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About this trip
Towering above the surrounding Andean peaks, the summit of Mount Aconcagua stands at 6.960 m – 22,841 ft. Mount Aconcagua is located in the heart of the Central Andes of Argentina and is part of the Parque Provincial Aconcagua in the Mendoza province.
It is the highest mountain in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres, the tallest peak on Earth outside of Asia, and the second of the Seven Summits, after Mount Everest.
An expedition to this legendary mountain involves:
– Hiking winding trails in pristine Andean valleys.
– Being part of the international community of mountaineers that gathers at base camps.
– Experiencing the unique atmosphere of the highest regions of the Earth with its powerful shapes and colors, and cool, thin air.
For this trip we are using Grajales Expeditions, one of the oldest and most accomplished guiding companies in Argentina and on Aconcagua!
Can't make the 12 January departure, but able to make other dates? Contact us, we'll help you book and ensure your discount!
***Dash Adventures is an approved parter with Grajales Expeditions. Booking directly with us saves you $100 off the published price on their website! And you'll Join Dave Ashley, 7 summits climber and Guinness World Record holder on the trip!***
What’s included
- Airport transfersAll transfers in licensed, private shuttles.
- Ground transfersAll transfers in licensed, private shuttles.
- Professional GuideFully certified, English speaking guides.
- AccommodationHotel accommodation in Mendoza as indicated in the itinerary, based on double occupancy, in Diplomatic Hotel (*****). Climbers descending early will incur extra hotel fees.
- MealsFull board during the expedition (all meals while in the Aconcagua State Park; meals and drinks in Mendoza and Penitentes not included).
- Trip LeaderDave Ashley, Everest/7 Summit climber, is your trip leader
- GearAll group gear for the expedition (sleeping tents, stoves and cooking gear, radio, etc).
- Base Camp ServicesComplete base camp service (dining tents, bathrooms, showers, WiFi, meals, storage).
- WaterWater: end-to-end drinking water (including water carriers, if needed). This is an increasingly important issue, given the dramatic reduction of the glaciers and streams on Aconcagua.
- Internet AccessFree internet at BC and Confluencia (limitations apply).
- MulesMule transport of gear and supplies, to and from Base Camp.
- Emergency RadioPermanent VHF radio communication.
- First AidAll guides are equipped with professional first aid kits and pulse oximeters to monitor acclimatization progress.
- Group PorterOne porter for every four climbers, to carry 20 kg of group gear.
What’s not included
- International flightsYour flight to/from Mendoza
- Aconcagua PermitPermits are paid directly to Argentina government, and get more expensive as the climbing season approaches. Current price (late July) is $855 per person.
- Travel insuranceTavel insurance and helicopter rescue insurance
- Alcoholic drinksNot included, but feel free to buy one for your trip leader!
- TipsTips for your local guide
- ExtrasThings like laundry, phone calls, etc.
- Personal PortersAvailable for pre-booking at extra cost
- OtherPersonal gear, medications,, room services, laundry, beverages, phone communications and items of personal nature, insurance liability, hospitalization or medication of any kind
- Early DepartureAny cost incurred by the climber for leaving the trip early (such as transfers, mules, guide, etc). We strongly recommend all participants buy trip cancelation insurance.
Available Packages
Note: Dash Adventures highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all programs. Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Dash Adventures must adhere to a stringent refund policy.
Payment and Refund Policy:
- Initial deposit is non-refundable.
- Full payment is required 60 days prior to trip start
- 50% refunds, less the non refundable deposit, will be provided for cancellations made 60-30 days prior to the expedition start date.
- No refunds will be provided for cancellations made 29 days or less prior to the expedition start date.
- Dash Adventures will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible.
Itinerary
Day 1 > Arrival in Mendoza (760 m / 2,493 ft). Our driver will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to the Diplomatic Hotel downtown. After checking into your room, you can relax or explore the many sidewalk cafes of the city. Your guide will contact you to confirm the next day’s schedule.
Day 2 > Packing and permits in Mendoza. The team and the guides get to know each other. Activities such as gear check, permit procedures and equipment sorting and packing are carried out on this day. Reminder: you’ll need two large duffle bags and an expedition backpack.
Day 3 > Mendoza – Penitentes – Punta de Vacas – Pampa de Leñas (2.950 m/ 9,678 ft). Private transfer vehicles from Mendoza to our warehouse in Penitentes. You can have coffee and snacks while the guides and our logistics staff prepare the mule loads. Lockers and safe storage place are available. After a 15 minutes drive to Punta de Vacas and a brief check with the rangers, the team begins the 4-5 hour hike to Pampa de Leñas, the first camp in the Vacas Valley routes. You will be carrying only a day pack. The asado criollo (Gaucho BBQ) is the highlight of the day. 4-5 hs
Day 4 > Pampa de Leñas – Casa de Piedra (3,240 m/10,630 ft). Hike to Casa de Piedra, our second approach camp, featuring a great view of the Polish Glacier and the East Face of Aconcagua as we arrive. / 6 hs
Day 5 > Casa de Piedra – Plaza Argentina base camp (4,190 m /13,746 ft). We follow the trail up the Relinchos Valley to Plaza Argentina. Our base camp chef greets us with a hearty dinner in a comfy dining dome: the perfect reward after the hardest day of the approach. / 6-7 hs
Day 6 > Rest day at Plaza Argentina. Sleep, get in touch with your significant ones, read in the dining tent or try the yoga mats in our heated lounge tent. Whatever you do, get hydrated.
Day 7 > Plaza Argentina – Camp 1 – Plaza Argentina (4.800 m / 15,748 ft). With the trek to BC and the first stage of acclimatization completed, the climb itself begins with this gear carry to camp 1. After catching equipment, food and gas we return to base camp. / 7 hs.
Day 8 > Plaza Argentina. Rest day at base camp.
Day 9 > Plaza Argentina – Camp 1 (4.800 m / 15,748 ft). The team leaves BC behind and moves to camp 1 with the remaining gear. Our porters will carry the tents and other common gear, the climbers carry their own gear and their share of the common gear if needed (expect to carry a 18-22 kg backpack). / 4-5 hs.
Day 10 > Camp 1 – Camp 2 – Camp 1 (5.486 m / 18,143 ft). Gear carry to camp 2, also called “Guanacos”. Astonishing view of Mt. Mercedario and other peaks of the Ramada massif. Return to C1. / 5-6 hs.
Day 11 > Camp 1 – Camp 2 (5.486 m / 18,000 ft). Move to Camp 2 “Guanacos”. / 5 hs.
Day 12 > Camp 2 (5.486 m / 18,000 ft). Rest day at “Guanacos”.
Day 13 > Camp 2 – Cólera (5.970 m / 19,586 ft). We move to our last camp, from where we will attempt the summit. You will be having dinner at almost 6.000 m. It’s higher than most places on Earth! / 4-5 hs.
Day 14 > Summit day! (6.960 m / 22,837 ft). We leave early to get the most of the (long) day. You will be carrying a very light backpack (water, snacks, some clothing, camera). / 8-12 hs.
Day 15 > Extra weather day. To secure the success of the expedition we have added two additional summit days in case of bad weather.
Day 16 > Extra weather day.
Day 17 > Cólera – Pl. de Mulas Base Camp (4.350 m / 14,271 ft). We continue our circumnavigation of Aconcagua by descending via the northwest side of the mountain to the lively BC of the Normal Route. Celebration dinner in dining tents with tables and chairs.
Day 18 > Plaza de Mulas – Horcones – Penitentes – Mendoza. The hike out takes approximately 7 hours. Most of the gear goes in the mules, so you walk light. From the trailhead at Horcones, our van drives you to Mendoza, after picking up the gear at Penitentes. Hotel check-in, end of the program. / 7-8 hs + 3-4 hour drive.