At 6962 metres above sea level, Aconcagua attracts climbers from all over the world. Climbers come with completely different climbing backgrounds. Despite having almost 7000 meters, its summit can be reached without any technical climbing at all. In addition, Aconcagua has one of the best logistics in the world. Making the mountain extremely accessible even to inexperienced climbers.

Aconcagua, however, should not be underestimated. It is known that weather in Aconcagua can be very dangerous as it changes so fast. Altitude is also an issue: trying the summit without proper acclimatisation can be dangerous. Extreme altitude can cause serious or fatal altitude diseases. A good acclimatisation plan requires great planning, heavy logistics and time. This is where we come in.

Arnold Coster runs expeditions differently. By running a very flexible acclimatisation plan, we stay on the mountain until everyone gets a good chance. We optimize our acclimatisation walks using the ‘climb high sleeping low’ strategy. This way our clients don’t have to carry too much weight.

As for safety, we are prepared to most medical emergencies we might encounter. All our guides are trained WFR rescuers with previous rescuing experience. By running daily medical checks, we can prevent altitude-related problems of happening. A very large and complex medical kit is available in every single camp as well as oxygen and Gamow bag if necessary.

• Day 1

  Arrival to Mendoza – 900m
  One member of our staff will welcome you at the airport and bring you to the hotel. In the evening all expedition members will meet for dinner. Depending upon your arrival time, we will assist you to buy or rent all equipment you need. Included: Transport and hotel.
• Day 2

  Permissions and drive to Penitentes – 2300m
  We will have morning meeting about logistics and all expedition aspects as well as answering any questions you might have. We will also check all your personal equipment, assist you for rentals and purchases and sort out all climbing permits so you can legally climb Aconcagua. Included: Transport, hotel, and dinner.
• Day 3

  Penitentes – Confluencia – 3300m
  Our luggage is carried by mules at 5am to Confluencia so we will have everything packed in the previous night. After taking breakfast at our hotel in Penitentes we’ll take a private transport to Horcones where we entry Aconcagua Provincial Park. We’ll stop for lunch at Puente del Inca and at 2pm we’ll start the 3-4 hour trek to Confluencia. Our staff will wait for us with a reception meal at our dining tent. In the evening we will have dinner and sleep in tents. Included: Private transport, breakfast, lunch at Puente del Inca, reception meal in Confluencia and dinner.
• Day 4

  Confluencia – Plaza Francia – Confluencia – 4150m
  This is one of our acclimatisation days. We’ll walk carrying a basic rucksack with water, jacket, gloves, trekking poles, sunscreen, etc. and walk very slowly to the base of the south face of Aconcagua. The views are absolutely stunning! We might even see some avalanches falling from the southern steep slopes of Aconcagua. Included: Double tents with mattress, Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Day 5

  Confluencia – Plaza de Mulas – 4300m
  Today is the longest day. The 18km walk to BC might take us from 5 to 8 hours. We’ll carry a very light rucksack and have lunch at the base of a huge rock named Ibañez. The landscape here is very dry so you might want to bring a good hat. At the end of the huge open valley named Horcones, we will arrive in Plaza de Mulas, our basecamp. Included: Double tents with mattress, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Day 6

  Rest – 4300m
  Rest day at Plaza de Mulas. Depending on the state of the entire team, we can take a short walk to a nearby glacier. Included: Double tents with mattress, Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Day 7

  Acclimatization Walk to Plaza Canada – 4900m
  About 4 hour walk to 4900 metres (600 metre altitude gain) taking part of our personal climbing equipment. We’ll return to sleep at BC in the same day. Included: Double tents with mattress, Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Day 8

  Rest – 4300m
  Rest day at Plaza de Mulas. We recommend you to do absolutely nothing today. Included: Double tents with mattress, Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Day 9

  Plaza de Mulas – Plaza Canada – 4900m
  Four-hour walk to Plaza Canada after a nice breakfast at BC. Included: Double tents, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Day 10

  Plaza Canada – Nido de Condores – 5600m
  Five hour walk to Nido de Condores, our second camp. Included: Double tents, Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Day 11

  Rest at Nido de Condores – 5600m
  Light walks around camp to improve acclimatisation. Included: Double tents, Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Day 12

  Nido de Condores – Colera – 5950m
  3 to 4-hour walk with carrying climbing equipment (wearing most of it) to Colera, our last camp at almost 6000 metres. Included: Double tents, Breakfast, and lunch.
• Day 13

  Colera – Summit – Colera – 6962m
  Early start to the first summit attempt (2 or 3am). We’ll hidrate as much as we can and leave camp at around 4am for the 12 hour round trip to the summit (average time) Included: Double tents and water melting
• Day 14

  Colera – Plaza de Mulas – 4300m
  We’ll walk down through all camps arriving at BC at around 4pm. Included: Double tents with mattress, Breakfast, lunch and celebration dinner.
• Day 15

  Plaza de Mulas, Confluencia, Mendoza – 4300m
  After an 8am breakfast, we’ll pack our duffels and send them to Horcones on mules and start the 8 hour walk to Horcones. On the way, we’ll stop at Confluencia for food and a short break. Our private transport will wait for us at Horcones and take us to Penitentes so we can take another private transport to Mendoza. On the way, we’ll stop at Uspallata for a steak dinner. Included: Breakfast, pack lunch, snack food in Confluencia, private transport, hotel and celebration steak dinner.
• Day 16

  Flight out – 900m
  You will be taken to the airport 2-3 hours before your flight. Included: breakfast and private transport.
• Day 17

  Spare acclimatisation day or weather day.