South Wall of the Aconcagua (AR 091)
Trekking

Departures: daily. November to March
Guide: mountain guide – Spanish / English
Meals: according to itinerary. Air Fare: not included.
Difficulty: level 2

Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the American continent – 6.959 m. (23,000 feet.). An unforgettable trip into the magnificence of the Andes at its highest point. Amaze yourself with the valleys, rivers, hanging glaciers and maybe even sudden avalanches, and of course, the wonderful views that you will be able to admire from the slopes of the giant.

Day 1- Mendoza
Reception at Mendoza Airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Dinner. Guides presentation and introduction to the visited area.

Day 2- Mendoza/Puente del Inca
Breakfast. Departure to Puente del Inca, crossing through Potrerillos Valley. Continue towards the Uspallata Valley, in the middle of a natural amphitheater formed by mountains. Lunch in Uspallata Village, Continue to Puente del Inca. Arrival and accommodation at the local inn. Take some time to visit the remains of the old Puente del Inca Hotel, and the important natural bridge which was part of the Inca Trail in pre-columbian times. Dinner.

Day 3- Puente del Inca/ Confluencia camp.
Breakfast. Transfer to Aconcagua Provincial Park. The adventure starts walking along a path in the Horcones River ravine where you will be able to appreciate the first breathtaking view of the Aconcagua South Wall. The trail will take you to Horcones Lake and after some more kilometers, across a rope bridge that crosses the river, you will reach the first camp site at Confluencia ( 3,300 mt - 10,824 ft) by the river side. It s name is due to its location at a place where thaw rivers join its waters to form the Horcones River. Dinner.

Day 4- Confluencia/Plaza Francia/Confluencia
Breakfast. Departure towards Plaza Francia (4,000 mt – 13,120 ft), camp site used by climbers from all over the world to start the ascention of the South Wall. Departure from Confluencia, arriving at a point where different paths depart towards Plaza de Mulas, Horcones and Plaza Francia. Continue northwards up to a valley framed by mountains that are more than 5,000 Mts high (16,400 ft). Proceed to finally arrive at Plaza Francia lookout where you will have an amazing view of the Horcones Glacier on your left, and the imposing Aconcagua South face in front of you. Lunch. Return to Confluencia camp.

Day 5- Confluencia/Puente del Inca/Mendoza
Breakfast. Return to Puente del Inca to board the bus to Mendoza. Optional: Rafting at Mendoza or Cacheuta rivers on the way to Mendoza.
Arrival in Mendoza. Accommodation. Dinner.

Day 6- Mendoza
Breakfast. Transfer to Mendoza ´s airport.

Optional Tour

Day 5- Confluencia / Plaza de Mulas
Breakfast. Early departure to Plaza de Mulas. You will cross the bridge over Horcones River to start the ascention. Most of the way upwards will be along a wide plain called 'Playa Acha' where numerous traces of former refuges are found. Relax and have lunch at the ruins of Colombia refuge. Then continue upwards along 'Subida Brava' (Hard Slope) tofinally reach Plaza de Mulas Refuge. Accommodation and dinner.

Day 6- Plaza de Mulas
Day at leisure to enjoy the gorgeous landscape. The boldest ones will have the option of ascending Mt. Bonete (5,250 mt – 17,224 ft). Lunch, dinner and accommodation at the refuge.

Day 7- Plaza de Mulas / Puente del Inca
Breakfast. In the morning, start the return journey to Puente del Inca. You can take a bath in the hot springs. Accommodation at the inn. Dinner.

Day 8- Puente del Inca / Mendoza
Breakfast. Departure to Mendoza. On the way you will do rafting along the Mendoza or Cacheuta rivers. Arrival in Mendoza. Transfer to the airport.