Daily Program

Day 1: Airport reception and transport to the hotel

Our expedition begins in Mendoza, Argentina. At your arrival to the international airport or bus station in the City of Mendoza transfer to the hotel and hitch up with Tim and Angel to go over your gear items.  This is a very important step. Mendoza is the last place available, where you can buy or rent equipment, it is not always easy to find the things you need at the last minute in this city so please do you best to get properly geared up before arriving here . After this, there is a group meeting and later we go to one of the many fine restaurants for dinner. You get the chance to taste the delicious argentine "asado" (barbecued meat) and wonderful wines from Mendoza. There are numerous alternatives for those who do not drink wine or eat red meats. Dinner in Argentina is usually around 9:00 P.M.

We use the well appointed Hotel Aconcagua for our Mendoza base camp on all our expeditions:  

Day 2: Transport from Mendoza to the Hotel in Penitentes.

After all the permissions and permits to climb are in place we jump on board our private transportation and begin our drive through the mountains on the breath taking picturesque road to Villa de Penitentes; at noon we stop in Uspallata, a beautiful Andean Valley where we have lunch in a typical restaurant. After another hour of driving through high mountain roads, we arrive to Villa de Penitentes, where we stay at Hotel Aylen in the mountain. In the afternoon we weigh all the equipment for the mules to get ready for transportation to the base camp. Evening dinner and rest.

Day 3: Approaching from Penitentes to Pampa de Leñas.

During this day we start the approach from Penitentes to Pampa de Leñas. After a night in Penitentes, we are transported to the entrance of Aconcagua Park. We arrive to Punta de Vacas, where the mule carriers load the equipment on the mules and we walk to the Base Camp, this takes three days. On this day, we trek from 4 to 5 hours up to the camp Pampa de Leñas (2950 m). This is where we present our permits to the park rangers, we meet up with our equipment and assemble our tents. After refreshment, we will enjoy a hot dinner.

Day 4: Acclimatization trek from Pampa de Leñas to Casa de Piedras.

In the early morning we prepare our equipment again to be transported by the mules and we have a large breakfast. On this day, we advance towards an intermediate camp, passing through the Quebrada de Vacas, for 6 to 7 hours where you see the Quebrada de Relinchos Stream. This is where we will be able to see the first sight of the Western Face of the Aconcagua. This place is named Casa de Piedras (3240 m) and is where we spend our last approaching night, from Base Camp. Again we assemble the tents and then we have dinner.

Day 5: Approach from Casa de Piedras to Plaza Argentina (4200 mt)

This is the last day of approaching to Plaza Argentina (4200 m). We start trekking for 5 to 6 hours, going through the margins of the Relincho Stream and ascend up the steep slope of the same name, which takes us to Inferior Plaza Argentina. This is where we will be able to see the last native vegetation before climbing towards the glaciers, where Plaza Argentina is placed. At this camp, we meet up with our personal equipment.

Day 6: Rest and acclimatization Base Camp.

At Plaza de Argentina we rest and use the day for acclimatization. This is a good opportunity to get to know the Camp, take a shower and explore the area. One get a medical check-up here and reorganize and review the equipment, prepare the loads, the fuel and food for transportation for the next day. It is here you start to meet climbers from other parts of the world and our staff that works at the camps.

Day 7: Equipment carrying to Camp 1 (5000m)

We keep our backpacks as light as possible to be able to gradually adapt to the altitude.  This is a hard day, where we will be walking for 6 hours, ascending on easy terrain. This is when we start enjoying the real beauty of high altitude, ascending more and more, obtaining a spectacular view of the Quebrada de Relinchos and the Horcones Valley. 

Day 8:  Ascent to Camp 1 (5000 m)

We have breakfast and start the ascent from Camp 1. After a 5 to 6 hour walk on easy terrain we arrive to Camp 1 (5000m). We meet with the load that we brought in the day before. We assemble the camp and then organize the loads for carrying the following day. We rest and have dinner.

Day 9: Equipment carrying to camp 2 (5500m)

We carry food and fuel to camp 2 (5500m). This exercise helps us keep our backpacks as light as possible  to continue with our gradual acclimatization.  We return to Camp 1. Have dinner and rest.

Day 10: Rest at Camp 1 (5000m)

This is our rest day to hydrate ourselves and fuel up. We must prepare ourselves mentally, for the final stage. 

Day 11: Ascent to Camp 2 (5500m)

After breakfast we start the ascent from Camp 1 to Camp 2 (5500m). We meet with our loads that we brought two days before and reorganize for the next day.   We rest and have dinner.

Day 12: Equipment carrying to Camp 3  (5900m)

We carry food and fuel to camp 3 (5900m).  This is a hard day, of about 4 hours of walking, where we ascend on easy terrain. Besides this effort, it is very important to control our body adaptation to the altitude and listen to your bodies response carefully. We will keep a close on your from here on out to make sure everyone is adapting as planned. 
We return to Camp 2 and rest. We have dinner.

Day 13: Ascent to Camp 3 (5900)

Early morning, after breakfast and after disassembling our tents, we start climb for about 4 hrs. The climb is diagonal and towards the left.  The lower part of the glacier is flat then steeper to Camp 3.   We also plan the final strategies for the last day of ascension to assure success in reaching the summit. We have dinner and rest.

Day 14: Summit day (6962 m)

The day begins at 5:00 am. This is the most demanding day of our expedition. We continue up the glacier to a ridge of snow which leads us to the summit at 6962m.  This is normally where we would see the first sun rays of the day. We can find strong winds, even on calm days. The Southern Wall of the Aconcagua, considered one of the largest walls of the world. An indescribable sensation takes of total satisfaction takes over as we reach the summit at 6962 m, where the prize is waiting for us, a 360° view and the experience of overcoming, that you only finally understand once you reach it. After sharing these moments of accomplishment and emotion with our expedition mates, we descend to camp 3, disassemble and move down to Camp 2 15:

Day 15: Reserve Day 1 for acclimatization and weather.

Day 16: Reserve Day 2 for acclimatization and weather or catch up day if late arrivals in Mendoza occured.

Day 17: Plaza Argentina

Return to Base Camp. Special reception and have a dinner for celebration

Day 18: Plaza Argentina to Pampa de Leñas

We have breakfast and start the descent from Plaza Argentina to Pampa de Leñas. After a 7 hrs walk we meet with our equipment. We assemble the tents and enjoy our last night at the mountain.

Day 19: Pampa de Leñas - Punta de Vacas - Mendoza

We have breakfast and then start the descent from Pampa de Leñas to Punta de Vacas, approximately for 3 hours.  Transport to the hotel in Mendoza in private vehicles. Farewell dinner. 

Day 20: Airport

Transport from the hotel to the Airport or bus terminal. End of services.

TRANSPORT

• Transport by taxi (cost $6US to $9US) to th Hotel Aconcagua. After clearing customs proceed out the door and taxi's will be waiting to whisk you away.
• Transport to and from Mendoza-Penitentes in a private vehicle. From the hotel we take you to Penitentes, 180km, over a mountainous road where you can enjoy the most spectacular view of the Central Andes. Overnight at the Aylen Hotel.
• Transport to and from Penitentes to the entrance of Aconcagua Park to start the trekking.

PERMIT

• We no longer include this amount in the above program costs.  We are advised since the amount changes frequently it is better that each participant pay upon arrival the rate at that time. You can estimate to bring with you between $300 to $400US for this.

LODGING

• Hotel Aconcagua in Mendoza is at your expense. We have secured rates between $75 and $85US per night. You should budget for 2-nights here. One inbound and one outbound. 
• We include one (1) night at the Ayelen Hotel in Penitentes, a 3***, Double or triple, half board, beverages not included. For the past years, this ski center, Penitentes, has been the parting point for most expeditions to the Aconcagua. Some expeditions go through Puente del Inca, but we prefer Penitentes because the lodging is better. In Penitentes, you can find from hostels to 3*** hotels. Peak Freaks works with the  Ayelen Hotel *** Star, which offers single, double and triple rooms with private bathrooms. The welcome dinner, breakfast and taxes are included

MEALS

• All meals are included during the approach tot Base Camp and high altitude camps. Complete and balanced diet. Meals are prepared daily by the cooks at the camps. And then expedition simplified meals are organized for the higher camps.

COMMUNICATIONS

• There is permanent communication, 24 hours a day, through VHF, HF radios, Satellite Telephones, between Base Camps, mountain expeditions, Penitentes and Mendoza. This is for safety and organization that will lead your expedition to be a successful one.

MULES

• Mules for equipment transportation (30 kg/person) up the Valle de Vacas (Vacas Valley) is included. "Responsibility and Confidence service" means taking your equipment on time and in perfect conditions to and from Base Camp and back to Penitentes.   Each person has the right to transport up to 30 kg. We recommend you take a resistant bag, even though the gear is protected for transportation.

FOOD 

• The kitchen and food tents are completely equipped with tables, chairs, dishes. Our base camp tents is an exclusively designed dome,  made to provide the highest comfort and quality services. 

MEDICAL

• Our Base Camps have hyperbaric chambers, oxygen equipment, oximeters and first aid kits for an immediate response under any situation. You will be seen by a medical examiner at base camp to determine your state of health for the climb.

TENTS

• Peak Freak provides our own sleeping tents and we contribute financially to the use of the latrines established at the camps. We provide our clients with the best mountain tents available. The North Face and Mountain Hard Wear.