ACONCAGUA NORMAL ROUTE
NORMAL ROUTE
STARTS AND ENDS
IN MENDOZA
LENGTH
19 DAYS
ACTIVITY LEVEL
NOVICE - EXPERIENCED
PRICE
$6295
Expedition Overview
The Normal Route is the most popular route on Aconcagua and is more direct, with greater porter support. Two key highlights of the Normal Route itinerary are the trek to the South Face of Aconcagua (one of the largest rock and ice walls in the world) and the ascent of Mount Bonete (16,417 ft). While each is impressive on its own, we use both in our acclimatization strategy, employing the classic “climb high, sleep low” approach to help your body adjust to altitude early in the expedition.
Two other significant aspects of our program are:
- Porters carry all expedition equipment, so you only need to carry your personal gear.
- Summit day is where it matters most. AMG’s 1:3 guide-to-climber ratio means if someone needs to turn back, you keep going.
- 5-meter dining and sleeping domes in all high camps.
Highlights
- Climb Bonete (5000m Peak).
- Porters carry all group gear (included in price).
- Distances Climbing between camps is shorter than on the Polish Glacier Route.
- Visit the South Face of Aconcagua.
Optional Additions
- Climb with oxygen (Everest O₂ systems). Last season, 100% summit success.
- Private guide for the entire trip.
- Porters to carry all personal gear.
- Helicopter flights from Plaza de Mulas to the Park entrance. Saves a 7-hour walk and provides an amazing experience with spectacular views.
The AMG Advantage
- Unmatched guide-to-client ratio: 1 guide for every 3 climbers for the summit day.
- Expert guides. Each lead guide has years of experience with 20 to 60 summit ascents.
- Porters carry all group gear (personal porters available).
- Summit Day: All guides carry oxygen on summit day along with the daily requirement of radios and medical kits. Safety is our priority.
- Insulated High Altitude Domes in all High Camps for dining and sleeping.
At High Camps (above Base Camp), you’ll enjoy:
- Insulated Sleeping Domes: Custom 5-meter domes, steel frames, foam floors, maximum comfort.
- Hot Meals: Prepared by AMG staff in dedicated kitchen and dining tents.
- Connectivity: Free Starlink internet access.
- Sanitation: Steel-framed, full-height toilet tents: clean, easy to use, and sheltered.
This picture shows the Normal Route and each camp on the way to the summits of both Mt. Bonete and Mt. Aconcagua.
The day-to-day itinerary below makes reference to these locations.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – Mendoza (760 m) 2,492 ft
Arrive in Mendoza, where AMG staff greet you at the airport and transfer you to one of the city’s top hotels. In the afternoon, we gather for a 4 p.m. welcome meeting, slideshow presentation, gear check, and Q&A session. Our team will help with any rental needs or last-minute purchases, making sure everything is in place before the expedition begins. In the evening, enjoy Mendoza’s vibrant dining scene and the excitement of what lies ahead.
DAY 2 – Mendoza / Los Puquios (2,725 m) 8,938 ft
After breakfast, we drive three hours to Los Puquios, our privately owned ranch near the entrance to Aconcagua Provincial Park. Located on historic Incan land, Los Puquios features a rare artesian spring that produces 80,000 liters of water per day. En route, we stop for lunch in Potrerillos, a picturesque lakeside town in the Andean foothills. At Los Puquios, we prepare loads for mule transport before checking into our cozy mountain lodge in Penitentes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge in Los Penitentes.
DAY 3 – Los Puquios / Confluencia (3,300 m) 10,824 ft
After breakfast, we transfer to the park entrance and present our permits before beginning the 3 to 4-hour trek to Confluencia Camp with light packs. Upon arrival, AMG staff welcome you with refreshments and a tour of the camp, helping you settle into your first days inside the park. Accommodation is in a dormitory-style lodge, with private glamping tents or two-person mountaineering tents available for pre-booking at an additional cost. During our two-night stay, full-board meals, drinks, and complimentary Wi-Fi are included.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner.
Overnight: Confluencia.
DAY 4 – Confluencia/ Plaza Francia (4,000 m) 13,120 ft / Confluencia
Our acclimatization trek leads to Plaza Francia, the dramatic viewpoint of Aconcagua’s legendary South Face, one of the tallest rock and ice walls in the world. It is one of the most striking outings of the expedition, offering a close look at the mountain’s most imposing side. After lunch and time to explore, we return to Confluencia for the night.
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Afternoon Snack, and Dinner.
Overnight: Confluencia.
DAY 5 – Confluencia / Plaza de Mulas (4,260 m) 13,972 ft
We embark on a 7–9 hour trek to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp, ascending alongside the Horcones River. Upon arrival, enjoy hot drinks and snacks in our spacious dining dome. Our full-service base camp features excellent meals, relaxation lounges, Starlink Wi-Fi, hot showers, and more.
Trek Duration: 7-9 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Reception, and Dinner
Overnight: Plaza de Mulas
DAY 6 – Plaza de Mulas (Rest Day)
Enjoy a more relaxed day at Plaza de Mulas, with time for a scenic walk around base camp and a chance to take in the scale and energy of this legendary place. Later, the guides brief the group on the upcoming Mt. Bonete climb and help organize gear, making sure everyone is prepared for the next important step in the acclimatization process.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack, and Dinner.
Overnight: Plaza de Mulas.
DAY 7 – Plaza de Mulas / Mt. Bonete (5,100 m) 16,728 ft / Plaza de Mulas
Today we climb Mt. Bonete, often the first 5,000-meter summit for many climbers. Reaching the top is an exciting milestone and an important step in the acclimatization process. From the summit, enjoy panoramic views of Aconcagua’s West Face and the surrounding peaks before descending back to Plaza de Mulas for rest and recovery.
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Afternoon Snack, and Dinner.
Overnight: Plaza de Mulas
DAY 8 – Plaza de Mulas / Camp 1 “Canadá” (4,910 m) 16,104 ft – Carry & Return
We make an acclimatization climb to Camp 1, also known as Camp Canadá. Porters carry the group gear, so you will carry only personal items unless you have hired a personal porter. The climb offers a valuable chance to gain altitude, build confidence, and take in the expanding views before returning to base camp. After spending time up high, we descend back to Plaza de Mulas to rest and continue the acclimatization process.
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Afternoon Snack, and Dinner.
Overnight: Plaza de Mulas.
DAY 9 – Plaza de Mulas (Rest Day)
A well-earned rest day to hydrate, organize summit gear, and recover in the comfort of the domes. It is a chance to slow the pace, recharge, and enjoy a quieter side of expedition life, whether that means watching a movie, reading a book, or simply taking in the atmosphere of Plaza de Mulas.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack, and Dinner.
Overnight: Plaza de Mulas.
DAY 10 – Plaza de Mulas / Camp 1 “Canadá”
We ascend to Camp Canadá, carrying only our personal gear while porters transport all group equipment and logistics. The climb introduces us to life higher on the mountain, with expanding views and a growing sense of the expedition ahead. After arrival, we enjoy lunch in our 5-meter dining dome before settling into our insulated sleeping domes, designed to provide reliable protection from wind and snow.
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner.
Overnight: Camp Canadá.
DAY 11 – Camp “Canadá” / Camp “Nido de Cóndores (5,250 m) 17,220 ft
We climb to Camp 2, Nido de Cóndores, gaining more than 1,100 feet as the mountain begins to open up around us. The route follows gentle switchbacks with wide, dramatic views that make every step feel part of something bigger. After settling into our sleeping domes, we enjoy dinner and a quiet evening at altitude, with the chance to take in an unforgettable sky full of stars.
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner.
Overnight: Camp Nido de Cóndores.
DAY 12 – Camp “Nido de Cóndores” (Rest Day)
We take a short acclimatization walk to practice using crampons and an ice axe. Later, we return to camp to relax in our sleeping domes before dinner. A second night here helps strengthen acclimatization before we move to high camp and prepare for the summit push.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Overnight: Camp Nido de Cóndores.
DAY 13 – Camp 2 “Nido de Cóndores” / Camp 3 “Cólera” (5,970 m) 19,581 ft
Today, we move to our high camp at Cólera. The climb is short but important, bringing us into the final staging point for summit day. Upon arrival, we settle into the high-altitude domes while the guides prepare dinner and the camp comes to life around us. That evening, the guides review your summit gear and walk you through the plan for the next day’s climb, so everyone is organized and ready for an early start.
Trek Duration: 3 hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner.
Overnight: Camp Cólera.
DAY 14 – Camp 3 “Cólera” / Summit (6,962 m) 22,841 ft / Camp 3 “Cólera”
We rise early and prepare inside the warmth of the sleeping domes, where guides serve hot drinks and breakfast as the mountain begins to stir. Once fully ready, we begin a gradual three-hour ascent to Independencia Hut, then traverse the West Face and climb the steep Canaleta gully to the summit ridge. From the summit cross, take in a 360-degree panoramic view, one of the defining moments of the expedition. After photos and a brief time on top, we descend carefully back to Camp Cólera.
Trek Duration: 8 to 12 hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner.
Overnight: Camp Cólera.
DAY 15 – Camp 3 “Cólera” / Plaza de Mulas
We descend to base camp while porters manage the group gear and waste, allowing you to focus on the trail and the satisfaction of a hard-earned return. Back at camp, there is time to rest, enjoy a hearty meal, and take in the atmosphere of Plaza de Mulas after a demanding stretch on the mountain.
Trek Duration: 4 hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Reception, and Dinner.
Overnight: Plaza de Mulas.
DAY 16 – Plaza de Mulas / Horcones / Mendoza
Our final descent to Horcones takes 6 to 7 hours, a long but rewarding walk that marks the closing stretch of the expedition. Mules carry your gear, so you need only a light daypack for the trail out. At the park entrance, a van meets us for the three-hour drive back to Mendoza. That evening, most groups enjoy a celebratory dinner (not included) together and the chance to look back on everything the climb demanded and gave in return.
Activities Duration: 6 to 7 hours hiking, 3 hours driving.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Reception.
Overnight: Mendoza.
DAY 17 – Mendoza (760 m) 2,492 ft
Breakfast at the hotel. End of services.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 18 & 19 – Extra Weather Days
These extra days provide flexibility in case of bad weather or other delays.
Note: The itinerary is subject to change based on weather, group performance, or logistical considerations.
AMG HAS MORE GUIDES ON SUMMIT DAY INCREASING SAFETY AND SUCCESS
Services Included
Services Not Included
- Climbing permit fee. The Aconcagua Park entrance permit/ascent fee is not included. Permit costs vary according to the climber’s nationality and the selected route.
- Mandatory rescue and evacuation insurance. All climbers must carry insurance that specifically covers rescue and helicopter evacuation, with the appropriate clause clearly included in the policy.
- Trip cancellation and travel insurance. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Any additional travel insurance for interruption, baggage, delays, or other unforeseen events is also not included.
- International airfare. Round-trip airfare from your home country to Mendoza is not included.
- Airline and airport costs. This includes excess baggage charges, lost luggage, airport taxes, and any airline-related fees.
- Payment and transfer fees. Wire transfer fees, credit card charges, and other administrative or payment-processing surcharges are not included.
- Single room supplement. A single-occupancy room is available at an additional cost.
- Return airport transfer. Transportation from your hotel to the airport after the expedition is not included.
- Extra hotel nights and meals. Any additional accommodation or meals required if the expedition ends early or returns to Mendoza ahead of schedule are not included.
- Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary. This includes lunches and dinners in Mendoza and any other meals not specifically mentioned as included.
- Alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks, and personal snacks. Items such as candy bars, energy bars, gels, and specialty sports drinks are not included.
- Personal mountain gear and clothing. Please refer to the gear list for all required personal equipment.
- Personal porter service. Additional porters hired to carry personal gear are not included. We recommend booking this service in advance, as availability may be limited and pricing is usually better when arranged ahead of time.
- Additional personal services or transport. Any extra services not specifically included in the program, such as private transfers, saddle mule service, or extra load transport, are not included.
- Guide and staff tips. Tips for guides and base camp staff are not included.
- Personal expenses. Laundry, extra showers, drinks, tips, and other personal expenses in the city or on the mountain are not included.
- Early departure costs. All fees incurred for early departure from the scheduled itinerary (whether personal or medical), including additional hotels, mules from Plaza de Mulas to Puquios, a guide or companion from Plaza de Mulas to Puquios, or the private transfer from Puente del Inca to Mendoza. There is a possibility that you will be evacuated by helicopter, and in that case, your belongings will not travel with you. If you do not wait for your belongings in Puente del Inca, you will have to pay not only for the mule to carry your equipment down, but also for transportation to Mendoza. A full schedule of departure evacuation fees will be sent in confirmation materials for early departures.
- Costs caused by delays beyond AMG’s control. Any expenses resulting from weather, transportation disruptions, governmental measures, or other circumstances beyond AMG’s control are not included.
- Any service not specifically listed as included.
Important Notes
- Permit fees vary and are set by the relevant authorities, based on nationality and route.
- Rescue and evacuation coverage is mandatory, not optional.
- High-quality energy bars, gels, and sports drinks can be difficult to find in Argentina, so we recommend bringing them from your home country.
- Taxis are readily available for the return to the airport, and Uber and Cabify also operate in Mendoza City.
- A detailed schedule of early departure and evacuation costs will be provided with your confirmation materials.
Skills & Training
TRAINING
At home. AMG will assist you with a custom acclimatization and training plan.
Visit Training & Acclimatization for details.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
The summit climb on Aconcagua does not require previous training in technical climbing skills to participate. We are primarily climbing on trails, but on occasion may use crampons and fixed lines to add safety if the route requires. Guides will provide instruction in the use of crampons in case they may be required.
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY
Climbing Aconcagua is a physically challenging undertaking. You will have multiple days carrying loads between 25 lbs. (11kg.) and 40 lbs. (18kg.) and ascending as much as 3,000 ft. (950 m) in a particular day. With less than half the amount of oxygen in the air as at sea level, altitude plays an important role in the physical challenge.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
All these challenges can be overcome through proper training and previous experience camping in cold conditions. You should begin physical training several months prior to your climb by carrying a backpack and slowly increasing the weight and altitude gain on each hike. If you can reach a point where you are comfortable carrying the pack weights mentioned above and ascending 1,000 m (3,000 ft.) in a four to six-hour period, you will be on your way to having the strength and endurance to climb Aconcagua.
SELF-MANAGEMENT
You should also be prepared to take care of yourself in a cold environment. This means knowing how to control your body temperature by hydrating well, putting on different layers of clothing to maintain body heat, and eating sufficiently (regularly throughout the day) to maintain your strength. It is important to learn how to monitor your health and know how you are feeling. We will help you to fine-tune many of these skills as we trek to Base Camp and begin to ascend the mountain.
ALTITUDE CHALLENGE
Last but not least is the altitude challenge. It helps to have climbed high before, (over 4,000-5,000 m (12,000 to 16,000 ft.), but if you will walk slowly, stay hydrated, and monitor your health, guides will be able to assist you in the acclimatization process with a very high likelihood of success. Remember, training for your climb is essential to reaching the summit and having the experience of a lifetime.
Normal Route - Schedule & Dates
2026/2027 CLIMBING SCHEDULE
| NORMAL ROUTE | Guide |
|---|---|
| 28 Nov - 16 Dec | Hernán Rios |
| 04 Dec - 22 Dec | Gabriel Fracchia |
| 11 Dec - 29 Dec | Emilio Abudi |
| 18 Dec - 05 Jan | Juan Araya |
| 28 Dec - 15 Jan | Ruben Barrera |
| 03 Jan - 21 Jan | Emanuel Luquez |
| 10 Jan - 28 Jan | Rodrigo Gutierrez |
| 17 Jan - 04 Feb | Agustin Coppini |
| 29 Jan - 16 Feb | Ezequiel Di Fabio |
| 05 Feb - 23 Feb | Rodrigo Gutierrez |
POLISH TRAVERSE 360
| POLISH 360 TRAVERSE ROUTE | Guide |
|---|---|
| 03 Dec - 22 Dec | Ezequiel Di Fabio |
| 10 Dec - 29 Dec | Gabriel Fracchia |
| 17 Dec - 05 Jan | Rodrigo Gutierrez |
| 27 Dec - 15 Jan | Gonzalo Quiroga |
| 09 Jan - 28 Jan | To be decided |
| 16 Jan - 04 Feb | To be decided |
| 28 Jan - 16 Feb | Emilio Abudi |
| 04 Feb - 23 Feb | Agustin Coppini |
Rapid Ascents
| Rapid Ascents | Guide |
|---|---|
| 03 Dec - 16 Dec | Hernán Rios |
| 09 Dec - 22 Dec | Gabriel Fracchia |
| 16 Dec - 29 Dec | Emilio Abudi |
| 23 Dec - 05 Jan | Juan Araya |
| 02 Jan - 15 Jan | Ruben Barrera |
| 08 Jan - 21 Jan | Emanuel Luquez |
| 15 Jan - 28 Jan | Rodrigo Gutierrez |
| 22 Jan - 04 Feb | to be confirmed |
| 03 Feb - 16 Feb | Ezequiel Di Fabio |
| 10 Feb - 23 Feb | Rodrigo Gutierrez |
Choose Your Program
PRIVATE CLIMBS
Choose the departure date that works best for you.
Climb exclusively with your friends & family.
