The permit to climb Aconcagua can cost upwards of $1,000 (depending on the season and the route you pick), and that doesn’t even begin to include the price of getting to the mountain, getting around the hill, having a guide, or carrying your gear. The Normal Route and the Aconcagua 360 Route offer guided trips for about $5000. However, this is simply one of many options for summiting Aconcagua.
Climbing Aconcagua is an arduous endeavor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, yet it is sometimes done as training for more difficult Himalayan summits. In this section, we will try to give you the financial information you’ll need to choose the best way to reach the top of this beautiful mountain.
Visas and Permits
• Only a few countries, such as those in the Warsaw Pact, require a visa to enter Chile. All passports must be valid for at least six months after the planned length of stay.
•For admission into Aconcagua National Park, visitors must first get permission in the city of Mendoza; the cost of this permit varies with the season and is still another incentive to choose Aconcagua over Everest, whose fees are, well, extraterrestrial. Prices to Aconcagua hike typically range from $800 to $1,000.
• The permit fee includes the possibility of a helicopter evacuation, releasing the Argentinian government from any liability for your experience.
• Evacuation is a treatment option for life-threatening conditions like severe edema, second-and third-degree frostbite, and heart issues. You’ll have to take a mule if that’s the case.
Equipment
The exact sum will differ significantly from one person to the next based on factors such as the quantity and quality of their current gear. Buying all-new winter gear, hiking boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, and toiletries add up to a hefty sum. These items can cost up to £1,000, but since most individuals already have some cold-weather hiking gear, the average outlay is closer to £300. Wearing clothes and shoes that you are already familiar with might help you feel confident and at ease.
Tour Operators
The tour operator, who supplies nearly all gear for Aconcagua hikes, will be the most critical item on the budget. Lodging in Mendoza, all meals and snacks while climbing, a guide, porters, radio contact, a first aid kit, permits, and even internet access are all part of the package.
It’s common for bundles to cost between $4,000 and $5,000. To save money, you should research; references are vital. Cheap operators are cheap because they utilize outdated equipment, serve subpar food, have few radios, and have no access to weather services.
Tips And Fines
You are expected to tip the numerous people who assist you on your Aconcagua trek, including guides and muleteers; however, the amount is up to you.
If caught littering, going off-trail, or defecating in a national park, you could face fines of several hundred to over a thousand pounds. Most of these penalties are not at all irrational and can be avoided by just using common sense.
Conclusion
Many mountaineers aspire to summit Aconcagua, the second-highest of the coveted Seven Summits. Thanks to its lower price compared to climbing Everest and its relative ease compared to other significant peaks, if you go for the Normal Route rather than the Aconcagua 360 Route.
A traveler from North America or Europe with some of the necessary gear and common sense should expect to pay about £5,000. While this may seem like a lot, remember that you are attempting to climb the tallest peak outside of Asia.
