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

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

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

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

Volevo ringraziarti di tutto per quello che hai fatto tu e i tuoi collabori durante la nostra permanenza in Argentina. Hai dei collaboratori molto bravi anche a Plaza Argentina siamo stati trattati benissimo specialmente da Carolina che con la sua bravura e disponibilità ci ha coccolati per tutta la nostra permanenza. Io penso che, non so ancora quando, ma ritorneremo in Argentina e stai sicuro che torneremo ancora con i servizi dell’Aconcagua Express. Ciao saluta e ringrazia tutti i tuoi collaboratori, un saluto particolare a Carolina.

Renzo Dalla Bona Italian Team
Italy

Cristina and Mariana were perfectos, the very best. Thanks. I will highly recommend Aconcagua Express Expeditions to everyone and I will use Aconcagua Express Expeditions again.

Keith Faulder
USA

Dear Joaquin,
Thank you for everything and making our trip to Aconcagua 100% successful! The entire team reached the summit via the False Polish route the 12th of February. Your services and staff helped make the expedition a better experience for our team. Carolina and Marcelo were great!

Bill Crouse Lead Guide Adventure Consultants
New Zealand

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

Aconcagua Express & KL Adventure was truly a wonderful experience. From the pre- trip client care to the world class guide and staff, fabulous base camp cuisine, traveling safely and ethically, superior route experience and better pricing than most other outfits. Truly a fantastic trip that I have no reservations in recommending to Americans or anyone else interested in a climb.

Eric Hornbeck
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

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