Aconcagua Normal Route Expedition

In recent years, Mt. Aconcagua State Park has not published the price of the climbing permit until several weeks before the season begins. Prices differ according to the climbing route, the date of the trip, and the nationality of the climbers (Argentine and Latin American climbers receive a discount).

Climbers under the legal age in their country of origin must obtain certified authorization to enter the park.

We offer our reliable team of porters to carry gear up and down the mountain. Our trips include one porter for every four climbers, who carry 20 kg of group gear only when the group moves from one camp to the next (not when the group hauls gear to a cache and returns to camp). Climbers who don’t want to carry weight can hire a personal porter daily or for the whole trip.

The primary use of helicopters on Aconcagua is to perform emergency evacuations under the authorization of the park rangers and medical services. Chartered flights are, however, available. We operate charters between the BCs and the trailhead (2 to 3 persons, depending on the conditions). The flights always depend on weather conditions and load weight, varying between 150 and 280 kg.

We know that after many days at altitude and a demanding summit day, everyone wants to go home. But the mountain is as big going down as it is going up, and the return to the city is subject to many variables. Please read the following carefully:
– The weather days built into the expedition are extra days. Please be aware that the exact date of the return to Mendoza depends on your summit attempt and not on a given date. Furthermore, if these extra days are not used during the expedition, you will be responsible for your lodging in Mendoza.
– If a climber decides to separate from the group and returns earlier or later than the group, she or he will be responsible for all the expenses incurred.
– Our services include one hotel night in Mendoza at the end of the program only if you return to Mendoza with the lead guide.

It is advisable to bring some cash for the trip. The climbing permit has to be paid for in cash. ATM machines are not always reliable or may have a low daily withdrawal limit, and there may be occasional expenses in Mendoza (e.g., a restaurant that doesn’t take credit cards or tips). Once on the mountain, US dollars in cash are the best way to pay for services such as porters, beer, tips for the muleteers, etc.

The ideal combination for an Aconcagua expedition is two large, solid duffel bags, an expedition backpack (70-90 l), and a light, small daypack (20-30 l).

Please bear in mind that you will need to organize your gear in two separate duffle bags. You will use items during the hike-in to base camp (sleeping bag, light clothes, camping gear) in one duffle bag. 

Altitude gear (everything you will only use above base camp, from plastic boots to goggles and helmets) goes in a separate duffle bag because sometimes we need to separate the mules that accompany the group from those that go directly to Base Camp. Your guide/s will assist you with packing.

Hike into Base Camp: Mules carry most of the gear and supplies. You will be carrying only a daypack, with a few items like water and snacks, a camera, a jacket, and sunscreen.

Yes, there are secure places to store your gear in Mendoza (at the hotel), Penitentes, where we have a big warehouse with lockers, and Plaza Argentina or Plaza de Mulas.

As far as possible our trips are designed to avoid any extra cost to the climbers. However, if you need, or choose, to leave the trip early, please bear in mind that you will incur expenses that are your sole responsibility such as a guide, porters or mules for the gear, transfers and lodging.

The Aconcagua State Park now charges for emergency medical evacuations by helicopter. In a medical emergency, if the State Park’s rangers and medical services decide that a climber needs to be evacuated by helicopter, the climber will be charged directly or to her/his insurance company. Additional costs, such as mule transport to carry the climber’s gear down the mountain, private transfer to Mendoza, hotels, etc., may be incurred.

In case of early cancellation of the reservation, we will be forced to withhold from you a percentage of the price paid:

• regardless of when the cancellation was made - 30
• less than 48 hours - 100

Additional terms: