An alternative and beautiful path. Aconcagua will express its most rustic side, as an adventurous spirit will enlighten the trail with every step. Crossing the mythic base of the Polish Glacier, in the last stretch we will approach and then follow the common trail.
This special trail, for special people.

DATES

Difficulties
Technical difficulty: This route does not present any technical difficulty. Even though in this expedition you take some part of the Polish Glacier, you do not require a previous climbing experience on rocks or ice.
Physical difficulty: As in the Normal or Northeast route the process of acclimatization is really important in order to succeed in getting the summit. As this is a factor on any of our expeditions, the only pre requirement would be to follow a program of training that is adapted to the activity that you are going to make. The rest of the program is planned in order to make you enjoy and know one of the most beautiful traverse in the Aconcagua mountain.
Other types of difficulties: The biggest problem that you may face on your expedition are the effects of the altitude on your body. These can be overcome with a previous and correct acclimatization, which is a factor on any of our programs. Another difficulty are the low temperatures on the mountain, the effects of which are reduced with a high-quality clothing and equipment.

Important
Go to Aconcagua is one of the most wonderful experiences a person can live. There, one can know oneself deeply, and also may know deeply those around you.
A general but essential advice for those who want to climb this mountain: to be aware that what matters is not the summit, but to walk towards it step by step, without being exposed to danger because to preserve our heart healthy is what makes sense to the adventure.
And if we get to the summit it is really amazing. Then, for it to be worthy, the important thing is to start again, step by step, from hill to hill, from year to year, because the mountains, like life, are infinite and generous and they deserve to be shared among friends.

The Best of the Expedition
- A program that gives you the opportunities to succeed.
- The Aconcagua Mountain is the highest mountain in America and is part of The 7 Summits Circuit. This consists of climbing the highest mountains of each continent.
- An excellent opportunity to test yourself at an altitude of up to 23,000 feet, which is a great stepping stone for climbing the Himalaya mountains of 26,000 feet.
- Share with people around the world,that like you, are looking for a challenge inside full communion with the mountain.

INCLUDED SERVICES

Transfer airport / hotel / airport
One of us will be waiting for you at the airport to drive you to the hotel, allowing you the possibility to enjoy your trip fully. And after the expedition, we will take you back to the airport.

Hotel in Mendoza
We have chosen a four star hotel for you to stay in, during two nights, both when arriving to Mendoza and when returning from the mountain. The rooms are double and the breakfast and taxes are included in the price.
If you prefer a single room, please do not forget to let us know.

Assistance to buy the climbing permits
Mount Aconcagua is located in a provincial Park, managed by the Provincial Government of Mendoza.
To get into the Park you should get a permit, in accordance to the activity that you are going to participate in (climbing, long trek, short trek). This working paper must be done personally, as a government rule. That is why each passenger should go to the Park’s office with their own passport.

Luggage care
If you wish to leave certain personal belongings that you will not need during the days of the expedition, you can do so at our office in Mendoza City, our Hostel in Puente Del Inca, or our own camp in Plaza de Mulas. We guarantee maximum security.

Transfer Mendoza / Puente del Inca/ Mendoza
We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Puente Del Inca in our own vehicles. We will drive over 180 kilometers, which separate Mendoza City from Puente Del Inca. The scenery on the journey is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the central Andes.

Meals
On the expedition you will enjoy all the meals (B: breakfast / L: lunch / PL: packed lunch if we are on the move / D: dinner) that are carefully planned by professionals to have a balanced diet during those days on the mountain.
Our cooks always prepare every meal, with fixed menu from day nº 3, except at the high altitude camps where our guides will be in charge of the cooking.
If you are vegetarian, let us know.

Lodging in Puente del Inca
During the Inca Empire this spot was a strategic point for the crossing of the Andes mountain.
Over the last years it has become the point of departure of every expedition, whose aim is to get the summit of Aconcagua. The Hostel of Puente Del Inca was built here and it is the only lodging in this strategic zone, five kilometers far from the Aconcagua Park trailhead.
You will spend one night in this beautiful place at the beginning of your expedition in double rooms with a private toilet.
Complete breakfasts and unforgettable dinners in the restaurant of the hostel are also included.

Assistance for the arrangements of loads to be transported by mules
Our mountain guides will advise you on when you have to decide what to include in your luggage and the way that we are going to arrange it on the mules.

Load mules
These strong animals were the ones that helped the armies that fought for the freedom of South America, to transport their belongings over the mountains.
Mules move over mountain with great caution, having the possibility to carry big loads. The negative aspect of these animals is their untamed character. That is why we have selected a professional team of muleteers, called arrieros, who have dedicated their lives to the country animals. They know how to deal with these animals, because of their experience.
From Puente Del Inca to Plaza Argentina, making two stops in Pampa de Leñas and Casa de Piedras camps and in the return, your belongings will be carried by mules. Each mule can carry up to a limit of 60 kg, and every client may transport on the mules a maximum of 30 kg on each stage of the approach. We strongly recommend you to bring a strong duffel bag.

Transfer to the entrance of the Aconcagua Park
You will be driven by the Arrieros’ pick-up over 7 kilometers, from our hostel in Puente del Inca to Quebrada de Vacas, in order to start with the trek.

Camp in Pampa de Leñas and Casa de Piedra

Base camp in Plaza Argentina
Once you have arrived at Plaza Argentina, you will spend the night in the campsite, fully prepared to make the trip around the magnificent South American mountain, as comfortable as possible. With tents for eating, another for the kitchen, a third tent for equipment storage, and toilets. Here you will spend 5 nights and excellent workers, who will prepare delicious meals and provide an excellent service, will attend you.

Porters for common gear to altitude camps
All groupal gear and common equipment (tents, kitchen sets, altitude food, fuel, stoves, ropes and the garbage produced for the group) will be carry to altitude camps (Campo 1/ Campo 2 and return to Plaza Argentina) for the porters team. On the Aconcagua mountain, the porters have gradually become an important part. Their main characteristic is that they are very strong people, they have been on the summit many times and this gives them a better athletic condition than the athletes themselves. In Acomara-AconcaguaExpeditions, we believe that their job, which is carrying the ordinary equipment of expedition, helps our participants to move in a comfortable way and saving energy to achieve their goal, which is the getting to the summit. Therefore, these people are going with you, to help you.
You can hire porter services to altitude camp for your personal equipment (backpack, sleeping bug), please let us know.

The Guides (See more information about them)
Our mountain guides are qualified professionals of the AAGM (Argentinean Association of Mountain Guides) and the EPGAMT (Provincial School of High Mountain and Trekking Guides). The last qualification takes 2 years long. We believe that to success in our expeditions, professionals with experience and the ability to offer security should guide our teams.
The expeditions is lead by a mountain guide and an assistant for every 3 or 4 clients. Their equipment includes: VHF radio, a first-aid kit, complete with the appropriate drugs for altitude sickness, ropes, an altimeter, a digital meter-meter, and professional clothing and equipment. All these will provide security and comfort.

Tents
Normally, during the summer high-season, Aconcagua is a mountain with good weather conditions. Yet if you happen to have a few days of storms, you will be responsive to nature’s whims at high altitudes. Therefore, we will be sure to provide you with the highest quality tents at these high altitude campsites. We have used The North Face and Marmot brands, which have proved to work well for our clients over the years. Usually two climbers will sleep in each tent, but if our guide considers it necessary, a maximum of three climbers may sleep in one tent.

Extra days
The expeditions include two extra days in case of contingencies that may prevent the normal development of the itinerary.
Acomara - AconcaguaExpeditions takes the responsibility to develop the program as it has been described. However, sometimes the conditions are out of our control, and our guides reserve the right to modify the schedule in response to the circumstances and safety of the group. If this situation arises, the client will not receive any sort of severance pay.

Communication
You will see that we keep track of where we are at specific sites along the way. We take advantage of the VHF and BLU radio lines that help us maintain contact between the high-altitude campsites, Plaza Argentina, Puente del Inca and Mendoza. Therefore, we can respond almost instantaneously, to whatever issue that may arise.

Participation or Summit Certificate
We will extend you a certificate signed by the Guide of the expedition and the Ceo of Acomara-AconcaguaExpeditions.com certifying that you have participated in the expedition to Mount Aconcagua (or reached the summit if that happened).

NOT INCLUDED SERVICES

Climbing permit
The only way to enter the Aconcagua Park is by getting the permit personally in Mendoza city. If the ticket is not used within the dates established by the Park authorities, the money will not be returned. The ticket will be invalid in the future years.
The entrance fee’s payment support the maintenance and care of Aconcagua Provincial Park and aid to preserve and protect it. It also supports the maintenance of the medical, the park rangers and the rescue service (helicopter).

Drinks and other personal costs in Mendoza and Puente del Inca
Those extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary should be paid by you, not being included.

Expenses for giving up the expedition
In order to have better but cheaper services, the expedition is quoted taking into account the whole group. In any case that you give up the scheduled itinerary because of personal problems, mountain sickness, etc, you start taking private services. The extra expenses that you will pay if necessary are: mules from Plaza Argentina to Puente del Inca, the transfer from Puente del Inca to Mendoza city, etc. Once you give up the itinerary, the transferto Mendoza in a regular bus is included.
The night in Mendoza hotel when you return can be taken as soon as you get to Mendoza, but if you need to stay more nights, they should be paid for the pax.

Sleeping bag and personal equipment
Not only the technical but also the mountain equipment are not included services so you would have to buy it or rent any equipment. Take into account our guides if you need assistance.

Personal Insurance
Having a personal insurance is not a fundamental requirement to climb the Aconcagua mountain. However, we suggest that you to contact an insurance company if you wish to get one taking into account the risk in the mountain.

Porters for personal equipment
The porters may help you to transport your belongings from a camp to another one offering you a better result on the mountain. So do not hesitate in letting us know, if you decide to take one. The price will depend on the stretch that your equipment will be carried.

E.A.P. OPTION (Extra Acclimatization Program)

RESERVES

To confirm the reservations Aconcagua Expeditions asks for the 30 percent of the total amount, that can be sent through banking transfer (ask for account information) or through internet by PayPal - www.paypal.com. To ensure the security of your information, all credit cards and electronic transfers are handled by PayPal.
The balance must be paid in Mendoza, before starting the expedition.

Cancellations
The cancellation of any reservation must be made in writing and 20 days before the expedition starts, without exception. Under no circunstances will the deposit be refunded instead the CLIENT will assume a credit in his/her favor (if applicable) equivalent to the amount paid less 15% of administrative fee, to be used towards different services offered by Aconcagua Expeditions.com in season and for the lapse of two years.