Progressive acclimatization
We use the sawtooth method: climb high to carry, sleep low, and move up only once the body has responded. The itinerary's reserve days are part of the method, not filler.
Before you start
Train with a loaded pack and elevation gain. Patience is what reaches the top.
Gear, acclimatization, safety and what happens at each camp. If any of this isn't clear, write to us before you book.
An Aconcagua expedition is decided long before you reach Horcones. The gear you bring, how you pace your altitude days and what is actually available at each camp weigh more than how fit you are on day one.
This page sums up how we work those three fronts. It doesn't replace the technical briefing: every group gets one in Mendoza, with a gear check before going up. What prepares you best is simple: train with a loaded pack and elevation gain, stay hydrated and climb slowly.
Gear checklist
Gear checklist
Reference list for a summit expedition: high-altitude clothing, double boots and an expedition sleeping bag. Anything you're missing can be rented in Mendoza. For short treks we send the short list on confirmation.
Layers and insulation
- Down jacket rated for 6,000 m
- Thermal base layers (2 sets)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Softshell insulated trousers
- Liner gloves + high-altitude mittens
- Beanie, neck gaiter and balaclava
Footwear and protection
- High-altitude double boots
- Broken-in trekking boots
- Thermal socks (4 pairs)
- Gaiters
- Category 4 goggles
- Mountain sunglasses
- Factor 50+ sunscreen and lip balm
Technical
- Crampons compatible with the double boots
- Classic ice axe
- Trekking poles
- 40-50 L summit pack
- Duffel bag for mule cargo
- Expedition sleeping bag, -20 °C or lower
- Inflatable mat + foam mat
- Headlamp with spare batteries
Personal
- 1 L uninsulated bottles and a thermos
- Minimal wash kit and wipes
- Personal medication and a small first-aid kit
- ID, printed insurance policy and copies
- Power bank and cables
Safety and mountain operations
Daily medical checks
Oxygen saturation, heart rate and symptoms are logged every day at base camp and at altitude. A bad reading changes the next day's plan.
Constant communication
A VHF and satellite network linking Mendoza, Puente del Inca, the base camps and the altitude domes. The line stays open throughout the expedition.
Oxygen and evacuation
Emergency oxygen at base camp and immediate coordination with the Park medical service and the rescue helicopters when required.
Weather forecasting
High-altitude forecasts updated daily. The decision to go for the summit is made on the forecast, never on the group's eagerness.
Safe water and food
Treated drinking water at every camp and our own kitchen with menus adjusted to each group. Most avoidable withdrawals start in the stomach.
Park permits
The Park permit, explained.
Aconcagua Provincial Park charges a mandatory permit to everyone who enters. It is set each season by the Government of Mendoza, so the exact amount is confirmed when we quote: we handle the whole procedure at no management charge.
What the amount depends on
Your nationality
There are different rates for Mendoza residents, Argentine nationals, Latin American countries and the rest of the world.
The entry route
The permit for the Quebrada de Horcones (Normal Route) and the one for the Vacas Valley (360 Route and Polish Glacier) have different values.
The length of stay
A short trek is not the same as a summit expedition: duration changes the permit category.
The entrance permit and the medical & rescue insurance with helicopter evacuation are mandatory and paid separately from any package. We give you the current amount in writing when you book and do the paperwork for you.
Before you start
Preparation FAQ
Can I rent technical gear in Mendoza?
Yes. Double boots, high-altitude sleeping bags, crampons and ice axes are all available for rent in Mendoza. We share the contacts and arrange the fitting before you go up.
How much weight do the mules carry?
The standard is a 30 kg allowance per person to base camp, round trip. Anything above that is quoted per extra kilo. We weigh it together at Horcones or Punta de Vacas.
How should I train?
Aerobic base work, long climbs with a loaded pack and strength work for legs and core. What prepares you best is walking many hours in a row uphill, several weeks beforehand.
Will I be on my own?
Never. Certified guides, camp staff and porters accompany the group at every stage, with VHF and satellite communication between all camps.
What insurance do I need?
Medical and rescue insurance with helicopter evacuation, mandatory for every expedition member. It's a requirement to process the permit and we ask for the policy before departure.
What now?
If you already know what you want to do, write to us. If you're still comparing, keep going here.
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