Aconcagua

Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside of Asia, with a summit elevation of 6,960.8 metres. Known as the highest in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres, Aconcagua is a prominent mountain in Mendoza Province, Argentina. Situated 112 km northwest of its capital, Mendoza, Aconcagua stands just five km from San Juan Province and 15 km from the international border with Chile. Aconcagua is bounded by the Valle de las Vacas to the north and east and the Valle de los Horcones Inferior to the west and south. The mountain and surrounding areas are part of the Aconcagua Provincial Park, adding to its appeal and natural beauty. Featuring numerous glaciers, Aconcagua boasts various glacier systems, including the largest Ventisquero Horcones Inferior. This glacier descends from the south face to an altitude of about 3,600 near the Confluencia camp, Stretching approximately 10 km long. Other notable glacier systems include the Ventisquero de las Vacas Sur and Glaciar Este/Ventisquero Relinchos, measuring around five kilometres long.

Climbing normal route

Among the different routes to the summit, the most famous is the Northeastern or Polish Glacier route. Renowned for its accessibility and lack of technical skills required, Aconcagua’s normal route from the north is widely regarded as the highest non-technical mountain in the world. Ropes, axes, and pins are optional for this route. While the north route is relatively more accessible, the south and south-west ridges provide more challenging climbs, and the south face climb is difficult. The Polish Glacier Traverse route, also known as the “Falso de los Polacos” route, offers a thrilling option for those seeking an alternative route. This route crosses through the Vacas valley, ascends to the base of the Polish Glacier, and then traverses across to the normal route for the final ascent to the summit. Another popular route is the Polish Glacier itself.

Aconcagua is an impressive mountain with breathtaking surroundings in Argentina’s Mendoza Province. Known for its height, accessibility, and various routes, Aconcagua is an excellent choice for climbers looking to conquer one of the renowned 7 summits. Climbing normal route on Aconcagua is a challenging yet rewarding experience that allows climbers to test their skills and witness the magnificent beauty of the mountain and its glaciers.

(Picture: Aconcagua Summit)

Brief Itinerary View in full

Day 01Arrival in Mendoza
Day 02Drive to Penitentes
Day 03Trek to Confluencia
Day 04Acclimatization Day
Day 05Trek to Plaza de Mulas
Day 06Rest Day
Day 07Ascend to Camp 1 or Camp Canada and back
Day 08Ascend to Camp 1
Day 09Ascend to Camp 2
Day 10Acclimatization/Ascend to Camp 3 and back
Day 11Ascend to Camp 3
Day 12Ascend to Summit and back to Camp 3
Day 13Reserve Day for weather
Day 14Descend from our Camp 3 to Plaza de Mulas base camp.
Day 15Trek to Horcones trailhead, transfer to our hotel in Mendoza.
Day 16Transfer to Mendoza airport, depart for
Day 17Fly back home from Mendoza

Itinerary Details

Day 01 Arrival in Mendoza

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Meals: LD

Upon arrival in Mendoza, a representative from Imagine Nepal will greet and assist all guests at the airport, ensuring a smooth transfer to the hotel. All team members are advised to arrive on this day. Once settled at the hotel, there will be a gear-checking briefing for the climbing program, followed by a question-and-answer session with a guide to address any queries.
Day 02 Drive to Penitentes

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Meals: BLD

After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the 'Ente Provincial de Turismo' to obtain our climbing permit. The process may take around an hour. Once we have our national park entry permit, we will drive for approximately three hours to reach Penitentes.
Day 03 Trek to Confluencia

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Meals: BLD

In the morning, we will pack our double bags and hand them over to our guide, who will arrange mules to carry them. After having breakfast at the hotel, we will drive for around 15 minutes to the Park Entrance. Carrying only light backpacks, we will embark on a picturesque trek through a scenic trail. Although it is a relatively short trek, the beauty of the surroundings makes it worthwhile.
Day 04 Acclimatization Day

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Meals: BLD

We will begin the day with an early breakfast and then hike to help our bodies acclimate to higher altitudes. The aim is to ascend by 400-500m in 2-3 hours before returning to camp for rest.
Day 05 Trek to Plaza de Mulas

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Meals: BLD

Today, during the climb, we will trek to Plaza de Mulas, our base camp. This is the most extended trek of the expedition, following the Horcones Superior River and ascending beside the Horocones Glacier. The trek may be challenging, but the breathtaking views make it all worthwhile. At Plaza de Mulas, we will have a comfortable base camp with amenities like Wi-Fi, hot showers, wine, and heaters for colder temperatures.
Day 06 Rest Day

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Meals: BLD

After the previous day's trek, we will take a day of rest at base camp. This is an excellent opportunity to catch up on laundry, take showers, and enjoy leisurely walks around the camp.
Day 07 Ascend to Camp 1 or Camp Canada and back

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Meals: BLD

As part of the acclimatization process, we will ascend to Camp 1 and then descend back to base camp. The climb to Camp 1 is relatively easy, taking around 3 hours. We will spend half a day climbing and the other half resting.
Day 08 Ascend to Camp 1

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Meals: BLD

After lunch at base camp, we will start our ascent to Camp 1 in the afternoon and spend the night there.
Day 09 Ascend to Camp 2

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Meals: BLD

We will wake up to sunshine and begin our climb to Camp 2 after breakfast. The journey to Camp 2 usually takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, starting with a traverse on a loose moraine before ascending a sloping flat area.
Day 10 Acclimatization/Ascend to Camp 3 and back

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Meals: BLD

After breakfast, we will climb to Camp 3 to drop off equipment and continue acclimatizing. All team members must reach Camp 3 to prepare for the summit attempt. After having a packed lunch at Camp 3, we will return to Camp 2 within less than 5 hours. The rest of the day will be dedicated to complete rest.
Day 11 Ascend to Camp 3

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Meals: BLD

After breakfast, we will start our ascent to Camp 3 around 10 a.m. The climb usually takes approximately 3 hours. Camp 3 will be our final camp before the summit push.
Day 12 Ascend to Summit and back to Camp 3

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Meals: BLD

Depending on weather conditions and wind, we will begin our summit push between 3 and 5 a.m. The ascent can take 6-10 hours, and the descent to Camp 2 can take 2.5 to 4 hours. With longer daylight hours in Argentina, we aim to reach the summit before 4 p.m. and then return to Camp 2.
Day 13 Reserve Day for weather

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Meals: BLD

Reserve Day for weather
Day 14 Descend from our Camp 3 to Plaza de Mulas base camp.

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Meals: BLD
Day 15 Trek to Horcones trailhead, transfer to our hotel in Mendoza.

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Meals: BLD
Day 16 Transfer to Mendoza airport, depart for

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Meals: BLD
Day 17 Fly back home from Mendoza

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Meals: BL

Dates and Prices

2024

Dates	Dossier	Price	Status
22 Dec - 7 Jan		USD 7000	Available

Inclusion

- Group Guiding fee: Our experienced and certified guides will accompany you throughout the climb, providing guidance and support.
- Hotel accommodation in Mendoza: Enjoy comfortable accommodation in Mendoza before and after the climb.
- Tents and food during the climb: We provide high-quality tents and delicious meals during the climb to ensure your comfort and nourishment.
- All transportation costs to Plaza de Mulas: We take care of all transportation logistics to Plaza de Mulas, the base camp for the climb.

Permit and entrance fees: The cost includes all necessary permits and entrance fees required for the climb.

Heli flight on the way back: After the climb, you will enjoy a memorable helicopter flight back to Penitentes from Plaza de Mulas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner: Our package includes all meals, ensuring you are well-fed and energized throughout the climb.

Exclusion

International airfare: We do not include airfare in our program price.
Personal climbing gear and Insurance: You must ensure adequate personal climbing gear, including clothing, boots, and equipment.
Insurance: You must also arrange for appropriate insurance coverage for the climb.
Visa fee: Any visa fees required for entry into Argentina are not included in the program price.
Load carrying between base camp and camp 3.
Helicopter Rescue if needed/ in case of emergency, your insurance might cover: In case of an emergency, a Helicopter Rescue may be required. Please note that this cost is not included in our program price.

Key information

Trip Note

MingmaG will be leading the Aconcagua Expedition this winter 2026, a mountaineering icon who has successfully summited all 14 of the world’s highest peaks above 8,000 meters without the use of supplemental oxygen. He has also climbed the Seven Summits, which are the highest peaks on each of the seven continents and has reached the South Pole. Click here for MingmaG‘s bio.

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No of Days

Trip Price

USD 7000

Trip Rank

Risk

Technical

Strenuous

Start Date :
January 5, 2026

End Date :
January 21, 2026

At a Glance

Group Size : 2 to 16 Participants

17 days trekking

Contact Details

Mingma G

+977-9851087896

+977-1-4823475

info@imagine-nepal.com

S.No.	Name	Relation	Address	Nationality	Profession	Contact No.	Email Address

7000 meter peaks

8000 meter peaks

Aconcagua

Aconcagua

Climbing normal route

(Picture: Aconcagua Summit)

Brief Itinerary View in full

Itinerary Details

Dates and Prices

2024

Key information

About us

Contact Info

Guaranteed To Run

Booking Opened

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