Although Aconcagua (22,841 ft.) is not in Patagonia,
it's one of the classic climbing destinations in Argentina. Aconcagua means "sentinel of stone" in the Quechua language, and it was first climbed in 1897 by the famous swiss guide Mathias Zurbriggen.

The province of Mendoza not only hosts this giant, the tallest peak in the western hemisphere, it also boasts some of the greatest Malbec wines in Argentina (and the world), along with several other varieties of wine.

Our expedition takes a singular approach to the ascent to maximize our chances of summitting. We have divided the trip into two phases:

• Our first phase will be devoted to several ascents of 4,000 m (13,000 ft.) peaks in the Cordon del Plata, and a night above 3,000 m (10,000 ft.) in a mountain hut, for acclimatization purposes. We'll discuss the physiological changes that our body undergoes when at higher altitudes, so we can better understand how to respond to this new environment.

• Once our bodies are acclimatized to the thinner atmosphere, we'll move onto Aconcagua and start our ascent via the Normal Route. The route has a 14,000 ft. gain, from approach to summit.

We've chosen this route because it does not present large technical difficulties, but gives you the taste of a high–altitude expedition. All the camps along the mountain are reached via trekking that is rigorous but not technical. (The optional hiring of personal porters is available at an extra charge.) Mules will help us carry gear to the basecamp. Our seasoned guides will be climbing along with you, every step of the way, to provide a safe and enjoyable experience at all times.

This is more than a climbing expedition to Aconcagua, this trip is an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself to the exciting world of high altitude climbing, guided by a local group of certified guides with several successful expeditions on their resume.

Click here for a detailed description of this itinerary.

Nicolas de la Cruz
Senior Guide - Aconcagua Climbing Expedition

Nicolas has over twenty years of experience in the mountains, climbing rock, ice and high-altitude summits all over the world. He is a board member of the AAGM, (Argentine Association of Mountain Guides), a technical consultant for the Eco Challenge®, and also has a degree in Geology. He is an instructor in the courses to train Mountain Guides in Argentina, and when he is not guiding he also finds time to manage a mountain hut in Northern Patagonia. He has climbed in Patagonia, Aconcagua, Peru, Bolivia, the Alps, and also in the Himalayas where he summited XiXa Pagma, an 8,013 meter peak.