Argentina

Aconcagua Expedition – Polish Traverse Route 360

Price

4,690 USD

Duration

20 Days

Level

challenging

Date

December 16, 2023

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Overview Itinerary Details What’s Included Get Inspired

20 days

4,690 USD / 1,455 KWD / 17,300 AED / 17,825 SAR

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Overview

With an altitude of 6960.8 meters, Aconcagua is one of the Seven Summits: the highest mountain in the Americas, outside Asia and the Southern Hemisphere. It is located in the Andes mountain range, in the Mendoza Province, just 15 km from Argentina’s border with Chile.

Climbing Aconcagua is a feather all mountaineers covet for their hats. The climb is a long one, considering the need for rest and acclimatization, as well as the unpredictability of the weather that may force climbers to postpone the summit day. Still, the trail is beautiful, starting in the Andean valleys and reaching up to unhospitable heights, where human courage, valor and tenacity are forged amidst ice and camaraderie.

In this itinerary, we follow the Polish Traverse Route 360 that goes around the mountain, up through the Vacas Valley and the Base Camp Plaza Argentina, while in the descent we will use the Normal Route, passing by Plaza de Mulas and the Horcones Valley. The itinerary is a bit longer but requires no technical skills and ensures very good acclimatization. Also, it follows the wild side of the mountain, its camps being the most beautiful of Aconcagua, with good water and magical sunrises.

Trip Highlights:
Get ready to...

Reach the top of one of the Seven Summits, the highest mountain in the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.
Hike through the winding trails of the pristine Andean valleys.
Become part of the international mountaineering community that gathers at the Base Camp.
Feel incredible thrill and excitement when standing at the summit of one of the highest mountains on earth, enjoying magnificent views only a few can see.
Hone your climbing and mountaineering skills, as well as the stamina, commitment and patience needed to succeed in such an expedition.

Share this trip:

Activities: climbing/bouldering, hiking/trekking, Cooking, Floating-down raft

Difficulty Analysis

This climb is very demanding physically. It is considered a high-altitude non-technical climb although knowledge of the use of crampons is a must as it may be required. Expect long days, serious altitude exposure and severe weather conditions. This climb also entails carrying your own backpack; hence your training has to include this level of high endurance training.

Itinerary Details

Day 1 (16th December 2023): Arrival in Mendoza

Upon arrival in Mendoza you will be welcomed at the airport by a Rahhalah representative who will transfer you to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy at leisure, relaxing or exploring the city. When the whole group assembles, there will be a gear check and briefing for the upcoming adventure.

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Mendoza.

Day 2 (17th December 2023): Transfer to Los Penitentes (2,700 m) (B)

Today you will be transferred to Los Penitentes: a small mountain village at 2,700m altitude, close to the beginning of the Aconcagua trail. From there, you will also get your Aconcagua permit.

Driving time: approx. 3 hrs.

Accommodation: hut in Los Penitentes.

Day 3 (18th December 2023): The expedition begins: hiking to Pampa de Leñas (2,950m) (B, L, D)

In the morning, you will head to the Aconcagua Park gate. You will get your climbing permits stamped at the rangers check point and, then, you will hike to Pampa de Leñas, the first camp, following an easy trail.

Approx. trekking time: 4 hours

Overnight: Camping tents in Pampa de Leñas.

Day 4 (19th December 2023): Hiking to Casa de Piedra (3,240m.) (B, L,D)

Early in morning, after packing tents and duffels and loading them on the mules, you will begin your hike towards Casa de Piedra, the next camp site. This will be a long day as you will have to cover a distance of approximately 20 km; however, there will be no major altitude difference.

Approx. trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Camping tents in Casa de Piedra.

Day 5 (20th December 2023): Reaching the Base Camp Plaza Argentina (4,200m) (B, L, D)

You will depart early in the morning, at around 7am, heading to the Base Camp. This will be a long and difficult day, mainly due to the altitude gain. Early morning departure at 7 am. You will walk very slowly to ensure the best possible acclimatization.

The Base Camp is equipped with dome tents, kitchen tents, internet, shower, tables and chairs, and good toilets. This will be your home for the next 4 days, as you prepare to summit Aconcagua.

Approx. trekking time: 7 hours.

Overnight: Camping tents in the Base Camp.

Day 6 (21st December 2023): Rest Day in Base Camp. (B, L, D)

Use this day to rest and acclimatize to the altitude.

Overnight: Camping tents in the Base Camp.

Day 7 (22nd December 2023): Carrying gear to C1 (4,800m) (B, L, D)

In the morning, you will climb to C1 at 4800m to drop all the needed gear, and then you will descend to Base Camp for the night.

Approx. trekking duration:6 hours up and down.

Overnight: Camping tents in the Base Camp.

Day 8 (23rd December 2023): Another Rest Day in Base Camp. (B, L, D)

Overnight: Camping tents in the Base Camp.

Day 9 (24th December 2023): Moving to C1 (4,800m) (B, L, D)

In the morning, you will move to C1 where you will settle for the night. C1 is beautiful and sunny, with water and basic amenities.

Approx. trekking duration: 4 hours

Overnight: Camping tents in the C1.

Day 10 (25th December 2023): Carrying gear to C2 (5,500m.) (B, L, D)

Today you will carry all needed equipment to the next camp and then you will return to C1 for the night.

Approx. trekking duration: 7 hours.

Overnight: Camping tents in the C1.

Day 11 (26th December 2023): Rest Day at C1 (B, L, D)

Overnight: Camping tents in the C1.

Day 12 (27th December 2023): Moving to C2 (5,500m) (B, L, D)

Today you will move to C2 where you will settle for the night. A porter will help with the transfer of the common equipment.

Approx. trekking duration: 4 hours

Overnight: Camping tents in the C2.

Day 13 (28th December 2023): Carrying gear to C3 (5,900m) (B, L, D)

In the morning, you will drop some gear to C3, the last camp. If the team is too tired, the day will be used for relaxation.

Approx. trekking duration:6 hours up and down

Overnight: Camping tents in the C2.

Day 14 (29th December 2023): Rest day in C2 (5,500 m) (B, L, D)

You will spend the day relaxing and acclimatizing in C2, while also checking the weather in view of the upcoming summit attempt.

Overnight: Camping tents in the C2.

Day 15 (30th December 2023): Moving to C3 (5,900m) (B, L, D)

In the morning you will move to C3, the final camp, where you will set up the camp, have an early dinner, and rest in view of the summit day on the morrow.

Approx. trekking time: 5 hours.

Overnight: Camping tents in the C3.

Day 16 (31st December 2023): Summit attempt (6,960.8m) (B, L, D)

Summit days are always the longest ones during a mountain expedition.

You will start early in the morning (around 5-6 am, depending on the weather or the physical condition of the team members). The first few hours will be very cold, but the trail is not very difficult. By sunrise, you should reach Independencia Hut. From then on, the ascent becomes more exigent. The traverse to the Canaleta (the last section before the summit) is diagonal, with inclinations and a few places where you can rest. The guides will help you keep the right pace and identify the best spots for rest while remaining constantly close to you for safety.

Approx. trekking time: 13 hours (to the summit and back to C3)

Overnight: Camping tents in the C3.

Day 17 (1st January 2024): Summit attempt - extra day (B, L, D)

We have allowed for an extra day in case the summit attempt was not possible on the day before or needs to be repeated.

Overnight: Camping tents in the C3.

Day 18 (2nd January 2024): Return to Base Camp (4,200m) (B, L, D)

On the way down, at the C3 Plaza Colera point (5900m), you will meet the Normal Route which you will use for the descent, passing by Plaza de Mulas towards the Base Camp. You will use porters to carry equipment to C3 Plaza Colera.

Approx. trekking time: 5 hours.

Overnight: Camping tents in the Base Camp.

Day 19 (3rd January 2024): Descent to Penitentes – Transfer to Mendoza (B)

You will continue your descent, reaching Penitentes. There, a private transport will be waiting for you to drive you to Mendoza.

Approx. trekking time: 8 hrs

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Mendoza.

Day 20 (4th January 2024): Departure from Mendoza (B)

Depending on your flight details, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Notes

All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking/reservation. All prices are subject to change.
Payment terms: 50% upon booking and 50%- 60 days before the trip departure.
Payment is accepted only via bank transfer (no credit card).
This cost is based on a group of min 4 people. Rahhalah reserves the right to change the price if the trip runs with fewer participants.

The Price Includes:

Fully certified, English speaking guide/guides (1 guide per 3 clients at the summit; 1 guide per 4 clients during the trekking days).
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
Transportation to and from the mountain.
2 nights’ accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Mendoza based on sharing occupancy, including breakfast.
1-night accommodation in Hut Los Penitentes, including dinner and breakfast.
Low cost Hight Altitude Porter for the transportation of the common gear.
All the meals on the mountain. Full Board, Breakfast, Lunch Box, Dinner.
All the common equipment, tent, stove, pots, etc.-V25 The North Face, Base Camps Services.
First kit, emergency exigent, all the expeditions.
Communications VHF, Phone, Inreach live follow for Summit Day.
Base camps services, tables, chairs, etc.
Assistance to get climbing permit fee.
Mule, transportations of equipment to BC (20 kg each climber).

The Price Excludes:

Mt. Aconcagua State Park climbing permit (approx. 800 USD).
Airfare to/from Mendoza.
Personal porter.
Single supplement in the hotel in Mendoza (200 USD per person).
High altitude camp single supplement (300 USD plus Personal Porter). Please note the extra tent for single person is not considered group equipment and the climber is responsible to arrange its transport.
Any cost incurred by the climber in case of early descent (guide, porter, private transport, hotel, etc).
Extra nights in Mendoza.
Main meals in Mendoza.
Meals not included in the itinerary.
Drinks in Los Penitentes.
Tips and Gratuities.
Personal gear.
Personal expenses.
Travel insurance and evacuation.
Additional /optional services.
Helicopter services.

RESCUE EVACUATIONS:
It is mandatory for the climbers to have the evacuation cover insurance.

Important:
This itinerary is intended to be a guideline only; allowing for bad weather days and needed extra rest days is always important whilst on a climbing expedition.
In the last seasons, Mt. Aconcagua State Park did publish the price of the climbing permit until only a few weeks before the season. There are different prices, according to the climbing route, the date of the trip and the nationality of the climbers. Please refer to the oﬃcial website for last season’s prices (www.aconcagua.mendoza.gov.ar).

The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road challenges or operating conditions. At any moment, the guide has the RIGHT to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.
Also, the trip's price does not cover expenses that may occur due to conditions beyond Rahhalah's control (force majeure). Such cases include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations or delays, and natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, etc.). We, the Rahhalah team, both in our HQ and on the ground, will do our best to assist you with alternative arrangements (like new accommodation and/or transportation arrangements, revised itinerary and activities etc.), but ALL NEW COSTS incurred because of force majeure are to be covered by the traveler.

Inspiration from our travels

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