Mount Aconcagua tours

Introduction

Argentina and the province of Mendoza have the particular treasure of the world's highest mountains: Cerro Aconcagua, which at 6962 meters is the highest peak in the Western and Southern Hemisphere.

Located in the Aconcagua Provincial Park, the "Colossus of America" is the goal of climbers from all over the world as well as an attraction to thousands of tourists per year who come enjoy its natural beauty and treasure this unique and magnificent experience.

Aconcagua is a preferred destination due to the physical and psychological demands it poses to climbers, its climate and the beauty of the surrounding scenery. It is the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the most sought after in the seven-thousand meter circuit. It is also special as an introduction to big heights since its elevation and geographic and weather conditions constitute an ideal setting both for moderate demands and as preparation for the more exacting challenges posed by the eight-thousand meter and other peaks in the Himalayas.

The englishman Edward Fitz Gerald led a European team of nine men, together with the Swiss Matthias Zurbriggen as chief guide. Zurbriggen himself on January 14, 1897 reached the summit of mount Aconcagua.

At that time there were no shelters, maps or traced routes, just the immensity of the mountain, the cold, the wind and altitude sickness.

Climbing Routes

There are more than 33 variants of routes to ascend to the top of the Mount, but two main (and its variants) are the most widely used: the so-called Normal Route (northwest) and Glaciar de los Polacos Route.