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Aconcagua Express

Climb one of the seven summits

  • Aconcagua Trips
    • Aconcagua Normal Route
    • Aconcagua Ameghino & Upper Guanacos Route
    • Ojos del Salado & Aconcagua
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    • Aconcagua Ameghino & Upper Guanacos Route
    • Aconcagua Normal Route
    • Aconcagua Polish Glacier Route
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    • El Plomo near Santiago
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Ojos del Salado & Licancabur with San Pedro Atacama

FAQ

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

Tatiana and Billi were great guides on the Aconcagua expedition. I’d be happy to climb another mountain with them again!! Our food was better than that from other groups going up the mountain, and it was nice to have hot thermoses brought to our tent in mornings (other groups noticed this, and the fact that they had to go get their own water, among other things less positive than that of our group). I always felt safe, that Tatiana & Billi knew what they were doing on the mountain, and that they had enough energy to handle whatever could come our way. On summit day, Billi brought a guy down to Camp 3 from 1/3 (or more) of the way up, then she ascended and caught up to us, in order to summit from Camp 3 in only 5 ½ hours! A real rock star. Then, when I was really burnt out almost all the way back to camp (with heavier snow coming down and covering the trail), Billi helped me back to Camp3… a real help when it was needed, and on the part of the trail where accidents are most prone to happen (way down from summit day). This was really appreciated. Our staff helped create a real team atmosphere, and our group was the “cool table” at the lower camps, and out dining tent was the social center of activity with several groups joining us for cards, games, etc after dinner. Our pace up the mountain was the right speed, not to fast and not too slow, enabling 5 of 6 of our group to get to the summit, and the remaining 1 doing his personal best on summit day! One guy from another group was “turned around” partway up on summit day; he later felt that he could have made it to the top with a slightly slower group pace. I’ve seen this before on other mountains. Our pace was just right! We were properly aware of the mountain challenges before the expedition, and the challenge met my personal expectations. I came off the mountain without any physical aches and pains, feeling good about the expedition and ready for more mountains in the future! Perhaps Elbrus and Denali, the 2nd with some technical training and practice. I have NO COMPLAINTS about this expedition! I believe our guides, our food were better than that of other groups, that our group gear was appropriate, and that we were properly instructed on how to prepare for the mountain and which gear to bring! I enjoyed the company of the clients as well, and that of the other teams headed up the mountain with us. This was a great expedition, and I’m lucky to have made some new friends on the mountain.

I’d recommend KL Adventure for anyone wanting to climb Aconcagua, in particular Tatiana as lead guide. Likewise I’d climb a mountain (Nepal?) with Billi and recommend her guiding services as well. Best Wishes, Mark.

Mark
USA

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

Gabriel and Mariana were really fantastic and helpful, especially since I struggled with acclimatization. Suzanne (at base camp) was also really great. When I descended early she looked after me to ensure that all of my logistics for leaving the park were coordinated. The trip was overall well organized, very informative, very realistic expectations and a great experience – unfortunately, my body did not hold up as well as usual, but I do not feel that I (or the company) could have done anything differently to improve my chances. A great climbing team!

Nancy Henning
USA

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

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

Le voyage était parfait, avec l’immense satisfaction d’avoir été en haut de l’aconcagua !
Excellent guides, very professional and very dedicated to the success of the expedition. Very good logistics (transfers, mules); Pre-Read materials (Aconcagua book, map…) were very good; Excellent hotel in Mendoza (Hyatt!)

I would definitely recommend KL Expeditions / Aconcagua Express Expeditions.

Pascal Tiercelin
France

Hallo Joaquin,
Nun bin ich schon einen Monat zurück in Deutschland und denke immernoch jeden Tag an die tolle Bergtour zum Aconcagua. Du glaubst nicht wie glücklich ich bin, daß ich das geschaft habe. Dies habe ich im besonderen Dir und Deinem Unternehmen Aconcagua Express zu verdanken. Mit Tom Torkelson hatten wir einen super Bergführer der zum einen eine sehr schöne Route zum Gipfel geführt hat, Vacas Route, die zum anderen auch eine optimale Aklimatisation ermöglicht hat. Die gesamte Organisation war vom Anfang bis zum Ende sehr gut. Es gibt wirklich nichts was ich meine, was besser gemacht werden könnte. Wenn Du neue Kunden aus Deutschland oder Europa hast, die Fragen zur Aconcaguabesteigung haben, kannst Du Ihnen gerne meine email-Adresse geben, damit Sie Kontakt mit mir aufnehmen können.
Vielen vielen Dank!!

Johannes Niedeggen
Deutschland

The memories I have of our trekking on Aconcagua is one of my fondest. It was a most fantastic experience…. one which I will treasure for the rest of my life. Thank you and your team members for making it possible. I very much enjoyed the personal one-on-one relationships we developed with you and your team. Your professionalism and desire to please the customer is very evident and commendable.

Thomas Kremlin
Austria

Lieber Joaquin,
Als erstes möchte ich mich bei Dir für Deine Leistungen bei der Expedition zum Aconcagua bedanken. Bergführer Abi Kirschner hat sich sehr lobend über Deine Arbeit geäußert. Auch Pierre Kintgen war mit Bergführer und KL Adventure sehr, sehr zufrieden. Ich denke, das wird unseren gemeinsamen Produkten sehr gut tun – denn die Teilnehmer tragen Ihre Zufriedenheit weiter und das ist die beste Werbung für uns alle. Ich danke Dir und Deinem Team für die hervorragende Arbeit und Bemühungen! Herzliche Grüße aus München.

Michael Roepke
DAV-Summit Club Manager, Munchen
Germany

Mecha (Gabriel Rocamora) was a great lead guide, I can’t recommend him highly enough !

Edouard Derom
USA

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