Skip to content
Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition

Aconcagua

Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition 6.962 m a.s.l.

Aconcagua Provincial Park, Mendoza

Difficulty
Very challenging
Duration
12 days
Altitude
6.962 m a.s.l.
Next departure
Private trip
Price
U$D 7.500

A faster way to climb Aconcagua, designed for climbers short on time who already have high-altitude experience. Teams of just 3 people.

Overview

Cerro Aconcagua, at 6,962 meters above sea level, is the highest mountain in the Americas and the second highest of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on each continent).

It is located in the Andes Mountains, in the beautiful province of Mendoza, Argentina. Mendoza not only has a great number of mountains to offer, but is also considered one of the wine capitals of the world. A beautiful city known for its cleanliness and a climate unlike anywhere else in the country.

Climbing Aconcagua takes around 18 days to allow the body to adapt to great physical effort in conditions of low oxygen availability (hypoxia). But we offer a faster alternative, for those who don't have that many days and already have high-altitude experience.

At 360Explora we offer you the best personalized service, a small group of just 3 people per team, and professional mountain guides who will look after your physical safety and make your chances of reaching the summit higher than in open groups.

Who is it for?

The fast-track expedition is designed for people with solid experience on high mountains above 5,000 and 6,000 m a.s.l. Only the days strictly necessary to approach the mountain and move all the required equipment are considered. This makes great physical and mental fitness very important.

Technical details

Max. altitude
6.962 m a.s.l.
Duration
12 days
Elevation gain
4000 m
Distance
82 km (Horcones to summit, round trip)
Group size
Maximum 3
  • Location: 185 km from the city of Mendoza, in the town of Puente del Inca. The Chilean border is 15 kilometers to the west, and the mountain is surrounded by the Quebrada de Horcones and the Quebrada de Vacas to the east. The mountain lies within Aconcagua Provincial Park, a protected area of 71,000 hectares created in 1983 for environmental protection, in order to preserve the natural and cultural values of the area.
  • Expedition days: 12 + 1
  • Camps: Confluencia 3350 m a.s.l., Plaza de Mulas (Base Camp) 4200 m a.s.l., Canadá (C1) 4900 m a.s.l., Nido de Cóndores (C2) 5460 m a.s.l., Cólera (C3) 6000 m a.s.l.
  • Optional services (not included): Lodging in the city of Mendoza; Round-trip transfer from the airport to your hotel in Mendoza city; Helicopter descent from "Plaza de Mulas" to "Horcones"; Bunk-bed accommodation at high-altitude camps; Porter service for personal gear to the high-altitude camps

Photos 6

Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 1 Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 2 Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 3 Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 4 Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 5 Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 6

Itinerary

  1. 1Day 1: Mendoza – Penitentes – Confluencia 3300 m a.s.l.

    Early in the morning we leave for Penitentes, where we hand over the loads that the mules will carry to the high-altitude camps. Then the adventure begins: a trek to the Confluencia approach camp. It is a 4-hour hike in which we only carry our personal gear. The mules take care of the rest.

  2. 2Day 2: Confluencia – Plaza de Mulas Base Camp 4260 m a.s.l.

    Trek to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. A long day awaits us: 8-10 hours of hiking to reach our base camp, a true city in the heights. You will be able to climb light with a backpack carrying water, snacks and a warm layer. Transport of camping and personal gear (15 kg per person) is included.

  3. 3Day 3: Plaza de Mulas – Camp 1 Canadá 4910 m a.s.l. – Plaza de Mulas

    Acclimatization trek and gear carry to Camp 1 Canadá. 6 hours of activity and return to Plaza de Mulas.

  4. 4Day 4: Plaza de Mulas – Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores 5250 m a.s.l. – Plaza de Mulas

    A very demanding day, as we do another acclimatization trek and gear carry, this time up to the second camp.

  5. 5Day 5: Plaza de Mulas 4260 m a.s.l.

    Rest and acclimatization day. Equipment check.

  6. 6Day 6: Plaza de Mulas – Camp 1 Canadá 4910 m a.s.l.

    Ascent to Camp 1 Canadá, tent setup and rest. You will carry your personal gear and any additional items (if you have them). Our porters will carry the tents, camp equipment and first aid kits.

  7. 7Day 7: Camp 1 Canadá – Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores 5250 m a.s.l.

    Ascent to Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores, tent setup and rest. Our porters will carry the camp equipment and we will carry our personal gear. A great day in which we go above 5,000 m of altitude.

  8. 8Day 8: Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores

    Rest and acclimatization day. We will recover our strength, eat well and get ready for the final days of the expedition.

  9. 9Day 9: Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores – Camp 3 Cólera 6000 m a.s.l.

    Ascent to Camp 3 – Cólera. Tent setup and equipment check. Last approach day. The big day has finally arrived.

  10. 10Day 10: Camp 3 Cólera – summit 6962 m a.s.l. – Camp 3 Cólera

    Ascent from Camp 3 Cólera to the summit!!! and return to Camp 3. +1000 m of elevation gain, +12 hours of hiking.

  11. 11Day 11: Camp 3 Cólera – Plaza de Mulas 4260 m a.s.l.

    Descent to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. A long day back to our base camp, where we can enjoy a great welcome dinner after the big effort and adventure we have lived. You will carry your personal gear and additional items. Our porters will carry the trash, the tents and the shared equipment.

  12. 12Day 12: Plaza de Mulas – Mendoza

    Descent to Penitentes; you can go down light with a small backpack holding what you need for the last day of trekking. Our mules will bring down your personal gear. We will collect all our equipment and head to the city of Mendoza after having lived one of the best experiences of your life.

  13. 13Day 13: Extra day for contingencies or bad weather that prevent the program from running normally

This itinerary may be subject to changes at the discretion of the guide in charge of the expedition

Required gear

  • General gear: Trekking backpack (70 to 80 liters)
  • General gear: Warm sleeping bag (–10 degrees comfort rating. Down or good synthetic).
  • General gear: Insulated sleeping pad (10 to 15 mm).
  • General gear: Inflatable insulated sleeping pad (optional)
  • General gear: Trekking poles
  • Base layer (next to skin): Changes of underwear.
  • Base layer (next to skin): Cotton T-shirt (for wearing in camp and sleeping)
  • Base layer (next to skin): 2 long-sleeve synthetic T-shirts
  • Base layer (next to skin): 1 thermal underpants or polypropylene leggings (no cotton) as base layer pants
  • Base layer (next to skin): Thin polypropylene gloves or similar (no cotton)
  • Base layer (next to skin): Pair of thin polypropylene socks or similar (no cotton),
  • Base layer (next to skin): Multifunctional neck gaiter (buff)
  • Second layer (insulation): 2 pairs of trekking socks (synthetic-thermal)
  • Second layer (insulation): 1 pair of thick mountain socks
  • Second layer (insulation): 1 pair of long trekking pants
  • Second layer (insulation): 1 fleece jacket
  • Second layer (insulation): Down jacket
  • Second layer (insulation): Fleece gloves or insulated ski-type gloves large enough to fit liners underneath (no wool)
  • Second layer (insulation): Sun cap
  • Second layer (insulation): Warm hat
  • Third layer (windproof and waterproof): Waterproof jacket (Ultrex, Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Third layer (windproof and waterproof): Rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar, or ski-type) – optional
  • Third layer (windproof and waterproof): Third-layer gloves or mittens (waterproof and breathable). Ski-type is fine
  • Third layer (windproof and waterproof): Mountain gaiters
  • Technical gear: Headlamp
  • Technical gear: Double boots
  • Technical gear: Crampons (12 points, non-rigid recommended) – ask whether they will be needed
  • Technical gear: Ice axe – ask whether it will be needed
  • Technical gear: Climbing helmet
  • Personal items: Passport, ID card, national ID (DNI).
  • Personal items: Medical insurance details, health coverage.
  • Personal items: Completed health and personal information form.
  • Health & hygiene: Sunglasses with UV protection category 3
  • Health & hygiene: Spare glasses (goggles are fine and highly recommended)
  • Health & hygiene: Personal first aid kit.
  • Health & hygiene: High-SPF sunscreen.
  • Health & hygiene: Lip balm
  • Health & hygiene: Soap, shampoo (small, to share) and a small towel.
  • Health & hygiene: Toilet paper, tissues. Baby wipes.
  • Health & hygiene: Pocketknife or knife
  • Kitchen: Half-liter or 1-liter thermos
  • Kitchen: Water containers for at least 3 liters (a plastic bottle works), hydration bladder, Nalgene or similar
  • Kitchen: Plate, cutlery, mug

What's included

Included

  • Small groups (no more than 3 people).
  • 2 qualified professionals on summit day
  • Communication with park rangers and the rescue patrol if needed.
  • Satellite communication and tracking.
  • General equipment provided (two-person tents, stoves, cooking pots, etc.).
  • Transport from Mendoza to Aconcagua Park and back.
  • Transport of general equipment (tents, stoves, pots) to Plaza de Mulas.
  • Transport of personal gear by mule to Plaza de Mulas, with a maximum limit of 10 kg.
  • Staff trained in first aid and a complete first aid kit.
  • Full board on the mountain.
  • Services contracted at Confluencia: lunch, dinner and breakfast in domes.
  • Services at Plaza de Mulas base camp: lunch, dinner, breakfast and restrooms.
  • Assistance with the park entry permit process.
  • Removal of all waste generated at the high-altitude camps.

Not included

  • Lodging in the city of Mendoza
  • Personal equipment
  • Personal accident insurance and rescue insurance required by the Park. We can advise you on how to purchase it.
  • Transport of personal gear beyond Plaza de Mulas. From that point on, we will gradually carry the gear up during the acclimatization hikes. We recommend hiring a porter to increase your chances of reaching the summit.
  • Rescue costs and/or costs of abandoning the expedition.
  • Entry fees/permits for Aconcagua Provincial Park.
  • Transfers from your city of origin to Mendoza.
  • Extras for voluntarily leaving the expedition (lodging, meals, etc.).

Booking conditions

  • Reservations: To confirm reservations, 360explora requests a deposit as an advance payment. We accept credit cards or bank transfers. To ensure the security of your information, all credit card payments are processed by PayPal (we will never ask for your credit card information). The balance must be paid upon arrival in Mendoza, before the expedition begins.
  • Flexible Booking System: If you are unable to join the expedition for any reason, the services you have booked can be canceled. You may receive an Available Credit (from 90% down to 10% of your deposit, depending on how far in advance you cancel your booking, from 90 days to 1 day before the first day of your program). Your Available Credit can be used for different services offered by 360explora during the next 2 seasons (100% transferable at no cost; it can be used by you or by anyone you wish to transfer it to).
  • Payment Plans: 360explora offers interest-free payment plans to pay off the expedition monthly. Each case is evaluated individually.

You may also like

See all
U$D 7.500 Private trip
Enquire
1 / 6
Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 1
Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 2
Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 3
Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 4
Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 5
Aconcagua: Fast-Track Expedition — photo 6