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Argentina🇦🇷 | hikesAconcaguaPuente del Inca trailhead, mule-supported trek, Plaza de Mulas, 4,300 meters | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Aconcagua
🌟 Highlighthike ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Here's what nobody tells you: the town of Puente del Inca, jump-off point for the Aconcagua trek in Mendoza Province, sits right on the Chile-bound bus route, so you can roll off a public bus from Mendoza city, permit in hand, and be walking within the hour. This isn't a technical climb, it's a high-altitude trek into Aconcagua Provincial Park toward the base of the highest peak outside Asia, and the scale of it hits you fast. Seven days means real acclimatization time, which beats the rushed itineraries I've seen wreck people's trips. Compared to a two-day jaunt near Bariloche, this is a bigger commitment: dusty trails, mule-support logistics, and thin air above 4,000 meters. I remember dropping my pack at Plaza de Mulas, sucking down bottled oxygen-thin air, and staring up at that south face going pink at sunset, and just laughing out loud from the sheer size of it.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Argentina Travel Guide.
Best time to go: November - February
Duration: 7 days
Distance: 65 kilometers
Total ascent: 3000 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 hike in ArgentinaWhat makes this hike worth hiking

Backpackers come for the ratio: massive visual payoff for a trek that stays non-technical. You're walking, not climbing, yet you get high-altitude terrain, glaciers, and views of the western hemisphere's tallest mountain without ropes or crampons. Public transport access makes it low-friction: buses run from Mendoza straight to Puente del Inca. It's also low cost relative to guided climbs elsewhere in South America, since park fees and mule rental are the main expenses beyond food and gear. The flexible distances let you extend rest days at Confluencia or Plaza de Mulas depending on how your body handles altitude. And logistically, it slots neatly into a longer Mendoza-based route: wine country lowlands one week, high desert peaks the next. That contrast, vineyards to glaciers in a single … read more 👉
Backpackers come for the ratio: massive visual payoff for a trek that stays non-technical. You're walking, not climbing, yet you get high-altitude terrain, glaciers, and views of the western hemisphere's tallest mountain without ropes or crampons. Public transport access makes it low-friction: buses run from Mendoza straight to Puente del Inca. It's also low cost relative to guided climbs elsewhere in South America, since park fees and mule rental are the main expenses beyond food and gear. The flexible distances let you extend rest days at Confluencia or Plaza de Mulas depending on how your body handles altitude. And logistically, it slots neatly into a longer Mendoza-based route: wine country lowlands one week, high desert peaks the next. That contrast, vineyards to glaciers in a single region, is rare, and it's why this trek keeps showing up on serious backpackers' Argentina itineraries.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while hiking the Aconcagua

  1. Puente del Inca: The trailhead town itself, with its strange orange sulfur-stained rock formations and an old bridge ruin, is worth a slow look before you even shoulder your pack.
  2. Confluencia Camp: Your first overnight, set where two river valleys meet. It's a gentle introduction to camp life at altitude with views up toward the Horcones Valley.
  3. Plaza Francia Viewpoint: A day-hike detour from Confluencia that delivers a straight-on view of Aconcagua's dramatic south face, arguably the best photo op on the entire route without needing to go higher.
  4. Plaza de Mulas Base Camp: The trek's high point for most trekkers, sitting around 4,300 meters. This is my personal favorite spot on the whole route: the scale of the amphitheater of peaks around you, combined with the sheer logistics of a working base
… read more 👉
  1. Puente del Inca: The trailhead town itself, with its strange orange sulfur-stained rock formations and an old bridge ruin, is worth a slow look before you even shoulder your pack.
  2. Confluencia Camp: Your first overnight, set where two river valleys meet. It's a gentle introduction to camp life at altitude with views up toward the Horcones Valley.
  3. Plaza Francia Viewpoint: A day-hike detour from Confluencia that delivers a straight-on view of Aconcagua's dramatic south face, arguably the best photo op on the entire route without needing to go higher.
  4. Plaza de Mulas Base Camp: The trek's high point for most trekkers, sitting around 4,300 meters. This is my personal favorite spot on the whole route: the scale of the amphitheater of peaks around you, combined with the sheer logistics of a working base camp (mules, tents, radio operators), makes it feel like a genuine expedition outpost rather than a tourist stop.
  5. Horcones Valley: The long approach corridor itself, a wide glacial valley with scrubby vegetation giving way to bare scree, offers a slow visual transition from Andean foothill terrain to high-altitude desert that most people rush through but is worth pausing to absorb.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Peak Season (December to February): Summer in the southern hemisphere brings the most stable weather, daytime temps around 15-20°C (59-68°F) at lower camps, dropping well below freezing at altitude overnight. This is when the park is officially open and busiest.
  • Shoulder Weeks (early December, late February): Fewer crowds, still-decent weather, but mule availability and ranger presence can thin out.
  • Winter (June to August): The park is effectively closed to trekking; snow and extreme cold make it dangerous and impractical.
  • Daylight: Summer gives you roughly 14 hours of daylight, crucial for long summit-push days.
  • Prices: Permit fees and mule costs are fixed by season, with peak-season permits costing more than early or late-season ones.
Mid-December tends to bring quieter Plaza de Mulas mornings than the January rush.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: below average for travelingMAYMay: below average for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
argentina-hike-aconcagua
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Argentina


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🥾 Hike detailsA practical overview of the hike

Total Distance: Approximately 60-70 kilometers round trip, depending on side excursions like Plaza Francia.
Estimated Duration: 7 days, including two acclimatization days built in at Confluencia and Plaza de Mulas.
Difficulty: Moderate physically, but altitude makes it demanding; no technical climbing skills required for the trek to base camp.
Starting Point: Puente del Inca, reachable by public bus from Mendoza city (roughly 3 hours), on the route toward the Chilean border.
Major Landmarks:
  • Confluencia: First camp, river confluence point.
  • Plaza Francia: Viewpoint facing Aconcagua's south face.
  • Plaza
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Approximately 60-70 kilometers round trip, depending on side excursions like Plaza Francia.
Estimated Duration: 7 days, including two acclimatization days built in at Confluencia and Plaza de Mulas.
Difficulty: Moderate physically, but altitude makes it demanding; no technical climbing skills required for the trek to base camp.
Starting Point: Puente del Inca, reachable by public bus from Mendoza city (roughly 3 hours), on the route toward the Chilean border.
Major Landmarks:
  • Confluencia: First camp, river confluence point.
  • Plaza Francia: Viewpoint facing Aconcagua's south face.
  • Plaza de Mulas: Main base camp at roughly 4,300 meters.
Terrain and Scenery: Wide glacial valleys, scree slopes, and exposed high-desert ground; minimal shade throughout, with dramatic rock coloration near Puente del Inca.
Vegetation: Sparse. Low shrubs and grasses dominate lower elevations, thinning to almost nothing above 3,500 meters.
Wildlife: Condors are commonly spotted riding thermals above the valley; guanacos occasionally appear at lower elevations, though sightings aren't guaranteed.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Altitude is the real factor here, not terrain difficulty. The trail itself is a wide, well-marked valley walk, no scrambling or exposure to worry about, but the jump from Puente del Inca to Plaza de Mulas puts you well above 4,000 meters, so pacing matters more than fitness. Use the built-in acclimatization days at Confluencia rather than skipping them to save time. Weather shifts fast: strong winds and sudden cold snaps are normal, so pack layers even on clear mornings. Mules carry gear on organized treks, which helps, but you still walk the full distance yourself. Wildlife poses no real concern. First-timers most often underestimate hydration needs and skimp on sun protection at altitude.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

The full trek runs 7 days, built around a bus ride to Puente del Inca, two nights of acclimatization at Confluencia and Plaza de Mulas, and a return hike out. Most itineraries budget one buffer day for weather.
It's moderate in terms of terrain, since it's a walking route with no technical climbing, but altitude makes it demanding; reaching Plaza de Mulas around 4,300 meters can affect even fit hikers if they skip acclimatization days. Good fitness and a slow pace matter more than technical skill.
Yes, a permit from Aconcagua Provincial Park is mandatory for anyone entering the park, purchased in Mendoza before starting. A guide isn't legally required for the trek to base camp itself, though many trekkers hire mule support for gear and some opt for a guide for added safety at altitude.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Argentine hikes near Aconcagua

Explore more nearby:

  • Laguna Llancanelo—Wetland reserve, flamingo colonies, flat terrain, Mendoza steppe| 336 km away
  • Cerro Champaquí—Córdoba high point, grass-and-scrub ridges, 2,790 meters, condor thermals| 483 km away
  • Los Gigantes—Boulder fields, wind-carved granite, summit panorama, Sierras Grandes ridges| 509 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on hiking the Aconcagua

Worth it for the sheer scale, standing under that south face at Plaza Francia is a view you don't get from a car window anywhere else in Argentina. The drawback: seven days is a real time commitment, and altitude can flatten even fit hikers unexpectedly, so don't book it as a quick add-on to a wine-country weekend.

✈️ When did I visit Argentina?
I have visited Argentina, together with Chile, in September 2012.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Argentina, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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