Argentina Holidays: Aconcagua Expedition

Aconcagua is one of the greatest mountains in the world and it attracts mountaineers from all over the globe. This adventure brings very fit hikers to the highest point in the entire American continent and the highest peak outside Asia. The Aconcagua (6959 m/22834 ft), located entirely inside Argentinean territory close to the Chilean border, means 'The White Sentinel' in the local Quechua language and 'The Stone Sentinel' in the Aymara language. The first to conquer Aconcagua was the Swiss, Mathias Zurbriggen, back in 1897. We follow the normal North Face route, offering great views of the Argentinean Andes. The mountain's major difficulties are its altitude and its unpredictable weather, which sometimes can be very severe, so the attempt to the summit requires a very good physical preparation and the use of very good climbing equipment.

DAY 1: Mendoza
We will welcome you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. In the evening our guide will brief you about the next day’s activities.

DAY 2: Mendoza - Puente del Inca Lodge (8992 ft – 2740 m)
In the morning we obtain the permits for our expedition. In the afternoon, transport to Puente del Inca village. Lunch. Hostel accommodations and preparation of the loads for the mules. Dinner. B, L, D.

DAY 3: Puente del Inca – Confluencias camp (10890 ft – 3320 m).
Drive to the entrance of the Park. Trek to Confluencia Camp. Dinner. B, BL, D.

DAY 4: Confluencias - Plaza Francia (13200 ft – 4025 m) – Confluencias.
We make an acclimatization trek to Plaza Francia at the base of the famous south face of Aconcagua. Return to Confluencias camp. B, BL, D.

DAY 5: Confluencias Camp - Plaza de Mulas camp (14058 ft – 4286 m)
Long day trekking to our Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Dinner. B, BL, D.

DAY 6:Plaza de Mulas (14058 ft – 4286 m)
Resting day. Short trek to the glacier. Climbing practices on the glacier. B, L, D

DAY 7: Plaza de Mulas - Camp 1 (Canada) (16203 ft – 4940 m) - Plaza de Mulas.
Equipment transport to Canada camp and return to Base Camp. B, BL, D.

DAY 9: Plaza de Mulas - Camp Canada (16203 ft – 4940 m)
Climb to Camp 1 (Canada). Dinner. B, BL, D.

DAY 10: Camp 1 Canada - Camp 2 Nido de Condores (17325 ft – 5280 m)
Climb to Camp 2 Nido de Condores. B, BL, D.

DAY 12: Camp 2 Nido de Condores - Camp 3 Berlin (19470 ft – 5936 m)
Climb to Camp Berlin. B, BL, D.

DAY 13: Camp 3 Berlin - Aconcagua Summit (22834 ft – 6959 m) - Camp 3 Berlin
Summit day and return to Camp Berlin. B, BL, D.

DAY 14: Camp 3 Berlin - Plaza de Mulas Camp
Climb down to Plaza de Mulas. B, BL, D

DAY 15: Plaza de Mulas - Puente del Inca Lodge
We trek down to Orcones Valley and then transport to Puente del Inca (or Penitentes) hostel. (B, BL)

DAY 16: Puente del Inca (or Penitentes) - Mendoza
Drive to Mendoza and transfer to your hotel. Farewell dinner. (B, D).

Note: The above itinerary is intended as a guideline only. Although every effort will be made to adhere to it, changes may be caused due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Please be flexible if necessary.
You are responsible for costs for missed flights due to delays in returning to Mendoza.

Read our customers' feedback about this journey.

Warning! As there are only 12 participants maximum, our fixed departures may be booked up months in advance.

We can provide all services in Buenos Aires or Santiago de Chile (hotels, transfers...) as well as flights to Mendoza upon request.

Rated: Extreme. Although the programmed ascent is not technically difficult, it demands great physical endurance and stamina. Therefore, it is important to be very fit to reach the summit. Oxygen deprivation or "puna" will affect everyone to some extent, however, we gradually climb to higher altitudes.

Physical and Medical Certificates:
This mountain expedition requires physically qualification to be accepted. Everybody will be asked to answer and send ahead a short query in order to evaluate his/her physical condition and gain an idea of his(her) probable performance on the mountain. All expedition members need to bring a medical certificate that certifies him/her can safely attempt the physical challenge under severe climate and altitude conditions.

Equipment Supplied:
Top quality equipment including 2 person tents, a kitchen/dining tent, tables & stools, light, cooking equipment & utensils, first aid kit, etc.
Mules for load transportation (exclusively) for the approach trek
VHF radio to get permanent communication with Base Camp.

Personal climbing equipment is not supplied: Crampons, ice peaks, ski-poles ... can be rented in Mendoza for a price between $ 25 and $ 35 per item but we strongly advise to bring your own equipemnt as you need to be comfortable
Remark: Renting some equipment require a credit card or travellers checks as a guarantee.

Permits 2006-2007(fares subjected to change):
High Season: From 15th December 2006 to 31st January 2007:
• Climbing (20 days) USD$ 330 pp
• Long trekking (7 days) USD$ 60 pp
• Short Trekking (3 days) USD$ 40 pp
Medium Season: From December 1st to December 14th 2006 and from February 1st to February 20th, 2007:
• Climbing (20 days): USD$ 220 pp
• Long trekking (7 days) USD$ 50 pp
• Short Trekking (3 days) USD$ 30 pp
Low Season: From November 15th to November 30th 2006 and from February 21st to March 15th 2007:
• Climbing (20 days) USD$ 110 pp
• Long trekking (7 days) USD$ 50 pp
• Short trekking (3 days) USD$ 30 pp

Fixed Departure dates
Dates 2006/2007 guaranteed with 2 passengers minimum
December 2006: 4, 9, 14, 19, 23 & 28
January 2007: 4, 9, 14, 19, 24 & 29
February 2007: 4 & 9

Tour Tariff
	Fixed Departure	Private Departure			SGL Supp.
N° of participants	1	2	3	4
USD	$ 2300	$ 3315	$ 3065	$ 2940	$ 240
EUR	€ 1908	€ 2751	€ 2543	€ 2440	€ 199
GBP	£ 1288	£ 1856	£ 1716	£ 1646	£ 134

(*) Price last updated on 24 October 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .

Included:
All transfers, 2 night hotel (3/4 star) accommodations in twin bed room with private facilities, professional mountain guides, all meals while on the mountains (as noted: B=breakfast, L=lunch, BL=picnic lunch, D= dinner), private transport to/from Mendoza to/from Puente del Inca, mules for cargo, complete camping equipment, high altitude tents, communal climbing gear (ropes).

Not included: Tips, meals and other expenses in Mendoza, Puente del Inca, Climbing Permits, Travel assurance (mandatory)

We also operate a 19 days climbing expeditions where we spend the first week acclimatizing in the range of Cordón del Plata (the Silver Range), which is only 3 hrs away from the city of Mendoza. We will climb a pyramid shaped peak called Vallecitos (5400 m/ 17400 ft), in order to acclimatize and explore a beautiful mountain area. We minimize our stay at Plaza de Mulas, the Aconcagua Base camp, because it can be psychologically draining and instead recover and rest at Puente del Inca. This allows us to tackle Aconcagua with renewed energy and motivation and in great physical condition, usually allowing us to do the hike-in in only one day. The climbing route on Aconcagua is the Regular (North) Route.

Detailed Itinerary available upon request.

Departure dates
2006-7 Season
2006: November 9, December 3 and 28
2007: February 3

Vallecitos & Aconcagua Regular Route
	Fixed departure
	19 days
USD	$ 2800
EUR	€ 2323
GBP	£ 1568

(*) Price last updated on 24 October 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .

We also operate a shorter 15 day itinerary. The only difference with the above program is that it does not include any acclimatisation trek.
We strongly advise the longer itinerary for those who never climbed above 5500 mts /18,000 ft before or have some doubt about their level of fitness. Ask for advice !!!.

Detailed Itinerary available upon request.

Departure dates
2006-7 Season
2006: December 7
2007: January 3, February 7

Aconcagua Regular Route
	Fixed departure
	15 days
USD	$ 2500
EUR	€ 2074
GBP	£ 1400

(*) Price last updated on 24 October 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .

We also operate a shorter 12 day itinerary from Santiago de Chile for more experienced climbers. particpants are met in Santiago de Chile and drive to Mendoza and Puente del Inca. This expedition includes 10 climbing days. Reserved for experienced high altitude mountaineers only.

Detailed Itinerary available upon request.

Departure dates
2006-7 season
2006: December 8 and 22
2007: January 12 and 26, February 9 and 23, March 3

Private Departure any day

Aconcagua Regular Route
	Fixed departures - 12 days		Fixed departures - 12 days		Private Departure - 12 days		Private Departure - 12 days
Number of Passengers	2	3-5	6 -12	Single Suppl	2	3	4	Single Supp
USD	$ 2740	$ 2080	$ 1820	$ 90	$ 2850	$ 2170	$ 2120	$ 90
EUR	€ 2274	€ 1726	€ 1510	€ 74	€ 2365	€ 1801	€ 1759	€ 74
GBP	£ 1534	£ 1164	£ 1019	£ 50	£ 1596	£ 1215	£ 1187	£ 50

(*) Price last updated on 24 October 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
Price depending on total number of climbers

We also offer climbing expeditions for the more demanding Polish Glacier Route (20d/19n) or the new very interesting and beautiful Guanacos Valley & Traverse Route (21d/20n). Please contact us for more detailed information.

Departure dates
2006-7 season
Polish Route : Dates upon request
Guanacos Route :
2006: December 2 and 28
2007: January 23

Private Departure prices available upon request

Aconcagua Alternative Routes
Fixed departures	Polish Route	Guanacos Route
USD	$ 5100	$ 3293
EUR	€ 4232	€ 2733
GBP	£ 2856	£ 1844

(*) Price last updated on 24 October 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .

Aconcagua Expedition

"Argentina"