Overview
Standing at 6,962m, Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside Asia and one of the famous Seven Summits. Located in the Argentine Andes, it’s a formidable high-altitude challenge for experienced trekkers ready to take their mountain adventures to the next level.
Our 19-day expedition follows the spectacular Vacas Valley approach, ascending via the Polish Traverse and descending along the Normal Route. This allows us to experience two very different sides of Aconcagua rather than retracing our steps along the same route.
Our itinerary includes a carefully planned acclimatisation programme, with load carries between high camps, dedicated rest days and two spare summit days to provide flexibility when conditions are challenging.
Throughout the expedition, you’ll be supported by our experienced Argentinian mountain guide, with medical support available at Base Camp. Before travelling, you’ll also have the opportunity to join our training day and weekend in Wicklow, helping you prepare physically and practically for the challenge ahead.
Expedition Highlights
Summit Aconcagua | 6,962m
Take on the highest mountain outside Asia, and one of the Seven Summits. This is an incredible high-altitude challenge for experienced mountain trekkers.
Experience Two Sides of Aconcagua via the 360° Route
Approach the mountain through the spectacular Vacas Valley, following the Polish Traverse towards the upper camps before descending via the Normal Route and Plaza de Mulas. This route offers a more varied mountain experience, with spectacular views across the Andes.
Carefully Planned, True High-Altitude Expedition
Experience life on a major mountain expedition. Benefit from a progressive acclimatisation programme, rest days and load carries between high camps, allowing time for your body to adapt as you ascend towards almost 7,000m. Our itinerary also includes two spare summit days for added flexibility.
Aconcagua Expedition Costs & What’s Included
The total expedition price is shown above.
Just pay a €399 deposit to secure your place. A part-payment of €1,000 is due six months before departure, with the remaining balance due three months before departure.
You can choose to pay the balance in instalments or in full.
Before You Go
- Pre-departure training day in Wicklow, Ireland
- Pre-departure training weekend in Wicklow, Ireland
- An Earth’s Edge team jacket, buff and cap for you to keep
- Ongoing pre-departure support from the Earth’s Edge team in Ireland
- Advice on fitness, high-altitude preparation and specialist equipment
In Argentina
- Experienced expedition leader and mountain guiding team
- Medical support at Base Camp
- Full expedition support team, including guides and cooks
- Mule-supported transport of equipment on the approach to Base Camp
- Hotel accommodation in Mendoza and Penitentes, based on twin sharing
- Camping accommodation in two-person tents during the mountain expedition
- All meals and drinking water, except in Mendoza where accommodation is on a B&B basis
- Celebratory dinner at the end of the expedition
- Planned group transport throughout the expedition
- Group camping, cooking and expedition equipment
- Fully stocked expedition medical kit
What’s Not Included?
- Flights to Argentina
- Aconcagua Provincial Park climbing permit and entrance fees
- Optional porter services for carrying personal equipment on the upper mountain
- Personal mountaineering equipment, clothing and sleeping equipment
- Personal travel insurance, including appropriate high-altitude rescue and evacuation cover
- Tips and personal spending money
- Food and accommodation during the training day and weekend in Wicklow
- Additional expenses caused by itinerary changes or unused contingency days, where applicable
Flights
Flights to Argentina are not included in the expedition price.
We recommend contacting us before booking your flights so we can advise on suitable arrival and departure times for Mendoza.
You’ll need to arrive in time for the expedition briefing on Day 1. It’s essential that you attend this
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Mendoza (760m)
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Free time in Mendoza on arrival followed by expedition briefing in the afternoon.
Day 2
Mendoza to Penitentes (2700m)
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After finalising permits we drive to Penitentes. We spend the afternoon repacking for the mountain.
Day 3
Penitentes to Pampa de Lenas (2950m), 5 hrs trekking.
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Drive to Punta de Vacas and then trek to Pampa de Lenas.
Day 5
Casa de Piedra to Plaza Argentina (4200m), 8 hrs trekking
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Trek to Plaza Argentina base camp.
Day 7
Carry to Camp 1 (5000m) and return Plaza Argentina, 9 hrs trekking
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We walk to Camp 1, drop equipment and then return to Plaza Argentina.
Day 8
Rest day at base camp
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Rest day for acclimatisation and coaching on high altitude trekking techniques.
Day 9
Plaza Argentina to Camp 1, 5 hrs trekking
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We ascend to Camp 1 with the rest of our equipment.
Day 10
Carry to Camp 2 (5500m) and return to Camp 1, 6 hrs trekking
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Trek to Camp 2, drop equipment and then return to Camp 1.
Day 14
Summit Day, 12 hrs trekking
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Trek to Mt Aconcagua (6962m), the roof of America! Return to Camp 3.
Day 18
Plaza de Mulas to Mendoza, 8 hrs trekking
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Trek to Penitentes and drive to Mendoza. Evening celebratory dinner.
Start Planning Your Journey
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Why Climb Aconcagua with Earth's Edge?
Adventure changes lives. At Earth's Edge, we believe how you approach a mountain like Aconcagua matters just as much as reaching the summit.
Our approach is built around careful preparation, experienced mountain teams, responsible travel and a strong sense of community.
Experienced Expedition Leadership
Aconcagua is a serious high-altitude expedition where good judgement and experience are essential.
Our expedition leader and mountain guiding team manage the day-to-day climb, monitor conditions and help the group make informed decisions throughout the journey.
From acclimatisation and camp routines to the demands of summit day, you'll have an experienced team supporting your expedition.
Training Day & Weekend in Wicklow
Before departing for Argentina, you'll have the opportunity to join both an expedition-specific training day and our pre-departure training weekend in Wicklow.
These sessions are an important part of preparing for Aconcagua, with practical advice on equipment, physical preparation, carrying heavy loads and the demands of climbing at altitude.
They're also a great opportunity to meet your fellow climbers and begin building the team that will take on the mountain together.
An Acclimatisation-Focused Itinerary
Our 19-day itinerary is designed around the demands of ascending to almost 7,000m. We approach through the Vacas Valley, gradually establish higher camps and use load carries and rest days to help the group acclimatise. Two spare summit days also provide valuable flexibility to respond to changing mountain conditions.
No summit can ever be guaranteed, particularly at this altitude, but our focus is on giving the group a carefully planned opportunity to attempt the climb safely.
Base Camp Medical Support
On this expedition, medical support is available at Basecamp. There are experienced, local expedition doctors in both Plaza Argentina and Plaza De Mulas, whose role it is to look after the medical needs of all climbers.
Our mountain guiding team is trained in wilderness and expedition medicine, with radio communication to Base Camp while on the upper mountain.
Small-Group Experience
We believe small groups make for better mountain experiences. Our group sizes allow for a more personal expedition, where climbers can get to know one another, work together and benefit from the support of an experienced mountain team.
Many of our clients join expeditions on their own. By the time you reach the mountain, you'll already have had the opportunity to meet some of your fellow climbers through our training programme.
Responsible Travel
Earth's Edge is an Irish-owned adventure travel company and a Certified B Corp.
We're committed to responsible travel, supporting the people and communities involved in our expeditions and minimising our impact on the mountain environments we're privileged to explore.
Preparing for Your Aconcagua Climb
How Difficult Is Aconcagua?
Aconcagua is a Level 8 expedition and one of the most demanding challenges in the Earth's Edge programme. Although the route does not normally involve highly technical climbing, reaching 6,962m is extremely challenging.
You'll spend extended periods above 4,000m, carry heavy equipment between camps and contend with extreme cold, high winds, difficult terrain and the effects of altitude.
Summit day can take approximately 12-15 hours and includes almost 1,000m of ascent from the final high camp.
This expedition requires excellent fitness, resilience, previous mountain experience and a willingness to train seriously before departure.
Do I Need Previous High-Altitude Experience?
Yes, we strongly recommend previous experience trekking at high altitude, ideally above 5,000m, before attempting Aconcagua. Experience on mountains such as Kilimanjaro can provide a useful foundation, but Aconcagua is a significant step up in difficulty.
Unlike a supported trekking expedition, you'll spend multiple days at very high altitude and carry your own equipment between high camps.
It's important to understand how your body responds to altitude and to have experience of challenging mountain conditions.
If you're unsure whether Aconcagua is a suitable next step, book a free consultation and we'll be happy to discuss your previous experience and preparation.
How Fit Do I Need to Be?
You need an excellent level of physical fitness to climb Aconcagua. Your preparation should focus on building the endurance and strength needed for long mountain days, sustained ascents and descents, and carrying a heavy backpack.
On the upper mountain, you'll be expected to carry loads that can reach approximately 15-20kg.
Regular hillwalking with a progressively heavier pack is an important part of training. Cardiovascular exercise, strength training and consistent time in the mountains will also help you prepare.
Is Aconcagua a Technical Climb?
Our route is generally regarded as a non-technical ascent in suitable conditions, but that does not mean specialist mountaineering equipment is unnecessary.
The mountain can involve steep scree, snow, ice and exposed sections, depending on conditions.
Your equipment list includes specialist high-altitude boots, crampons, a climbing helmet and harness. You'll need to be comfortable using the equipment required for the expedition.
If you feel that you'd benefit from learning and practicing using this type of equipment, our five day winter skills course in Morocco is a great way to prepare for Aconcagua.
What About Altitude and Acclimatisation?
Altitude is one of the greatest challenges of climbing Aconcagua. The summit reaches 6,962m, where reduced oxygen availability has a significant effect on physical performance, even for very fit and experienced climbers.
Our itinerary includes a progressive ascent through Plaza Argentina Base Camp and three higher camps, with rest days and load carries that allow climbers to reach a higher altitude before returning to sleep lower.
The aim is to give the body time to adjust, but altitude sickness remains a risk and individual responses vary.
What Equipment Do I Need?
Aconcagua requires specialist high-altitude clothing and mountaineering equipment.
This includes insulated mountain boots suitable for extreme cold, crampons, a high-quality down jacket, suitable gloves and mitts, waterproof layers and a sleeping bag rated for very low temperatures.
You'll also need a suitable expedition backpack for carrying equipment between the upper camps.
Some specialist items may be available to rent in Mendoza, but availability and suitability should be confirmed in advance.
We provide a detailed Aconcagua Equipment List and can advise on preparing your kit before departure.
When Is the Best Time to Climb Aconcagua?
The main climbing season is during the Southern Hemisphere summer, particularly December to February. We schedule our expedition during this period, when conditions generally offer the best opportunities for a summit attempt.
However, Aconcagua is renowned for unpredictable mountain weather, strong winds and extreme cold. Conditions can deteriorate quickly, and temperatures can fall well below freezing, particularly at the higher camps.
Our itinerary includes spare summit days to provide flexibility, but all decisions are made according to conditions and the safety of the group.
What Additional Costs Should I Budget For?
In addition to the expedition price, you'll need to budget for international flights, Aconcagua climbing permit fees, suitable travel insurance, personal equipment, tips and spending money.
You may also choose to hire additional porter support for the upper mountain, which is not included in the expedition price.
Weather, itinerary changes or an earlier-than-planned return to Mendoza can also result in additional accommodation or transport expenses.
Our team can help you understand these costs before you commit to the expedition.
