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Aconcagua Polish Traverse

A spectacular way to see Aconcagua: Discover it on the 360° Polish Traverse Route

With its 6962m Aconcagua is the highest mountain of the American continent and the second highest of the Seven Summits.

The Polish Traverse Route is spectacular because the route for the ascent and for the descent are different. So you are going to see the most of this wonderful mountain range, enjoy beautiful views and see both base camps.

The Aconcagua has always been attravtive for mountaineers – the first expedition to the so called “Roof of America” was in 1882 and still today the Aconcagua is a very popular target for adventurers all over the world. Technically it is quite easy – and nevertheless almost 7000 m – that’s why it is considered to be a perfect preparation for easier 8000ers in the Himalayas.

So enjoy this great scenery on the Polish Traverse Route.

Adventure Factor courageous
Experience / Emotion mindblowing
Fitness / Struggle workout
Risk feel free to tell your partner about it
Comfort comfy expedition style

Highlights:

  • The highest mountain of America (6962m) via popular alternative polish traverse route
  • Individual support by our mountain guide
  • More safety due to the communication network covering the complete route
  • Travelling through the beautiful scenery of the Andean Region

Trip dates:

Booking code:-
Minimum members:-
Price per person: 0

An expedition does not end on summit day!

We know that mountaineers simply want to go home after many days in the mountains and the exhausting summit day. But the mountain is the same size – no matter if you go up or down. That’s why returning to Mendoza takes time. Please read this carefully:

The weather days built into the expedition are extra days. Be aware that the exact date of the return to Mendoza depends on your summit attempt and not on a given date. Take into consideration that if these extra days are not used in the field, you will be responsible for your lodging.

If a climber separates from his group and leaves sooner or later than the rest, it is his responsibility to bear the costs incurred.

Included in the program is one hotel night in Mendoza at the end of the program. This can only be used if the mountaineer returns to Mendoza with the lead guide.

The exact schedule and route will depend on the weather and snow conditions and may be subject to change. In addition, keep in mind that we are in a very remote area where our freedom of movement may be limited at any time due to governmental or environmental restrictions.

The following schedule is planned:

Day 1 - 5: Trip to basecamp

Day 1 Arrival in Mendoza (760 m / 2,493 ft).
Our driver will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to the hotel downtown. After checking into your room, you can relax or explore the city’s many sidewalk cafes. Your guide will contact you to confirm the next day’s schedule.

Day 2 Mendoza – Packing and getting your permit
The team and the guides get to know each other. Activities such as gear checks, permit procedures and equipment sorting and packing are carried out on this day.

Day 3 Mendoza – Penitentes – Punta de Vacas (trailhead) – Pampa de Leñas camp (2.950 m / 9,678 ft).
Private transfer from Mendoza to our warehouse in Penitentes. You can have coffee and snacks while the guides and our logistics staff prepare the mule loads. Lockers and safe storage space are available. After a 15-minute drive to Punta de Vacas and a brief permit check by the rangers, the team begins the 4-5 hour hike to Pampa de Leñas, the first camp on the Vacas Valley route. You will be carrying only a daypack. The asado criollo (Gaucho BBQ) is the highlight of the day.
Trek: 4-5 hs

Day 4 Pampa de Leñas – Casa de Piedra (3.240 m /10,630 ft).
Hike to Casa de Piedra, our second approach camp. Great view of the Polish Glacier and the eastern face of Aconcagua as we arrive to the camp.
Trek: 6 hs

Day 5 Casa de Piedra – Plaza Argentina Base Camp (4.190 m / 13,746 ft).
We follow the trail up the Relinchos Valley to Plaza Argentina. Our BC chef greets us with a hearty dinner in a comfy dining tent. A proper reward after the hardest day of the approach.
Trek: 6-7 hs

Day 6 - 16: Acclimatization and ascent

Day 6 Plaza Argentina.
Rest day at base camp. Sleeping, reading in the dining tent or trying the yoga mats in our heated lounge tent; whatever you do, get hydrated!

Day 7 Plaza Argentina – Camp 1 – Plaza Argentina (4.800 m/ 15,748 ft).
With the trek to BC and the first stage of acclimatization completed, the climb itself begins with this gear carry to camp 1. After catching equipment, food and gas we return to base camp.
Trek: 7 hs

Day 8 Plaza Argentina. Rest day at base camp.

Day 9 Plaza Argentina – Camp 1 (4.800 m/ 15,748 ft).
The team leaves BC behind and moves to camp 1 with the remaining gear. Our porters will carry the tents and other common gear, the climbers carry their own gear and their share of the common gear if needed (expect to carry a 18-22 kg backpack).
Trek: 4-5 hs

Day 10 Camp 1 – Camp 2 – Camp 1 (5.486 m/ 18,000 ft).
Gear carry to camp 2, also called “Guanacos”. Astonishing view of Mt. Mercedario and other peaks of the Ramada massif. Return to Camp 1.
Trek: 5-6 hs

Day 11 Camp 1 – Camp 2 (5.486 m/ 18,000 ft).
Move to Camp 2 “Guanacos”.
Trek: 5 hs

Day 12 Camp 2 (Guanacos – 5.486 m / 18,000 ft).
Rest day.

Day 13 Camp 2 – Cólera (last camp · 5.970 m / 19,586 ft).
We move to our last camp, from where we will attempt the summit. You will be having dinner at almost 6.000 m… It’s higher than most places on Earth!
Trek: 4-5 hs (Guanacos)

Day 14 Summit day! (6.960 m / 22,837 ft).
We leave early to get the most of the (long) day. You will be carrying a very light backpack (water, snacks, some clothing, camera).
Trek: 8-12 hs

Day 15 + 16 Extra weather day. To secure the success of the expedition we have added two additional summit days in case of bad weather.

Day 17 - 19: Descent and return journey

Day 17 Cólera – Pl. de Mulas Base Camp (4.350 m / 14,271 ft).
We continue our circunnavigation of Aconcagua by descending via the northwest side of the mountain to the lively BC of the Normal Route. Celebration dinner in dining tents with tables and chairs.

Day 18 Plaza de Mulas – Horcones – Penitentes – Mendoza.
The hike out takes approximately 7 hours. Most of the gear goes in the mules, so you walk light. From the trailhead at Horcones, our van drives us to Mendoza, after picking up the gear at Penitentes. Hotel check-in, end of the program.
Trek: 7-8 hs / drive: + 3-4 hs

Day 19 Individual flight back home
Time to say goodbye! With many exciting memories we start our return journey today. Transfer to the airport and individual return flight.

check_circle_outline  Included:

  • Organization of the expedition
  • Certified, English speaking mountain guide
  • 3 nights in upscale hotel in Mendoza with breakfast (single room optional)
  • All accommodation in double or triple rooms
  • Full board while in the national park and on the mountain
  • Equipment at the basecamps (sleeping and dining tents, etc.)
  • High camp equipment (tents, stove, cooking gear, gas, meals)
  • All transfers (jeep / private shuttle)
  • One porter every four climbers, to carry 20kg of common gear
  • Load transport by mules, to and from base camp
  • Emergency communication via satellite phone
  • Free internet at basecamp (limitations apply)
  • Emergency medicine, pulse oximeter
  • Assistance with the required climbing permit procedure
  • Safety and liability of an EU based tour operator

help_outline  Optional:

  • Helicopter transfer from the entrance – Basecamp – entrance (depending on weather and other conditions)
  • Single room in Mendoza
  • Additional night in Mendoza
  • Single room service (Hotel Mendoza (3 nights) and single tent up to Basecamp)
  • Personal porter (see “porters & permit”)
  • Rental oxygen system for the summit day (4 bottles of oxygen, rental mask and regulator)

highlight_off  Not included:

  • International Airfare
  • Permit for the climb of Aconcagua (see “Porters & Permits”)
  • Personal insurance (evacuation insurance required by Mt. Aconcagua State park)
  • Personal medicine
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned
  • Tips
  • Helicopter flights
  • Additional porters for personal gear
  • Personal climbing gear
  • Sleeping bag
  • All not specifically mentioned included services as well as an cost incurred by the climber for leaving the trip early (such as transfers, mules, guide, etc.)

Porter

Each porter carries up to 20 kg, from BC to any given camp and down from high camp or camps between, to BC. The price includes 1 porter every 4 climbers, to carry 20 kg of common gear, only when the group moves from one camp to the next (not when the group carries gear to a cache and comes back to camp). Climbers who don’t want to carry weight can hire a personal porter, on a daily basis or for the whole trip.

Climbing Permit

In the last seasons Mt. Aconcagua State Park has not published the price of the climbing permit until the last weeks before the season. There are different prices, according to the climbing route, the date of the trip and the nationality of the climbers. Please refer to the official website for last season’s prices (www.aconcagua.mendoza.gov.ar).

info  General Infos

An expedition to high altitudes still presents an enormous challenge despite modern equipment and tactics. Besides technical and fitness requirements, the high altitude still poses the largest hurdle. That is why we place great emphasis on prudent, slow acclimatization and recommend the possibility of pre-acclimatization in a high altitude tent at home (see also FAQ).

Weather and conditions on the mountain can lead to program or route changes. Participation in the expedition lies in your own individual responsibility. Furtenbach Adventures assumes no liability for accidents, damages or loss of materials.

If you are not sure whether taking part in an expedition is the right thing for you, feel free to contact us at Tel +43 512 204134 or per email [email protected] for an answer to this question during a personal interview!

This package in general is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.

Note: Tour operator of this trip is Fernando Grajales Expeditions (Los Penitentes, Mendoza, Argentina, Tel: +54 (9) 261 6588855, Mail: [email protected]). Furtenbach Adventures acts as an Austrian partner and travel agent.

https  Insurance

We strongly recommend taking out a travel insurance (including trip cancellation, interruption, medical and luggage insurance) For this journey, the Global Rescue Signature Travel Insurance is suitable. The price of the insurance depends on the trip and the personal data of the traveller. We happily make you an offer after booking or upon request.

To cover search and rescue costs in the mountains, we ask our expedition members to take out a “medical only”-membership at Global Rescue. This membership can be concluded here before departure: https://ss.globalrescue.com/partner/furtenbach/. Further information are provided after your booking.

language  Entry Requirements

EU or Swiss citizens:

Argentina:
When entering the country, you need a passport with a validity of at least 6 more months. Visa-free entry is possible for tourist purposes for up to 90 days.

Information about recommended vaccines and health regulations: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

Travelers must be able to prove their return or onward ticket when entering the country.

More detailed information regarding entry, visa and health requirements for this travel destination will be provided once you’ve communicated your nationality.

work  Equipment

You need to bring your own personal equipment such as down clothing, expedition shoes, an isolated sleeping mat and a sleeping bag with a comfort range of – 20 to -25 degrees celsius. Following your booking we will send you a detailed equipment list. We will be happy to advise you personally during the selection and purchase of required equipment. With years of expedition experience, we know what has proved its worth and what not.

insert_chart_outlined  Difficulty/ Technique

The ascent always lies in the member’s personal responsibility, while led by the mountain guide and expedition leader. Members must be able to move safely and independently in mixed terrain (rock, snow, ice) and – if required – independently build rope teams under the guidance of the mountain guide. Cooperation, camaraderie and support on the mountain increases the chances of success for all. The guide is there to provide guidance for the whole group, the possibilities for him to respond to individual needs is limited. It is imperative that members adhere to the instructions and decisions made by the mountain guide. Regardless, each member must know their own physical limits, and be able to make a timely decision to turn back.

perm_identity  Physical Fitness

A key success factor in expeditions is being in good shape. Train in the months before the expedition! Several hour climbs with a backpack and around 1000 meters per day should not be a problem for you. We will gladly provide individual advice on how to best prepare yourself mentally and physically for an expedition!

local_hospital  Health

We recommend that each member undergoes a medical examination prior to the expedition. Good health is a prerequisite for participation. Particularly important is a visit to the dentist because previously unnoticed dental problems can become quite acute due to the sudden change in pressure conditions in higher altitudes.

check_box Experience

We are very familiar with the charm and attraction of a high mountain! However, we want to make certain that you can ascend safely, come back alive, and be able to enjoy the expedition while on it and not afterwards. Therefore, in order to participate in one of our Seven Summit expeditions, you must already have collected some experience at high altitudes and mountaineering. When booking, please let us know which heights you have already reached and which high mountains you have climbed. If you are a newcomer, no problem, we offer a bespoke program aimed to train you for reaching your desired destination.

We offer a special introductory weekend for all those who want to learn about – or refresh their knowledge of – all the skills and techniques needed on an expedition. More info here.

payment  Payment

Deposit Payment is made less than eleven months prior to the end of the trip and is a maximum of 20% of the price. The balance must be paid no earlier than 20 days prior to departure. Please find more information regarding the payment in our GTC.

directions_run Right of withdrawal

The traveller has the right to withdraw from the travel contract at any time by paying the according cancellation fee stated in the General Terms of Conditions of Furtenbach Adventures GmbH.

The following fees apply for cancellations on the part of the client prior to travel:

until 30 days prior to departure…………………………. 30%
29 – 20 days prior to departure…………………….. 40%
19 -10 days prior to departure…………………….. 70%
9 – 4 days prior to departure………………………… 80%
from the 3rd day prior to departure (72 hours)………100%
on the day of departure………………………………… 100% of the tour fee.

The tour operator will be released from the contract if the specified minimum number of members is not achieved and if the customer has been notified about the cancellation in writing within the following periods: until 20 days prior to departure.

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