Xperience Aconcagua Expedition
We are a locally own Guide Services Company with Headquarters in Mendoza , and offices in Ellensburg , WA . With deep experience in the Central Andes, we were born and rise in this territory, climbing in summers and skiing in winters. Therefore, the Andes are literally our "backyard playground". Our mountain related careers took us around the world both in winter and summer activities, we all went trough Guide School and some of us have Ski Instructor, Park Ranger or Mountain Rescue backgrounds or international certifications. Even our office staff has Aconcagua experience and deep knowledge on mountain activities.
Aconcagua is the company's main hub of activity on the summer season, but we also organize expeditions to other peaks like Ojos del Salado (22.572 ft.), Pissis (22.241 ft.) and Mercedario (22.211 ft.).
Even being local, our level of service and quality of expeditions is well above international standards, as stated by numerous publications like The Lonely Planet Travel Guide and the National Geographic Magazine, something that makes us very proud.
Aconcagua , at 22.830 feet (6959 meters) is the highest point in the Western and Southern hemisphere, towering above the surrounding peaks in the Argentine Andes. The mountain stands on the border with Chile , some 30 km (a day-and-a-half hike) from the Puente del Inca settlement. Aconcagua does not lie in the actual Andes , but in the Frontal range, slightly to the east. It has a very steep and massive face on its south and a gentle slope on the north, with a huge glacier, the Polish glacier, flowing to the east and a series of arêtes and couloirs to the west. As the highest point in South America , Aconcagua is one of the much sought after "Seven Summits" and a world renowned peak.
The mountain has two summits - North (6959 meters) and South (6930 meters), joined by a ridge (Cresta del Guanaco) approximately one kilometer long. Various ridges radiate from each summit and the whole massif is isolated from other high peaks. Only to the northwest is it connected by a high snow ridge with the surrounding mountain systems. The usual approach is from the south up the Quebrada de los Horcones, which circles the western flanks of the peak, to the Plaza de Mulas base camp at a height of 4230 meters. From here 3 routes start: the normal via the Horcones Glaciar Superior and north ridge, the West Buttress route, and the South-West route. The best climbing period is mid-November to March.
Aconcagua has become an increasingly popular goal for Seven Summits climbers who are seeking to expand their experience at altitude. This mountain can be a rigorous and rewarding introduction to the demands of expedition climbing to nearly 7000 meters. On Aconcagua , the task of load carrying to stock high camps, and the challenging weather with its high winds, as well as the fortitude required to stay with one climbing objective for three weeks.
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| Property Amenities |
Restaurant |
Business Center |
Steam Room |
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Bar |
Internet Connection |
Wheelchair Accessible |
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Room Service |
Conference Facilities |
Animal Friendly |
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Laundry Service |
Swimming Pool |
Concierge Desk |
Storage Areas |
Gym |
Travel Desk |
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Car Park |
Sauna |
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Additional: We are the only company with state-of-the-art Base Camps, including Geodesic Domes with real beds, carpeted floors, heating system, hot shower, and a toilet seat bathroom.
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Meal Options |
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Non-Veg (all) |
Vegetarian |
Organic |
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Non-Veg (fish/chicken) |
Vegan |
Ayurvedic |
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Diabetic |
Low Salt |
Low Fat/Cholesterol |
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Kosher |
Hindu |
Muslim |
Additional: Our meals are prepared following strict standards of hygiene and contain high nutritional value.
They assure the right amount of carbohydrates and protein, everything the body needs to perform at high altitude, yet easy to digest. We also cater to vegetarians upon request.
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| Day 1 |
Arrival at Mendoza airport or bus station from where private transportation will be arranged to take you to your hotel. We will all meet at the hotel so that team members, guides and assistant guides can get to know each other. Dinner on your own.
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| Day 2 |
We will meet early to review each team member’s personal equipment. Should anyone be missing gear they can rent or buy what ever they need from our stock of equipment. Once all the gear is packed we will load it onto the vehicles and head to the Aconcagua Park offices to purchase the necessary climbing permits. From here we begin our trip towards the mountains. First we will stop for lunch in the town of Uspallata, 100 km (62 miles) from Mendoza, and then continue another 65 km (40 miles) to Penitentes located at 2,750 meters (9,030 feet) above sea level, where we will spend the night. Sleeping at this altitude under comfortable conditions will help us acclimatize. Separate the gear we will take with us on our hike to base camp from that which will be taken up by mules. Dinner.
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| Day 3 |
Have breakfast and take care of final details before leaving the Hotel. From here a vehicle will take us to the Laguna de Horcones entrance of Aconcagua Provincial Park. At the trailhead there is a ranger’s station where we will be asked to present our climbing permits before beginning the walk to our first camp, called Confluencia, at 3,300 meters (10,820 feet). Fifteen minutes into our hike we will pass the Laguna de Horcones with its reflection of the stunning South Face of Aconcagua, of course, weather permitting. We hike on a narrow path along the Horcones River at a leisurely pace so as not to tire ourselves out unnecessarily and to arrive at camp as relaxed as possible. A quarter of the way up the trail we will stop for lunch. Then we continue to the confluence of the Horcones River, which flows from the glaciers above the Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4,250 meters/13,940 feet), and the Lower Horcones River, with its source above the Plaza Francia Base Camp (4,200 meters/ 13,780 feet). Our first camp, Confluencia, gets its name from its location near the junction of these two rivers. In total the hike takes 3 ½ to 4 hours and climbs 600 meters (1,970 feet).
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| Day 4 |
Breakfast and then we prepare for a 4 or 5-hour hike to a great viewpoint not far from Plaza Francia. From here, if weather conditions permit, we will be able to take great pictures of the South Face of Aconcagua. This 2,700-meter (8,856-feet) wall is one of the biggest and most challenging in the world. We will have lunch here and then return to camp where we will have time to relax and snack before it is time for dinner.
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| Day 5 |
We will have breakfast very early before beginning our hike to Plaza de Mulas. This will be one of the longer days of the whole trip; depending on our pace the hike can take between 8 and 9 hours. From Confluencia we climb a steep hill to the first crossing of the Horcones River. If the river is running high we may have to wet our feet for which sandals are recommended. After this crossing begins a long walk in a wide, open valley called the Playa Ancha during which we will slowly gain in altitude. The river meanders across the Playa Ancha so we may have to cross it a few times before arriving at a small abandoned hut called Teniente Ibáñez at 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) where we will stop for lunch. From here the trail climbs along a rolling moraine to the remains of an old lodge in Lower Plaza de Mulas that was destroyed by an avalanche years ago. Following this is a steep rise called the "Cuesta Brava" (what may be called ‘Misery Hill’ in English) – its name says it all – where we will reduce our pace and slowly but surely climb up to the top of the slope. The segment that follows before our arrival at base camp, is not as steep.
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| Day 6 |
This day will be dedicated to resting. All the same we will take a walk in the surrounding areas of base camp. First we will go as far as the base of the Upper Horcones Glacier, the source of the Horcones River. Then we will go on to visit the hotel of Plaza de Mulas. From the hotel, on a clear day, one has a complete view of the Normal Route including the summit. We return to base camp and organize gear and food for the next day. We divide what has to be ferried up to Plaza Canada (4,850 meters/15,900 feet). This climb with minimal weight and some elevation gain will allow us to see how we are adapting to the altitude and the change in our metabolism as well as the state of our physical fitness. Dinner.
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| Day 7 |
Early breakfast and start our climb to Plaza Canada. In addition to the load we will have to carry, food and cooking utensils, we will have to bring along some extra clothes in case of a changes in weather. During the hike we will stop every 45 minutes or 1 hour to rest, drink and eat something. On average the climb takes 3 to 4 hours up a trail with gently inclined switchbacks. At camp we stash the loads in large bags, which we then cover with rocks. The walk down takes 1 to 1 ½ hours. Back at camp we will have time to relax before it is time for dinner.
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| Day 8 |
Another rest day. There are no arranged activities for this day. This is a free day for each member to do as they wish. However, we don’t recommend spending too much time inside the tent. It is a good idea to go for a small stroll around camp to get the blood flowing and further the acclimatization process. It is also important to stay well hydrated and fed in preparation for our stay at higher altitudes. We will have dinner early so as to get a good night sleep to be well rested for the following day’s activities.
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| Day 9 |
Early breakfast and preparations for our move up to Plaza Canada for the night. The climb is made at a slow pace set by the guide. After 3 or 4 hours with regular breaks we get to camp and set up the tents. Due to the fact that this area doesn’t have running water we have to fill plastic bags with snow that we will later convert into cherished drinking water. The water we drink should always be accompanied by juice, tea or some other infusion. After dinner hot drinks will be offered so that we can get into our sleeping bags with our bodies nice and warm. It is a good idea to melt enough water to have some on hand to quench our thirst at night. The view from camp offers splendid sunsets over the Cordillera del Límite, which separates Argentina from Chile. If one observes carefully they will see lights at night of small villages embedded in the mountains.
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| Day 10 |
We wake up early to have breakfast and break down camp. Then we pack our backpacks and begin the ascent to Nido de Cóndores (5.350 meters/17,550 feet). We start the hike on a trail that steepens considerably after Camp Cambio de Pendiente (5,200 meters/17,060 feet). The last part of the trail is more relaxed and brings us to Nido de Condores where we set up our next camp. Here we will have to melt a substantial amount of snow to stay well hydrated and be able to cook a big dinner.
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| Day 11 |
We have breakfast and break down camp before heading up to Camp Berlin. On our climb we will have a terrific view of the Cordillera de la Ramada, in the neighboring province of San Juan, with Mount Mercedario looming in its midst at 6,770 meters (22,200 feet). The path climbs steeply after leaving Nido de Condores making the 450 meters (1,470 feet) up to Berlin a challenging walk. The weather can change quickly during the climb for which it is advisable to have extra layers readily available. It takes between 5 to 6 hours to reach camp depending on each member’s fitness and acclimatization. When we arrive at camp we set up our tents and once again collect snow to be melted into the drinking water so essential for our bodies during these last difficult stages of our expedition. First we have some hot drinks, then an early dinner to be able to get into our sleeping bags as quickly as possible and rest as much as we can before the summit bid the next day.
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| Day 12 |
12. Summit Day!!! We wake up at 4 a.m. for an early bite to eat and prepare ourselves to face the bitter early morning cold awaiting us, taking care to protect our extremities (hands, feet and face), which are the most exposed to the cold. We will have to use headlamps for the first part of the climb until the sun comes up. As this will be the longest day of the whole expedition we have to pack a lot of liquid. It is a good idea to bring a thermos with some hot tea or coffee. On average it takes 8 to 10 hours to reach the summit and about 4 hours for the descent. With the sunrise, conditions become much more comfortable depending also on whether there is wind or not. We pass Piedras Blancas and then zigzag our way up to the remains of the shelter at Independencia (6,200meters/20,340 feet). Here we take a break do drink, eat something sweet and prepare to cross the Portezuelo del Viento (Windy Pass). This is a key point in the climb, for as its name hints; the wind and cold at this point can thwart our progress. Following this pass is the long Travesía that takes us to the base of a wide chute that ends at the summit ridge. Back to Camp III after summiting!.
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| Day 13 |
This day is reserved as an extra summit day should the weather the previous day have been too bad to make an attempt.
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| Day 14 |
This day is reserved as an extra summit day should the weather the previous day have been too bad to make an attempt.
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| Day 15 |
After breakfast we break down camp and begin the descent along the same route we came up on. We will surely be feeling our previous day’s efforts so we will go down at a slow pace. The trip will take about 3 to 4 hours. Once back at Plaza de Mulas we will have our summit celebration. We will take advantage of this day to recuperate calories and liquids for the walk out to Penitentes the next day, for which a nice big dinner will be called for.
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| Day 16 |
Breakfast and break down camp. We prepare our equipment in loads to be taken back down by mules and set off on our descent. The hike back to the Laguna de Horcones trial head takes 6 to 7 hours where a vehicle will be waiting to take us to Penitentes for a fabulous celebratory feast as well as a hot shower and a nice cozy bed.
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| Day 17 |
We have breakfast and travel from Penitentes to Potrerillos where a fun rafting experience awaits us. We will need clothes that can get wet and something to change into for when we come off the river. Finally, we head back to Mendoza and the hotel.
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| Day 18 |
Farwell lunch at The Familia Zuccardi Winery. Private transport to Airport/Bus Station.
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2 Optional Days
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Two extra dais are included in this itinerary.
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| Required Skill Level |
Open to All
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| Required Equipment |
Not Included
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| Our Certificatons |
We are one of the most recognized outfiters and experts in active tourism, stated by The Lonely Planet Travel Guide. Hour Hostel has been "editor's choice" for lodging in Mendoza.
We were also featured in the National Geographic's Adventure magazine, as well as argentinian Revista Aventura and other publications arround the world. |
Mountain Skills & Disciplines |
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Hiking |
Mountaineering |
Canyoneering |
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Backpacking |
High Altitude |
Caving |
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Camping |
Traversing |
Coasteering |
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Rock Climbing |
Aid Climbing |
Big Walling |
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Ice Climbing |
Free Climbing |
Ropes & Knots |
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Bouldering |
Solo Climbing |
Belaying |
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Indoor Climbing |
Lead Climbing |
Rappeling |
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Traditional Climbing |
Top Roping |
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Avalanche Awareness |
Outdoor Survival |
First Aid |
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Environmental Awareness |
Navigation |
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