The Stone Sentinel in the Aconcagua Provincial Park

You can get to the Aconcagua Provincial Park through the national route no. 7, it is 185 km away from the city of Mendoza, near the border with Chile. It constitutes a strategic spot within the province as well as an icon of world mountain climbing. The highest mountain in the entire American continent and of the western hemisphere is located here; it is 6,962 mts high. Trekking tourists, mountain climbers and ecotourists in general tour it during the whole year.

The origin of the name ‘Aconcagua’ is the term in quechua language “Ackon-Cauak”, which means ‘Stone Sentinel’. It a region that is characterized for being dry and rocky, with high summits always covered in snow. The Provincial Park conforms the large Net of Natural Reserves in the province and it is administrated by the National Department of Renewable Natural Resources.
The entrance is 2 km away from Puente del Inca, the last mountain town before the border, passing through the Horcones customs duty. The road is not paved and it is not always in good conditions.

Area attractions

Trekking is one of the most developed activities within the park and the visitors have tours that are improved every year due to the professionalism of the guides, national park rangers, and corporations that work at the Aconcagua.

There are several paths for trekking inside the park but most of the fixtures and the places to visit in the tours are for mountain climbers.
While planning or starting any tour, it is of paramount importance to take into account the altitude as the main obstacle of the area. A quick assent during the first part of the path, from Horcones (2950 m.a.s.l) to Confluencia camp (3200 m.a.s.l) conforms an  important change of altitude may bring about the symptoms of ‘mountain sickness’ (nauseas, headache that does not disappear with aspirins, insomnia, loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, vertigo, etc.)
From the entrance to the park until reaching Confluencia, you will go through the beautiful Laguna de Horcones (a lagoon) and the Quebrada del Durazno (a ravine). After going through Valle Horcones (a valley) you will approach Confluencia. This trek implies medium difficulty and the path is well marked.

The trekking lasts from 4 to 6 hours, depending on the speed. You will cross a valley of short vegetation and lots of greenery, surrounded by mountains.
Further ahead, the landscape slowly turns white and the path that borders the river will lead you to the place where the rivers originate while approaching the Inferior Horcones Glacier.

The path until Plaza Francia is one of the most important ones in the country for mountain climbers. This camping site constitutes the base for the mountain climbers who try to climb the southern face of the Aconcagua, which is the most difficult one. One of its main characteristics is the few vegetation and the soft winds, which gives camping a good chance. From Plaza Francia you will ascend to the Almacenes (4,800m) and Mirador (5,800m) hills.

Plaza de Mulas is another camping site which is at 4250 m.a.s.l.. You can visit the high camping sites and the surrounding hills, always returning for bedtime. While leaving Confluencia you will go through a humid which from Piedra Grande on, it continues to the right of the Horcones River. You will later access Playa Ancha and later, Quebrada del Sargento (a ravine). Towards the end, heading to Cuesta Brava, you will get to Plaza de Mulas.

During the tours you will be able to see the autochthonous flora and fauna that presents special adaptations to the extreme dry conditions, to wind and cold. The limit to vegetation is at 4000m approximately where the ‘Altitude desert’ begins.
The condor lives at great heights. It constitutes a very important piece for the ecosystem since it is a carrion-eater bird that helps to avoid pollution and diseases. The mammals at this great heights are only small rodents and the reptiles are only small lizards.

Facts to take into account about the geography of the park

A right assent takes time so as to give the body the chance of adapting to the weather and to the altitude. The first compulsory part if from Horcones until Confluencia, and only a few days later you can continue with the rest of the parts.

The park does not count with fixtures for visitors, that is to say, no public restrooms, restaurants, groceries stores, accommodation or regular transportation. The nearest service center is Puente del Inca, which is 4kms away.

For drivers it is advisable to always have the gas tank full, radiator water with anti freezing /cooling products and to take all the security elements: lights in good conditions, 5 liters of water for the radiator, cellular.

There are no compressed natural gas stations since vehicles powered by this kind of gas have low performance in slopes and they do not function properly while on low temperatures.

Access to the park

You have to get an access permission which you can get in person at the Customer Services stand in order to enter the National Park. People under age 14 can only access until Quebrada de Durazno which is 3,100m.
On the rest of the park, minors of ages between 14 and 21 can only enter with a certified authorization of both parents.