Trek · Plaza de Mulas

Home cooking. At 4,350 metres.

5 days up the Quebrada de Horcones to base camp, by way of the South Face viewpoint, with two nights in our domes at Plaza de Mulas.

5 days4.350 MMax 10Demand: Demanding

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Plaza de Mulas is the base camp of the Normal Route and one of the largest high-altitude camps in the world. In high season dozens of expeditions of every nationality share it while preparing their summit attempt.

This trek takes you there in five days, with the cargo on mules. Before heading up, an acclimatization day out to the Plaza Francia viewpoint, facing the South Face. Up top you get two nights in our domes: bed, dining tent with hot food, toilets, showers and WiFi at 4,350 m. Infrastructure designed to host teams from all over the world, not an improvised camp.

It's the ideal option to experience base camp without committing to a full expedition, and also the best possible acclimatization for anyone planning to come back for the summit another season.

Domes with bed and dining tent

Our own structure with full board, toilets, hot showers and daily WiFi.

Rest day at base camp

A walk on the Horcones Superior glacier and sunset over Aconcagua's West Face.

The mules carry the load

You walk with a light pack: the heavy gear goes up and down by mule, round trip.

Day by day

Itinerary

The itinerary is a reference. The mountain sets the pace: reserve days exist to wait for the good-weather window, not to pad the calendar.

Day 13.368 M

Puente del Inca → Horcones → Confluencia

Park registration and cargo weigh-in. Trek up the Quebrada de Horcones to Confluencia (3,368 m): 3 to 4 hours.

Day 24.200 M

Confluencia → Plaza Francia → Confluencia

Acclimatization and a view of the South Face: out and back to the Plaza Francia viewpoint (4,200 m), 6 to 8 hours. Second night at Confluencia.

Day 34.350 M

Confluencia → Plaza de Mulas

The long stage: Playa Ancha and the Cuesta Brava up to base camp at 4,350 m, 8 to 10 hours. Settling into the domes.

Day 44.350 M

Rest at Plaza de Mulas

Rest and acclimatization day: a walk on the Horcones Superior glacier, a tour of the camp and sunset over the West Face.

Day 52.700 M

Plaza de Mulas → Horcones → Puente del Inca

Full descent of the valley in one long day, 8 to 9 hours, Park exit and transfer back to Mendoza.

In detail

Two nights at 4,350 m

Real time at base camp, not a passing visit. You can feel the acclimatization.

5
Days: 4.350 M
Max altitude: +2.482 m
Cumulative gain

Altitude profile

Days: 5Max altitude: 4.350 MCumulative gain: +2.482 m

The camp domes lit up at night, the mountain face under the stars.

Domes covered in fresh snow, with the Argentine flag and prayer flags flying.

Plaza de Mulas at dusk, 4,350 m: dozens of tents spread across the moraine.

What's included

Certified mountain guide for the whole route
Private transfers Mendoza ⇄ Horcones
Trekking permit assistance (paperwork)
Mule cargo transport to Plaza de Mulas, round trip
Two nights in our own dome at Plaza de Mulas, with a bed
Two nights camping at Confluencia
Full board on the mountain, from our own kitchen
Toilets, hot showers and WiFi at base camp
Treated drinking water at base and on route
Altitude first-aid kit and basic medical checks
Prior briefing in Mendoza

What's not included

Aconcagua Provincial Park entrance permit
Medical insurance with evacuation cover
Personal trekking gear and sleeping bag
Flights and transfers to Mendoza
Accommodation and meals in Mendoza city
Alcoholic drinks, gratuities and personal expenses

The Park permit and the medical & rescue insurance are mandatory and contracted separately. We handle the paperwork for you at no extra charge.

On the ground

Base camp seen from the moraine: colourful tents at the foot of the snowy peaks.

Four people on a lookout ridge, the Horcones Superior glacier below.

Line of hikers crossing high grassland with snow-covered Aconcagua ahead.

Inside the dining dome: laid tables and supplies for the season.

At the base camp kitchen, a tray of fresh peppers and onions in front of the domes.

Camp dome with a person at the entrance and the Argentine flag alongside.

Inside a high-altitude dome: a made-up cot with the sleeping bag, and the mountain through the opening.

Two lit domes in the dark of the camp, with the mountain silhouette behind.

Coloured domes and cargo loads set up at camp, in a wide dry valley.

A climber with a loaded pack, standing by the entrance of an orange dome.

A climber looks over the pitched camp, with the coloured domes and cargo loads.

Boots and a mug resting on the rock, camp tents in the background.

Orange domes pitched at camp, the valley opening up behind.

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.

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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