Climb one of the seven summits

Location: Home » FAQ

1. What’s the difference between Ameghino Upper Guanacos & Polish and Traverse Route?

The Ameghino Upper Guanacos and the Polish Traverse use the same trekking route, the Vacas and Relinchos valley until Plaza Argentina base camp. The only section where they came apart is after camp 1! The Ameghino traverse through the Ameghino col to the old Guanacos route reaching the chooper camp or camp ! The Polish Traverse continue to the base of the glacier where we set camp 2, near the glacier where the wind with the help of the glacier blows strong and cold…..this camp is also more expose and the hike to Piedras Blancas more demanding than from camp 2 of the Ameghino Upper Guanacos.

2. Which route should I choose?

The Ameghino because: more progressive, less crowded, beautiful, full circuit, best high camp, most successful, etc.

3. Can I hire a Porter ?

You have to confirm it in advance. A porter can carry up to 20 kg and cost approximately US $1,300 through the Ameghino Upper Guanacos, Polish Traverse and Polish Glacier route and US $800 on the Normal route. You normally share it between two, so he carry 10kg each and cost you half of the price.

4. Which training do I need?

Once you get register we will send you a training program, for you to be fit and ready to climb the Aconcagua.

5. What time should I arrive and where do I meet my guides?

We organize a meeting with your guide on day 1 of our program at 5:00pm, at the hotel (Hyatt Park Plaza or NH Cordillera Hotel, depending which Hotel we are using).
For an earlier or latest arrival, please contact us to help you to organize it.

6. How many climbers will participate on the expedition?

We accept a maximum of 12 climbers in each expedition that follow the Ameghino & Upper Guanacos, Polish & Traverse and Normal Route. For the Polish Glacier route we accept 6 climbers.

7. What is the maximum weight I’m supposed to carry?

As we use porters for gears (tents) and thanks to our double carry strategy (as we go twice to each High Camp, we carry first, half of the weight and then the second half) you might have to carry 10-12 kilos (22 – 26 lbs) maximum.

8. Does someone will pick me up at the airport?

Our driver will meet you at Mendoza airport and will drive you to your hotel in Mendoza (if you arrive earlier than day 1 we will be happy to advice you for hotel booking). We will ask later for your flight information.

9. How much is the Aconcagua Climbing Permit ?

During the season, 2010-2011, climbing permits did raise till US $714 for high season, US $523 for mid season and US $285 for low season.

10. How can I pay the Aconcagua Climbing Permit?

You have to pay it cash, in Argentinean Pesos. Your guide will go with you on Day 2 of our program to the Aconcagua Provincial Park Office to assist you on the procedure.

11. How can I pay the Aconcagua Climbing Permit?

You have to pay it cash, in Argentinean Pesos. Your guide will go with you on Day 2 of our program to the Aconcagua Provincial Park Office to assist you on the procedure.

12. How much should I tip my guide & Aconcagua Express staff?

Tipping is a personal matter. You should tip accordingly to the quality of the service and help you received.

13. Do I need a visa for Argentina?

It will depend of your nationality, please check here.
Check if you will have to pay a reciprocity fee.

14. Will I receive a Summit Certificate?

All our clients receive a certificate at the end of the expedition attesting that you reached the summit of or a certain altitude on Aconcagua.

15. When is the best time to climb Aconcagua?

We offer departure from the end of November to the middle of February, when the weather is warmer and climate more stable. Usually December and January are the warmer months.

16. Is it possible to arrange a special diet?

In our application form we will ask you if you have a special diet (vegetarian, vegan, no pork, etc…) and we will of course provide you an appropriate meal. Just mention it.

Climber Experiences

Hi Joaquin, I was a member of your January expedition to Aconcagua, I was very impressed with the entire setup and I would like to compliment you on how smoothly the expedition went. I was very impressed with the skills of both Gabriel and Mariana and if it hadn’t been for them and the decisions they made I am quite sure we would not have made the summit.

Peter Dignan
United Kingdom

Hello, Magaly!
Was good talking to you on the phone today. We are very happy with the trip, a bit tired and feel very lucky with the weather and our guide, Gabriel, both being important factors that allowed us to summit.

Olga Kotova
Latvia

Beautiful route, and the strategy for adjusting to the altitude was very good. I really enjoyed our team, and Christina and Marianna also seemed to be enjoying themselves very well. Good atmosphere.

Choice for Aconcagua Express Expeditions was also because you were the only ones to actually give me advice on an expedition when I e-mailed you. You offered me a specific expedition and date. So the personal info was important for me.

Martijn de Boer
Netherlands

The two guides were excellent in every possible respect. Everything was well prepared and well organized. Overall I am very much impressed by the dignity, the professionalism and the good manners of the guides. Organization and set up of the expedition was at a very high level.

I will certainly recommend your agency to other fellow climber how will want to try the same experience. Thank you

Sotris Skevis
Greece

I would firstly like to thank you all for putting together such a great expedition. I would like to make particularly comment on the efforts of our guide Cristina who did such a great job.
The cooks at both base camps also deserve mention, as the food they prepared was fantastic. Having said that the cooked meals provided at altitude were perfect for the conditions. The hotel at Penitentes was also a little run down, but again there did not seem to be many other options.
This criticisms do not even rate as concerns. The service provided by your company was fantastic and I would not hesitate to recommend it to others.

Stephen Hynd
Australia

Over the last couple years I had the opportunity to lead many individual and groups to Aconcagua, Patagonia, central Cordillera and Lake District of Chile. I could not have provided the exceptional service my clients have grown accustom to without the help of KL Adventure & Aconcagua Express. Joaquin Oyarzun and his team were perfectly dedicated to the comfort, safety and enjoyment of my clients. It is this type of dedication to service that I search out when I lead trips. It is what guarantees a successful trip. Nature will deliver what it will. Outstanding infrastructure provides the comforts and support that keeps clients coming back.

Jean Pavillard
UIAGM / IFMGA Internationally Certified Mountain Guide World Wide Adventures
Switzerland

Hey Joaquin
We have used Aconcagua Express services every year we have guided Aconcagua and we have been 100% satisfied. Aconcagua Express is exceedingly professional, on time, and a good value. We would not choose another service for our expeditions.
Cheers,

Colby Combs Director Alaska Mountaineering School
Alaska

Overall I was very happy with the trip. Logistics of the trip were well organized; the pre-trip info, the food at base camp, the hotels, transports and equipment provided by KL / Aconcagua Express Expeditions were good.
Our guides, Kristina and Nenu, were excellent. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and capable. I had every confidence in them.

Brett Mc Fadyen
Australia

Overall environment of the expedition was nice, relaxed and very good.
Guides were able proactively to solve all unexpected issues during the trip, and responded to the requests in fast and professional way.

Sarma Jeca
Sweden

Lieber Joaquin,
Da ich annehme, dass ich Dich nicht mehr vor meiner Abreise sehen werde wollte ich mich auf diesem Weg nochmals bei Dir bedanken. Es hat alles so gut geklappt! Und auch Deine Unterstuetzung bei dem zweiten Teil meiner Reise nach Patagonien war fuer mich eine grosse Hilfe!!

Das Satelittentelefon habe ich eingepackt und werde es Ralf bringen. Ich wuerde mich freuen von Dir zu hoeren. Fuer Deine Arbeit und Deine Bergtouren wuensche ich Dir weiterhin viel Glueck.
Herzliche Gruesse

Beate Boltz
Germany