A Deep Dive Into the Day-to-Day Itinerary on Aconcagua

Day 1: Welcome to Mendoza

Nestled on the eastern slopes of the Andes, Mendoza is a vibrant city known for its South American wine and serves as the gateway to the high Andes. Upon your arrival at Mendoza Airport, you’ll be greeted by a member of the LHO Team and transported to your hotel in the city center. Your LHO Team Leader will assist with check-in, ensuring you have everything you need for the upcoming adventure and providing details about the day’s plan. If you arrive early, feel free to explore the city or relax by the hotel pool. Your Team Leader will offer recommendations for places to visit as the trip date approaches.

Our expedition begins with a team dinner hosted by your LHO Team Leader and local lead guide at a local restaurant or, depending on arrival times, at the hotel. This dinner is your first opportunity to meet the team, gain insights into the adventure ahead, and ask any questions. The first round of drinks is on us! Following dinner, there will be a gear check to ensure everyone is well-prepared.

Day 2: Off to the Trailhead Penitentes – 2,700 M

Our second day focuses on logistics and paperwork. Although your Aconcagua permits are prearranged, the park authorities require your personal signature at their office before issuing them. After breakfast, we’ll pack our luggage, load it onto our private bus, and head to the Aconcagua Park Office to collect and sign the permits. Our porter team will join us there for the journey to the mountain. We’ll also pick up any last-minute gear rentals or snacks before embarking on a three-hour road journey through the wine countryside to Villa Los Penitentes, where we will stay overnight.

Our lodge offers amenities similar to small hotels, including showers. After check-in, your Team Leader will help prepare your duffle bags, which the Muleteers will transport the following day. Once preparations are complete, we can relax and enjoy the afternoon, followed by a team dinner and briefing for the next day.

Day 3: The South Face Appears: Confluencia – 3,390 M

Distance: 8.5 KM | Ascent: 595 M | Descent: 25 M | Max Altitude: 3,390 M

Our third day marks the official start of the trail to the summit of Aconcagua. After breakfast, we’ll board our bus to Horocones, the park’s entrance. Upon arrival, we’ll stop at the park rangers’ office to present our permits and receive packed lunches from the team. After verifying permits, we’ll begin our trek to Confluencia. Reaching 3,390 meters on the first day is no small feat, and your Team Leader and local guide will maintain a sustainable pace throughout the day. You’ll learn the importance of short, efficient breaks and avoiding the detrimental “stop-start” hiking strategy.

The trail to Confluencia is mostly dry and moderate, following a sharp valley northward with small sections of steeper elevation gain. The impressive part of this trail is the immediate view of the south face of Aconcagua, putting the scale of the challenge into perspective. Our camp at Confluencia sits at the base of the old glacier moraine. Dinner will be served hot at the camp.

Day 4: Plaza Francia – 4,000 M

Distance: 20.9 KM | Ascent: 896 M | Descent: 896 M | Max Altitude: 4,000 M

Our fourth day is an acclimatization day. We’ll take our time, enjoy breakfast, and slowly make our way toward the south face of Aconcagua. Since we’ll spend a second night at the same camp, there’s no need to pack our gear. The trail follows the glacial moraine just outside our camp. As we ascend, we’ll notice ice beneath the debris, marking the start of the glacier up to Plaza Francia. This viewpoint offers the closest view of the south face of Aconcagua.

Depending on our pace and trail conditions, we may have a picnic at Plaza Francia or a hot lunch back at the camp. After taking advantage of photo opportunities, we’ll return to the camp for an afternoon of relaxation and recovery. The ascent to 4,000 meters and subsequent descent is part of our acclimatization strategy. Dinner will be at our camp.

Day 5: Our Home Away from Home: Plaza de Mulas – 4,300 M

Distance: 17.6 KM | Ascent: 1,064 M | Descent: 111 M | Max Altitude: 4,300 M

We’ll start early from Confluencia on our fifth day. Your Team Leader will provide detailed instructions on efficient departure preparations. We’ll head north, moving in a westerly direction along the Playa Ancha valley floor, which begins a long circle around Aconcagua. Although the trail’s incline is gradual, it covers the longest horizontal distance of the expedition. We’ll stop for lunch at the halfway point before continuing along the valley until it opens into a basin surrounded by 5,000-meter summits.

Reaching the basin indicates our approach to Plaza de Mulas, our base camp for the remainder of the expedition. The final section, known as the Cuesta Brava, becomes slightly steeper. Upon arrival at the base camp, we’ll get acquainted with the facilities and have dinner. Our post-dinner briefing will cover essential information about our rest day.

Day 6: Chilling Out Above 4,000 M

Our sixth day is dedicated to rest and relaxation. You’ll receive a morning briefing on base camp protocols, shower facilities, toilets, and acclimatization tips. Use this day to get as much rest as possible. There are no scheduled activities except lunch and dinner.

Day 7: Mt. Bonete, Our First Summit – 5,000 M

Distance: 7.7 KM | Ascent: 741 M | Descent: 741 M | Max Altitude: 5,000 M

We’ll get an early start to climb to 5,000 meters and return to Plaza de Mulas. After breakfast, we’ll depart with packed lunches and enough water for the day. The impressive Cerro Cuerno glacier will be on our right as we ascend to a mountain refuge used by park rangers. From there, we’ll follow a steep trail up the valley to the switchbacks crisscrossing Mount Bonete’s east face.

The final section can be challenging as we break through the altitude threshold. After taking pictures, we’ll descend to a more sheltered location for lunch before returning to Plaza de Mulas. This full day of trekking will have us arriving back at base camp shortly before dinner, followed by a day of recovery.

Day 8: Chilling Out Take 2

Our second rest day is designed to prepare us for the summit push. The schedule may change due to weather or other considerations. Your Team Leader and local guide will make itinerary adjustments for the team’s safety and benefit.

Day 9: Touch and Go: Plaza Canada – 5,050 M

Distance: 4.7 KM | Ascent: 673 M | Descent: 673 M | Max Altitude: 5,050 M

Our second rotation to higher altitude takes us to Plaza Canada, a support camp for our summit bid. We’ll use this rotation to drop off supplies for our next visit. We’ll get an early start after breakfast, and the climb will be steeper but shorter in distance. The trail begins directly before following a series of switchbacks. Plaza Canada sits atop a rocky cliff, and we’ll traverse the rocky section before reaching the camp. After lunch and relaxation, we’ll descend back to Plaza de Mulas for dinner and a briefing.

Day 10: Chilling Out Take 3

Our third rest day is to prepare for the summit push. The schedule may change based on conditions, and your Team Leader and local guide will provide updates.

Day 11: The Summit Bid Begins

Distance: 2.4 KM | Ascent: 673 M | Descent: 0 M | Max Altitude: 5,050 M

This will be our last departure from Plaza de Mulas before the summit push. After breakfast, we’ll pack our camp and head to Plaza Canada, following the same trail used during our acclimatization. Upon arrival, we’ll prepare our sleeping arrangements, secure supplies for higher camps, and have dinner. A detailed briefing will follow.

Day 12: The Summits Shrink: Nido de Condores – 5,550 M

Distance: 2 KM | Ascent: 673 M | Descent: 2 M | Max Altitude: 5,550 M

We’ll pack up our campsite and ascend towards Nido de Condores, taking us higher than before. The initial exit from the camp is the most challenging part, followed by a gradual traverse towards the plateau. Depending on our pace, we’ll have lunch either as a picnic or a hot meal at the camp. We’ll set up for the night and rest before dinner and a briefing.

Day 13: Acclimatization Day at Nido de Condores

This rest day is our last before the summit push. Depending on conditions and energy levels, we may ascend slightly higher and return to camp. Lunch and dinner timings will be provided.

Day 14: Onwards to Plaza Colera – 5,970 M

Distance: 1.6 KM | Ascent: 411 M | Descent: 0 M | Max Altitude: 5,970 M

Today we reach the final camp before the summit, Plaza Colera. After breakfast, we’ll pack up and begin the ascent, following a northern traverse to the shoulder dividing the north and east sides of the mountain. The trail becomes steeper before reaching Berlin camp for lunch. From there, we’ll cross a basin to reach Plaza Colera, set up our tents, and rest. Dinner will be followed by a full briefing of the summit push.

Day 15: Summit, Summit, Summit – 6,961 M

Distance: 5.5 KM | Ascent: 904 M | Descent: 904 M | Max Altitude: 6,961 M

An early start is crucial on summit day to avoid afternoon winds. We typically depart after a light breakfast at 5:00 am. Our first checkpoint is Independence Refuge at 6,380 meters. From there, we’ll traverse Portezuelo del Viento and tackle the La Canaleta corridor. The top of the corridor leads to the summit ridge, offering a 360-degree panorama. After celebrating, we’ll descend back to Plaza Colera.

Day 16: Reserve Day 1

This day maximizes our summit chances in case of bad weather. If we summit, we’ll spend these days resting at base camp.

Day 17: Reserve Day 2

Another reserve day for summit attempts or resting at base camp.

Day 18: Returning to Plaza de Mulas – 5,550 M

Distance: 5.7 KM | Ascent: 1 M | Descent: 1,606 M

After breakfast, we’ll descend to Plaza de Mulas. The descending trail is easier but requires concentration. We’ll pause at Plaza Canada for lunch before reaching Plaza de Mulas for a celebratory dinner and a night at base camp.

Day 19: Back to Mendoza

Distance: 27.5 KM | Ascent: 142 M | Descent: 1,728 M

We’ll start early from Plaza de Mulas, following the trail back to Penitentes. After a full day of trekking, we’ll check out of the park and board our private bus to Mendoza. Showers await at the hotel, followed by a farewell dinner hosted by your Team Leader and local guide.

Day 20: Adios!

Our last day is dedicated to airport shuttles. Breakfast is included. Please provide your departure times on the Team Details Form. If your itinerary changes, inform your Team Leader promptly for timely arrangements.

This detailed itinerary ensures that every step of the Aconcagua expedition is meticulously planned, providing trekkers with a comprehensive and enriching experience from start to finish.