DESCRIPTION:
Aconcagua, at 6962 meters, is the highest mountain on the American Continent. It is one of the Seven Summits, composed of the highest mountains on the seven continents.
Aconcagua’s Normal Route, while requiring excellent physical conditioning, can be ascended by people who do not have a high level of technical mountain experience, enabling them to reach one of the highest points on the Earth.

This itinerary offers an acclimatization alternative: instead of acclimatizing while climbing Aconcagua, the acclimatization takes place while climbing other mountains (Mt. Vallecitos 5500m, Mt Adolfo Calle 4300m and Mt. Stepanek 4250m). This difference has two main advantages. First, the climbers have the chance to know another beautiful place in the same area but less crowded by international mountaineers and second, they climb another important mountain and take home four summits instead of one.

ACCLIMATIZATION
Because of the low pressure of oxygen at altitude, some people feel sick, get a headache and in some cases, develop mountain sickness.
Our itinerary is designed to reduce the possibility of suffering altitude related problems. Our ascension up the mountain is gradual and strategically combined with rest days.

Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Difficulty level: high
Duration: 20 Days
Guide to Client Ratio: 1:3
Prerequisites: Excellent Physical Condition

DATES:
Dec 1st 11`, Jan 8th 12`Feb 1st 12`
For a private trip:Contact us
Price: Contact us

SERVICES:
INCLUDED SERVICES
•High Mountain guides (IFMGA/UIAGM, AAGM)
•All private ground transportation mentioned in the itinerary
•Two (2) nights Hotel in Mendoza (include breakfast)
•Two (2) nights in Hotel in Penitentes (includes breakfasts, 2 diners and 1 lunch, but does not include drinks)
•Transport and assistance to obtain the permit to enter Aconcagua Park
•All meals and beverages in the mountain
•Welcome diner (does not include drinks)
•Full board in Vallecitos Hut
•Lodging and full board in Refugio Plaza de Mules (Maximum 3 Nights)
•Porters for group gear (1 every 3 climbers) in Aconcagua
•Mules for group gear from Vallecitos to Piedra Grande camp and to El Salto camp
•Mules for gear from Puente del Inca to Campo Base, Aconcagua (maximum 30kg per climber)
•High Mountain Tents (The North Face)
•Cooking sets
•Communication equipment
•Oximeter
•Oxygen tube, in case of emergency

NOT INCLUDED SERVICES
•Permit to enter Aconcagua Provincial Park
•Expenses for leaving the expedition or in case of emergency rescue
•Medical and travel insurance
•Personal Porters
•Any other expense not mentioned in the list of included services

ITINERARY:
Flight to Mendoza
Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina are your two options for connecting with same-day flights to Mendoza.

Day 1: Arrival in Mendoza (2.493ft / 760m)
Nasqa Expeditions will pick you up at the airport and bring you, via private transport, to your hotel. At the hotel, you will gather with the guides and the rest of the group to go over the expedition plan. In the evening, at a restaurant that offers typical Argentinean food, we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Mendoza / Vallecitos Refuge (2800m)
The guides will check the equipment. We will go to the rental if necessary and assist you in getting the permit to enter to Aconcagua Provincial Park. In the afternoon the transfer will take us to the refuge in Vallecitos area.

Day 3: Refuge Vallecitos/ Camp 1 (3800m)
We will climb up to Camp 1 which is called ¨Piedra Grande¨ (Big Stone). There, we will set up the camp getting familiar with the tents and mountain life.

Day 4: Camp 1/ Mt. Adolfo Calle – Mt. Stepanek.
We will climb two 4300 meters peaks this day. This will contribute to our acclimatization process as we will return to sleep at 3800 m before moving camp to a higher elevation (camp El Salto). From these mountains, we’ll have a great view of the Plata Ridge.

Day 5: Camp 1 / Camp El Salto. (4200m)
We will ascend to camp El Salto where the base of the cirque of Vallecitos (5500m) is. This cirque is formed by several mountains such as Rincón (5200m), Adolfo Calle (4500m), Lomas Amarillas (5100m), etc. The place to camp is a flat terrace from where we can admire the wide Mendoza River valley and we see Mendoza lights in the night.

Day 6: Camp El Salto / Rest.
We will go for an easy walk for a couple of hours to continue acclimatizing but short enough to avoid getting tired. We will go to sleep early that night to rest well for the next day.

Day 7: Camp El Salto / Summit Mt. Vallecitos/ Camp El Salto.
We will get up early in the morning; walk five hours to get to the ridge Plata -Vallecitos from where we will be able to see the immensity of Aconcagua in the distance and the spectacular mountain range at our feet. From there we have two more hours to the summit. We descend the same way we go up.

Day 8: Camp El Salto / Penitentes.
An enjoyable 3 hour walk will bring us back to the refuge where we will have lunch. Later, the minibus will drive us to Penitentes. We spend the night at the hotel in Penitentes, time to relax and take a nice hot shower.

Day 9: Penitentes, rest day.
We will rest and prepare our bags for the mules that will leave the next morning. There are hot springs very close to the hotel and small typical souvenirs shops around to visit in the free time.

Day 10: Penitentes / Plaza de Mulas (4370m)
Trek to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. This is a longer day usually about 8 hours walking, but we have the reward of a welcome snack and a comfortable night at the Camp Plaza de Mulas.

Day 11: Plaza de Mulas (4370m), rest day
This is a resting day in Plaza de Mulas. This day is just to relax and get our things ready for the final climb.

Day 12: Plaza de Mulas (4370m) / Campo Cambio de pendiente (5150m).
Climb to Camp 1.Cambio de pendiente means Change of slope, a very descriptive name for the place, because from very steep slope, suddenly we arrive to an almost flat terrace. There we set up the tents and have dinner.

Day 13: Camp 1 Cambio de pendiente / Rest day.
This is a resting and acclimatization day. We will go for a walk to camp 2 Nido de Cóndores (5450m) and on the way we get to another summit called El Manso, then back to camp. No more than 3 hours walking.

Day 14: Camp 1 / Camp 3 Berlin (5950m).
Climb to Camp 3, this can take us 5 hours and the last part gets quite steep. In Berlin we have an early dinner and preparation for the summit.

Day 15: Camp 3 / Summit (22.841ft / 6962m)/ Camp 3.
Before sunrise, we will begin our ascent of the Northwest Face.
The first rays of sun will hit us just as we are arriving at Independence Refuge (20.669ft / 6300m). We will continue towards Portezuelo del viento (Col of the Wind) where we can see the route we will travel to the summit.
“La Travesia” The traverse that crosses the “Grand Acarreo” will bring us to the base of the famous “Canaleta”, a steep and precise section. Reaching the Ridge of the Guanaco, the ridge that unites the South summit with the North summit, we will walk very close to the edge, with a view of the South Face.
The landscape and the summit so close will inspire us to dig deep for the last steps. At 22.841ft / 6962m, we will be on the highest point of the American Continent, with an awe inspiring view of the Andean Cordillera.
Generally on summit day, from Camp 3 Berlin to summit and back to Camp 3 Berlin takes between 10 and 14 hours.

Day 16 and 17: Extra Days.
In case of any circumstances or bad weather that alter the normal schedule of the program.

Day 18: Camp Berlin / Plaza de Mulas.
The descent from Camp Berlin to Plaza de Mulas takes about 3 hours. We will retrace the same route we used while ascending.
We will finish off the day with a celebratory dinner and toasts with our expedition group members

Day 19: Plaza de Mulas / Puente del Inca.
After breakfast, we will organize the loads that will be transported by mules. This will allow us to travel lightly, with only a small backpack with water, food and extra warm layer. We will descend via the Quebrada de Horcones.
Our transportation will be waiting for us at the Park entrance, ready to bring us back to the hotel in Mendoza.
At day’s end, we will have our final feast together and commemorate the experience with a certificate of achievement.

Day 20: Flight back home.
Your Nasqa Expeditions guide will bring you by private transportation to the airport in Mendoza.

EQUIPMENTS:
EXPEDITION GEAR:
Comfortable backpack of 75 liters or more
Daypack (optional)
Headlamp if possible, light and small (Tikka type)
Sleeping bag expedition type at least -20ºC (-4ºF) (1 kg of down preferred)
Ridge Rest or Thermarest sleeping pad- full length and repair kit
Pocketknife, plate, cup, spoon, fork (for altitude camps)
Water bottles (two 1-liter or one 2-liter bottle)
Thermos (1-liter)
Sunscreen SPF 30-40
Lip balm SPF 20-40 (2 sticks)
Personal care items
Personal first aid kit
Hand warmers 4 pairs (optional)
Book, walkman or anything to entertain yourself in the tent or at the refuge
Earplugs (optional)

CLOTHING
**Cotton blends are not acceptable
Long sleeve T shirt
Lightweight long underwear tops and bottoms (2 pairs)
Expedition weight long underwear top and bottom (1 pair)
Fleece Jackets (1 lightweight and 1 midweight to heavyweight
Insulated down or synthetic jacket
Waterproof & breathable jacket (Gore-Tex or soft-shell)
Waterproof & breathable pants (Gore-Tex or soft-shell)
Fleece pants
HEAD
Sun cap or hat and bandana to protect the neck and head
Wool or fleece hat
Balaclava (midweight to heavyweight)
Sunglasses with UV filter (styles with nose and side protection preferred)
Ski goggles
**If you wear contact lenses or glasses, we recommend packing an extra pair

HANDS
Synthetic gloves (2 pair lightweight, fleece or polypropylene)
Fleece mittens (1 pair)
Gore-Tex overmitts (Gore-Tex or down mitts such as The North Face Mountain Guide Mitt recommended)

FEET
Liner socks (2-3 pairs of smooth wool, nylon or polypropylene)
Thick socks (3 pairs)
Sandals or any light and comfortable footwear (optional)
Light hiking boots or trekking shoes
Double/Plastic boots (La Sportiva Spantik type)
Gaiters (large enough to fit over double/plastic boots)

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
Crampons
Trekking poles (telescopic)

TRAVELING
Duffel bag (large and durable enough to hold your equipment during mule transport)
Travel clothes