• After collecting climbing permits from the government office, you will be transferred to your next hotel in the old border town of Las Cuevas, close to the start of the trail to base camp.

• You will take an acclimatisation hike to Plaza Francia and the impressively huge south face of Aconcagua!
• Here you will enjoy a delicious lunch before returning to camp for a second night

• Today will be about chilling at base camp.  Rest and refuel for the following days to higher camps.  Perhaps you could take the opportunity to visit the highest contempary art gallery in the world!

• You will head out on an acclimatisation trek to a local summit above base camp as you climb Bonete Peak (5,100m)*
• From the top we have great views of Aconcagua and the surrounding mountains.  Following our climb, we return to Plaza de Mulas to enjoy an evening in Base Camp.

* Other acclimatisation hikes/routes may be used instead (e.g. A preparatory hike to Camp 1)

• You will hike c.4hrs further up the mountain to aid acclimatisation and to transport kit to camp 2.
• After a rest at camp 2, you will return all the way back to Base Camp to allow your body to recover and adapt to the higher altitudes

• This day will be used to allow the body to recuperate after 3 days of tough ascent to higher altitudes.  Bring a book!

Elevation: 4,350m to 5,550m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 7-9 hours

• You will depart Base Camp to begin your ascent to the summit of South America!
• Arriving at Camp 2 you will experience one of the most spectacular sunsets you will ever see!
• After dinner you will retire to you tent for a well earned rest

• Depending on team and weather conditions, you may take a walk up to Camp 3 and back again to aid acclimatisation.  Equally, you may just rest in preparation for what lies ahead…

Elevation: 5,550m to 5,970m
Distance: 2 km
Hiking Time: 2-4 hours

• You will break camp and continue on your progress up the mountain to Camp 3.  After helping to pitch the tents and having dinner, you will have an early night to rest before the summit attempt.

Elevation: 5,970m to 6,962m and back to 5,970m
Distance: 4 km ascent, 4 km descent
Hiking Time: 8-12 hours

• Getting up early, you will have a light breakfast before heading up the mountain under the light of your headtorch.  This long day will see you reach 6,962m and the summit of Aconcagua!
• The climb is gradual as you follow switchbacks for a couple of hours until you reach Independence Hut (6,390m).  From here you will traverse across the North Face of Aconcagua until you reach the Canaleta, a low-angle gully that leads us up towards the summit ridge.
• As you ascend the Canaleta, you can look down on the surrounding mountains, which begin to drop away from as you go higher. A few hundred meters below the summit, the route traverses east and leads you directly the summit!
• After you’ve taken photos and absorbed the views, you will begin your descent back to Camp Colera for a well earned rest.

Elevation: 5,970m to 4,350m
Distance: 9 km descent
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

• After breaking camp you will descend all the way back down to Base Camp where you will have a celebratory meal (and maybe a beer or glass of Malbec, or two)

• This day is reserved in case of bad weather or if extra acclimatisation is required before attempting to reach the summit

• This is the second day reserved in case of bad weather or if extra acclimatisation is required before attempting to reach the summit

Elevation: 4,350m to 2,950m
Distance: 25 km
Hiking Time: 7-10 hours

• A very long day of hiking back down the Horcones Valley and to your transfer vehicle back to the hotel at Las Cuevas
• Kit will be carried by mules so you will only carry a light day pack on this day.

• After breakfast you will be transferred by road back to your hotel in Mendoza
• You will have most of the afternoon as free time to explore Mendoza (or perhaps join a wine or olive oil tour?)
• Celebration dinner in Mendoza
• Your local mountain guide will take you to the best places in Mendoza with perhaps a celebration barbecue at his house!

• After breakfast you will check out of the hotel and be transferred to the airport for your departure from Argentina and back home.