Basic travel information
A soaring rise to the highest peak in the Americas. The mighty Aconcagua rises to an altitude of almost 7,000 meters in the Andes Mountains next to the Mendoza Valley, on the border of Argentina and Chile.
For a warm-up, we climb to the top of Bonete (5010m) before the actual highlight of the trip, ascending to the top of Aconcagua. The ascent is technically easy along Ruta Normal, which is the most popular and easiest route on the mountain. The route is not technically difficult and is well suited for those interested in mountaineering as well as experienced hikers. However, severe and unexpected storms as well as a thin atmosphere make the ascent challenging.
A lot of time is spent getting used to the thin air during the ascent. We have also set aside time for the program in case of bad weather.
NOTE: The price does not include climbing permits (approx. 610USD).
Itinerary
DAY 1 – HELSINKI – MENDOZA
Flights from Helsinki to Argentina.
DAY 2 – MENDOZA
Arrival in Mendoza and transfer to hotel. Mendoza serves as a gateway to Andean hikes and as a transit area to the Chilean side. The area around the city is dry and hot, but it is one of the largest wine-growing areas in Argentina. Its main sources of income are wine, olive oil and tourism.
ACCOMMODATION
HOTEL
DAY 3 – PENITENTES
We move through the beautiful landscapes and the wine-growing area of the Mendoza Valley to the mountains of Penitentes. In the evening, we will carry out the final packings before moving in the morning to the Puente del Inca, where the Aconcagua approach march begins. We spend the night in a mountain village located at an altitude of about 2700 meters. (UNDER)
ACCOMMODATION IN A
HOSTEL
DAY 4 – CONFLUENCIA
We head to the gate of the national park where the hike begins. Our gear moves on the backs of the mules and we begin to approach the mountain. We ascend the river valley up to the confluencia camp (3300m). (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 5 – PLAZA FRANCIA
A day of rest or alternatively a light day of hiking. We make an acclimatization hike to the Plaza France camp at the foot of the southern wall of Aconcagua (4000m). We will return to stay at the Confluencia camp. First medical examination. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 6 – PLAZA DE MULAS
Early awakening and a long day of hiking towards Plaza de Mulas. Climb along the Rio Horcones to the Plaza de Mulas base camp (4260m). (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 7 – PLAZA DE MULAS
Medical examination, possibly a light hike to the glacier and rest in the camp. We see spectacular views opening onto the west wall of Aconcagua. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 8 – CERRO BONETE
A day of rest or possibly an acclimatization ascent to the nearby summit of Cerro Bonete (5010m) and we return to the Plaza de Mulas camp. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 9 – PLAZA DE MULAS
Rest day in base camp. (UNDER)
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 10 – CAMP CANADA
We make a second acclimatization ascent to Camp Canada (4910m) where we transport food and fuel (approx. 5-10kg / person). We will return to the Plaza de Mulas camp for the night. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 11 – PLAZA DE MULAS
In the base camp, we gather strength for the coming dawn. (UNDER)
ACCOMMODATION IN A
TENT
DAY 12 – CAMP CANADA
We get up again to Camp Canada, where we camp. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
TENT
DAY 13 – NIDO DE CONDORES
We ascend to the Nido de Condores camp (5250m). The height now begins to really feel in the body and the vistas promise the future. Overnight in Nido de Condores. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
TENT
DAY 14 – NIDO DE CONDORES
Rest day in Nido de Condores. (UNDER)
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 15 – CAMP COLERA
We ascend to our last camp before the summit, Colera Camp (5970m). We rest and refuel for the next day’s peak. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
TENT
DAY 16 – ACONCAGUA
We start the ascent in the morning in the light of the headlamps. We ascend steadily to the ruins of the Independencia hut, where we take a break. We make a long and windy transverse transition, followed by the last steep climb and we are at the top of Aconcaguan (6959m). Return for the night to Colera Camp.
We have set aside plenty of time to get up and get used to the thin air, as well as three spare days in case of bad weather. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
CLIMBING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
TENT
DAY 17 – ACONCAGUA DOMESTIC DAY 1
A spare day in case of bad weather. (UNDER)
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 18 – ACONCAGUA SPARE DAY 2
A spare day in case of bad weather. (UNDER)
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 19 – ACONCAGUA SPARE DAY 3
A spare day in case of bad weather. (UNDER)
ACCOMMODATION IN
TENT
DAY 20 – PENITENTES
We descend the route we took earlier to Camp Penitentes. We enjoyed our last camp dinner before the long descent into the valley the next day. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
HOSTEL
DAY 21 – MENDOZA
We continue to descend down the valley and towards the car transport. Transportation back to Mendoza, where we will stay. (A, L)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
HOTEL
DAY 22 – MENDOZA –
Return flights depart for Finland. (A)
DAY 23 – ARRIVAL IN HELSINKI
MEALS: (A) BREAKFAST (L) LUNCH (I) DINNER
Additional information
Group size: 8-16 people
The price of the trip includes
- Flights to
- Airport transfers
- Accommodations
- All transportation mentioned in the itinerary
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for guided tours
- Services of a Finnish-speaking tour guide and an English-speaking local guide
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport taxes
The price of the trip does not include
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Food drinks
- Personal expenses
- Local airport taxes or possible exit fees not included in the ticket price
- Climbing permits (approx. 610USD)
- Office expenses 10 €
NOTE: The room supplement for 1 person applies to the hotel. For hiking, it is possible to get a tent for 1 person for an additional fee of € 540.
Preparation:
On the Aconcagua climbing trip we travel in varying terrain and day trips are about 4 – 6h. You will be in good shape on the way. We recommend that you prepare physically for the hike by taking regular walking, cycling or skiing runs, as well as running downhill workouts before the hike. The better your physical condition, the more you get out of hiking.
Typical hiking day:
A typical hiking day starts at about. 7.00 with wake-up call. This is followed by the packaging of the equipment. We go together for breakfast through a day hiking section and its special features. The hiking itself starts after breakfast at about. 8.00. Lunch is enjoyed at noon and the afternoon hike is usually shorter than the morning. During the hike, everyone can walk at their own pace. One of the local guide and tour guide always walks in front of the group and the other after the last hiker. Upon arrival at our accommodation, there is time to relax and maintain the equipment. Dinner is enjoyed in the camp dining tent or in the upper camps in your own tent. The tour guide will go through the next day’s program during the evening.
Country information:
Finnish citizens do not need a visa when traveling to Argentina.
Check that your basic vaccinations are valid during the trip. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers to Argentina. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for tourists traveling to the provinces of Corrientes or Misiones in areas less than 2,300 meters high, including Iguassu Falls. The risk of malaria in Argentina is low and occurs only near the Bolivian border (lowlands of Salta and Jujuy) and in the border area with Paraguay. You can get more information about vaccinations from your doctor and on the Internet: http://rokote.fi
Climbing and hiking permits are redeemed in one of Mendoza before the hike.
For an Aconcagua climbing trip, you need travel insurance that covers not only medical cases but also helicopter evacuation and repatriation when moving at altitudes above 6,000 meters. The insurance must have cancellation cover.
The ascent to Aconcagua takes place technically easily along Ruta Normal, which is the most popular and easiest route on the mountain. The ascent does not include technical climbing, in practice the top of the mountain is walked with the help of ice irons and hiking poles. The Aconcagua climbing trip is suitable for those interested in mountaineering and with previous mountain experience. We have set aside two extra peak days for the program due to bad weather or illness.
The highest point during the climb is 6962m high Aconcagua peak. On the way, a lot of time is spent acclimatizing, ie getting used to the thin atmosphere. We make acclimatization climbs to lower peaks before climbing Aconcagua. Azetazolamide (Diamox) can be used to treat the symptoms of mild mountain sickness. The tour guide has the medicines needed for emergencies to treat mountain sickness.
Note: During the climbing program there are 2 mandatory medical examinations, where e.g. oxygen saturation is measured. A doctor may prescribe a climber down the mountain based on an examination if he deems it necessary.
The amount of equipment for the Aconcagua trip on the mules is 20 kg / customer from the beginning of the hike to Plaza de Mulsa. This amount of equipment should accommodate your personal equipment, sleeping bag and mat. After Plaza de Mulas, everyone carries their own equipment between the camps. You can leave the equipment you do not need for hiking in storage at the Hotel. When moving to the upper camps, everyone will also have to carry common food and fuel, approx. 5-10kg max. It is also possible to give the plaintiffs pounds in return for each interval.
The food offered on the hike is a mix of Argentinean and European food and made from local ingredients. Meals usually include appetizer, main course, dessert, and coffee, tea, and cocoa. With meals, it is possible to fill your own Drinking Bottles with boiled water that is safe to drink. The hike is accompanied by kitchen staff and tent kitchens. Mendoza has a wide variety of good restaurants where we dine. Book around € 10-15 / day for meals, for a total of around € 50 to cover your meals in Mendoza.
The official language of Argentina is Spanish. Few locals speak English and learning a few Spanish phrases before the trip helps with daily interaction. We recommend that you bring a Spanish dictionary with you on your trip.
The currency of Argentina is the Argentine Peso (ARS). The Argentine currency cannot be exchanged in Finland. Local money can be withdrawn from an ATM in larger cities. Cash can be exchanged at the exchange office for the local currency. International credit cards are accepted in Argentina.
The top culture is typical of South America. However, it should be remembered that it is always voluntary. The exception to this is airport bag carriers, who get paid for tips. If the service has been good in the restaurant, you can leave 5-15% of the total amount of the invoice to the waiters. Mandala Travel’s tour guide is responsible for tips for hotel bag carriers, city guides and drivers during the trip. On the Aconcagua climbing trip, you can book a total of about € 3 / day of hiking in local currency for the tips of the plaintiffs and guides. The tour guide collects the tips on the last night of the hike and distributes them among the plaintiffs, kitchen staff, and hiking guides.
Equipment for the trip
The following equipment list is made to facilitate packing for the trip:
Shoes and socks
- upper mountain shoes with inner shoe
- good and fit hiking boots
- 3 pairs of warm hiking socks
- 3 pairs of thin liner socks
- Crocs, sandals, etc. for base camp
- leg warmers
Foots
- down trousers
- 2 lower parts of the thermal layer. Merino wool recommended
- 1 fleece pants
- 1 Gore-Tex trousers, full length zipper recommended
- 1 hiking pants
- hiking shorts
Upper body
- Hooded down jacket (-20 ° C)
- 2 tops of thermal layer
- 2 fleece shirts
- 1 windstopper or sofshell jacket
- 1 Gore-Tex jacket with hood
- 2 long-sleeved shirts, one preferably with collars (against the sun)
Head
- sun hat
- windproof beanie
- ski mask
- storm goggles (ski goggles)
- uphill sunglasses
- Buff or similar scarf that can protect the neck or head
Hands
- thin ski gloves, good with hiking poles
- 1 upper glove (-20 ° C), preferably down
- 1 thin inner gloves
- 1 waterproof, warm gloves, Gore-Tex etc.
- 1 inner gloves
Carriers and backpacks
- 65-75l backpack, waterproof or protective bag
- 25-30l daypack
- 100-150l Basecamp bag, in which all luggage is packed. Durable nylon etc.
Sleeping
- winter sleeping bag, comfort approx. -20 ° C
- inflatable mattress, full length
- foam pad, Thermarest ridge rest or equivalent
Technical equipment
- hiking irons suitable for upper mountain shoes
- adjustable hiking poles, supportive. Preferably locked e.g. Black Diamond Expedition Poles
- climbing helmet
Change
- headlamp, spare batteries and spare bulb if required
- 2 lip balms with a strong protection factor, min 30
- cutlery, plate, fork, spoon, mug
- 2 x 1-liter drinking bottles
- light thermos
- 1l urinal bottle
- 4 hand warmers
- 2-3l drinking bag, insulated, Camelbak etc.
- personal hygiene and washing equipment
- camping towel
Recommendable
- a couple of books and music
- camera, memory cards, batteries
- ear plugs
- swimsuit
- linker / multifunction tool
Medicine bag
- first aid kit
- painkillers, e.g. 1000mg Paracetamol
- antibiotic treatment for diarrhea, ask your doctor
- acetazolamide (Diamox) for the symptoms of mountain sickness, ask your doctor
- blisters, lots of handbags, clay towels and toilet paper packed waterproof
- personal place medication.
