This unique trek gives us the possibility of hiking the Mt. Aconcagua area mountain trails, the same as the climbers attempting to summit the highest peak in the Andes mountain range and highest in all the America continent, walking to both Base Camps along the Normal Route: Confluencia Camp and Plaza de Mulas Camp; but also allows us to reach the Plaza Francia Camp, at the foot of the South Face of Mount Aconcagua. An unforgetable Intense Trekking Trip.

Departures 2009:


    8 days - 7 nights

    Season: January and February

    Begins: Saturdays



Starts at: Mendoza Airport (MDZ).
Ends at: Mendoza Airport (MDZ).

Itinerary
Day 1: Mendoza Airport - Mendoza City
We welcome you at the Airport of Mendoza City and transfer you to your lodge. You will have the rest of the day to discover the area.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room
Included meals: none

Day 2: Mendoza - Confluencia
Early morning, we will travel along the International Route 7, through the Central Andes mountain range, to arrive at Los Horcones. We will get our trekking permits at the park ranger office, and then we will hike the trail that leads us to Los Horcones Lagoon. Once we will reach the suspension bridge over Los Horcones River, begins what we call “Quebrada del Durazno”, where you will have lunch. After lunch, we will trek for about 2 or 3 hours up to arrive at the Confluencia Camp. Our collaborators will be waiting for us with a comforting afternoon snack. Then we will have a little walk around the place until we have dinner. Walking time: 4hs. – Gained altitude 450m
Lodging at Semi Full Camp.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D).

Day 3: Confluencia - Plaza Francia - Confluencia
After the breakfast, we leave hiking to Plaza Francia. The trail leads our walk along the Horcones River and later on along the Glacier that feeds the river. Spectacular landscapes introduce us the great amphitheatre of the Aconcagua South Wall: 3000 vertical meters of rock, snow and hanging glaciers. We will have lunch at a natural viewpoint, and after the break, we will return to Confluencia. Ours assistants will prepare an afternoon snack and we will have time to enjoy the area until dinner. Walking time: 8hs. – Gained altitude 900m
Lodging at Semi Full Camp.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D).

Day 4: Confluencia
We will have this day as a resting day to continue with the acclimatising process necessary when you come trekking Mt. Aconcagua, because we will be gaining altitude as we progress to Plaza de Mulas, on the foot of the North wall of Mt. Aconcagua
Lodging at Semi full Camp.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 5: Confluencia - Plaza de Mulas
Today we will trek to Plaza de Mulas, this is a long day, depending on the Group, we will walk between 8 and 9 hours approximately. We will have lunch during the trekking. By the time we arrive at Plaza de Mulas (more than 4000 meters altitude) we will be welcomed by the manager of the campsite which will offer us the afternoon snack that help us to recover some of the lost energy. Once we are recovered, we will set up the tents and relax until dinner. Gained altitude 800 meters.
Lodging at Semi full Camp.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 6: Plaza de Mulas - Confluencia
After breakfast we will walk across the proximities of the campsite, enjoying the Mt. Aconcagua area, the Horcones Glacier and the Plaza de Mulas Hotel-Refuge. Afterwards, we will return to Confluencia, where we spend our last night at the Park.
Lodging at Semi full Camp.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 7: Confluencia - Mendoza
Early morning, we will prepare out stuff and have breakfast; then we will come back to Mendoza, by walking down the valley towards Los Horcones. Walking time: 3 hs.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 8: Mendoza - Mendoza Airport
After the breakfast, transfer to the airport where this trip finishes.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Price: 1588 u$d (Hosteria - Double room)
           1894 u$d (Hosteria - Single room)

Included services: Incoming services, 2 nights in Hostería double or single with breakfast, 5 nights in Semi–Full Camp (included: tents and dinner tent or saloon. Not included: sleeping bag or insulating mattress), Bilingual guide (Spanish – English) during all the activities, 7 breakfast (B), 5 box lunch (BL) and 5 dinners (D), transfers Mendoza airport - Mendoza - Mendoza airport, all transportation as shown in the itinerary combining private and regular buses, assistance to get the permit to enter the Aconcagua Provincial Park, general equipment & food for all the trekking.

Not included services: international and domestic flights, airport taxes, transfers in Buenos Aires, nights in Buenos Aires, drinks, foods not detailed, optional excursions, National Parks fees, Aconcagua Provincial Park entrance, personal equipment (please see suggested list below), personal porters, extra charges due to quitting the expedition, extra charges due to emergency rescue, life/travel/medical insurance, tips, services not detailed in the program. More information

List of suggested personal equipment:
• Backpack, 60 /70 lts
• Sleeping bag, down or synthetic, for -10ºC
• Sleeping mattress (therm-a-rest type)
• Trekking shoes or boots
• Thermal underwear
• Trekking pants
• Fleece
• Breathable parka and over pants
• Gaiters
• Gloves
• Thermal socks
• Swim suit & towel (for a warm bath at Atacama geysers)
• Thermal socks
• The necessary spare cloth
• Wool hat
• Sun hat
• Sun glasses
• Sun screen / block (UV is strong)
• Personal items
• Lamp
• Trekking poles (recommended, if you are used to them)
• Water bottle
• Photo camera & batteries
• Personal medication
• Garbage bags (we Leave No Trace)