Detailed Itinerary Aconcagua Expand Day 1 - Arrive Mendoza Our expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. On your arrival to the international airport in Mendoza, an Inspire Alpine® representative will be waiting for you. After receiving you, you’ll be transferred to your Hotel to rest. We’ll have a group meeting & you’ll be introduced to your guides and team members. Your leader Ricky Munday will give an inspirational talk about his failure & success on Everest. Day 2 - Pick up permits, transfer to Los Penitentes After breakfast we’ll go to the Aconcagua Park authority office to personally pick up and pay for our climbing permits. We’ll finish sorting our kit then finalise arrangements at our local agent’s office. We’ll drive 3 hours to Villa Los Penitentes, where we stay at a Hotel overnight. In the afternoon, we prepare equipment for transportation to the base camp by mules. Day 3 - Trek to Confluencia (3,390m) We drive to the Aconcagua Park Entrance at Horcones, where we get our first view of the mountain. After permits have been checked at the Ranger station, we start trekking to Confluencia (3,390m) where we’ll spend our first night under canvas. (8km, 2.5 hours) Day 4 - Acclimatisation trek to Plaza Francia (4,000m) This is an acclimatisation day to increase your chances to summit. We’ll trek for around 5 hours to Plaza Francia Viewpoint (4,000m), where we enjoy magnificent views of the impressive Aconcagua South Wall. Day 5 - Trek to Base Camp at Plaza de Mulas (4,300m) Today is a long, tough day with a trek into Plaza de Mulas (4,300m), our base camp for our expedition. Early in the morning we start trekking across Playa Ancha (wide beach), which is a deserted and always windy valley. We slowly gain altitude as we walk up to the Horcones Superior Valley. After 8-9 hours of hiking across Playa Ancha and ascending a steep path (Cuesta Brava - Rugged Slope), we finally reach Plaza de Mulas at 4300 m. (28km, 8 hours) Day 6 - Rest Day The first day in Base Camp is a rest day and provides a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with camp, take a shower and explore the area. You’ll have a medical check-up with the Park doctor, reorganise and review your gear, prepare our loads for the first carry and organise food for transport the following day. Day 7 - Acclimatisation, ascent of Cerro Bonete (5,000m) Today we’ll make an ascent of Cerro Bonete (5,000m) to help our acclimatisation. After breakfast we start the ascent to the summit, from where we can enjoy views Aconcagua’s sprawling west face, as well the huge Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Day 8 - Rest Day Today is another rest day at Plaza de Mulas to recover from the ascent of Cerro Bonete. We’ll divide expedition loads to carry to the high camps (group gear, fuel and food). We double carry to keep pack weights down and help ensure good acclimatisation. Day 9 - Load carry to Camp Canada (5,050m) We’ll load carry some of our equipment and food to Camp 1, (Plaza Canada – 5,050m, 3km, 5 hours)). We keep our packs light and carry as little as possible in order to gradually adapt to the altitude, and we’ll drop back down to Plaza de Mulas to sleep. Day 10 - Rest Day Rest day at Base Camp. Day 11 - Move to Camp Canada (5,050m) We begin our move up the summit, and head up to Plaza Canada (5,050m). Day 12 - Move to Nido de Condores (5,550m) We move from Plaza Canada to Camp 2 Nido de Cóndores 5,550m, 4km, 5 hours), where we’ll have spectacular views of the High Andes. Day 13 - Rest Day Acclimatisation day at Nido de Condores (5,550m). Depending on the condition of the group, we may choose to be active or to fully rest. Day 14 - Move to Camp Colera (5,970m) We move up to Camp 3 (Plaza Colera – 5,970m). From here, we have superb views of the highest peaks of the Central Andes. This is our final high-altitude camp. (5km, 4.5 hours) Day 15 - Summit Day! We start climbing at 5:00 am and continue north to 6200m, then climb up to Independence Refuge (6,380m) for a short rest break. This is normally where we see the sun’s first rays of the day. We ascend the Portezuelo del Viento traverse, where we can experience strong winds, even on calm days. From here, we climb La Canaleta, a 300m rocky gully that is the crux of the ascent, which takes us to Filo del Guanaco, the ridge between Aconcagua’s two main summits. We turn left along the ridge, which leads us to the summit at 6,962m – we’re now standing on the highest point in the Western & Southern hemispheres and the highest point outside the Himalayan ranges. We descend to spend the night at Plaza Colera. Day 16 - Descend to Base Camp Return from Camp 3 to Base Camp for a celebration dinner. Day 17 & 18 - Spare Days Spare days for weather Day 19 - Trek to Penitentes & return to Mendoza We begin the long descent from Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes (36km, 9 hours) for onward transport to our hotel in Mendoza City. Day 20 - Fly Home End of services & fly home
How To Book Aconcagua Expand Participation Agreement and Terms & Conditions You'll need to read and agree to both our Overseas Trips Booking Terms & Conditions and our Participation Agreement (see below) - you'll be asked to confirm this during the booking process below. Overseas Trips Booking Terms & Conditions Participation Agreement How to book Choose your event date below In the event, you can choose to pay your deposit online (with a 1.5% processing charge to cover our fees), by bank transfer (free), or pay your full balance - you'll receive an email acknowledging receipt of your payment/booking. Once you've booked and/or paid your deposit you'll receive a second email requiring you to complete our online Client Information & Medical Declaration Form, which must be completed before we can confirm your booking Jan 2021 Jan/Feb 2021
Aconcagua - Insurance Expand You’re required to have an insurance policy that covers climbing to 6,962m. You're advised to take out insurance to cover potential events that might cause you to cancel your trip. You should bring with you a copy of your policy and also a photocopy of your passport, and to keep it separate to your own documents in the unlikely event that you lose your passport. We advise you to consider the British Mountaineering Council insurance, but many other insurance companies offer policies suitable for Aconcagua.
Aconcagua - Expedition Leader Expand Inspire Alpine® founder Ricky Munday will be leading this expedition. He's a qualified Mountain Leader with an Expedition First Aid qualification and is a full member of the Mountain Training Association. He reached the summit of Mount Everest (8,848m) in May 2018. He holds an Honours degree in Physiology & Sport Science and is also a Chartered Accountant (CA). From 2014-2018 he served as the youngest ever member of the executive team at the UK's national polar research organisation, where he led the key professional service teams in both Antarctica and Cambridge.
Aconcagua - Training & Fitness Expand Climbing to almost 7,000m is an extreme undertaking. The ascent of Aconcagua is a very physically demanding objective that is frequently underestimated due to the incorrect assumption that because the climb is not technically difficult it is not extremely physically challenging. Climbers on Aconcagua must be prepared to endure an environment that can be potentially life-threatening; you may encounter extreme weather conditions including cold temperatures and very high winds, as well as the effects of extreme altitude. We suggest you prepare yourself physically and mentally for the Aconcagua expedition through a physical training program and mountain skills training. To climb Aconcagua, you need to be physically fit, have strong mental stamina and be capable of strenuous exercise for several days’ duration. To be successful you must train by carrying a heavy pack in mountainous terrain. Climbing at altitude affects people differently and most climbers notice their performance is reduced. Our climbing days are mostly short to accommodate this, and rest days are usually welcomed. You must arrive on the expedition in good health and with a high level of fitness This expedition is suitable for people with general mountaineering skills and you’ll learn comprehensive high-altitude camping and climbing techniques from your leader & guides during the expedition. Importantly, participants should be in a positive frame of mind and be willing to operate as part of a team. You can find out more about how to prepare for high-altitude here.
Aconcagua Included/Excluded Expand Included: Inspirational Talk from Everest Summiteer Ricky Munday 3* Hotel Accommodation, Mendoza (2 nights – twin/triple, half-board) Mountain Hotel, Penitentes (1 night - twin/triple, half-board) Transfers to/from Mendoza airport to Penitentes & all local transport Mountain Camps (double tents or dormitory domes, full board) Dining tents at base camp Mules to transport baggage (30kg per person) to base camp Porters for group equipment Support to obtain Aconcagua Park permits (at your own cost) Expert local guides (min ratio of 1:4) International Expedition Leader Group equipment (tents, stoves etc.) Excluded: International airfare to Mendoza Airport Aconcagua Park fees Rescue costs Vaccinations & personal medication Personal expenses such as soft drinks or alcoholic drinks Travel insurance Lunches in Mendoza or on the road Tips for local guides Hire of personal equipment (available at extra cost) Personal porters (available at extra cost)
Aconcagua Client Benefits Expand Client Benefits: a complimentary Cicerone Aconcagua & the Southern Andes guidebook (worth £16.95). Read an excerpt here. a complimentary branded Inspire Alpine BUFF® (worth £15.95) a complimentary BMC Safety on Mountains booklet (worth £6.99) Access to our fantastic travel app Vamoos We also offer an unbeatable range of generous discounts from outdoor retailers & manufacturers: Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock: 15% discount online or in-store Montane: a 15% discount online Open Air: a 15% online or in-store summitfit: a 20% discount online
Aconcagua - Clothing & Equipment Expand You will receive a full kit list for this trek upon request. Download Aconcagua Kit List
Acclimatisation on Aconcagua Expand The main problem faced by trekkers is trying to climb too quickly. From a medical perspective, we are trekking in very high altitude (up to 5,500m) and in extreme altitude (up to 6,962m). At sea level, the standard barometric pressure is 101 kPa. At 6,962m on the summit of Aconcagua, the standard barometric pressure is 43 kPa. This lower oxygen pressure means that there are fewer oxygen molecules in the same volume of air - there is only 43% of the oxygen available compared to sea level. Your body reacts to this lower oxygen level in a variety of ways - for example, your respiration (breathing) rate increases, and your body starts to generate more red blood cells. The respiration increase begins immediately, but the production of extra red blood cells takes longer. We are following a classic climb high / sleep low itinerary profile with a number of rest days and the ascent of a nearby 5,000m peak to ensure that we give our bodies more time to acclimatise to the lower oxygen levels before summit day. We recommend that you discuss with your GP the option of using Diamox (acetazolamide) to help prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Aconcagua Safety Expand Your safety is our top priority. On the mountain, your Leader will carry an expedition first aid kit, a satellite phone and have two-way radio contact with all of our guides at all times. They will also carry a pulse-oximeter to monitor your oxygen levels regularly. In the event of an emergency, helicopter rescue may be available and - if your travel insurance covers medical evacuations up to 6,962 meters above sea level - your insurance company should cover your costs.
Aconcagua Food Expand Our guides prepare food during the trek in and whilst on the mountain. At Base Camp, food is provided by well-trained Argentine cooks at Plaza de Mulas. Please indicate any specific dietary requirements you may have on your application form. If you have particularly strict dietary requirements, you’re advised to bring a supply of your own required food types with you to ensure you are provided for during the expedition, since this cannot be guaranteed in a group cooking scenario.
Aconcagua Accommodation Expand Accommodation is on a shared twin-bed or triple basis in hotels. At base camp you’ll be either sharing a dormitory tent or a double tent. At higher camps, you’ll be sharing a double tent. Single supplements at are available at extra cost.
Aconcagua Logistics Expand As well as your leader, we'll be supported by expert local guides and porters. On the trek to base camp, you'll carry only what you need for each day's trek or climb in a small rucksack. Your personal gear (e.g. sleeping bags, spare footwear) will be carried in a duffel bag or rucksack on mules. On the moves to higher camps, you’ll carry all of your own personal gear. Our local porters will assist us to move communal gear. You can hire a personal porter locally at your own cost. We'll have a minimum guide-to-client ratio of 1:4. All food on the mountain is provided, and we'll eat on the mountain in a communal dining room with chairs and table at base camp, and in our double tents at higher camps. Sufficient fresh water will be provided daily to ensure you stay hydrated