Aconcagua

6,961

Standing at 6,961m in the Andes Mountain range, Aconcagua, often referred to as the “Sentinel of Stone,” is the highest peak in South America and the tallest mountain outside of Asia. Dominating the skyline with its towering presence, Aconcagua is a true mountaineer’s challenge; whether you're looking to test your endurance at high altitude or take on the ascent without supplemental oxygen.

WHAT THE CLIMB INVOLVES

Aconcagua’s relative accessibility allows us to complete the climb within 20 days of your arrival in Mendoza, the regional capital located 112km from the mountain. This includes built- in contingency days to account for weather and acclimatization, ensuring the best possible summit success.
With AGA, every detail of the expedition is meticulously planned, from logistics and gear transport to food supplies and safety protocols, leaving nothing to chance.
While Aconcagua is considered one of the more accessible high-altitude climbs, it should never be underestimated. The extreme altitude, unpredictable weather, and demanding terrain require careful preparation. At AGA, we uphold the highest standards of safety, strategy, and success, ensuring you have the best possible chance of standing on the summit of South America’s highest peak.

FAQs

Which route do you take on Aconcagua, and why?
We climb via the 360 Route, which circles the mountain and gives you a full view of Aconcagua from multiple sides rather than just one approach. It also allows for better acclimatisation than the standard route, which matters far more on Aconcagua than technical skill does, altitude is what determines success here, not climbing ability.
Do you need prior mountaineering experience for Aconcagua?
Not technical climbing experience, since the 360 Route doesn't require rock or ice skills. What you do need is serious physical preparation and, ideally, some prior high-altitude trekking experience. We'd rather you arrive undertrained in technique than undertrained in fitness, Aconcagua is won or lost on conditioning and altitude management, not climbing skill.
What's the summit success rate, and why do people fail?
Industry-wide, summit success sits roughly between 30–60% depending on the operator, itinerary length, and season, Aconcagua has a reputation for humbling people who assume "non-technical" means "easy." Most failed attempts come down to two things: underestimating the effects of high altitude, and not training with a heavy pack beforehand, which is genuinely one of the most important things you can do to prepare. Our itinerary is built with this firmly in mind.
When is the best time to climb, and how cold is summit day?
The climbing season runs through the Southern Hemisphere summer, November to March, with December and January generally offering the most stable weather. Even so, summit day is brutal, expect a 12+ hour round trip in severe cold and often ferocious wind, regardless of season. We recommend 8,000m-rated boots for summit day, along with either a down suit or a good down jacket and down trousers. Proper high-altitude clothing is genuinely non-negotiable here.