6-night Aconcagua trek with Buenos Aires and Mendoza
9 days / 8 nights
From $2,458 per person, double occupancy for 2009

At more than 6970 m high, Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside Asia. You'll enjoy exhilarating views of the main face of the mountain, with its hanging glaciers and sheer rock walls. No technical skills are required, but participants must be in excellent shape.


Day 1: Buenos Aires
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Accommodations at the four-star Elevage Hotel in an executive room, breakfast included. The hotel is located just one block away from Florida Street a main shopping area. The hotel offers a pool, spa and massage services, fitness center, restaurant and bar and laundry service. Rooms have Cable TV, air conditioning, direct dial phones.

Day 2: Buenos Aires - Mendoza - Penitentes
Hotel pickup and transfer to the National Airport for your flight to Mendoza. You will be met at the Mendoza Airport by your guide. After picking up trekking permits at the Aconcagua Park offices, you will transfer to Penitentes (2700 m / 9,000 ft). This is a 3-4 hour scenic drive across the Andes range. You will stop on the way at Uspallata, a green oasis amidst the arid range, to have lunch at a local grill. After checking in at Penitentes Hotel you will visit the historical Aconcagua Cemetery, where a number of pioneer climbers who perished on the mountain were buried. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Penitentes - Confluencia
Today the trek begins. After a short drive to the trailhead and registering at the ranger station you will slowly ascend to the Confluencia base camp, which lies at 3300 m (10,800 ft). This is a 3-4 hour hike with spectacular views of Aconcagua. The rest of the day may be spent hiking around the camp and marveling at the panoramic views of the Horcones Superior and Horcones Inferior, which meet way below. You will have dinner and sleep at a fully catered camp. Overnight in double tents. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Plaza Francia Base Camp
Hike to Plaza Francia Base Camp at 4000 m (13500 ft). After 4 hours of climbing up the Horcones Inferior Valley along a well traveled trail you arrive at Aconcagua´s South Face view point. At this higher altitude the hiking will be more difficult. Progressing upwards, the Horcones glacier will come into view. Suddenly you'll come across the impressive south wall of Aconcagua, a 10,000 foot wall of vertical rock! As you marvel at the wall, you'll witness huge hanging glaciers and avalanches tumbling down the mountain. Energetic hikers can continue an extra hour to the very base of the face. This site was used as a base camp by the French team which made the first ascent of this difficult face in 1954. In the afternoon you will retrace your steps back to Confluencia for a well deserved dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Plaza de Mulas
After an early breakfast you will continue along the Horcones Valley towards Plaza de Mulas Base Camp at 14000 feet. This is a long and very scenic hike (8 hours). On the way you will meet climbers either on their way to climb the mountain or returning from it. You will have a close view of Cerrro Piramidal, an Inca ceremonial burial site where mummies were found at 19000 feet. The final section of this hike is a short and steep trail to the base of the Horcones glacier, where Aconcagua´s Base Camp is situated. You will be staying at the Plaza de Mulas Hotel, which is one of the highest in the World. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Plaza de Mulas
You will have the full day to enjoy views of Aconcagua and surrounding peaks. A short hike will lead you to penitentes fields (icicle formations at the base of the glacier), which literally forms ice labyrinths that you can explore on foot. Meals will be served at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Plaza de Mulas - Penitentes
Hike all the way back to Penitentes. You can take a hot shower at the hotel while waiting for the mules to bring your gear. Dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Penitentes - Mendoza
Drive back to Mendoza. Overnight Luxury room accommodations at the Huentala Boutique Hotel, breakfast included. Situated in the heart of the city and only 100 meters away from Mendoza’s Kilometer 0. Hotel facilities and services include: restaurant, swimming pool and fitness center, sauna and spa, business center, wine tasting cellar lounge, laundry service, room service, wi-fi in all areas free of charge. Tonight, there will be a celebration farewell dinner at a gourmet restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9: Mendoza - Buenos Aire - Int'l Departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to the Mendoza Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Ezeiza International Airport for your departing flight. (B)

Additional nights in Buenos Aires and Mendoza can be arranged (at additional cost).


Domestic airfare not included in trip cost - from $291, per person, subject to change.