Mountaineering and Climbing

Aconcagua is America’s highest peak. It is at almost 7,000 metres above sea level, and it is a great challenge for climbers from all over the world.

As it is a high-mountain adventure, you need to have training and experience in this type of activity, an access permit, and booking a registered service provider company to make the ascent. The perfect season to climb is from November to April.

Find more information on how to get there on these links: Aconcagua Provincial Park and on the page of the province of Mendoza. This destination and experience are a must!

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👉 Authorized providers in Mendoza 

Los Seismiles is in the west of Catamarca and is one of the highest sectors of the Andes Mountains range. The peaks are over 6,000 metres high and draw in climbers from all over the world. Some of its peaks are Mount Pissis, the Ojos del Salado Volcano and the Francisco, Tres Cruces, and Incahuasi Mountains. To get there, take the Scenic Route 60 in Fiambalá.

Like any high-mountain activity, it requires training and experience, and authorised providers to undertake it. Climbing expeditions last from 3 to 5 days.

Find more information about when to go and how to get there on this link: Seismiles Route. A must-visit destination!

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👉 Authorized providers in Catamarca 

In Neuquén, the highest mountains in Patagonia await you: the Domuyo, Tromen, Lanín, Copahue volcanoes, and hills like Corona in the Cordillera del Viento, among many other elevations.

The biggest challenge is the Domuyo, which with its 4709 meters high is known as the “Roof of Patagonia”. Due to its complexity, it is advisable to do the ascent from November to March. The expedition can last between 3 to 4 days depending on your experience and level of training.

The Tromen volcano, with 4114 meters high, requires about 2 days to climb and the best time to do it is from November to April. Another great challenge is the imposing Lanín volcano, a symbol of Neuquén, with a height of 3,776 meters. The ascents are made from October to April and it takes 2 to 4 days to reach its summit.

Other alternative and less demanding proposals are the Copahue and Batea Mahuida volcanoes, and the Corona, Chachil, Palao, Atravesada, O'Connor and Dormilón hills.

Remember that since these are high mountain activities, they require that you have training and experience, and that you evaluate the weather conditions close to the ascent. For greater security and quality of the experience, it is important that you do them with providers authorized by the Ministry of Tourism of the province of Neuquén and of the national and/or provincial protected natural areas in the region.

Find more information to plan your expedition on the Neuquén tourism website.

Mount Fitz Roy (or Chaltén) and Mount Torre (both more than 3,000 metres high) are the world’s Mecca of technical climbing due to their 90° granite rock faces and their changing weather, making them very challenging, even for experienced climbers.

Vuelta a los Hielos Continentales (Continental Ice Field tour) is another great adventure available in El Chaltén: an 8-day semi-technical expedition crossing the Southern Ice Field, the third-largest ice field in the world after Antarctica and Greenland.

If you do bouldering, near the city center there are a lot of high quality compact granite blocks with difficulties ranging from V1 to V5.

Important: Remember to embark on these crossings with authorised providers and guides for your safety.

Find more information about when to go and how to get there on this El Chaltén. A must-visit destination!

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👉 Tourist manual of the Santa Cruz experience (find authorized providers on page 138) 

With 7 peaks over 5,000 metres, the Ansilta Mountain Range is a mythical place for those who love mountaineering and high-altitude hiking. If you are looking for an adventure of one or several days in the Andes, this is a great destination.

The Mercedario Mountain, with 6,720 metres, is America’s fourth-highest peak. Its ascent is for highly-experienced climbers since it requires acclimatisation and well-planned logistics (its access is very remote). Depending on the weather conditions, reaching the summit can take at least 10 days.

Find more information about when to go and how to get there on this link: the Ansilta Mountain Range and the Mercedario Mountain. A must-visit destination!

If you want to go rock climbing, Córdoba is a great destination! You can choose between:

• Altas Cumbres: On this road, which goes through the Cumbres de Achala Scenic Route (Provincial Route 34), there is a rock formation known as ‘La Ola’ with around 100 roads of different difficulty levels.
• Los Gigantes: An impressive and huge massif of granite in the middle of the Sierras Grandes area in Punilla Valley. There are sports and traditional roads for all levels.

Capilla del Monte: Some of the climbing parks to the north of the Punilla Valley are Los Mogotes, Los Paredones, and Rocamola. They have rock faces with routes marked for a wide variety of styles, difficulty levels, and heights.

More information on the Córdoba tourism webpage.

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👉 Authorized providers in Córdoba

Tourism in Córdoba

Mount Tronador is the highest peak in Río Negro and is inside the Nahuel Huapi National Park. In Pampa Linda, 70 kilometres from Bariloche, there is a medium-difficulty trail (12 kilometres in total, walking time: 5-7 hours) that reaches the Otto Meiling mountain lodge. With a qualified guide and crampons, you can reach the summit.

Near Bariloche, worldwide climbers will find their paradise: Frey. The quality of the orange granite rock, and the dreamlike landscape in which the lodge is located make it a special place. You can climb the Frey peaks near the Toncek lagoon, reach higher peaks, such as Frey Peak, M2, El Abuelo, or even the mountain’s highest peak, the emblematic ‘Torre Principal’.

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Mountaineering and Climbing in Bariloche 

The Llullaillaco Volcano, with 6723 metres, is one of the highest peaks in America and the world’s second-highest active volcano. It is considered a pre-Inca millennial sanctuary, where the bodies of three Inca children were found during an expedition in 1999. These children are believed to have been offerings of one of the most important rituals of their calendar, the Capacocha. The so-called “Children of Llullaillaco” can be seen at the High Mountain Archaeological Museum (MAAM) in the city of Salta.

The climbing difficulty level is challenging. Previous training and experience are essential, as well as the company of a specialised guide. The expeditions depart from the city of Salta and last from 10 to 15 days, with acclimatisation at different heights. You can embark on this adventure from October to May.

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👉 Authorised providers in Salta 

• Sierra de la Ventana and La Vigilancia Hill (Buenos Aires)
• Sierras de Tandil