The Normal Route is the non-technical way up Aconcagua, at 6,962 m the highest mountain in the Americas. It starts at the Horcones ranger post (2,800 m) in Mendoza province, climbs the Horcones valley about 40 km to the Plaza de Mulas base camp, then climbs through three high camps. That is 4,162 m of gain, and the ascent permit is valid for up to 20 days; one licensed provider’s programme runs 18 days from Mendoza. No ropes are needed in normal conditions, but altitude, cold and wind make this an expedition, not a trek.
Aconcagua Normal Route at a glance
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Height | 6,962 m (Parque Provincial Aconcagua) |
| Start | Horcones, 2,800 m; 185 km from Mendoza on Ruta Nacional 7 |
| Approach | About 40 km to Plaza de Mulas (4,300-4,370 m) |
| Total gain | 4,162 m |
| Permit validity | Up to 20 days |
| Ascent season | Summer season 1 November to 30 April; ascents from 1 December |
| Permit 2026-27 | Presale USD 950 (Horcones, with a provider, foreigners); regular rates not yet published |
| Minimum age | 16 for the ascent above base camp |
Camps and elevations
| Camp | Elevation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Horcones | 2,800 m | Park entrance and ranger post |
| Confluencia | about 3,390 m | 4-5 h from Horcones; ranger and medical post |
| Plaza de Mulas | 4,300-4,370 m | 8-9 h from Confluencia; base camp, ranger and medical post |
| Plaza Canadá (Camp 1) | 5,050 m | |
| Nido de Cóndores (Camp 2) | 5,550-5,570 m | |
| Cólera (Camp 3) | about 5,950-6,000 m | Last camp; Berlín sits just below |
| Independencia | about 6,350-6,380 m | Bivouac shelter on the final day, rarely used to sleep |
Permits and prices
Permits are issued by Mendoza’s Dirección de Áreas Protegidas, not sold at the park entrance. With a licensed provider (“with assistance”) the company handles the permit. Without one, you buy it in person at the Informador Turístico at the Caballitos de Marly roundabout in Parque General San Martín, Mendoza, with ID, the signed expedition form, the risk-acceptance form and the paid voucher; nominated permits are registered in the Aconpass system.
| Permit (foreign, non-Latin American) | 2025-26 with provider | 2025-26 without provider |
|---|---|---|
| Ascent, Horcones (Normal Route) | USD 1,170 | USD 1,640 |
| Ascent, Vacas / 360° | USD 1,450 | USD 2,000 |
| Long trek (7 days) | USD 380 | USD 540 |
| Short trek (3 days) | USD 190 | USD 270 |
| Day trek | ARS 55,000 | ARS 55,000 |
For 2026-27, Mendoza ran a presale from 14 to 30 September 2026: ascent via Horcones USD 950, via Vacas USD 1,290 and the long trek USD 450 for foreign climbers using a provider. The regular 2026-27 rates had not been published when this page was checked on 8 October 2026. See the Mendoza government presale notice and the park’s official page.
Rules that shape the expedition
- Medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory for the ascent and the long trek. For 2026-27 unnominated permits it must cover activity up to 5,500 m (Nido de Cóndores), in Spanish or English, with a policy number.
- The park runs a free medical service at Confluencia, Plaza de Mulas and Plaza Argentina; a check on arrival is recommended.
- Human-waste bags are mandatory in the high camps and are handed in at base camp; you also get numbered rubbish bags that are checked when you leave.
- Mules carry loads to base camp through the providers; each animal carries a USD 6 welfare “Ticket Mula”.
- Under-18s need parental authorisation (apostilled if foreign) and a licensed guide, and nobody under 16 may climb above base camp.
- No pets, no weapons, no fires.
- Rescue on the mountain is by the Patrulla de Rescate of the Mendoza police; the costs go to your insurer or provider.
Altitude and weather
Everything above Plaza de Mulas is high altitude in the full sense. The park’s own figures: base camps reach 25 °C by day and -7 °C at night; above 5,000 m nights drop to -20 °C, and the top can fall to -30 °C even in daylight. The standard pattern is to carry loads up and sleep lower, and to wait out wind days at camp. If you have never slept above 5,000 m, a lower 5,000-6,000 m peak first is the honest preparation. Our page on altitude sickness explains the symptoms that should send you down.
Season and access
The park’s summer season runs 1 November to 30 April. Day treks start on 15 November, and the long trek and ascent from 1 December; in 2025-26 the ranger, medical and air services ran 1 December to 6 March. Climbing in the winter season (1 May to 30 October) needs a written application approved by resolution. Horcones is 185 km from Mendoza on Ruta Nacional 7; the Andesmar bus from the Mendoza terminal takes about 4 hours.
Planning
More Argentina routes are on Argentina hiking trails, and wider trip planning is in our Argentina travel guide. Local tour service providers provide all services on Aconcagua expeditions; some climbers use a Peru trek above 4,000 m as an early acclimatisation step. Questions: info@incatrailreservations.com.