Where Is Aconcagua Park?
Aconcagua Provincial Park is located about 170 kilometers west of Mendoza city, along Ruta 7 (the international highway to Chile). The main entrance is near Puente del Inca, at around 2,700 meters altitude. The drive from Mendoza takes 2.5 to 3 hours, passing through the spectacular Uspallata Valley with distinctive red and ochre rock formations.
Aconcagua: Key Facts
At 6,961 meters above sea level, Aconcagua is the highest peak in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Despite not requiring technical skills on the Normal Route, it’s a serious mountaineering objective — altitude and cold are the main dangers, and proper acclimatization and preparation are essential. The park covers 71,000 hectares of high Andean terrain, including multiple valleys, glaciers, and peaks.
What Can Day Visitors Do?
Day visitors can enter on a day permit (much cheaper than climbing permits) and hike to viewpoints with spectacular views of Aconcagua. The Confluencia viewpoint trek is a popular 6–8 hour round trip from the park entrance, with stunning views of the mountain and its surrounding glaciers.
Permits and Best Time to Visit
All visitors require a permit purchased in advance through the Mendoza provincial government. Day trekking permits are relatively inexpensive and available year-round. The main trekking and climbing season runs November through March. A day trip to Aconcagua Park is an excellent complement to a Mendoza wine itinerary — few places combine extreme nature and refined wine culture as completely. Contact us to combine a mountain excursion with your Mendoza wine experience.
Before you go, read our Mendoza travel guide and read about mountaineering in Mendoza.