All You Need To Know Before Visiting Aconcagua Provincial Park

April 13, 2022 | by: Nadia Vizcarra

Aconcagua is a mountain located within the Andes-mountain range, in the province of Mendoza in Argentina. It is the highest mountain in all the Americas, and it is no wonder that people flock from all over the world to take on the great Andean peak of Argentina.

Aconcagua peaks at 22,837 feet (6,961 meters) and the volcanic formation is one of the “Seven Summits” – a “must-do mountain” list for hikers of the highest peaks around the world. It remained unclimbed up until 1897, but has had many trotters since then.

Aconcagua forms part of the massive network of the Incan Road, and this part of the Andes mountain range was crossed by General Don Jose de Saint Martin during the war with the Spanish Empire so that it could liberate Chile. There is a mystery behind the meaning of the name given to the mountain, various theories attribute it to the terms in different indigenous languages.

Aconcagua mountain is definitely the stunner of Aconcagua Provincial Park, but the park has so much more to offer, even for non-climbers. Other activities include hiking, multi-day trekking, stargazing and camping. There are enough reasons to make your way to Aconcagua, and here is what you need to know before visiting this ancient giant in Argentina.

Aconcagua Provincial Park

This national park boasts a landscape of stunning mountain peaks that are divided by long, deep valleys and vast open spaces. The color of the rivers is reddish brown due to the height of these mountains that make the rivers flow fast, and the strong currents that mix the earth with the water.

Aconcagua Provincial Park is straight off the main road that connects Mendoza and Santiago. The road that leads to the park is one of 13 passes over the Andes-mountain range, and luckily it is the only paved road. The biodiversity is lower than other national parks, but there is still a lot of wildlife which is fascinating to naturalists because of the ability to adapt to such a harsh climate, and high altitudes.

Aconcagua Provincial Park was given its status in 1983, and is one of the eleven protected areas of Mendoza province. The protection law helps to preserve its many natural treasures contained within the park, especially its valuable fresh water resources. These resources are contained in glaciers and river headwaters.

It is important to note that there are no public restrooms, restaurants or groceries stores in the park. There is also no option to stay at the park, the nearest service center is Puente de Inca, about 4 kilometers away. So best to come prepared with enough food, snacks, warm clothes, and anything else that will make your climb more comfortable.

If you enjoy the outdoors, pair your adventure to Aconcagua Nacional Park with other expeditions. Read this article  to find out what else this amazing country has to offer.

Getting there

The Aconcagua Provincial Park is located in the city of Mendoza in Argentina. It is along National Route 7, approximately 180 kilometers west of Mendoza, and 402 kilometers east of Santiago.  The road may be covered by ice during the winter time in June, July and August due to snow storms.

If you plan on staying over in Mendoza, there are many activities that can be included in your visit. Read our article about the top things to do in Mendoza here

The drive to Aconcagua Provincial Park takes about four hours from Mendoza, and promises a scenic road, Ruta Nacional 7, as it winds up to the Paso Internacional Libertadores border with Chile. Best is to travel by private car, or taxi – so you can observe the landscapes in full view.

How to prepare

Aconcagua should not be underestimated, even though there are many mountains in the world which are higher. The merciless winds and freezing temperature can make this beauty a great challenge. Many people who set out to reach the summit of this peak end up turning back to descend. But this shouldn’t scare you off, there are some helpful ways to prepare yourself before taking on Aconcagua.

You should be in great physical shape, and properly acclimatized to the altitude, and support from an experienced guide to help you have the best experience possible. It is necessary to have good hiking equipment, hiking shoes, waterproof jacket, beanie, gloves, and a good water bottle.

Climbing the Volcanic Summit

Be prepared to set out on a long journey of many days if you are planning to climb the volcanic summit of the highest mountain in the Americas. As mentioned before, this is not for the faint hearted. Being in good physical shape, and having a well-prepared attitude and mind-set, are some very important factors to consider before embarking on this challenge.

The Aconcagua Ascent is a physical, mental and emotional challenge with a priceless reward. Mountaineers from all over the world come every year to Mount Aconcagua to get to know its beauty and try to reach the summit.

With the assistance of experienced guides, you will gradually do the Aconcagua Ascent from the Base Camps: Confluencia, Plaza Francia and Plaza de Mulas; and pass through the high-altitude camps: Canadá, Nido de Cóndores, Cólera; until you reach the summit of our great Aconcagua. Do not worry about the logistics, as the guides know the way. All you need to focus on is dealing with the challenge of the ascent and enjoy the experience.

Personalized services can be arranged with reduced (or private) groups which allows more attention and offer a safe and comfortable experience. As this is an extensive and demanding expedition, it is important to come prepared and book in advance.

Live the experience with Kuoda

It may be on your bucket list to climb one of the highest mountains in the world, and you do not need to travel all the way to Asia and pay thousands of dollars to summit Everest, when there is another beauty, lying here in the Americas, waiting to be trotted and explored.

We at Kuoda understand the stresses and frustrations that go hand-on-hand when planning a trip to South America. Especially because there are so many different treasures to discover and experiences to be had. Why not pair your climbing experience in Aconcagua with other expeditions in Argentina, or other countries in Latin America? Read our article about top destinations Argentina.

Kuoda specializes in custom-made travel experiences that include everything that you need for you and your family.  Contact us today and talk to one of our trip designers to discuss your personal requirements.