Aconcagua Ascent via Guanacos Valley Route

Join Rodrigo, certified IFMGA guide with 30 years of experience, in this 20-day untouched and unique Guanacos Valley Route to the top of Aconcagua.

Group

Andes

20 Days

Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec

High

Advanced

Description

Let me take you to Aconcagua Summit through the Guanacos Valley Route, the last untouched path on this great mountain!

After more than 25 years hiking around this area I've discovered the best route to go up. Because of its progressive elevation gain between camps, the acclimatization of this route is more efficient. And this is the key to success in climbing the highest peak in the western hemisphere.

This 20-day Guanacos Valley Route is a non-technical route that goes through Vacas, Guanacos and Horcones valleys. Therefore, you'll be able to see the four different faces of Aconcagua.

During the hike to Plaza Guanacos Base Camp we'll gain altitude gradually. And because this route takes a path not known by most, you won't see other climbers in the way up. Instead there is a big chance of seeing a lot of wildlife.

Another unique feature of the Guanacos Valley Route are its incredible sights. We will see glaciers contrasting with high altitude deserts during the first couple of days. Also in Camp I we'll see Penitentes, a unique snow and ice formations created by the direct sunlight.

So trust me when I tell you that I've found in this Guanacos Valley Route the best approach route to Aconcagua. And contact me if you are keen to try it!

NOTICE: Unfortunately the Aconcagua Park Authorities closed the first part of the Guanacos Valley Route until further notice. Although we are working hard to reopen it, I offer you to check my trips to Aconcagua through other routes: the first -and most similar- route is Aconcagua Summit through Ameghino Valley and the more technical and advanced route is the Polish Glacier Route to Aconcagua.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

- Luggage transfer

- Mules and horses

- Tents

- Cooking utensils

Price details

Not included: Aconcagua climbing permit fee ($700 to $900 depending on season) which you will pay in Mendoza, accompanied by your guide. South Americans pay about half of this amount and Argentinean Citizens about 1/4 of that amount. Also fights, meals in Mendoza, personal equipment, passport, personal items, extra expenses and phone charges.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at the Mendoza Park – Hyatt Hotel. Team meeting and individual equipment check. Exquisite Argentinean cuisine and wine for dinner.

Day 2: Transfer to Penitentes

Permits at the Aconcagua Park Service office. Drive to Penitentes. Lunch stop in Uspallata on the way. Optional afternoon hike (recommended).

Day 3 to 5: Approach to Base Camp

56 km hike to Plaza Guanacos Base Camp (3962 m). Mules carry your gear.

Day 6: Acclimatization Day

Rest and acclimatization day at Base Camp (3962 m).

Day 7: First ascent to Camp I

Ascent to Camp I (4633 m). We’ll carry some gear up. Return to Base Camp (3962 m).

Day 8: Move to Camp I

Ascent to Camp I (4633 m).

Day 9: First ascent to Camp II

Ascent to Camp II (5030 m) and establish the camp. Return to Camp I (4968 m).

Day 10: Move to Camp II

Ascent to Camp II (5334 m).

Day 11: First ascent to Camp III

We’ll carry gear to Camp III (5425 m) below the Polish Glacier. Return to Camp II (5334 m).

Day 12: Move to Camp III

Ascent to Camp III (5425 m).

Day 13: First ascent to High Camp

We’ll carry gear to Piedras Blancas High Camp (5852 m).

Day 14: Move to High Camp

Ascent to High Camp (5852 m).

Day 15 to 17: Summit Day!

Ascent to Summit (6962 m). We leave several days for our summit day in case of poor weather.

Day 18: Descent to Base Camp

Descend through the Normal Route to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp (4206 m).

Day 19: Hike down to Penitentes

Hike through the Horcones Valley. Mules carry the gear. Afternoon arrival to Penitentes. Quick shower and transfer to Mendoza. Night at the Park Hyatt.

Day 20: Departure

Leisure day in Mendoza.

Details

More info

NOTICE: Unfortunately the first part of this route is closed until further notice. Please check my other trips through different routes!

NON-STOP FLIGHT OPTIONS FROM LONDON TO MENDOZA (*)

From London to Buenos Aires:

Airline: Norwegian Air UK LGW-EZE (13 h 40 m) US$774 round trip
Airline: British Airways LHR-EZE (13 h 50 m) US$1,216 round trip

From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:

Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas AEP–MDZ (1 h 55 m) US$115 round trip
Airline: LATAM Operated by Latam Airlines Argentina AEP–MDZ (1 h 52 m) US$117 round trip

NON-STOP FLIGHT OPTIONS FROM NEW YORK TO MENDOZA (*)

From New York to Buenos Aires:

-Airline: United EWR–EZE (11 h 5 m) US$1,005 round trip

Airline: American - LATAM Operated by American Airlines for Latam Airlines Argentina JFK–EZE (10 h 44 m) US$1,083 round trip
Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas - Delta JFK–EZE (10 h 55 m) US$1,270 round trip

From Buenos Aires to Mendoza:

Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas AEP–MDZ (1 h 55 m) US$115 round trip
Airline: LATAM Operated by Latam Airlines Argentina AEP–MDZ (1 h 52 m) US$117 round trip

(*) Total price includes taxes + fees for 1 adult. Additional bag fees and other fees may apply.

Meeting point

Mendoza Park Hyatt Hotel.

About the guide

-Rodrigo

5.0

(5)

Mountain Guide

An Internationally Certified UIAGM / IFMGA Mountain Guide, Rodrigo has been a guide for 30 years. He has led 24 expeditions to Denali and 28 expeditions to Aconcagua — the highest peaks in North and South America, respectively. He has been a member of expeditions to Shisha Pangma and Cho Oyu in the Himalaya, and his climbs in Patagonia include the North and Central Towers of Paine, Agujas Guillaumet and Poincenot, as well as Cerro Torre attempts. He’s made Patagonian Ice Cap explorations including the first east-west traverse of the northern Ice Cap. He holds first ascents in Antarctica, the Andes and Alaska; speed ascents of Denali, Aconcagua, and Juncal. He’s guided the Ellsworth Mountains and Mt. Vinson in Antarctica and has extensive climbing and guiding experience in Yosemite and the Alps, including Frendo Spur and the Grand Jorasses. He’s a former Technical Committee member for the American Mountain Guides Association and a Senior Guide at Exum Mountain Guides in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rodrigo speaks fluent English, French and Spanish.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

ANGM | UIAGM

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What people are saying about Explore-Share

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