Our mission is your summit
Ascent to Aconcagua through the Polish Glacier.
SCHEDULED EXPEDITION TO MOUNT ACONCAGUA (22,834 FASL)
Polish Glacier Route
Polish Glacier Expedition: An Odyssey in the Andean Highlands
Immerse yourself in the epic Polish Glacier traverse on the majestic Aconcagua. This challenging route takes you through awe-inspiring glacial landscapes, masterfully fusing technical ascents and breathtaking panoramas. From icy ridges to high-altitude challenges, each step follows the legacy of brave climbers who contributed to the rich history of this iconic peak.
Guided by expert mountaineers, this expedition invites you to explore the intersection of technical prowess and the natural beauty of the Andes. The Polish Glacier route is not simply a climb; it is an adventure that is intertwined with mountaineering history, offering an unforgettable experience.
Discover the symphony of nature as you ascend majestic glaciers, where the traverse becomes a dance between technical skill and the grandeur of nature. Join us in this unique odyssey, where every step becomes a palpable testimony of your determination and the indomitable spirit of exploration in the Andean heights.
Importante
Exploring the Polish Glacier route on Mount Aconcagua is one of the most transcendental experiences an adventurer can undertake. In this challenge, the connection with oneself and the environment deepens. A crucial piece of advice for those who venture on this route is to recognize that the essence is not only to reach the summit, but to advance step by step towards it, avoiding unnecessary risks and preserving the health of the heart, which gives meaning to the journey.
If one succeeds in conquering the summit, the gratification is truly amazing. However, for the experience to be truly enriching, it is essential to restart the journey, step by step, exploring from hill to hill, year after year. The mountains, like life itself, are inexhaustible and generous, deserving to be shared with friends in this continuous journey of discovery and self-improvement.
Difficulty level
A challenging ascent, Aconcagua demands strong physical fitness and mental resilience. Trekkers navigate rugged terrain and high altitudes, facing variable weather conditions.
Altitude reached
Conquer Aconcagua's summit at 6,959 meters (22,837 feet). The highest peak in the Americas, the climb offers breathtaking views amid challenging alpine conditions.
Energy requirement
Aconcagua demands high energy levels. The trek requires endurance for long hikes, and proper nutrition is crucial for sustained performance at high altitudes.
Expedition duration
Aconcagua expeditions typically span 15-20 days, allowing for acclimatization, ascent, and descent. The journey involves gradual altitude gain and rest days for optimal adaptation.
take note these are the
Included services
Assistance and support for lost luggage recovery
You will have all the necessary support to retrieve their luggage as soon as possible. In Acomara-AconcaguaExpeditions we know the importance of the equipment for the success of the expedition and the extra costs which may entail having to rent or purchase again. While the loss of baggage is a responsibility of the airlines, our Customer Support Staff will assist you in Mendoza for the fast recovery of it.
Hotel in Mendoza
While you are in Mendoza city, you will be lodged in a 4 or 5 stars superior Hotel in a double room. Breakfast and taxes are included and will represent no additional cost. Nonetheless, if you wish a different type of room or service, you can adquire it as an additional service.
Assistance to buy the climbing permits
Mount Aconcagua is located in a provincial Park managed by the Provincial Government of Mendoza. To get into the Park you should get a permit in accordance to the activity that you are going to participate in (climbing, long trek, short trek). This procedure must be done personally, as a government rule. Each climber must go to the Park’s office with their own passport.
Luggage care
If you wish to leave certain personal belongings that you are not going to use during your Aconcagua expedition, you can count on the best security of the hotel of your expedition for leaving your personal effects. You will also be able to leave your possessions in Penitentes/Puente del Inca or in Base Camp.
Transfer Mendoza / Puente del Inca / Mendoza
A private transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Puente Del Inca. We will drive over 180 kilometers, which separate Mendoza City from Puente Del Inca (roundtrip). The scenery on the journey is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the central Andes.
Meals
On the expedition you will enjoy all the meals (B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / PL: Packed Lunch if we are on the move / D: Dinner) that are carefully planned by professionals to have a balanced diet during those days on the mountain. The cooks always prepare every meal, with fixed menu from day nº 3, except at the high altitude camps where the guides will be in charge of the cooking. You will enjoy tasty and large portions of very good meals. If you are vegetarian, let us know.
Lodging in Penitentes/Puente del Inca
During the Inca Empire this spot was a strategic point for the crossing of the Andes mountain. Over the last years it has become the point of departure of every expedition, whose aim is to get the summit of Mount Aconcagua. The Hotel was built here, it is located in this strategic zone, five kilometers far from the Mount Aconcagua Park trailhead. You will spend one night in this beautiful place at the beginning of your expedition in shared rooms with a private toilet. Complete breakfasts and dinners in the restaurant of the hotel are also included. Our private transfer will take you to the Aconcagua Park entrance.
Assistance for the arrangements of loads to be transported by mules
The mountain guides will advise you on when you have to decide what to include in your luggage and the way that we are going to arrange it on the mules.
Load mules
These strong animals were the ones that helped the armies that fought for the freedom of South America, to transport their belongings over the mountains. Mules move over mountain with great caution, having the possibility to carry big loads. The negative aspect of these animals is their untamed character. That is why we have selected a professional team of muleteers, called “arrieros”, who have dedicated their lives to the country animals. They know how to deal with these animals, because of their experience. From Puente Del Inca to Confluencia, from this camp to Plaza de Mulas, and in the return your belongings will be carried by mules. Each mule can carry up to a limit of 60 kg, and every client may transport on the mules a maximum of 30 kg on each stage of the approach. We strongly recommend you to bring a strong duffel bag.
Transfer to the Aconcagua trailhead
You will be driven by a private transfer over 5 kilometers, from the hostel in Puente Del Inca to the first Rangers Station. Here your permit is checked out and you are informed about the park rules.
Confluencia Base Camp
While you are gaining height, your body needs some time to start with the process of acclimatization. Therefore, it is extremely important to stop for two nights at an intermediate level, to help your body to start with this process. During that time, you will camp in the Confluencia campsite, which has the enough comfort to spend a good deal of time, being fully equipped.
Trekking to Plaza Francia
On the 4th day of the expedition, you will visit the base of the mythical South Face of the Mount Aconcagua. This is the most vertical face of the mountain, with glaciers and walls almost 10500 fasl / 3000 masl tall. During that trekking, you will gain 700 meter that will give your body a sign that the acclimatization process is starting.
Plaza de Mulas Base Camp
Once you have arrived at Plaza de Mulas, you will spend 5 nights in the campsite. It´s fully prepared to make the trip around the magnificent South American mountain as comfortable as possible. There are tents for eating, kitchen, equipment storage. Toilets are available too. An excellent team of people will attend you, preparing delicious meals and providing you an excellent service. The advantages ofthe campsite are not only its commodities, but also the direct contact with nature.
Trekking to the Horcones Glacier
Acclimatization is a dynamic process in which your body needs a minimal activity to increase the response to the altitude. During the resting day in the base camp, a short trek in the area of Plaza de Mulas is useful and interesting. Also, you will have an introduction class about the use of crampons and some advice to help you on your way to the top of the mountain.
Trekking to Mt. Bonete´s Summit (16732 fasl – 5100 masl)
To improve the acclimatization process in your body, the expedition includes in the itinerary a trekking to the summit of Cerro Bonete. To reach this altitude before starting the way to the Aconcagua summit, definitely increase the chances of success.
IMPORTANT – It includes porters for altitude camps
Our expeditions to Aconcagua include the help of porters in the altitude camps so that our climbers can walk from camp to camp carrying less weight and this being able to concentrate their energies on summit day. Porters appear on stage with the need of people and expeditions that, due to their logistics, need to transport a great quantity of equipment to altitude camps. Our porters are people very well adapted to working in the altitudes of Aconcagua. They have reached the summit many times and theresponse of their body to altitude is considerably faster and better than that of many athletes. Our porters are in charge of carrying tents, team garbage (including toilet garbage that must be transporter by each expedition according to regulations of Aconcagua Park) and they will also carry the first aid kits. Porters transport all these loads from Plaza de Mulas Base Camp to Camp 1 Plaza Canada, from Camp 1 Plaza Canada to Camp 2 Nido de Condores, from Camp 2 Nido de Condores to Camp 3 Berlin-Colera and the descent, from Camp 3 Berlin-Colera to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Each expedition member must transport their personal equipment (backpack, sleeping baf, boots and personal belongings) plus their share of meals and cooking elements. During acclimatization treks, climbers will not have to transport their personal equipment (which will be left behind in the previous camp). The purpose of acclimatization treks are to acclimatize and transport the meals that will be consumed on the following day. Anyway, if you want to hire a porter to transport your backpack and acclimatization trek weight in all expedition days (but summit day) or you want to hire a porter for transporting only your personal backpack, do not doubt in requesting this service to us (such porter services may have additional cost and they will are non-included and optional services).
The Guides (See more information about them)
The guides in charge of the expedition are professionals who have obtained their degree from the AAGM or the EPGAMT (2 and 3 year carreers). We believe that one of the keys for having a successful expedition is to count on people who have the best qualifications and at least 5 years of experience in Aconcagua to provide safety and trek across the paths of nature with conviction and professionalism. Our expeditions are leadered by one high altitude mountain guide per every three climbers from base camp. The guide’s equipments include a VHF radio, first aid kit with the specific medications for altitude sicknesses, ropes, altimeter, digital oxymeter and proffessional clothing and equipments. Medicines will be provided after the aproval of the doctors of Park Aconcagua. All of this is necessary for your safety and well being.
Extra days
There are two extra days that can be used on the mountain in case of bad weather conditions or contingencies which could delay the regular itinery. Since the climbers’ safety is our main priority, the leader guide will be in charge of taking this decision.
Tents
Normally, during the summer high-season, Aconcagua is a mountain with good weather conditions. Yet if you happen to have a few days of storms, you will be responsive to nature’s whims at Aconcagua high altitude camps. Therefore, we do not hesitate to provide you with the highest quality bedroom tents for high altitude campsites. We use brands that have proved an excellent performance in Aconcagua over the years like The North Face and Mountain Hardwear. The arrangement is usually 2 climbers per tent. For more information about The North Face VE 25 tents please follow this link: www.thenorthface.com and for Mountain Hardwear Trango tents 3.1 please follow: www.mountainhardwear.com.
Communications
The expedition take advantage of the VHF and BLU radio lines that help to stay in contact between the high-altitude campsites, Plaza de Mulas, Confluencia, Puente del Inca and Mendoza. Therefore, almost instantaneously answer to whatever issue that may arise.
Participation or Summit Certificate
We will extend you a certificate signed by the Guide of the expedition and the Ceo of Acomara-AconcaguaExpeditions certifying that you have participated in the Mount Aconcagua expedition (or reached the summit if that happened).
Medical and pharmaceutical support in Mendoza City
Your safety and health is our priority. If you need to be evacuated from Aconcagua for medical reasons or you finish your expedition with any kind of medical condition, our team will provide you personal bilingual support for all medical activities you need to do after returning from the Aconcagua like assisting you if you need additional medical attention, medical studies like lung x-rays, shopping medicine, hospital admission, etc. The expenses arising from hospital admission, medical studies, doctor’s fees, ambulances, medicines, etc. are not included.
In addition, you will be able to use our optional service of full bilingual assistance for your time in Mendoza until you fully recover. The objective is that you feel completely accompanied and content until you fully recover your physical health and you are able to return to your home country.
Support in Mendoza after your Expedition
After you return from your expedition to Aconcagua and your services for the expedition finish, our customer support team will continue to assist you with everything you need in Mendoza City.
remember that these are the
Not included services
Climbing Permit
The only way to enter the Mount Aconcagua Park is by getting the permit personally in Mendoza city. If the ticket is not used within the dates established by the Park authorities, the money will not be returned. The ticket will be invalid in the future years. The entrance fee’s payment support the maintenance and care of Mount Aconcagua Provincial Park and aid to preserve and protect it. It also supports the maintenance of the medical, the park rangers and the rescue service (helicopter).
Expenses emerging from abandoning your scheduled itinerary
The itinerary includes group services in order to provide more and better services at a low price. When you abandon the itinerary of your expedition for any reason (like personal reasons, health, etc) you begin to use private services. If you abandon the itinerary, the company covers the transportation from Puente del Inca to Mendoza City by bus line free of charge. The second hotel night in Mendoza city included in your expedtion can be used at this moment. If you need extra hotel nights, private transfer or other services originated by the abandondment of the expedition, they shall be considered additional services not included in the price of the expedition. You can find more information in our pdf file you can download in the footer.
Personal equipment and Sleeping bag
Your personal equipment is not included in the expedition. You can bring it from your country or you the option of either purchasing or hiring all gear needed for your expedition once you are in Mendoza. We will help you with this. The list of this recommended gearis shown further on this page.
Personal Insurance
Having a personal insurance is not a fundamental requirement to climb the Mount Aconcagua. However, we suggest that you to contact an insurance company if you wish to get one, taking into account the risk in the mountain.
Porters for personal equipment
The porters may help you to transport your belongings from a camp to another one offering you a better result on the mountain. So do not hesitate in letting us know, if you decide to take one. The price will depend on the stretch that your equipment will be carried.
Others
Extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary, satellite phonecalls, transference fees,and other services not specified as included.