Itinerary

Vacas Valley Route Itinerary

Our hallmark trip of nearly 30 years, this route offers:

• Less traveled route
• More aesthetically appealing
• Chance to traverse the mountain
• Trek into Base Camp
• Double carries, reducing weight
• Porters available
• Pack Weight: Approximately 45-50 lbs. pack without porters (depending on your gear selections)

We highly recommend arriving a day early in case of lost luggage. We are happy to book your extra night in the hotel. 

The expedition was of the highest quality and professional standards.

Day 1

Depart country of origin.

Day 2

Arrive in Mendoza, Argentina. Climbers should arrive on a morning flight. After checking into your hotel, we will have a mandatory climb orientation session covering group dynamics, leadership, and Leave No Trace, as well as a thorough equipment check. This will be followed by a group dinner in one of Mendoza’s many fine restaurants and an overnight stay at the Park Hyatt Hotel or similar accommodations.

Day 3

After completing the permit process in the morning, we board our private bus and travel to the town of Penitentes. We generally stop for lunch in the town of Ushpallata (where the movie “Seven Years in Tibet” was filmed). We overnight in Penitentes, where we have dinner and organize our mule loads in preparation for entering the park the next day.

Days 4-6

After one night in Penitentes, we drive 15 minutes to Punta de Vacas (8,000 ft.), where we will begin our three-day, 30-mile trek into Plaza Argentina (13,800 ft.), which serves as our base camp for the expedition. Generally, days are 5 – 7 hours of trekking. Mules will carry our gear so we can enjoy the trek without heavy loads. During our daily lunch stop, we’ll enjoy a picnic-style buffet, including sandwiches, fresh fruit, and vegetables all prepared by the guides. On the approach, we’ll walk through green desert valleys dramatically bordered by the mountains of the Andes. Sometimes we’ll see wildlife, such as condors or guanacos. During the first half of the approach, our objective will remain hidden by the nearby mountains. However, at the end of the second day, the stunning east face of Aconcagua will be dramatically revealed. On the final day of the trek to Base Camp, we’ll cross the Vacas River in the morning, then ascend the Relinchos Valley for a steeper and more challenging day of trekking. We’ll settle into Base Camp and say goodbye to the mules and arrieros who transported our gear.

• Altitudes: Punta de Vacas: 7,900 ft
  Plaza de Argentina: 13,800 ft
• Elevation Change: 7,100 ft ↑
• Mileage: 24 mi

Day 7

A rest day, limited to sorting our loads for the remainder of the climb. We’ll explore the local terrain to continue our acclimatization to the altitude, and enjoy another day of plentiful meals while we relax in the comfort of Base Camp.

Day 8

We’ll carry supplies to Camp I, located at 16,300 ft., and return to Base Camp for the night. Generally, we’ll have at Camp I while the guides cache our loads. We’ll “double carry” on this moves and most moves on the upper mountain to keep pack weight down and to help ensure good acclimatization.

• Altitudes: Plaza de Argentina: 13,800
  Camp 1: 16,300 ft
• Elevation Change: 2,600 ft ↑
• Mileage: 5 mi
• Hiking Time: 6.5 – 9 hours

Day 9

A rest day, limited to making final packing preparations for our departure from Base Camp. We’ll explore the local terrain to continue our acclimatization to the altitude, and enjoy another day of plentiful meals and Base Camp comforts.

Day 10

We’ll move to Camp I, departing Base Camp after a hearty breakfast, and will take our time on the ascent. We’ll climb for approximately one hour, rest for 10 to 15 minutes to rehydrate, refuel, and tend any climber needs. This allows for efficient climbing and helps us arrive to Camp I with sufficient energy to erect tents and build camp.

• Altitudes: Plaza de Argentina: 13,800
  Camp 1: 16,300 ft
• Elevation Change: 2,600 ft ↑
• Mileage: 2.5 mi
• Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours

Day 11

We’ll carry to Camp Guanacos which sits at 18,200 ft., located beyond the north side of a high pass known as Ameghino Col, cache our loads, and return to Camp I for the night. Sometimes we’ll use crampons (depending on snow level) to ascend the slopes below Ameghino Col. Often we encounter “penitentes” – tall snow triangles that can reach six-plus feet in the air – for which Aconcagua is famous. Camp Guanacos provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and a vista looking down into the Guanacos Valley, a wilderness preserve off-limits to humans.

• Altitudes: Camp 1: 16,300 ft
  Camp Guanacos: 18,200 ft
• Elevation Change: 2,000 ft ↑
• Mileage: 5 mi
• Hiking Time: 5.5 – 7 hours

Day 12

Rest day at Camp I. After the previous day’s carry to Camp Guanacos, this is a well-deserved and much-appreciated rest day. This gives us further acclimatization time and rest before moving higher to sleep. Since we won’t be climbing or carrying on this day, we’ll enjoy creative and plentiful meals while in camp.

Day 13

We’ll move to Camp Guanacos, ascending the same route as the prior carry, while feeling much stronger and better acclimatized. We’ll arrive at camp and set up our tents, then prepare our dinner and rest.

• Altitudes: Camp 1: 16,300 ft
  Camp Guanacos: 18,200 ft
• Elevation Change: 2,000 ft ↑
• Mileage: 2.5 mi
• Hiking Time: 4 – 6 hours

Day 14

We’ll carry to Camp Colera (19,500 ft.), located at the intersection with the North Ridge near Refugio Berlin. At camp, we’ll cache our loads and have a brief rest before descending back to Camp Guanacos for dinner and a well-earned night of rest.

• Altitudes: Camp Guanacos: 18,200 ft
  Camp Colera: 19,500 ft
• Elevation Change: 1,500 ft ↑
• Mileage: 3 mi
• Hiking Time: 5 – 8 hours

Day 15

Rest and acclimatization at Camp Guanacos. We’ll soak up the views from Camp Guanacos and enjoy more lengthy and creative meals. While contemplating our summit attempt (two days out) we’ll be closely monitoring the weather to plan for the best day available.

Day 16

Move to Camp Colera. On this relatively short move, we’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Polish Glacier. We’ll build camp, often constructing rock walls around our tents in case of high winds, or at least carefully reinforcing all tent anchors made by stacking rocks. From here, we’ll have a great view of the west side of the mountain and across the Andes into Chile, as well as some of our route to the summit.

• Altitudes: Camp Guanacos: 18,200 ft
  Camp Colera: 19,500 ft
• Elevation Change: 1,500 ft ↑
• Mileage: 1.5 mi
• Hiking Time: 3 – 5 hours

Day 17

Summit day begins at 4 a.m. After breakfast, we’ll generally leave camp at 6 a.m. and climb the North Ridge to Refugio Independencia at approximately 21,400 ft. From there, we’ll traverse the West Face and climb up into the Canaleta, an 800-ft. couloir that leads to the summit ridge. Finally, the Guanaco Ridge offers an easy traverse to the summit. On the top, we’ll have a spectacular 360 degree view. All around, you will see the Andes Mountains consisting of several 20,000-ft. peaks, including Mercedario, another of the highest peaks in South America. To the west lies Chile and the Pacific Ocean; to the east, the plains of Argentina. You’ll also be able to look directly down the 9,000-ft. south face of Aconcagua, which is considered one of the great faces of the world.

• Altitudes: Camp III Colera: 19,600 ft
  Aconcagua Summit: 22,838 ft
• Elevation Change: 3,300 ft ↑
• Mileage: 4 mi
• Hiking Time: 9 – 12 hours

Day 18

We’ll descend from High Camp to Plaza de Mulas (Base Camp on the west side of the mountain). This day involves a 6,000-ft. descent into the Horcones Valley. Once at Base Camp, we’ll enjoy dinner while appreciating the new perspective from this side of the mountain, and watch the sun set on Aconcagua’s summit.

• Altitudes: Colera Camp: 19,500 ft
  Plaza de Mulas: 14,400 ft
• Elevation Change: 5,300 ft ↓
• Mileage: 4 mi
• Hiking Time: 3 – 6 hours

Day 19

We’ll trek out from Plaza de Mulas to the Horcones Visitor Center. This trek follows the Horcones River, and we’ll have several great vantage points from which to see the south face of Aconcagua. We’ll arrive at Confluencia Camp and enjoy refreshments, then finish the hike to the Horcones Visitor Center. Our outfitter will pick us up and transport us a few minutes to Penitentes, where we’ll have our celebration dinner and hot hotel showers.

• Altitudes: Plaza de Mulas: 14,400 ft
  Horcones Visitors Center: 9,800 ft
• Elevation Change: 5,100 ft ↓
• Mileage: 15 mi
• Hiking Time: 6 – 9 hours

Day 20

We’ll return to Mendoza and our hotel, celebrate our time in the mountains, and enjoy the wonders of Argentina. If climbers have extra days and want to tour the many wineries surrounding Mendoza, our guides can provide suggestions.

Days 21–22

These extra days are built in to provide the best possible conditions for each participant to summit, and can be used for acclimatization, rest, or as bad weather days. If not used, you’ll have two additional days to enjoy Mendoza and the great restaurants and wine for which the city is famous.

Day 23

Depart Mendoza.

Day 24

Arrive at your country of origin.

Normal Route Itinerary

• Easiest (but not “easy”) route on the mountain
• Includes porters for all moves — climbers carry personal gear on acclimatization hikes
• Climbers still carry (35-40 lbs.) on our carry day
• Acclimate in well-appointed Base Camp (limits nights on upper mountain)
• Shorter in duration than other routes
• Acclimatization climb during Base Camp stay of Mt. Bonete (16,732 ft.)
• A pack weight of 35–40 lbs. depending on personal gear selections

We highly recommend arriving a day early in case of lost luggage. We are happy to book your extra night in the hotel.

This was my first expedition and I truly enjoyed it. The service in each aspect of the trip was very good and comprehensive. Everyone was very helpful and good amount of emails were sent ahead of time with regards to all the logistics. -2019 Climber

Day 1

Depart country of origin.

Day 2

Arrive in Mendoza, Argentina. Climbers should arrive on a morning flight. After checking into your hotel, we will have a mandatory climb orientation session covering group dynamics, leadership, Leave No Trace, and concluding with a thorough equipment check. This will be followed by a group dinner in one of Mendoza’s many fine restaurants and lodging at the Park Hyatt Hotel or similar accommodations.

Day 3

After completing the permit process in the morning, we board our private bus to the town of Penitentes (8,940 ft). We generally stop for lunch in the town of Ushpallata (where the movie “Seven Years in Tibet” was filmed). We overnight in Penitentes, where we have dinner and organize our mule loads in preparation for entering the park the next day. 

Day 4 – PENITENTES / CONFLUENCIA (10,826 ft.)

We travel to the entrance of the park in a private van. Here we register with the park and you begin the trek into Confluencia Camp, with mules carrying the equipment. Upon arrival, you will set up your tent with your partner and be able to rest.

• Altitudes: Horcones Visitors Center: 9,700ft
  Confluencia: 11,300 ft
• Elevation Change: 1,750 ft ↑
• Mileage: 4.5 mi
• Hiking Time: 3.5 – 5 hours

Day 5 – CONFLUENCIA / PLAZA FRANCIA (13,123 ft.) / CONFLUENCIA

Trek to Plaza Francia, which is at the base of the south face of Aconcagua. Here we enjoy a delicious lunch and a spectacular view, then return to Confluencia. This trek is part of the acclimatization process and fundamental to our expedition.

• Altitudes: Confluencia: 11,300 ft
  Plaza Francia: 13,900 ft
• Elevation Change: 2,900 ft ↑
• Mileage: 13 mi
• Hiking Time: 9 – 12 hours

Day 6 – CONFLUENCIA / PLAZA DE MULAS (13,976 ft.)

The trek to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp takes around eight hours. We will stay in our own Base Camp with the necessary commodities for you to be as comfortable as possible.

• Altitudes: Confluencia: 11,300 ft
  Plaza de Mulas: 14,400 ft
• Elevation Change: 3,500 ft ↑
• Mileage: 11 mi
• Hiking Time: 6 – 8 hours

Day 7 – PLAZA DE MULAS

Rest day. You will make a short trek in the Plaza de Mulas area to contemplate the beauty of the mountain. Conditions may require crampons on this part of the trek.

Day 8 – PLAZA DE MULAS / MT. BONETE (16,732 ft.) / PLAZA DE MULAS

Acclimatization trek to Mt. Bonete’s summit and return to Plaza de Mulas for the night. This climb will take about six hours and we will reach nearly 17,000 ft. in altitude.

• Altitudes: Plaza de Mulas: 14,400 ft
  Monte Bonete: 16,500 ft
• Elevation Change: 2,400 ft ↑
• Mileage: 5 mi
• Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours

Day 9 – PLAZA DE MULAS / CAMP I CANADÁ (16,108 ft.) / PLAZA DE MULAS

Acclimatization trek to Camp I, or “Canada Camp.” We travel to Canada Camp, have lunch, then return to Base Camp. As we are returning to Base Camp the same day.

• Altitudes: Plaza de Mulas: 14,400 ft
  Camp I Canada: 16,500 ft
• Elevation Change: 2,300 ft ↑
• Mileage: 3 mi
• Hiking Time: 5.5 – 7 hours

Day 10 – PLAZA DE MULAS

Rest and acclimatization day. Rest day in preparation for next day’s move to a higher altitude.

Day 11 – PLAZA DE MULAS / CAMP I CANADÁ

After a 3-4 hour trek, we reach Camp I, “Canada.” On this day, each climber will be responsible for carrying personal equipment only. Group gear will be carried by our porter staff. Once at Canada, the group will enjoy lunch after tents and camp is set.

• Altitudes: Plaza de Mulas: 14,400 ft
  Camp I Canada: 16,500 ft
• Elevation Change: 2,300 ft ↑
• Mileage: 1.5 mi
• Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours

Day 12 – CAMP I CANADÁ / CAMP II NIDO DE CÓNDORES (18,280 ft.)

A four hour climb to Camp II, “Nido de Cóndores.” Porters will carry the group gear.

• Altitudes: Camp I Canada: 16,500 ft
  Nido de Condores: 18,300 ft
• Elevation Change: 1,700 ft ↑
• Mileage: 1.5 mi
• Hiking Time: 4 – 6 hours

Day 13 – NIDO DE CÓNDORES

Rest and acclimatization day at “Nido de Cóndores.”

Day 14 – CAMP II NIDO DE CÓNDORES / CAMP III CÓLERA (19,685 ft.)

Move to Camp III, “Cólera,” which will be our High Camp. This will be a short hike, but very a demanding climb that will take around three to four hours. Porters will carry the group gear.

• Altitudes: Nido de Condores: 18,300 ft
  Camp III Colera: 19,600 ft
• Elevation Change: 1,400 ft ↑
• Mileage: 1.5 mi
• Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours

Day 15 – CAMP III CÓLERA / SUMMIT (22,841 ft.) / CAMP III CÓLERA

Climb from Cólera to the summit and return to Camp III. The group will get up very early in the morning, have breakfast, and start climbing with plans to reach Aconcagua summit.

• Altitudes: Camp III Colera: 19,600 ft
  Aconcagua Summit: 22,838 ft
• Elevation Change: 3,300 ft ↑
• Mileage: 4 mi
• Hiking Time: 9 – 12 hours

Day 16 – CAMP III CÓLERA/ PLAZA DE MULAS

After a long descent, we will reach Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Once in Plaza de Mulas, the group will have the day to rest.

• Altitudes: Colera Camp: 19,500 ft
  Plaza de Mulas: 14,400 ft
• Elevation Change: 5,300 ft ↓
• Mileage: 4 mi
• Hiking Time: 3 – 6 hours

Day 17 – PLAZA DE MULAS / PUENTE DEL INCA

Descend to Puente del Inca for the last trek in the expedition. Overnight Penitentes. The group’s belongings will be carried by mules.

• Altitudes: Plaza de Mulas: 14,400 ft
  Horcones Visitors Center: 9,800 ft
• Elevation Change: 5,100 ft ↓
• Mileage: 15 mi
• Hiking Time: 6 – 9 hours

Days 18 – Punta Del Inca to Mendoza

You will transfer to Mendoza and have assistance with hotel and check in.

Days 19-20

Extra days for rest and inclement weather.

Day 21

Depart Mendoza

Day 22

Arrive Home