El Plomo (5430m) is near the ski resorts of La Parva (3300m), Colorado (3500m) and Valle Nevado (3300m) and you can see the mountain from Santiago. This makes a good climb prior to Aconcagua (6962m), allowing you to acclimatize to the high altitude. After climbing El Plomo we will try to reach the summit of Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Andes range. In this programme we will have 8 days to climb from the base camp at Plaza de Mules to the summit of Aconcagua. From Aconcagua you will be able to see for miles, following the Andes mountain range, and looking north to Mercedario (6770m).

Please check the gear list to see what you will need to bring for the trip.

For further general information on Argentina please also look at our fact file.

Day 1: Santiago – La Parva (3300m)

We will leave Santiago in the morning, driving up to the ski resorts of La Parva. We will stop for lunch in the village of Farellones, looking down the valley we can see Santiago. A short drive and we reach our camp for the night. An easy day to help us acclimatize.
3 hours of driving(LD)

Day 2: La Parva – Piedra Numerada (3400m)

Our first day of walking and we will walk past the ski resorts, the walk will be up and down but we should get our first views of El Plomo. We will camp on a green patch of grass just below the base of El Plomo.
5 to 6 hours (BLD)

Day 3: Piedra Numerada – La Olla (4000m)

A short day of walking on the moraine to reach our high camp, from where we can see the route up El Plomo and the glacier.
3 to 4 hours (BLD)

Day 4: La Olla – Summit (5430m) – La Olla

An early start to try and reach the summit, it will be cold so we will need to dress warmly. We will follow the moraine walls when we can and we should be able to see the lights of Santiago. At 5200m we will pass our first Inca tomb. We will cross a small piece of ice, just below the summit. The summit is big and flat with another Inca tomb and from here we can see the south face of Aconcagua (6962m), Tupungato (6570m) and several other 6000m mountains. We will walk the same way back down.
10 to 15 hours (BLD)

Day 5: La Olla – La Parva – Santiago

An easy day walking back to La Parva to meet our driver with cold drinks and empanadas. Transfer back to the Hotel in Santiago.
4 to 6 hours walking, 3 hours driving (BLD)

Day 6: Santiago – Mendoza

A transfer to Mendoza crossing the Andes and passing Aconcagua and the south face. A stop in Penitentes for lunch before continuing onto Mendoza. In Mendoza we will need to get our climbing permits, and then relax and enjoy the Argentinean cuisine.
8 hours driving (BLD) Hotel.

Day 7: Mendoza – Penitentes (2600m) – Confluencia (3300m)

We will drive to Penitentes where we will start our walk up to Confluencia, by following the Horcones Valley. An easy walk up the valley to reach our first camp.
3 hours driving and 3 hours walking (BLD)

Day 8: Confluencia – Plaza de Mules (4230m), PDM

Today we will have a long day walking up to Plaza de Mules, the base camp for Aconcagua. First we will cross the Playa Ancha (Wide Beach) and along the route we should get a view of the south face again and see the guachos passing with their mules.
7 to 9 hours (BLD)

Day 9 to 16: PDM (Base camp) – Summit – Base camp

These days will be spent moving between the camps to acclimatize the group to the high altitude and initially returning to stay in base camp. There are also a few days ley-way in case of bad weather.
There are 2 to 3 camps along the way
Base camp PDM - Camp Plaza Canada (4910m) 3 hours
Base camp PDM - Camp Cambio de Pendiente (5200m) 4 - 5 hours
Base camp PDM - Camp Nidos de Condores (5400m) 5 - 6 hours
Nidos de Condores - Camp Berlin (5800m) 3 hours
Camp Berlin - Summit (6962m) - Camp Berlin 10 - 15 hours
All days include (BLD) and base camp services when applicable  

Day 17: PDM Base camp – Penitentes

We will walk the same way back out and later that evening we will be able to have a well earned hot shower and a cold beer!
7 to 10 hours (BLD) Hotel

Day 18: Penitentes – Santiago

Drive back to Mendoza, with a lunch stop along the way.
3 hours of driving (BL)
END of SERVICES