Last updated August 5, 2026
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Assistance from an authorized Mendoza provider may qualify the climber for a lower permit price.”}, {“@type”:”HowToStep”,”position”:3,”name”:”Arrange evacuation and medical coverage”,”text”:”Obtain insurance or an evacuation and medical-assistance service that meets the current Aconcagua Provincial Park requirements for the planned activity.”}, {“@type”:”HowToStep”,”position”:4,”name”:”Complete the official permit process”,”text”:”Follow the system designated by Mendoza’s protected-area authority, which may include Aconpass, an authorized provider, official payment instructions and identity documentation.”}, {“@type”:”HowToStep”,”position”:5,”name”:”Verify and carry the permit”,”text”:”Confirm that the permit lists the correct climber, route, activity, season and assistance status, and carry accessible digital and printed copies with the required insurance documents.”} ] } { “@context”:”https://schema.org”, “@type”:”FAQPage”, “mainEntity”:[ { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”How much was an Aconcagua climbing permit in the 2025/26 season?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”For an international climber in the regular 2025/26 season, the Horcones ascent permit was USD 1,170 with authorized assistance or USD 1,640 without assistance. The Vacas or 360 route was USD 1,450 with assistance or USD 2,000 without assistance.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”Are the 2026/27 Aconcagua permit prices available yet?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”As of July 31, 2026, the final official 2026/27 regular-season fee decree had not been published on the Mendoza Aconcagua information page. Climbers should use the 2025/26 schedule only as a planning reference and verify the next decree before paying.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”What does with assistance mean for an Aconcagua permit?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”With assistance means the climber uses an authorized Aconcagua service provider under the current park rules. It does not necessarily mean a fully guided expedition. The service arrangement must qualify under the official season regulations and be documented through the designated permit process.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”How much can an international climber save with assistance?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”Under the 2025/26 regular schedule, an international climber saved USD 470 on the Horcones ascent permit and USD 550 on the Vacas or 360 permit by qualifying for the assisted rate.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”How long is an Aconcagua ascent permit valid?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”The official Mendoza Aconcagua information page describes the summit-ascent permit as valid for 20 days. Long trekking permits are generally seven days and short trekking permits three days.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”Can a trekking permit be used for an Aconcagua summit attempt?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”No. A trekking permit authorizes only the activity and route stated on that permit. A summit attempt requires an ascent permit. Climbers should choose the activity and entry valley correctly before payment.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”Is evacuation insurance required for Aconcagua?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”Ascents and long treks require an insurance policy or evacuation and medical-assistance service that meets the current park requirements. The 2025/26 rules included coverage for search, rescue, medical evacuation and high-altitude operational costs.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”Are Aconcagua permits refundable or transferable?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”The official rules state that permit fees are not refunded and nominated permits are not transferable. However, the named permit holder may be able to use the permit in a later season, subject to the rules and updated coverage required at that time.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”What were the 2025 advance-sale Aconcagua prices?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”The 2025 advance sale for the 2025/26 season priced international ascent permits at USD 980 through Horcones and USD 1,200 through Vacas. These promotional permits were available through registered service providers during the announced sale window.” } }, { “@type”:”Question”, “name”:”Is the Aconcagua permit normally included in an operator package?”, “acceptedAnswer”:{ “@type”:”Answer”, “text”:”Inclusions vary by operator. Some providers process the permit while the climber pays the government fee separately; others may bundle or collect it. 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Aconcagua Permit Cost: Official Fees, Insurance and How to Apply
Aconcagua permit pricing changes by entry valley, nationality, assistance status and season. This guide separates the final official 2025/26 regular rates from the earlier promotional sale, explains the 20-day ascent permit and mandatory evacuation coverage, and shows exactly what to verify while Mendoza prepares the 2026/27 season.
The 2025/26 summer season ended April 30. Final regular-season prices for 2026/27 have not yet been published on Mendoza’s official Aconcagua information page. The exact tables below are the final 2025/26 official rates—not projections for the coming season. Update this banner and every schema answer when the next decree is issued.
2026 Aconcagua Permits & Fees: Your Complete Cost Guide
Horcones / Normal Route: $1,170 with authorized assistance or $1,640 without assistance. Vacas / 360 Route: $1,450 with assistance or $2,000 without assistance. The permit is generally valid for 20 days.
Mendoza also offered a separate advance sale: $980 through Horcones and $1,200 through Vacas for international climbers. Those were limited promotional rates purchased through registered providers, not the normal full-season prices.
Use the complete Aconcagua planning cluster
This page owns permit price and application intent. Use the linked child pages for routes, full expedition costs, operators, training, gear and current conditions.
Official 2025/26 regular-season ascent fees
These are the final rates in Mendoza Decree 2322/2025. They replace the approximate $850–$1,640 range previously used on this page.
| Climber category | Horcones with assistance | Horcones without assistance | Vacas / 360 with assistance | Vacas / 360 without assistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International | USD 1,170 | USD 1,640 | USD 1,450 | USD 2,000 |
| Latin American | USD 910 | USD 1,270 | USD 1,130 | USD 1,580 |
| Argentine / resident | ARS 190,000 | ARS 270,000 | ARS 230,000 | ARS 330,000 |
| Mendoza resident | ARS 100,000 | ARS 140,000 | ARS 120,000 | ARS 170,000 |
Aconcagua permit price finder
Select a nationality category, route and assistance status to see the final 2025/26 regular price. This is a historical planning tool until Mendoza publishes 2026/27 rates.
Find your last official permit price
2025/26 regular-season matrix · not a 2026/27 quote
International · Horcones · with assistance · regular 2025/26 schedule.
Saving: USD 470 versus the unassisted Horcones rate.
Review the application steps →2025 advance-sale promotional prices
Mendoza opened a promotional sale from July 15 through August 29, 2025. These prices were not the regular-season schedule.
| Category | Horcones ascent | Vacas ascent | How it was sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | USD 980 | USD 1,200 | Through registered service providers |
| Latin American | USD 760 | USD 940 | Through registered service providers |
| Argentine | ARS 150,000 | ARS 184,000 | Through registered service providers |
| Mendoza resident | ARS 75,000 | ARS 95,500 | Through registered service providers |
The advance sale offered an international climber a $190 reduction from the later assisted Horcones price and a $250 reduction from the assisted Vacas price. It also provided price certainty months before the season. But it came with important restrictions: the purchase had to flow through a registered provider, the sale window was finite and the named permit rules still applied.
What does “with assistance” mean?
The lower permit rate is tied to documented use of an authorized park service provider. It is not automatically the same thing as hiring a guide.
An independent climber may still qualify for an assisted permit by purchasing the required or recognized logistics from an authorized provider. The exact qualifying arrangement should be confirmed for the current season because Mendoza can change provider rules and documentation. Common expedition services include mule transport, base-camp logistics, sanitation and waste handling, meals, communications and evacuation support.
Questions to ask the provider
- Are you registered for the upcoming Aconcagua season?
- Does this package qualify me for the assisted permit rate?
- Which permit route will be entered: Horcones or Vacas?
- Will you process the permit, or only issue support documentation?
- Is the government permit fee included in the quoted price?
- What happens if the official rate rises after I book?
What “assisted” does not prove
- It does not necessarily mean a guide accompanies you.
- It does not prove the operator is the right safety fit.
- It does not guarantee summit success.
- It does not eliminate altitude, weather or evacuation risk.
- It does not automatically include personal insurance.
- It does not guarantee the permit fee is bundled.
Compare the current providers and their service tiers in the Aconcagua operator guide. The permit discount can make a basic Argentine logistics package economically sensible even for climbers who do not want a fully guided expedition.
Permit types, routes and validity
A summit permit, a seven-day trek and a short visit authorize different activities. Buying the wrong category can end the trip before it begins.
| Permit type | Typical validity | What it authorizes | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent permit | 20 days | Expedition travel and a summit attempt on the stated route. | Buying for the wrong entry valley or underestimating weather days. |
| Long trek | 7 days | Base-camp trekking under the current route and assistance rules. | Assuming a base-camp permit authorizes a summit attempt. |
| Short trek | 3 days | Shorter overnight trekking, generally toward Confluencia or designated areas. | Confusing a short trek with a long base-camp itinerary. |
| Day trek / visitor ticket | 1 day | Day access only within the stated trail and operating hours. | Arriving after the sales cutoff or expecting to camp. |

How to apply for an Aconcagua permit
The official system may evolve by season. Follow the current Mendoza process rather than an old blog’s fixed sequence.
- Choose the activity and route.
Select ascent, long trek, short trek or day access. For an ascent, choose Horcones or Vacas before purchasing.
- Decide whether to use authorized assistance.
Obtain written confirmation that the provider is registered for the coming season and that the service package qualifies for the lower rate.
- Arrange the required evacuation and medical coverage.
Confirm altitude, activity, route, dates, search and rescue, medical evacuation and payment procedures in writing.
- Use the system designated by Mendoza.
The province may use Aconpass, an authorized provider, an official payment system or in-person verification. Follow the current decree and official instructions.
- Pay in the required currency and channel.
Dollar-denominated rates may be converted into Argentine pesos under the official rule in force when payment is made.
- Check every permit field.
Verify the climber name, nationality category, route, assistance status, activity, season and validity before leaving the office or accepting a digital permit.
- Carry redundant copies.
Keep the permit, passport, insurance evidence and provider documents accessible both digitally and on paper throughout the expedition.
Evacuation and medical insurance requirements
The important question is not whether a policy says “adventure travel.” It is whether the park and provider accept the actual coverage.
Coverage to verify in writing
- Search and rescue inside Aconcagua Provincial Park
- Medical evacuation and treatment
- Helicopter or aerial evacuation where operationally possible
- High-altitude mountaineering to at least 7,000 m
- Guided or independent climbing, matching your trip
- Argentina and the exact policy dates
- Weather-delay and extended-stay implications
- Direct payment versus reimbursement requirements
Documents to carry
- Policy certificate and full wording
- Emergency assistance telephone number
- Policy and membership numbers
- Altitude and activity confirmation from the insurer
- Spanish-language summary when available
- Provider confirmation that the coverage meets the season rules
- Copies stored offline on more than one device
- A printed copy in the expedition documents
Refunds, transfers and later-season use
The official rule contains an important distinction: no refund does not always mean the permit loses all future value.
| Question | 2025/26 rule | Planning implication |
|---|---|---|
| Cash refund | No refund of permit fees. | Use cancellation insurance only if the policy actually covers the cause. |
| Transfer to another climber | Nominated permits are nontransferable. | Confirm names and passport data before nomination. |
| Future-season use | The named holder may use the permit in a later season. | Verify the next season’s process, insurance and any price adjustment or documentation. |
| Unused blank provider permits | Special advance-sale rules applied to provider-held permits. | Read the provider’s contract and refund language separately from the government rule. |
Three practical permit-cost scenarios
These examples isolate the park permit. They do not include guides, mule transport, hotels, flights, gear, tips or insurance.
International · Normal Route · assisted
Final regular 2025/26 rate.
Saves: $470 versus the unassisted Horcones permit.
International · Vacas / 360 · assisted
Final regular 2025/26 rate.
Saves: $550 versus the unassisted Vacas permit.
International · advance-sale Horcones
Promotional 2025 sale through a registered provider.
Saves: $190 versus the later assisted rate.
For the full trip number, add the permit to an Argentine specialist program, international guided program, flights, Mendoza lodging, equipment, insurance, tips and weather contingency in the complete Aconcagua cost breakdown.
The most common permit mistakes
Most problems come from using a stale price or making an assumption about what an operator includes.
| Mistake | Why it matters | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting from an old $800–$1,000 headline | The final 2025/26 international rates reached $2,000. | Use the official matrix and add a future-season buffer. |
| Treating advance sale as the regular price | The promotion had dates and provider restrictions. | Label each price by decree, sale period and schedule. |
| Assuming “with assistance” means fully guided | It can describe logistics rather than a guide-led climb. | Ask exactly what service qualifies and what is included. |
| Assuming the permit is included | Operator packages vary. | Get a written inclusion list and government-fee treatment. |
| Buying for the wrong valley | Horcones and Vacas support different itineraries. | Align permit, transport, base camp and operator itinerary. |
| Using a trekking permit for an ascent | The activity does not authorize a summit attempt. | Buy the 20-day ascent permit. |
| Relying on generic travel insurance | Altitude or mountaineering exclusions may void coverage. | Obtain explicit written confirmation for Aconcagua. |
| Expecting a normal refund | Government fees are nonrefundable. | Understand future-season use and private cancellation terms. |
Keep the permit separate from the travel purchase
Book flights and Mendoza lodging only after understanding the permit sale window, provider process and cancellation exposure. For accommodation comparisons, the Global Summit Guide travel shop may provide options near Mendoza’s center and transport hubs.
Disclosure: travel links may be affiliate links. A commission never changes the official permit price or the editorial recommendation to verify every rule directly with Mendoza.
Aconcagua permit FAQ
Direct answers to the permit questions climbers ask before choosing a route or operator.
How much was an international Aconcagua permit in 2025/26?
Horcones cost $1,170 with assistance or $1,640 without it. Vacas cost $1,450 with assistance or $2,000 without it under the final regular schedule.
Are 2026/27 fees available?
Not as of July 31, 2026 on the official Mendoza Aconcagua information page. Use the 2025/26 schedule only as a planning baseline.
Why does local assistance reduce the permit price?
Mendoza uses separate tariff categories for climbers documented through authorized providers. The system supports regulated local logistics, sanitation, waste handling and evacuation accountability.
Does assisted mean guided?
Not necessarily. A climber may buy authorized logistics without joining a fully guided team. Confirm the exact current-season qualification with the provider.
How long is the ascent permit valid?
The official Aconcagua page describes the ascent permit as valid for 20 days. That window must include acclimatization, weather delays and the complete exit.
Can a trekking permit be upgraded on the mountain?
Do not rely on an upgrade. A summit attempt requires the correct ascent permit, route and documentation before the climb.
Is evacuation insurance mandatory?
Ascents and long treks require qualifying evacuation and medical-assistance coverage under the current rules. Verify altitude, search, rescue and aerial-evacuation language.
Can I get a refund if weather stops the climb?
The official permit fees are nonrefundable. Review whether the named permit can be used in a later season and whether separate insurance covers the cause of cancellation.
Can I give my permit to another climber?
No. A nominated permit is tied to the named holder and is not transferable.
Is the permit included in a guided package?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Ask whether the published price includes the government permit, provider assistance, insurance and payment fees.
Sources and methodology
Every rate is labeled by schedule so a promotional price cannot be mistaken for a regular-season fee.
Primary sources used
- Mendoza Decree 2322/2025: final 2025/26 regular-season tariffs, activity framework, assisted and unassisted categories, insurance and operating rules.
- Mendoza Decree 1341/2025: authorization and prices for the 2025 advance sale.
- Official Mendoza advance-sale announcement: July 15–August 29 sale window, provider-only purchasing, payment conversion and insurance notice.
- Official Aconcagua information page: park season, permit types and validity, regulations and current decree links.
- Internal cluster review: the Aconcagua parent, operator comparison and full cost page were checked for contradictory permit figures and query ownership.
Confidence: high for the official 2025/26 figures; low for any unannounced 2026/27 price. Update trigger: publication of the next Mendoza decree or advance-sale notice. Editorial boundary: this page covers government permit costs and process; the separate cost guide owns the complete expedition budget.
Use the official fee—then build the real trip budget
The permit is only one line in an Aconcagua expedition. Once your route and assistance category are clear, add the operator, flights, equipment, insurance, tips and contingency that determine the actual cost.
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Global Summit Guide is an independent mountaineering resource founded in 2026. The team combines first-hand trekking and climbing experience with in-depth research and professional health and nutrition review to help climbers choose objectives, prepare properly, and stay safe.
Health, altitude, and nutrition content is reviewed by Taylor Ludlow (Registered Nurse) and Brigg Hoopes (Nutritionist).
What We Don't Know Yet
Mountain information changes quickly. This box explains the limits of what this page can responsibly promise.
- Permit availability, reservation windows, quotas, and official fee rules may change after this page is updated.
- Weather, snowpack, avalanche risk, road access, and route conditions can change quickly and may be different on your climbing dates.
- Route conditions, trailhead access, crevasse exposure, stream crossings, and rescue access may vary from published planning guidance.
- Total trip cost can change with flights, lodging, guide pricing, permits, gear rentals, transportation, and exchange rates.
- Comparisons simplify complex decisions; the better mountain depends on current conditions, skills, timing, budget, and risk tolerance.
Verify current conditions with official land managers, guide services, local forecasts, and current route reports before booking or climbing.
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Route conditions, weather, snowpack, permits, regulations, and hazards change constantly and may differ from what is described here. Details may be incomplete, out of date, or contain errors. Always verify current information with local authorities, certified guides, and official sources before making any decision in the mountains.
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