Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving in Mendoza, KE Land Only package services begin with overnight at the group hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Day 2: After completing the permit formalities we drive to Penitentes Village (2580m), where we overnight in a hotel.
Day 3: After a short transfer and signing in at the Ranger station we trek beside the Rio Horcones to our camp at the place known as 'Confluencia' (3350m).
Day 4: A day for acclimatisation. We visit the Plaza de Francia at 4000 metres for a close up view of the stupendous south face of Aconcagua. Return to Confluencia. Camp.
Day 5: We continue our walk-in with a steady ascent up the Horcones Valley, with a final steep climb to Plaza de Mulas (4260m), the basecamp for Aconcagua. Camp.
Day 6: A day for rest and acclimatisation at Plaza de Mulas. Camp.
Day 7: As part of our acclimatisation and training we make an ascent of nearby Bonete Peak (4980m) and return to Plaza de Mulas. Camp.
Day 8: A day for rest and acclimatisation at Plaza de Mulas. Camp
Day 9: Today we make a carry of food and equipment to Camp I also known as Canada Camp (4910m), and return to Plaza de Mulas. Camp.
Day 10: A final day of rest and acclimatisation at basecamp before our ascent of Aconcagua. Camp.
Day 11: Leaving the basecamp again, we move up on a zig zag trail across scree slopes to Canada Camp (Camp 1).
Day 12: Continuing the ascent, we traverse the north-east flank of Aconcagua to a broad shoulder, the location of Camp II, known as the Nido de Condores or Condor's Nest (5400m).
Day 13: We will make a carry of food and equipment to Camp III, also known as Berlin Camp (6000m) and return to Camp II for acclimatisation.
Day 14: Ascending once again to Berlin Camp (Camp III), we will make final preparations for the summit bid and make sure to have an early night.
Day 15: A pre dawn start. A well worn trail leads to the infamous Canaletta, a 300 metre test of stamina, leading to the final ridge and summit of the highest mountain in the Americas. We return to Camp III.
Day 16: A contingency day in case of bad weather or delay.
Day 17: A second contingency day.
Day 18: From Berlin Camp we make the long descent, bypassing Canada Camp, to basecamp at Plaza de Mulas.
Day 19: We trek back down the Horcones Valley to reach the Ranger station where we check out and meet our vehicles for the drive out of the mountains and back to our hotel in Mendoza.
Day 20: A free day in the pleasant city of Mendoza. This evening we will no doubt want to celebrate in one of its many fine restaurants.
Day 21: KE Land Only package services end with breakfast. A single group transfer to the airport is provided.
