Trekking towards the South Face of the Aconcagua Hill, from there it is possible to watch the magnificent south face of the highest mountain of the American Continent; you will be satisfied just gazing at it.

We offer you three options ("A", "B" and "C") so as you enjoy the magic of the highest mountain of the American Continent.

Program option "A" : PROGRAM "FULL SERVICE"
Season: December 1st to March 1st.
Departures: every day.
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mendoza - Penitentes

The expedition begins in the city of Mendoza, Argentina. Immediately after your arrival at the international airport of Mendoza, a representative of our firm, Trekking Travel, will be waiting for you to take you to the city of Mendoza by personalized vehicle, there you can get the permit to enter the Aconcagua Provincial Park. This permit is sold at the "Cuba Building", located in General San Martin Park (Mendoza City).
Selling permits schedule: Mondays to Fridays: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
After obtaining the permits you will be taken towards Penitentes by mini bus. It is a spot in the middle of the Andes, 10 km of distance to Puente del Inca.
The trip lasts 3 hours and a half approximately. A very important ski resort operates here in winter. The gear the mules will carry the following day will be organized here. You will spend the night at Ayelen Hotel. Dinner and rest.

Day 2: Penitentes - Confluencia

We visit the famous natural bridge "Puente del Inca" in the morning. The trekking begins with the Aconcagua Provincial Park, entering by Horcones river gully towards "Confluencia" camp. Lunch while walking.
Dinner and lodging at Confluencia camp. Lodging in tents (for two or three people)
This camp has a dining tent, a kitchen tent, a latrine tent and bedroom tents for two or three people, (sleeping bags and sleeping pads are not included.)
There are camp tables and benches inside the dining tent. Dinner and breakfast are served by cooks specialized in a wide variety of meals.
Altitude: Park Ranger and Laguna de Horcones at 2,950mts above sea level.
Distances / Time of walk: from Horcones to Confluencia (3,390mts a.s.l.) 4 hrs.
This time of walk is rough for a normally trained person.

Day 3: Confluencia-Plaza Francia-Confluencia.

Breakfast. The trek towards Plaza Francia begins at 8:30 AM. The path rises gradually as far as 4,000mts a.s.l., reaching a point with a superb view of the impressive South Face of the Aconcagua hill. Lunch is during the trek. We come back to Confluencia in the afternoon. Dinner and rest.
Altitude: South Face Viewpoint: 4,000mts a.s.l.
Distance: From Confluencia to Plaza Francia, 5hs. Return: 3hs approx.

Day 4: Confluencia-Penitentes-Mendoza.

Breakfast. Departure to Horcones. The trek lasts approx. 3hs on this day.
Arrival at the Park Ranger Post of Horcones and transport towards Penitentes by vehicle.
Receipt of packages transported by mules.
Transfer to the city of Mendoza by private mini van.
Distance: Return from Confluencia to Horcones, 2 or 3hs.

Included services

· Transfer Mendoza-Penitentes by personalized vehicle (round trip).
· Transfer Penitentes or Puente del Inca- Park Ranger Post of Horcones (round trip).
· Transport of gear by mules towards Confluencia (round trip), 15kg per person.
· All meals and drinks (juice) during the trek.
· Professional mountain guide, authorized to work inside the Aconcagua Provincial Park.
· Two nights of lodging in tents in Confluencia, (tents are for two or three people).
· One night of lodging at Ayelen Hotel, with dinner and breakfast.

Not included Services

· Personal gear.
· Admission permit.
· Sleeping bag and sleeping pads.

OPTION "B", "PARTICIPATORY" PROGRAM

Season: October to April.
Departures: every day.
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights.

This is a cheaper program designed for those who prefer living this experience in the mountains in a more natural way.
Personal gear, sleeping bags, coats, tents etc. are transported inside the backpacks, not by mules.
Dinner inside the dining tents, it includes a staple menu and drinks (juice).
Transport from the city of Mendoza to Penitentes by regular bus (not personalized).
It is the same itinerary than in Option "A".

Included services for Option "B"

· Transfer Mendoza-Penitentes by regular bus (round trip).
· Transfer Penitentes or Puente del Inca-Park Ranger Post of Horcones (round trip).
· All meals and drinks (juice) during the trek.
· Professional mountain guide, authorized to work inside the Aconcagua Park.
· Two nights of lodging in tents in Confluencia, (tents are for two or three people).
· One night of lodging at Ayelen Hostel in Penitentes, with dinner and breakfast.

NOT included services for Option "B"
· Transport of gear by mules.
· Transfer by personalized vehicle by mini bus from the city of Mendoza to Penitentes (round trip.)
· Personal gear.
· Admission permit.
· Sleeping bags and sleeping pads.

Option "C": INEXPENSIVE" PROGRAM

Duration: 3 days / 2 nights

Included services for Option "C"

· Todas las comidas durante el trekking, con bebidas (jugos.)
· Guía de montaña profesional, habilitado para trabajar dentro del Parque Aconcagua.
· Dos noches de alojamiento en tiendas de campaña en Confluencia. (Carpas base doble o triple.)

Updating, May 2008