Find useful information for your next Aconcagua expedition.
In recent years Mt. Aconcagua State Park has not been publishing the price of the climbing permit until several weeks before the season begins. Prices differ according to the climbing route, the date of the trip and the nationality of the climbers (Argentine and Latin American climbers receive a discount).
Please refer to the official website for last season’s prices here.
Climbers under the legal age in their country of origin need to obtain a certified authorization to enter the park.
Please refer to the official website or contact us for more information here.
We offer our own, reliable team of porters to carry gear up and down the mountain. Our trips include 1 porter for every 4 climbers, to carry 20 kg of group gear only when the group moves from one camp to the next (not when the group hauls gear to a cache and returns to camp). Climbers who don’t want to carry weight can hire a personal porter on a daily basis or for the whole trip.
Cost of personal porter for the whole trip:
– Normal Route: USD 1.120
– Polish Traverse: USD 1.235
The primary use of helicopters on Aconcagua is to perform emergency evacuations under the authorization of the park rangers and medical services. Chartered flights are, however, available. We operate charters between the different BCs and the trailhead (2 to 3 persons, depending on the conditions). The flights always depend on weather conditions as well as load weight, varying between 150 and 280 kg.
Rates:
– Pl. de Mulas – Horcones: USD 1.620
– Pl. Argentina – Horcones: USD 1.620
We know that after many days at altitude and a demanding summit day, everyone wants to go home. But the mountain is as big going down as it is going up, and the return to the city is subject to many variables. Please read the following carefully:
– The weather days built into the expedition are extra days. Please be aware that the exact date of the return to Mendoza depends on your summit attempt and not on a given date. Furthermore, in the event of these extra days not being used during the expedition you will be responsible for your lodging in Mendoza.
– If a climber decides to separate from the group and returns earlier or later than the group, she or he will be responsible for all the expenses incurred.
– Our services include one hotel night in Mendoza at the end of the program, only if you return to Mendoza with the lead guide.
For your trip, it’s recommended to bring some cash in US dollars or Euros. While credit cards are accepted in many places, you may find that smaller establishments like local restaurants, shops, and markets prefer cash. It’s also customary to leave a 10% tip for wait staff in cash. Having cash on hand is convenient for quick purchases such as snacks, taxis, or souvenirs. Rental gear that we do not offer, like double boots, can only be paid for in cash. Once on the mountain, cash is often the preferred payment method for add on services. Keep in mind that ATMs may have limited availability or low withdrawal limits and high fees. It’s always wise to have some cash on hand for unexpected expenses or situations where cards aren’t accepted.
The ideal combination for an Aconcagua expedition is two large, solid duffel bags, an expedition backpack (70-90 l) and a light, small daypack (20-30 l). Please bear in mind that you will need to organize your gear in two separate duffle bags. Items you will use during the hike-in to base camp (sleeping bag, light clothes, camping gear) go in one duffle bag. Altitude gear (everything you will only use above base camp, from plastic boots to goggles and helmet) goes in a separate duffle bag; this is because sometimes we need to separate the mules that accompany the group from those that go directly to Base Camp. Your guide/s will assist you with packing.
Hike in to Base Camp: Mules carry most of the gear and supplies. You will be carrying only a daypack, with a few items like water and snacks, a camera, a jacket, sunscreen.
Base Camp to High Camps: Expect to carry all of your personal gear plus a share of the group gear (although we provide porters for the bulk of the group equipment). Typically, a fully loaded Aconcagua backpack will weigh between 18 and 22 kg.
Yes, there are secure places to store your gear in Mendoza (at the hotel), at Penitentes, where we have a big warehouse with lockers, and at Plaza Argentina or Plaza de Mulas.
As far as possible our trips are designed to avoid any extra cost to the climbers. However, if you need, or choose, to leave the trip early, please bear in mind that you will incur expenses that are your sole responsibility such as a guide, porters or mules for the gear, transfers and lodging.
The Aconcagua State Park now charges for emergency medical evacuations by helicopter. In the event of a medical emergency, if the State Park’s rangers and medical services decide that a climber needs to be evacuated by helicopter, the climber will be charged either directly or to her/his insurance company. Additional costs may be incurred such as mule transport to carry the climber’s gear down the mountain, private transfer to Mendoza, hotels, etc.
We like small groups. We focus on giving every climber a fair chance to summit.
Comprehensive gear review to climb Aconcagua.
