Aconcagua Trekking

Plaza de Mulas 4300 msnm

Plaza de Mulas Trek

You will visit the Aconcagua Base Camp at 4,300 msnm. Visit the viewpoint with the most stunning view of the mountain: the south face of Aconcagua (4,200 masl). Climb to the summit of Cerro Bonete (5,050 masl) and spend the night at Plaza de Mulas (4,367 masl), where climbers from around the world prepare to reach the summit and celebrate their achievements.

View Route

Physical Level Intermediate
Technical Level Low
Duration 7 days
Dates 2025 – 2026

Dec 3 to Dec 6 – 2025
Dec 22 to Dec 25 – 2025
Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 1, 2026
Jan 5 to Jan 8 – 2026
Jan 14 to Jan 17 – 2026
Feb 2 to Feb 5 – 2026

TRANSFERS

Private vehicle transfers.

Transfers from Vision Ranch, Puente de Inca to Horcones. Aconcagua Park.

MULE

Equipment transport with mules (10 kg per person).

We apply a responsible mule rotation policy to ensure their well-being and guarantee that loads arrive on time and in optimal condition.

COMMUNICATION

All local guides carry VHF radios.
Base Camp: VHF Radio and Starlink.
Free Starlink Wi-Fi

BASE CAMP

Spacious dining domes with thermal insulation and wooden floor, electricity (220v 50Hz), charging table for electronic devices, chairs, tables; living room, heating stove.
Showers with hot water.
Lodging in dormis.

GUIDES AND PORTERS

Local Aconcagua Vision guides are certified mountain guides.
Guide Ratio: 1 local guide for every 6 climbers.

ALL SERVICES

Our proposal includes everything you need for your trekking, without additional charges.

Everything is included in the rate we communicate.

This way, you can focus on enjoying the experience, with the peace of mind that every detail is already taken care of.

Appropriate personal clothing.
Sleeping bag (rental available upon request).
Any costs incurred from abandoning the expedition: helicopter, transfers, additional guides, hotels, mules, etc.
No refunds or compensation for expedition cancellations due to force majeure (earthquakes, landslides, emergency orders from Aconcagua Park authorities, etc.).
Any service not listed under “Included Services”.

DAY 1

Full Service

Mendoza – Horcones – Confluencia (3,400 m)

We will meet our guide at 9:00 AM at a location agreed upon for the group’s convenience. After securing the necessary permits, we’ll travel to Horcones, the entrance to Aconcagua Provincial Park (2,950 masl). From there, we’ll begin a 3-hour hike to Confluencia, sharing trails with other expeditions. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a warm welcome, a well-deserved rest, and dinner at sunset in our spacious heated dining domes.

DAY 2

Full Service

Confluencia – South Wall Viewpoint

We’ll start the day with an early breakfast, preparing for a peaceful 4- to 5-hour hike to the South Wall Viewpoint. This majestic location offers the perfect setting for lunch, as we marvel at the awe-inspiring and unparalleled view of Aconcagua’s south face. After descending, we’ll enjoy an afternoon snack at the camp. In the evening, we’ll celebrate our first major milestone with a delightful dinner in a cozy atmosphere.

DAY 3

Full Service

Confluencia – Plaza de Mulas (4,300 m)

The day begins with an early breakfast before embarking on the ascent to Plaza de Mulas. After approximately 8 hours of hiking, we’ll reach our destination, where we’ll be welcomed with homemade pizzas, refreshing drinks, and fresh fruit. We’ll then have free time to relax, followed by a hearty dinner and well-deserved rest.

DAY 4

Full Service

Rest Day at Plaza de Mulas

This day is dedicated to rest at the base camp. We’ll explore Plaza de Mulas and its surroundings, including a visit to the ‘Nautilus’ art gallery, the highest in the world. We’ll have the chance to interact with climbers from all over the globe preparing to conquer one of the iconic ‘Seven Summits.’ Lunch will be served at the camp, followed by free time to relax, and we’ll end the day with a delicious dinner.

DAY 5

Full Service

Plaza de Mulas – Cerro Bonete (5,200 m) – Plaza de Mulas

After an early breakfast, we’ll prepare for the ascent to Cerro Bonete, located at 5,200 masl. From its summit, we’ll enjoy a spectacular view of Aconcagua’s west wall, with its magical colors intensified at sunset. Upon returning to the camp, we’ll be greeted with a well-deserved snack, and in the evening, we’ll share our final dinner in the high mountains, celebrating the experience.

DAY 6

Full Service

Plaza de Mulas

This is a perfect day to rest and recharge after several days of intense activity at high altitude. We’ll explore Plaza de Mulas and its surroundings, revisit the ‘Nautilus’ gallery, and connect with climbers from around the world preparing to conquer one of the ‘Seven Summits.’ A camp lunch will be followed by free time in the afternoon, and the day will close with a comforting dinner.

DAY 7

Full Service

Confluencia – Horcones – Mendoza

We’ll start the day with an early breakfast, prepare our loads for transport by mules, and begin our return to Horcones. On the way, we’ll leave behind the imposing glaciers and a small village that comes to life every year, from November to March, to welcome hundreds of climbers. After bidding farewell to this magical place, we’ll head back to Mendoza by transport.

When arriving to Mendoza airport, someone picks me up? If my luggage does not arrive with my flight, how do I reclaim it? How do I get it?

Our guides always pick up their passengers. If your luggage has not arrived with you, the guide will arrange issues with the company and send the file number to our offices to do the follow-up via internet and telephone. Once recovered, is sent to wherever the passenger is located at that moment (Hotel in Mendoza/Puente del Inca/base camp).

Can I reserve a single room in hotels? Can I have a single tent just for me?

Every passenger, when confirming the expedition reservation, can choose a single room with a preferential fare. They can also choose single tents up to base camp, or during the whole expedition for an extra cost.

Luggage for the city or that I do not want to take with me to the mountain can be stored in Uspallata or Puente del Inca?

In Uspallata hotel we have a private Andes Vision storage room to deposit our expedition goods and luggage. In Puente del Inca we have our Operations Centre where luggage can also be stored, with no extra fees in both cases.

How do I get the ascension permit? How much does it cost?

Aconcagua Vision manages the preform with the passengers’ data, previous to their arrival. Afterwards, you do the payment in Mendoza assisted by the local guide. It is important for you to have enough cash, because it is the only way to do it. With the payment invoice and the preform, guide and passengers go together to the administration offices and get the permit.Park authorities do not define the current fees until 2 or 3 weeks prior to the beginning of the season on December 1.

When we start hiking, does our equipment come with us? Do we have access to it along the way?

Mules go generally faster than the group. Both in Pioneers route as in 360° route mules are going to leave our luggage in every intermediate camp so we can take our belongings before arriving to the base camp. Therefore we DON’T have access to them while hiking, but we DO HAVE access on destination. This is the main reason why our guides always recommend not taking unnecessary elements during the hike.

May I take electric/electronic devices such as IPod, Ipad, Photo camera and/or shaving machines?

Of course you do, in fact is recommendable to bring your own favourite music to listen in relax moments, or to share it in base camps through the Bluetooth loudspeakers in our domes. They are also equipped with 220 Volts 24 hours a day, guaranteeing you full charged batteries when departing to high altitude camps. Base camp tip: Our domes have wooden floors and gas heating, making them really comfy even on cold and/or snowy days. It is recommended to bring light and comfortable house shoes or sleepers such as Crocs, which we can use all around the basecamp and in high altitude camps to go to toilette or move between tents.

Can I take part of the expedition if I am celiac or vegetarian?

Of course you do. We always recommend mentioning in advance any special requirement with food or medical conditions, for our personnel to have it in mind and plan ahead the expedition.

Should I take any climbing or technical gear for the Pioneers route or 360° route?

Aconcagua Vision highly recommends the use of helmet, because on summit day there is a risk of rock droppings on the big couloir (See suggested equipment list).

Should I take cash to the expedition?

You only need to have cash with you for the permit and for the restaurants in Mendoza and Uspallata, not included in the services provided. We also recommend you to take some more in case you decide to use some personal porters, which you can pay directly at the BC. Tips are not included and it is something porters, arrieros and base camp personnel strongly appreciate.

How many kg of food each passenger have to carry?

On carrying days each passenger loads a maximum of 9 kg to C1, 6 kg to C2 Guanacos and 3 kg to Camp Colera for the 360° route. On the Pioneers route (Normal) you should count on 9 kg to Camp Canada, 8 Kg to Nido de Condores and 3 kg to Colera. On the way back you just carry your personal equipment since every bit of waste it’s brought down by our porters (no extra fees).

How much does it costs a personal porter for all altitude camps? May I share a porter with another member of the expedition?

Porters carry up to 20 kg; they depart from BC and go up to altitude camps. The following fees are per each stretch. Hiring personal porters increases significantly our summit possibilities, since it allows us to save energies for the summit day, avoiding the burden of carrying all our equipment. We can also share porters with other passengers, paying proportionally to the kg we want to be transported.

What happens if I get sick or have some medical problem? Should I pay my evacuation? What happens if I decide to abandon the expedition?

On the rear side of the ascension entrance permit to the park there is medical check list. Every time the expedition moves towards the base camp, every passenger must realize a check, done by the park medical service. If somebody gets serious altitude sickness or suffer any illness considered important by the medical service, he/she will be evacuated by the helicopter to the park entrance, charges free. From this point, passengers are responsible for every other service such as transfer to Mendoza/Santiago de Chile, mules for transportation of personal equipment, accommodation, etc. Aconcagua Vision staff will assist you all the time and would manage all reservations needed for your return home, with no managing fees. If you voluntarily choose to abandon the expedition, you are responsible for all costs regarding accompanying guides to the park entrance, mules, heli-charter, transfers, accommodation, etc.