases if required. For the evening, you are free to enjoy the many excellent restaurants in the area.
Meals: Not included Accomodation: Selected hotel
DAY 2 – MENDOZA / PENITENTES • 8,940’ | 2,725m
After getting climbing permits with Aconcagua Provincial Park office in the town, we drive to Penitentes, a small ski resort near to the entrance of the Horcones Valley. We will check in to our hotel. In the afternoon, the mule’s loads are prepared for the following day.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Selected Inn
DAY 3 – PENITENTES / PAMPA DE LEÑAS • 9,678’ | 2,950m
After breakfast, we take a short drive to the entrance of the Park. After completing the permit checks at Vacas Valley Station, we’ll start the walk to the campsite Pampa de Leñas (4 to 5 hours). We have light backpacks, and lightweight approach shoes are ideal for the journey. All main gear is carried by mules; leaving you to trek with just a light pack, meaning minimum weight and effort – the altitude, even modest for now, and arid climate make it tight enough. We have light backpacks, and lightweight approach shoes are ideal for the journey. All main gear is carried by mules; leaving you to trek with just a light backpack, meaning minimum The path is straightforward and well defined; following the big valley flanked by impressive scree slopes and folded strata. It is a perfect way to start to the climb.
DAY 5 – CASA DE PIEDRAS / PLAZA ARGENTINA • 13,779’ | 4,200m
We complete the approach to basecamp by following the Relinchos Valley to Plaza Argentina. A tough 5 to 7 hours trek and 850m of “up” leads to basecamp. Guides ensure we walk at a moderate pace, so everyone arrives feeling well. Upon arrival, you can relax in our dining tent. We unpack our climbing gear carried by the mules and establish camp. Our basecamp is a full-service camp with all meals included; internet service and hot showers are available upon request. Here you meet the local staff, cooks and camp assistants and porters who support our climb from now on.
Acclimatization and rest day at Basecamp. We relax and adjust to the new altitudes. Some may still be feeling the strain of altitude after the previous hard day. We have breakfast, lunch, and dinner in basecamp, as well as hot drinks and water to keep hydration levels up to help you acclimatize (showers are available). In the afternoon, we will have an orientation and then prepare our gear for the next day’s carry to C1 at 5,100 meters.
Rest day Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Mountain tents
DAY 7 – PLAZA ARGENTINA / CAMP 1 • 16,076’ | 4,900m / PLAZA ARGENTINA
Today we climb to Camp 1 and return to basecamp. Our trek ends, and the climb begins with our first carry of the expedition. It is your first step on the mountain, getting you into the rhythm of the climb to come. We will be carrying food, fuel and other supplies to be used in our camps higher on the mountain and then return to basecamp.
Rest and acclimatization day. On this day, you will make sure that your equipment is ready, and you are well rested to make a move to a camp higher up the mountain.
Rest day Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Mountain tents
DAY 9 – PLAZA ARGENTINA / CAMP 1 • 16,076’ | 4,900m
This morning, we leave basecamp and climb to Camp 1 with our remaining gear. Your heart and mind will focus on the summit. Once in Camp 1, the group will enjoy lunch and set up tents.
Carry to high camp, Camp 2. All climbers will carry expedition food, fuel and some camp equipment that we will need in Camp 2 and for our summit attempt. We will move slowly to acclimatize and prepare for summit day. Return to Camp 1.
Today we move from Camp 1 to Camp 2 where we spend one night. After reaching Camp 2, we set up tents with the guides. Above basecamp, the guides do the cooking and provide hot drinks to keep you fed and watered.
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. We will move slowly to acclimatize and prepare for summit day. Once at Cólera, you will have lunch and then return to Camp 2.
Climb to high Camp 3, Cólera. We set up the camp and preparing for our push to the summit. While you are resting, guides will check your summit gear for the next day and give an orientation on the summit climb. We´ll have an early dinner and go to bed to get a good night’s rest for the early morning start the next day.
It will be the hardest day of all on Aconcagua. We can expect as much as 10 to 12 hours to reach the top and back. We wake up early in the morning and leave at 6 am. The guides will serve hot drinks and a quick breakfast. They let us know what time to leave our tents, so we all rise together and start moving toward the summit. Summit day can be divided into three sections. First, the steep path to Independencia, second, the traverse across the Gran Acarreo, and third, the climb of the Canaleta. Until Independencia, the climb is gradual as we follow zigzags for the next two hours. The journey will have seemed a reasonable task to many climbers. However, above this point, progress becomes much harder. Managing the traverse is a slow and laborious process. Conditions are often difficult – high winds, driving snow and cold temperatures are not uncommon. La Canaleta is a strenuous climbing up and takes longer than it first appears. Steps are much harder won – 1, 2, 3, even 4 breaths per step. Upon reaching the top of the Canaleta, a straightforward traverse leads to the summit. A small cross marks the summit. Time for a celebration! After all photos are taken, we begin our descent back to Cólera Camp.
DAY 17 – PLAZA DE MULAS / HORCONES / MENDOZA • 2,494’ | 760m
After packing our gear, we descend to Horcones, the entrance to the Park, on the last trekking day of the expedition. The journey to Horcones Station is a long one. You will only take a light backpack with a jacket and your packed lunch. Transport will meet us. We need to wait for the mules with the expedition´s gear. Then we start the trip to Mendoza City. Lodge in the hotel.
These extra days are scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather conditions. Having these two extra days has proven to improve the team’s success dramatically.
Meals: Breakfast, Packed-Lunch, Dinner
ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
While it is our intention to adhere to the route itinerary described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary can be modifying due to weather conditions or others unpredictable factor of the mountain regions.
Dates & Prices
This adventure takes place every day from November 1st to March 5th, in private adventure.
Prices are per person, guiven in USD Dollars.
Book to see dates on "Book"
Gear Tips
Bring only the equipment what is necessary, as this will help you during the entire trip.
The key to staying comfortable during this trip is layering. To obtain maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection.
This list is for guidance; it does not have to be followed to the letter.
Provided by WhiteFox Adventures
All Group Cooking Gear & Stoves
Sleeping Tents
Portable Toilet and Toilet Paper for altitude camps
Group First Aid Kit
Oxygen and Oximeter
We know how important it is to have the right equipment to enjoy the adventure.
We’re proud of the fact that our guide’s team is among the most talented and experienced in the country. They can lead a group on the highest mountain as few can. All our guides hold full certification with the AAGM (Argentinean Association of Mountain Guides) and EPGAMT (School of High Mountain and Trekking Guides), the highest level of guide training available in Argentina.
WhiteFox Adventures success was due in massive part to having exceptional guides team. They have become our friends and WhiteFox Adventures has become a vehicle for all of us.
Our view is that if we don’t enjoy the people we work with, that our clients won’t either. Teamwork works, together we develop our climbing itineraries to be safer and flexible.
Every WhiteFox Adventures guide is experienced, and familiar with our ethics, standards, and operations, from the technical skills of our guides to our risk management.
As you reach higher elevations and test your limits, the value of an experienced guide cannot be understated. Our professional guides provide individual attention for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Transportation
TRANSPORTATION MENDOZA / PENITENTES / MENDOZA
We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Penitentes in our comfortable van.
Our drive is approximately 180 kilometers. The scenery throughout our journey is boasted as one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Central Andes.
We also deliver you back from Horcones to Penitentes, and then to Mendoza after the climb.
TRANSPORTATION FROM PENITENTES TO ACONCAGUA TRAILHEAD
You will be driven in our vehicles, from Penitentes to the Ranger Station where your permit is reviewed, and you are informed about the park rules before we start trekking.
Lodging
HOTEL IN MENDOZA
You will stay in an excellent hotel centrally located in Mendoza city for two nights, one night upon arrival and the second after completion of the climb.
The rooms are double or triple occupancy (two or three people to a room) with breakfast and taxes included in the price. If you prefer a single room, this can be arranged at an additional cost.
LODGING IN PENITENTES
The group will spend one night in Penitentes in a quaint hotel at the beginning of the expedition.
The rooms are for two to four people with private bathroom.
A great dinner and breakfast are included at the hotel.
LODGING AT APPROACH CAMPS
We are going to stop for a night in PAMPA DE LEÑAS and the following day continue with the trek to CASA DE PIEDRAS. In every stop, you will meet the Arrieros, who will give you your gear to spend the night. The guides will help you to set up the tents and will prepare the dinner and breakfast.
LODGING AT THE BASECAMPS
Once you have arrived at PLAZA ARGENTINA, you will spend a total of four nights in our basecamp, which is fully prepared to make your climb of Aconcagua as comfortable as possible. We have dining tents where you not only eat but also can relax as they are warm from the sun and keep you out of the weather.
When returning from the summit, you spend one night in PLAZA DE MULAS basecamp, which is a well-established camp as well as Plaza Argentina.
At both basecamps, we provide two-man sleeping tents. Hot showers, Internet service and bunk beds (dormitory style) are available for an extra cost.
LODGING AT THE HIGH-ALTITUDE CAMPS
We use The North Face VE 25 Tents. These are the most comfortable and most robust tents in high winds, perfect for Aconcagua.
All our climbing gear and all our equipment is well maintained and replaced regularly.
Meals
MEALS AT MENDOZA CITY & PENITENTES
During your stay in Mendoza city, you have breakfast included at the hotel that you have booked through our company.
In Penitentes, you have included dinner with a varied menu and breakfast.
MEALS AT ACONCAGUA PARK
From the moment you enter Aconcagua Park, all meals are included, so you should not worry about it. During the expedition, we will provide all meals (B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / PL: Packed-Lunch if you are on the move / D: Dinner).
At the basecamps, meals are carefully planned by our professional chefs for you to have a balanced diet and plenty of food during your climb. They will prepare all your meals and provide hot drinks as desired.
In the high-altitude camps, our guides will be responsible for preparing all meals. They will be served in the sleeping tents depending on the weather.
If you need a special diet, please let us know. It will be a pleasure for us to prepare a special menu for you. This service has an extra cost.
Gear Transportation
MULES
Mules will move all expedition gear from Penitentes to Plaza Argentina basecamp and back from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes at the end of the expedition. We recommend you bring heavy duffel bags to make sure all your equipment is protected during transport.
Every climber may transport by a mule a maximum of 30kg on each stage of the approach and descent, organized as follows:
Day 3 to 5 – Penitentes / Plaza Argentina: 30 kg From Penitentes to Plaza Argentina (all climber gear)
Day 14 – Plaza Argentina / Penitentes: 10 kilograms From Plaza Argentina to Penitentes (trekking gear)
Day 16 – Penitentes / Plaza de Mulas: 10 kilograms From Penitentes to Plaza de Mulas (trekking gear)
Day 17 to 19 – At the return of the altitude: 30 kg Plaza de Mulas / Penitentes (all climber gear)
PORTERS FOR THE HIGH CAMPS
In our expeditions, we employ porters to carry part of our climbing gear to keep your backpacks at reasonable weights while ascending the mountain.
For the Polish Traverse Route, Porters carry our sleeping tents from Plaza Argentina to all the high-altitude camps on the mountain. They also take sleeping tents and all human waste and trash down to Plaza de Mulas basecamp.
If you would like to hire additional porters to carry all your gear between camps, you can do so at an extra cost.
Much More Services
GEAR CHECK AND ORIENTATION
A thorough orientation will take place on the 1st day of your program.
We will discuss all details of the climb with ample time for questions and answers.
After that, will be followed by a complete gear check. If the rental or retail gear is needed, our guides will assist you.
ASSISTANCE WITH CLIMBING PERMIT
We will assist you with the paperwork to acquire a climbing permit.
On the day of our departure to the mountain, our group will go to Park Headquarters where each climber must pay and sign for their permit.
EXTRA DAYS
On the Normal Route, we offer two extra days. It’s crucial to increase your chance of summit success and a prime example of where we put quality first.
These extra days allow us to wait out bad weather if needed.
Many other teams retreat early from the mountain as they have run out of time or moved too quickly up the mountain often causing climbers to become ill.
If we finish on time, you can enjoy the beautiful city of Mendoza and the surrounding wine county or fly home early.
COMMUNICATIONS
All our base and approach camps are equipped with a system of communication via radio frequency, VHF, and satellite phone. These keep us permanently connected with our headquarters in Mendoza city and Penitentes as well as with all our expeditions on the mountain.
So, we can facilitate those coming off the mountain whether scheduled or unscheduled on time. Should an emergency occur, we are in close contact with Rangers and the helicopter service to move climbers efficiently to additional services off the mountain.
SUMMIT CERTIFICATE
Once your expedition is over you will receive an Aconcagua summit certificate.
What’s not included
The following items are not included in this program:
– Wire Transfer Fees for deposit or balance (If Applicable). – International round-trip airfare home country – Mendoza. – Excess baggage charges lost luggage and airport taxes. – Climbing Permit Fee. – Single Accommodations (Hotels Only). – Airport transfers. (Due to multiple arrival schedules). Taxis are an easy way to get back and forth from the Airport to your hotel. You can also request personal pickups at the airport for an additional cost. – Guide Tips. – Private porters hired to carry your gear if you choose. They can be confirmed in advance. – Some supplemental snacks such as candy bars and drinks which are not mentioned in provided services. – Personal gear. – Additional hotels and meals if the expedition finishes early and returns to Mendoza. – All fees incurred for an early departure from the scheduled itinerary (whether private or medical), including additional hotels, meals & transportation (mules, auto or helicopter) a full schedule of departure evacuation fees will be sent in confirmation materials for early departures. – Helicopter evacuation. – Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of WhiteFox Adventures. – Trip cancellation insurance.
Let’s start planning your Patagonian dream!
We will be happy to answer all the inquiries that you may have without any commitment from your part. We are simply here to discuss different possibilities, ideas or dreams related to Patagonia.
