Argentina – Aconcagua

Experience Required

This trek is graded 4D. It is a multi-day peak climbing trek with partial camping support.

Essential to have 6000m peak climbing experience and crampons skills. Most of the climb from the base camp onwards to the high camps and summit is on scree, snow, and ice terrain in extremely cold weather of -10°C to -35°C. Storms often hit Aconcagua and winds can reach in excess of 50 mph near the summit. Whiteouts at the high camps and near the summit are common too. You are expected to load ferry your personal gear, team equipment, and food to the high camps with a backpack load of 15-20kg and pitch your own sleeping tent.

Equipment and Gear

Alpine climbing clothing (thermal base layer, down mittens, down jacket, insulated outer shell pants and outer shell jacket, etc.) is required.

You will also need the following climbing equipment (which can be rented):

1. Mountaineering boots (double-layer or plastic boots)
2. Crampons
3. Walking ice axe
4. Snow goggles

A packing list will be provided to all our participants. Please refer to our Resource Centre page for information on the layering system and how to choose the right gear/equipment for your climb.

Normal Route

Normal Route

False Polish Glacier Traverse Route

• The dates listed are for an open international group
• Asterisk * denotes a high season
• You can also form a private group. For enquiry, send an email to us at contact@aceadventure.com.sg

Inclusions

• Return airport transfer
• All land transfer as in itinerary
• Meals as in itinerary
• Boiled drinking water, tea and coffee during meals
• Accommodation: local hotel in Mendoza and Penitentes (twin/triple sharing). Tents on Aconcagua (twin/triple sharing)
• Base camp facilities: sleeping tents, mass dining tents, toilets, medical check-up, hot shower (chargeable), free internet (limitations apply) and international phone calls (chargeable)
• High camps equipment: sleeping tents
• Climb support: climbing guide(s) – 1:3 climbers / 2:7 climbers / 3:11 climbers.
• Emergency support: guide(s) carry professional first aid kits, pulse oximeter and walkie-talkies (VHF radio communication)
• Porterage service: Mule transportation of personal and group equipment for BC to BC trek. High altitude porters for group equipment for high camps (1 porter:4 climbers/20kg)
• Assistance with climbing permit application.

Exclusions

• International air tickets, airline taxes, and fuel surcharge
• Visa fee (if required)
• Aconcagua climbing permit fee (Est. USD800 – USD900 per person)
• Single supplement
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Hotel fees for spare days not used on the mountain
• Chargeable services at base camps
• All tipping
• Personal porters
• Personal travel insurance (mandatory to cover travel agent insolvency and mountaineering up to 7000m)
• Personal expenses like shopping, laundry, etc.
• Personal travel & climbing gear
• Emergency evacuation and medical expenses
• Compensation for damaged or lost of personal items (e.g. climbing/trekking gear and equipment, cameras and any valuable items, etc.)
• Any expenses including accommodation, meals & transfer outside the stipulated trek/climb itinerary – i.e. any person leaving the group for personal travel, illness/injury or any form of extension of stay

Note on climbing permit fee: Mt. Aconcagua State Park has not been publishing the price of the climbing permit until several weeks before the season begins. Prices differ according to the climbing route, the date of the trip, and the nationality of the climbers.

Pre-trip Support

1. Trip briefing and information kit
2. Packing list
3. Complimentary training sessions

Local Support

We carefully select our local operator and establish strong working relationships with them to ensure safe participation for everyone. Our local operator is the first established operator in Argentina to organise Aconcagua expeditions. Being the leading Aconcagua expeditions operator in Argentina, they own the best logistics infrastructure, have more than 120 mules, and have the highest success rates.

Visa

Holders of ordinary passports of the following countries do not require visa to enter Argentina for a stay of duration as stated.

A) Up To 90 Days:

Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (With Passport R.A.E.H.K.), Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Netherlands, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts And Nevis, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad And Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City.

B) Up To 60 Days:

Venezuela

C) Up To 30 Days :

Grenada; Hong Kong (With British Passport B.N.O.); Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Macau, and Malaysia.

If your nationality is not listed above, you need to apply for an Argentina visa at a diplomatic mission in your country. You can find a list of the Argentina representative offices in each country here. https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/en/representaciones

For latest updates and details of visa application, please visit http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/indexdnm.php?visas.

Money

Foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and authorised cambios (bureau de change), which are easily located in Mendoza. USD is the preferred foreign currency and is also accepted at the hotels & some tourist shops. Be wary of counterfeit bills. Do carry a stash of change in small bills and coins as very few taxis or shop owners will have change for large denomination bills.

Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted mainly by the larger hotels, major stores and some restaurants in Mendoza. The smaller and local establishments accept only cash payment. With credit-card purchases, a 5-10% surcharge (recargo in Spanish) may or may not be added on to the cost.

Most ATMs that accept International cards have the“LINK” logo displayed. Others may perform your transaction but most that do not have this logo accept only cards issued by an Argentine bank. Withdrawal limits can be low and fees are high as they are charged per transaction.

Electricity

Argentina’s electricity is 220V and 50HZ. The plugs used are the two narrow round pins Type C commonly used in Europe; and Type I, which has 3 flat pins in a triangular pattern.

Language

Although Argentina’s official language is Spanish, Argentinian Spanish is different from the Spanish spoken in Spain. In some ways it sounds more like Italian than Spanish. There are also many other languages spoken in Argentina, including Italian, German, English and French. Indigenous languages that are spoken today include Tehuelche, Guarani and Quechua.

English proficiency is considerably low in Argentina and mainly limited to service staff in tourism.

Drinking Water

In Argentina, the tap water is said to be generally safe to drink throughout the country. However, due to its composition, it can cause stomach upsets for some people.

If you order water from the menu, it has a price and it is bottled. If it is free, it is tap water.

Tipping

It is customary to tip 10% of the bill at all restaurants, cafes and pubs. While it is not mandatory, it is certainly respected and appreciated. This applies to the tour and trek guides as well.

Travel Safety Advice

With evolving world situations that may occur unexpectedly due to natural disasters, pandemics/epidemics, conflicts and unrests, it is best to read up and keep tabs on news and developments at your destination country and region before the trip. Check on the country’s official website and/or your own foreign ministry website for any travel advisory or safety precautions to be taken while abroad.

As with traveling in anywhere in the world, regardless of the local crime rate, stay vigilant and take care of personal safety. Good to read up on any possible exposure in the country prior to departure.

It is a good practice to register with your respective foreign ministry if there is such a service provided to citizens, to contact you in order to make sure that you are safe and, if need be, assist you should an emergency (e.g. natural disasters, civil unrest, etc.) occur when you are overseas.

For Singaporeans, this is the link to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ eRegister:
https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/eregisterportal/common/preLoginEregisterView.action

Travel Insurance

It is highly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance(s), upon payment of your trip, to cover adverse situations that may occur while you are overseas or even before departure. Ensure that the coverage is suitable for your destination and the activities that you are participating in. Be familiar with the terms and conditions before purchasing and travelling abroad.

Travel Immunization Advice 

There is no compulsory vaccine to be taken to enter Argentina. You should, however, be up to date on routine vaccinations, especially vaccines against water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (examples: hepatitis, typhoid and tuberculosis) while traveling to any destination. You are encouraged to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up, and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.

Recommended routine vaccinations for travellers in general:

For more information and professional advice on travel vaccinations, please consult your doctor or travel clinic.

For people residing in Singapore, you may visit The Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Clinic (THVC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital:

Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic
Address: Level 4, Clinic 4B, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Medical Centre
Contact number: 6357 2222
Website : https://www.ttsh.com.sg/Patients-and-Visitors/Medical-Services/Travellers-Health-and-Vaccination-Clinic/Pages/default.aspx