National park · Argentina
Aconcagua Provincial ParkParque Provincial Aconcagua
Day visitors: enter at Horcones, walk the 2–3 h Mirador del Cóndor or Laguna de Horcones trail, and be back at the gate by 15:00; the summit is a 15–20 day guided expedition booked months ahead, not a day trip.Day visitors: enter at Horcones, walk the 2–3 h Mirador del Cóndor or Laguna de Horcones trail, and be back at the gate by 3:00 PM; the summit is a 15–20 day guided expedition booked months ahead, not a day trip.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
710 km² (274 sq mi)274 sq mi (710 km²)
approximate
Established
1983
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Argentina ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Argentina's National Migration Directorate (Migraciones) or an Argentine consulate before booking.
- Argentina ↗Since April 2025 the official, MEP and street ('blue') dollar rates sit within a few percent of each other; a foreign card is usually the best-value way to pay, while ATM withdrawals carry high fixed fees. Rules have changed often — check before you fly.
- Argentina ↗Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) is a November–March trip; in winter many services close and hiking is limited.
- Argentina ↗Since August 2026 non-resident foreigners must show insurance or pay for non-urgent care at nationally run public hospitals, and Buenos Aires City, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy and Santa Cruz charge visitors for scheduled care; emergencies are still treated. Travel with medical insurance — check the current rules.
At a glance
- Country
- Argentina
- Area
- 710 km² (274 sq mi)274 sq mi (710 km²)
- Park area figures vary by source; roughly 710 km² (check).
- Established
- 1983
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside Asia at 6,961 m, and the whole of it sits inside a provincial park founded in 1983, about 2.5–3 h by road from Mendoza city. Almost everyone who arrives here is either a day walker on the Horcones valley trails or a climber on a 15–20 day expedition up the Vacas and Horcones routes. The park has two entry points, one gate fee, and a hard rule that day walkers stay on the marked trails. High season runs from mid-November to late March; outside it, access is limited to a short walk near the entrance.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1983.
Size and age
710 km² (274 sq mi)274 sq mi (710 km²) · national park since 1983
Park area figures vary by source; roughly 710 km² (check).
Why go
- Stand at 4,200 m on the Horcones valley floor and see the south face of Aconcagua without any climbing.
- The Mirador del Cóndor trail is a half-day walk from the road, with condors on the thermals most mornings.
- The park protects the highest peak in the Americas and the whole high-desert valley system around it.
- Puente del Inca, the natural bridge and old spa site, is on the same road and takes an hour.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanPeak expedition season; warmest days, busiest trails
- FebStill full season; afternoon storms common
- MarSeason winds down late in the month; colder nights
- AprLow season; short walk only, cold
- MayWinter closure; snow and no services
- JunDeep winter; park effectively shut
- JulDeep winter; road may close after snow
- AugDeep winter; no climbing access
- SepLate winter; some operators start acclimatisation trips
- OctShoulder; cold, quiet, limited services
- NovHigh season opens 15 Nov; cold but clear
- DecFull season from mid-month; long daylight
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean condorNov–Mar · Most often seen on morning thermals near the Mirador del Cóndor. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| GuanacoOct–Apr · On the lower valley slopes, usually at a distance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean fox and mountain viscachaNov–Mar · Around camps and rocky ground; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mendoza
Ruta 7 west towards Chile to the Horcones gate, about 185 km (115 mi); shared minibus, tour van or rental car.Ruta 7 west towards Chile to the Horcones gate, about 115 mi (185 km); shared minibus, tour van or rental car.
2.5–3 h
From Puente del Inca
Ruta 7 east a few km to the Horcones gate.
10–15 min
From Santiago de Chile
Cross at Los Libertadores when the pass is open, then east on Ruta 7; the border crossing can close in bad weather.
5–7 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Horcones valley (day-visitor zone) | The gate, ranger post, Laguna de Horcones and the Mirador del Cóndor trail. | Open with a day ticket; stay on marked trails. |
| Plaza de Mulas | The main base camp on the normal route, at about 4,300 m. | Expedition permit and registration; reached on foot or by mule. |
| Plaza Argentina | Base camp for the Vacas valley and Polish Glacier routes, reached from Punta de Vacas. | Expedition permit; three-day walk in. |
| High camps and summit zone | Camp 1 to Camp 3 and the summit ridge, above 5,000 m. | Permitted climbers only; no day access. |
Sketch map
- 1Horcones gate · Gate≈-32.821, -69.922Main entrance on Ruta 7; ranger post and ticket desk.Map ↗
- 2Puente del Inca · Village≈-32.825, -69.910Natural bridge and old spa site, just east of the gate.Map ↗
- 3Punta de Vacas · Gate≈-32.851, -69.759Eastern access point for the Vacas valley routes.Map ↗
- 4Plaza de Mulas · Sleep≈-32.653, -70.011Main base camp on the normal route, about 4,300 m.Map ↗
- 5Aconcagua summit · Summit≈-32.653, -70.0116,961 m; permitted climbers only.Map ↗
- 6Uspallata · Town≈-32.593, -69.348Nearest town with hotels, about 1 h east.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along Ruta 7 and the Horcones valley, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry, high season (mid-Nov–late Mar), day visitor | ARS 20,000–40,000 | person | 2026 estimate; rates are set each season and change with inflation (check). |
| Park entry, low season (short walk only) | ARS 8,000–15,000 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Climbing permit, Vacas or Horcones route | ARS 800,000–1,500,000 | person | 2026 estimate; the fee is set by season and route and is paid in Mendoza before you travel (check). |
| Mendoza–Horcones road transfer, shared | ARS 60,000–120,000 | person | 2026 estimate; private transfers cost more. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day entry permit or guide
Climbing permit permit or guide
Guide or operator registration no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ARS 20,000–40,000
- ARS 8,000–15,000
- ARS 800,000–1,500,000
- ARS 60,000–120,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Argentina.travel — Aconcagua Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- Day visitors must keep to the signed routes from the Horcones gate; wandering off needs a permit.
- No fires
- Open fires and stoves outside designated camp areas are banned in the park.
- Rubbish
- Carry out everything you bring in; there are no bins beyond the gate.
- Drones
- Not allowed without written permission from the park authority (check).check
- Altitude and health
- Climbers must register and carry the required equipment; rangers can turn you back.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puente del Inca and Las Cuevas
Small guesthouses and a mountaineer hostel on Ruta 7, 10–30 min from the gate.
Near the park
Uspallata
The nearest town with a range of hotels, about 1 h east on Ruta 7.
Near the park
Mendoza city
The base for permits, gear shops and most operators, 2.5–3 h from the gate.
In the park
Plaza de Mulas
Base camp with a refugio and tent sites for permitted expeditions only.
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Viento Blanco high
Cold and sun medium
Theft at high camps medium
Border pass closures low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Horcones gate area and the first stretch of the Laguna de Horcones trail are relatively flat and reachable by car.
- The Mirador del Cóndor and everything above the valley floor is rough, steep and at altitude; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all waste, including food scraps; the high camps have no collection.
- Use mules and licensed operators that follow the park's waste rules rather than leaving caches behind.
- Do not feed guanacos or foxes; human food harms them and changes their behaviour.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Aconcagua?
Day entry to the park is a modest per-person fee, roughly 20,000–40,000 ARS in high season and less in low season (2026 estimate; rates are reset each season, so check before you go). Climbing permits are a separate, much larger fee paid in Mendoza, roughly 800,000–1,500,000 ARS depending on route and season (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Aconcagua?
For day visitors, the Laguna de Horcones trail (2–3 h return, easy) and the Mirador del Cóndor (3–4 h return, moderate) are the two marked walks from the Horcones gate. Climbers use the Horcones valley to Plaza de Mulas or the Vacas valley to Plaza Argentina, both 15–20 day expeditions.
When is the best time to visit Aconcagua?
Mid-December to late March is the high season, with the warmest days and full services. November and early December are colder but quieter. Outside the season the park is effectively closed to climbing and only a short walk near the entrance is allowed.
Can I see Aconcagua without climbing it?
Yes. From the Horcones gate you can walk into the valley and see the south face on a half-day trip from Mendoza. You will not get near the summit, but the mountain itself is visible from the road and the lower trails.
Do I need a guide to climb Aconcagua?
A guide is not legally required on the normal routes, but you must hold a park permit and register. Most climbers go with a licensed Mendoza operator because of the logistics, altitude and weather risk.
How do I get to Aconcagua from Mendoza?
Take Ruta 7 west towards Chile for about 185 km to the Horcones gate, roughly 2.5–3 h by car, shared minibus or tour van. The same road passes Puente del Inca and continues to the Chilean border.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go