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Aconcagua Normal Route

Aconcagua Normal Route

Location: Home » Routes » Aconcagua Normal Route
  • Duration: 18 days.
  • Difficulty: Excellent endurance and fitness
  • Space Available / Trip: 6 climbers
  • Expedition Cost: US $4,980 per person
  • Other Costs: Private Porter: US $2,000 per person, Hotel single supplement: US $750, Reservation cost: US $900
  • Payment Balance Due: 120 days prior departure

This expedition to the ‘Roof of America’, Mt Aconcagua (6,962m / 22,835 ft), ascends the Horcones Valley with its awesome views of the mountain’s south face. The trek to Confluencia (3,390m / 11,122 ft), our first mid-mountain camp, will take four hours. The following day, we’ll make a five-hour day hike to Plaza Francia (4,000m / 13,123 ft), at the base of the impressive south wall, to assist in our acclimatization. On the following day we trek up Playa Ancha, a 10 km (6 miles) long flat formation of alluvial material and boulders, situated at an elevation of between 3,600m and 3,800 meters (11,811 ft and 12,467 ft). From a spot on Playa Ancha both peaks of the Aconcagua come into view as does Pyramid Hill, a lower summit on the south-western face, where an Inca mummy was found in 1985 at an elevation of 5,300m (17,388 ft).

Following a short steep rise at Cuesta Brava, the route reaches busy Plaza Mulas base camp at 4,300m (14,107 ft). Ascending through the Conway Stones and past the rocky pinnacle that forms Plaza Canada, the trail zigzags northwards through a huge scree slope to finally reach the High Camps of Nido Condores, or Condor’s Nest, at 5,380m (17,650 ft) and Berlin at 5,850m (19,192 ft). Alternatively, some groups use Piedras Blancas Camp, a more spacious and protected camp 80 meters above the Berlin Camp. With several days in reserve, we’ll wait for the best conditions to make the final short push to the summit. Its breathtaking views will be a balm for our tired bodies and a magnificent reward for all our efforts!

Aconcagua Normal Route with Porters Map

2020/21 Trip Dates

November

  • AEE2-01 – Sun. Nov. 22 – Dec. Wed 9, 2020
  • AEE2-02 – Sun. Nov. 29 – Dec. Wed 16, 2020

December

  • AEE2-03 – Sat. Dec. 5 – Dec. Tue 29, 2020
  • AEE2-04 – Sat. Dec. 12 – Dec. Tue 29, 2020
  • AEE2-05 – Sat. Dec. 19, 2020 – Jan. Tue 5, 2021
  • AEE2-06 – Sat Dec. 26, 2020 – Jan. Tue 12, 2021

January

  • AEE2-07 – Sat. Jan. 2 – Jan. Tue 19, 2021
  • AEE2-08 – Sat. Jan. 9 – Jan. Tue 26, 2021

Route Itinerary

Day 1 Mendoza. You will be picked up at Plumerillos Airport in Mendoza and transferred to our Hotel. After meeting the guides and other members of the group, we’ll make an equipment and gear check, and have a power point presentation on the expedition.

Hotel / Elevation – 761 m (2,497 ft)

Day 2 Mendoza – Penitentes. Before leaving Mendoza, we’ll visit the Aconcagua Provincial Park’s permit office to obtain our mandatory, individual climbing permits. Then we’ll drive towards the Park, stopping for lunch in Uspallata. We’ll continue our journey west to the village of Penitentes, situated at the entrance to the Vacas Valley, which gives access to our route. Overnight in Penitentes.

Transfer distance 190 km – 118 miles / Transfer time 2 1/4 hours / Hotel Penitentes / Elevation – Min 761 m (2,497 ft) – Max 2,580m – 8,464 ft

Day 3 Penitentes – Confluencia. After officially entering the Park, we make a three-hour hike up the Horcones Valley, crossing the Horcones River on a bridge built during the making of the film ‘Seven Years in Tibet’. We climb a gentle, steady slope to Confluencia Camp (3,300m / 10,826 ft).
Trekking Time – 3 hours / Tent / Elevation – Min 2,580m (8,464 ft) – Max 3,385m (11,103 ft)

Day 4 Confluencia – Plaza Francia – Confluencia. Today we trek to the Plaza Francia Camp (4,100m / 13,451 ft) and located at the foot of the south face wall of Aconcagua. From this point, we can observe the climbing routes taken by some of the world’s most famous mountaineers. In the afternoon we return to Confluencia Camp.

Trekking Time – 5 to 7 hours/ Tent / Elevation – Min 3,385m (11,103 ft)- Max 4,100m (13,451 ft)

Day 5 Confluencia – Plaza de Mulas. We make a seven- to eight-hour hike to Plaza de Mulas base camp (4,300m / 14,107 ft) Our chef will be waiting for us with hot drinks and a delicious dinner. This base camp has showers, satellite telephone, and an exquisite menu especially prepared for our Expedition.

Trekking Time – 7-8 hours / Tent / Elevation – Min 3,300m (10,826 ft) – Max 4,300m (14,107 ft)

Day 6 Plaza de Mulas. Today we’ll have a rest day relaxing around camp drinking plenty of fluids. Rest and good hydration are the essentials for an optimal acclimatization before continuing on to the rigors of the High Camps and the demands of summit day.

Tent / Elevation – 4,300m (14,107 ft)

Day 7 Plaza de Mulas – Cerro Bonete – Plaza de Mulas. Today we’ll make an easy day ascent of Mt. Bonete (5,004 / 16,413 ft) to aid in our acclimatization and admire spectacular views of the central Andes.

Trekking Time – 5 hours / Tent / Elevation – Min 4,300m (16,413 ft) – Max 6,872m (22,546 ft)

Day 8 Plaza de Mulas – Plaza Canadá Camp – Plaza de Mulas. Leaving our arrieros (mule drivers) and the mules in base camp, we’ll make our first day of portage, carrying light loads of personal and common gear up to Plaza Canada Camp (5,050m – 16,568 ft). Today’s portage—and other days of portage during the expedition—are essential to achieving an optimal acclimatization. Climbing up to higher altitudes and descending to lower ones to sleep will be our strategy from now on. If this ascent plan is carried out gradually, it increases the possibility of reaching the summit successfully and in a safe and comfortable manner. We’ll spend the night at Plaza de Mulas Camp.

Trekking Time – 3-4 hours / Tent / Elevation Min 4,300m (14,107 ft) – Max 5,050m (16,568 ft)

Day 9 Plaza de Mulas. Today is a rest day in Camp. We’ll take it easy, eat well, and drink plenty of liquids to assist in our acclimatization and make us strong for the higher camps and summit day.

Tent / Elevation – 4,300m (14,000 ft)    

10 Plaza de Mulas – Plaza Canadá Camp. Today we move back to Plaza Canadá Camp. We should now be more comfortable in the Aconcagua environment and feel stronger as we grow more accustomed to the altitude.

Trekking Time – 3-4 hours / Tent / Elevation – Min 4,200m (14,000 ft) – Max (5,050m – 16,568 ft)

Day 11 Plaza Canadá Camp – Nido de Condores Camp. Today we move to Nido de Condores Camp. This is a high traffic route so we will meet a lot of people on the trail.

Trekking Time – 4-5 hours / Tent / Elevation – Min 5,050m   (16,568 ft) – Max 5,550m (18,208 ft)

Day 12 Nido de Condores Camp. Today is a rest day in camp. We’ll hydrate well and rest in preparation for summit day. In any event, it’s important to emphasize that climbers should not start getting anxious about rushing up to the summit. We know from experience that an extra day spent resting at this altitude enhances our acclimatization and considerably improves our chances of making the summit safely, comfortably, and successfully.

Tent / Elevation – Min 5,550m (18,208 ft) – Max 5,550m (18,208 ft)

Day 13 Nido de Condores Camp – Piedras Blancas Camp. Today we’ll move to Berlín or Piedras Blancas, depending on the weather and the guide’s criteria. This will be our last camp before the summit.

Trekking Time – 3-4 hours / Tent / Elevation Min 5,550m (18,208 ft) – 6,000m (19,680 ft)

Days 14, 15 & 16 Piedras Blancas Camp – Summit – Piedras Blancas Camp

With several days in reserve, we’ll wait for the best climatic conditions for summit day. While we wait, we’ll enjoy superb views of the highest section of the Aconcagua south face wall, a truly impressive sight. Following our summit push, we’ll step onto the ‘roof of America’ with great emotion, take photos beside Aconcagua’s emblematic summit cross, admire panoramic views of the central Andes, and descend tired but satisfied to our last high camp.

Trekking Time – 12 to 14 hours / Tent / Elevation – Min – 6,000m (19,680 ft) – Max 6,962m (22,835 ft)

Day 17 – Piedras Blancas Camp – Plaza de Mulas. We’ll descend from Piedras Blancas to the Plaza de Mulas Camp (4,200m / 13,779 ft), where our Aconcagua Express chef will be waiting with a delicious dinner to help restore our energy.

Trekking Time – 4 to 5 hours/ Tent / Elevation – Min 4,300m (14,107 ft) – Max 6,000m (19,680 ft)

Day 18 Plaza de Mulas – Mendoza. From Plaza de Mulas, our arrieros (mule drivers) and the mules will help us carry out our gear and equipment. Our hike out through Playa Ancha and down the Horcones Valley to the village of Penitentes will take six to seven hours. At the Park Ranger’s Station our Aconcagua Express vehicles will be waiting to take us back to Mendoza. Following a good night’s rest, the Aconcagua Normal route with Porters expedition comes to an end! Some members may wish to spend some time on their own in Mendoza, discovering the charms of this attractive city and its beautiful surroundings.

Transfer distance 190 km – 118 miles / Transfer time 2 1/4 hours / Hotel / Elevation – Min 761 m (2,497 ft) – Max 4,300m (13,779 ft)

Services

Services included

  • Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide.
  • Ratio, Guide to Clients 1-3.
  • All local organization & supervision by AE Expeditions Staff.
  • Porter for community gear (tents, stove, gas) during the entire expedition.
  • Mules for individual and community gear to base camp and return.
  • High quality expedition common gear: The North Face, Mountain Hardware & Marmot tents, stoves and fuel.
  • Private tent until base camp.
  • Full dining room set up at base camp, with tables, chairs, etc.
  • All meals during the expedition.
  • Permanently available hot drinks and biscuits at base camp tent.
  • Two hotel nights in Mendoza, double occupancy with breakfast, at Park Hyatt, Sheraton or Diplomat hotel.
  • One hotel accommodation in Penitentes, double occupancy with half pension.
  • Private transportation, including airport pick-up.
  • Assistance at Mendoza airport.
  • Satellite phone during the entire expedition on a per minute payment basis use.
  • VHF 2 mt radio communication equipment.
  • The Aconcagua, “Summit of America” book, by Mauricio Fernandez.
  • The Aconcagua topographic map.

Services not included

  • Mandatory Rescue Insurance.
  • All personal climbing equipment and gear.
  • Aconcagua climbing permit fee $850 – $1100, depending on climbing season
  • Single room supplement at hotels Mendoza & Penitentes.
  • Meals in Mendoza.
  • Porter for personal gear.
  • Drinks (soda, beer, or wine) in
  • Guides and mountain staff tips.
  • Cancellation, accident, and rescue insurance.
  • Cash for extra expenses.
  • Airport drop-off.
  • Any costs involved in an early or late departure.
  • Any other service not mentioned above.

Important

  • With good weather and good acclimatization the trip may return to Mendoza earlier.
  • All itineraries are subject to change due to changes in the weather, individual’s acclimatization rates, and the guide’s criteria.
  • A Private Porter, to be shared between two expedition members carrying 10kg each, is available upon request at an additional cost.
  • Any departure date can be re-scheduled with a minimum of 6 persons.

Climber Experiences

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,
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

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

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

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

Everything went very smooth, it was great to have a small bag of stuff sent from Plaza Argentina around to Plaza de Mulas, as we could have clean underwear, socks and our trail shoes without having to carry them to high camp.

Tatiana seemed very knowledgeable with first aid and altitude sickness, and seemed well prepared.  Tatiana’s food was awesome. The other groups in our camps were jealous when all they had was rice and we had fresh baked pizza in Camp 2! A couple mornings in base camp, there was not much provided for breakfast (one day was only toast) and we finally had to ask them each day to make eggs.

Joaquin was very helpful with all of my requests, and very quick to respond, which is one of the main reasons I selected KL Adventure to work with on this trip.

The transfers and transport was fine.  All vehicles were comfortable and there was plenty of room.  Hyatt is awesome of course. Penitentes is not great, but obviously there is no other option.

The trip was great, we will definitely work with you again for our 2010 climb, and also hope to add a Patagonia trip in the near future. It was also nice to have Joaquin meet the group in Mendoza and to spend more time with him on the drive to Santiago. We would definitely want to have Tatiana as our guide again.  She was exceptional and there was not another guide on the mountain I would have rather had than her. It is also very nice to have a local guide as your leader, better in my opinion than having American or European guides.

Billi also did a very nice job, as an assistant guide she was great.  The two of them worked very well together.

Andrew Nachman Northwest Voyageur
USA

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

Gabriel and Mariana are great very sensitive, customer minded and fun to be with. And very well prepared and responsible.

Frans Cromme
Netherlands

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

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

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