Climbing Aconcagua the Smart Way
At 6,961 meters (22,837 feet), Aconcagua isn’t just the highest mountain in South America—it’s the tallest peak outside of Asia and one of the Seven Summits. Harsh winds, frigid temps, and high altitude make it a serious challenge. It’s also the ideal testing ground for climbers looking toward bigger peaks like Cho Oyu, or Everest.
The Rapid Ascent™ Approach
Most climbers spend 20+ days on Aconcagua. We do it in 14, thanks to our Rapid Ascent™ pre-acclimatization protocol. Before even landing in Mendoza, you’ll spend four weeks sleeping in a Hypoxico tent, gradually adjusting your body to high altitude. That means you arrive at base camp already acclimatized—cutting down on time spent in camps and increasing your chances of success when the weather opens up.
Aconcagua’s scenic 360° Route gives your body more time to adjust on the approach, and the descent is faster and more direct. We fly to base camp by helicopter and use porters to help with group gear above—so you can focus your energy where it matters.
Who This Expedition Is For
This isn’t a beginner trip—but it is accessible. If you’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, the Volcanoes of Mexico, or taken part in our Ecuador or Peru Climbing Schools, Aconcagua is a logical next step. There’s no technical climbing—just altitude, dry air, and long days that test your fitness and mental grit.
You’ll be guided by seasoned professionals with deep Aconcagua experience, and you’ll move efficiently with lightweight packs, small teams, and intentional pacing. As always, we climb when the mountain says yes—and we’ve built in extra days to wait until it does.
Why Aconcagua?
Because it prepares you for the Himalaya without flying halfway around the world. Because it’s a logistical puzzle solved by experience. And because when the stars align—when your body is ready, your team is solid, and the weather clears—it delivers one of the most satisfying summits you’ll ever stand on.
Looking for other ways to build your climbing resume?
Here are a few options we recommend:
Volcanoes of Mexico Rapid Ascent™ – Two peaks over 17,000 feet in just 10 days
Peru Climbing School – Technical alpine skills in the Cordillera Blanca
Cho Oyu Rapid Ascent™ – An introductory 8,000-meter peak in the Himalaya
Ready to talk more about Aconcagua or another climb?
Email Griffin Mims, our International Client Manager, at griffin@alpenglowexpeditions.com or book a call with him HERE.
More about Aconcagua
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Aconcagua Routes
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A Brief History of Aconcagua
Aconcagua, standing at 22,831’/6,959m, is the highest peak in the Americas and one of the Seven Summits. Its history is rich and multifaceted, beginning with the indigenous cultures that inhabited the region long before modern mountaineers arrived. Today, it’s a popular peak forintermediate climbers to break into 7,000m, and an excellent step on the way to preparing for Mt. Everest.Read the storyClimbing Aconcagua: Changes Adrian Ballinger Has Seen Over the Years
Alpenglow owner and founder Adrian Ballinger started guiding and climbing Aconcagua in the late 1990s, around the same time that high-altitude mountaineering saw a massive surge in popularity around the world. However, regulations, ethics, and best practices in the mountaineering world failed to keep pace with the growth of the sport.Read the story
From Climbing Schools to the Seven Summits: Why Aconcagua is the Next Step for Intermediate Climbers
Aconcagua, standing at 22,837 feet, is an excellent progression for climbers who have completed one or more of Alpenglow’s climbing schools in Ecuador, Peru, or Mexico. Here’s why the Aconcagua Rapid Ascent Expedition makes sense:Read the story
“Give Yourself the Time”: Graduating from Trekking to Climbing with Topo Mena
While ‘walking’ may sound trivial, a number of big mountains involve a lot of walking, albeit in extreme places. To talk about the journey, we connected with IFMGA-certified Alpenglow guide Esteban ‘Topo’ Mena about graduating from trekking to climbing. For beginners, he had this advice to offer: “At first, it’s important to give yourself the time to walk in the mountains and appreciate the land and the opportunity to just be there.”Read the story
How Alpenglow’s Peru Climbing School Prepares You for Aconcagua and Everest
If you have dreams of climbing Aconcagua, Everest, or other high-altitude giants, proper training is essential. Alpenglow Expeditions’ Peru Climbing School is designed to build the technical skills, acclimatization strategies, and expedition mindset needed for success on the world’s biggest mountains.Read the story
Carstensz Pyramid: The Seven Summits Climb That’s Actually About Climbing
When people think about the Seven Summits — the highest peaks on each continent — they usually picture snow, ice, and high-altitude suffering. But tucked away in the remote jungles of Papua, Indonesia, Carstensz Pyramid breaks that mold.Read the story
Comparing Acclimatization Approaches in the Andes, Himalaya, and Pamirs: How Alpenglow Expeditions Tailors Its Programs for Success
When it comes to climbing high-altitude peaks around the world, how you acclimatize can make or break an expedition. The Andes, Himalaya, and Pamir ranges each present unique challenges based on altitude, terrain, and logistics — and acclimatizing properly to these environments requires an approach that fits the mountain, not a one-size-fits-all plan.Read the story
Full Circle with Jaime Avíla
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