$5,995 USD
December 22, 2024 - January 10, 2025
February 1, 2025 - February 20, 2025
Unlike many other guide agencies, we run the False Polish Traverse Route on Aconcagua, otherwise known as the 360 Route, which CTSS Owner Mike Hamill helped pioneer as a guided option over a decade ago.
We like the traverse, which ascends the Vacas and Relinchos Valleys, utilizing three camps to work our way into summit position, before descending the opposite side of the mountain to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp because we find the days more manageable, the scenery is better, and water sources more stable. Plus, it takes us away from some of the more crowded camps, and it’s pretty cool to go up one side, and down the other, and see the whole peak.
Built to provide proven, generous, and adequate acclimatization time and contingency days in order to maximize your chance of success, this climb is well suited to climbers with excellent fitness. While Aconcagua is not necessarily technically challenging, it is an extremely physically strenuous mountain, both because of the altitude, duration, heavy loads and cold. Some prior expedition experience is an advantage. Feel free to chat to us about how best prepare for this epic expedition.
Aconcagua Team Expedition Climb Schedule: Vacas Valley and Traverse Classic Team Expedition
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Mendoza one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (e.g., hotel, food, or sightseeing) from this extra day are the client’s responsibility. Please let us know if you want us to arrange for a single rooming option.
Team Climb Itinerary:
- Day 1: Meet in Mendoza
- Day 2: Gear checks, team meeting, team dinner
- Day 3: Permits and travel to Puente del Inca
- Day 4: Mule-assisted day hike to first camp, Pampa de Leñas
- Day 5: Mule-assisted day hike to second camp, Casa de Piedra
- Day 6: Mule-assisted hike to Plaza Argentina Base Camp
- Day 7: Rest and acclimatization day at base camp
- Day 8: Load carry to Camp 1 and return to base camp
- Day 9: Rest in base camp
- Day 10: Move to Camp 1 with gear
- Day 11: Carry to Camp 2 and return to Camp 1
- Day 12: Move to Camp 2 with gear
- Day 13: Rest day in Camp 2
- Day 14: Move to Camp 3
- Day 15: 1st potential summit day
- Day 16: Descend to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, completing the traverse
- Day 17: Trek out from base camp to park entrance and drive to Mendoza, arriving late
- Day 18: Fly home or spend a day in Mendoza to relax, celebrate, and get together for dinner as a team
- Day 19: Contingency day
- Day 20: Contingency day
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services and items of a personal nature like flights, gear, and insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included:
- Guides: Professional mountain guides
- Mule Service: Reliable, professional mule support from the best local outfitters.
- Group Gear: 20kg of group gear portered for the team, including four-season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, first aid equipment, etc.
- Hotels: One or two nights lodging (depending on your program) in Mendoza on arrival, one night lodging at Penitentes and one night lodging in Mendoza upon our return. (Accommodation on unused contingency days are your responsibility.)
- Transportation: All group transportation while on the expedition. If you depart early, the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation is your own responsibility.
- Food: Breakfast daily and all expedition (on-mountain) food is covered, including breakfast, dinner, snacks, and hot drinks. Lunch and in-town restaurant meals are at your own expense.
- Satellite Phone: Used to update the CTSS blog and available to clientele at $3/min.
Excluded:
- All personal porters (Note: You will be required to carry your own personal gear and your share of the group gear.)
- Mountain climbing permit fee ($700-$1000, depending on season)
- All in-town restaurant meals (breakfast is provided at hotel), Penitentes dinner, and mountain lunch food
- Transportation to and from the airport upon arrival/departure
- Flight costs to and from Mendoza
- Personal gear: All personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
- Unusued contingency day hotel nights in Mendoza
- Guide and porter tips (customary but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
