Climbing Expeditions - South America
The Andes - The Highest Mountain Range in the Western Hemisphere
The Andes, more than any other range outside the United States, are AAI's specialty. The Institute has operated continuously in South America since 1977, longer than any other guide service, and over the years AAI guides and clients have pioneered scores of new routes and first ascents. Like our programs throughout the world, many of our South American expeditions are designed to build skills and provide experiences that shape our clients into capable and self-sufficient climbers.
Climbing Expeditions - South America
The Andes - The Highest Mountain Range in the Western Hemisphere
A group of AAI climbers attempt Cayembe to put the information learned during instruction into practice.With two days of skills instruction, those with little technical climbing experience have the opportunity to ascend Cayambe (18,997 ft) and Cotopaxi (19,348 ft) by way of classic snow and ice routes.
- Location:Ecuadorian Andes
- Season:November - March, May - July
- Length:10 days, or 14 with Chimborazo extension
- Cost:$3690 or $5040 with Chimborazo extension
Chimborazo rises up from the Ecuadorian plains. AAI CollectionThis program offers you an opportunity to climb Chimborazo (20,703 ft / 6310 m), the highest peak in Ecuador and one of the great climbing goals for alpinists in the Andes. With glacier climbing skills and thorough acclimatization, you'll enjoy the experience of a small expedition on an immense and majestic peak.
- Location:Ecuadorian Andes
- Season:November - March, May - July
- Length:4 days following an Ecuador Skills Expedition (14 days total)
- Cost:$1350 ($5040 total for the 14-day program)
Nearing the summit on Antisana with Cayambe in the distance. Dylan TaylorThis expedition is an excellent choice for intermediate climbers wishing to apply their skills to moderately challenging high altitude routes on peaks that are often admired and seldom climbed.
- Location:Ecuadorian Andes
- Season:October - February
- Length:10 days, or 15 with Chimborazo extension
- Cost:Private Pricing
The expansive ice fields of Patagonia. Merlin LipshitzThe immense ice cap of southern Patagonia remains one of the least explored mountain areas in the world. The goal of this expedition is to traverse an eastern portion of the southern Patagonia Ice Cap then ascend Gorra Blanca in the process.
- Location:Patagonia (Argentina/Chile)
- Season:September-March
- Length:8-days
- Cost:Starting at $3950
Climbers enjoying the fantastic views during their Gorra Blanca Expedition. Merlin LipshitzA beautiful mountain on the eastern edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, an expedition to Gorra Blanca (9,514ft/2900m) provides some of the most fantastic views in the world of the third largest ice sheet on the planet.
- Location:Patagonia (Argentina/Chile)
- Season:September - March
- Length:5-Days
- Cost:Starting at $3950 for one climber; ratio pricing for additional climbers
Aconcagua's Polish Glacier descends from the summit diagonally right. Andy BourneStanding at a height of 22,842 feet (6962 meters), Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas and the second highest of the Seven Summits. AAI offers both non-technical and technical climbing routes to the summit that avoid the most heavily used camps, preserving some of the wilderness experience of this massive peak.
- Location:Argentine Andes
- Season:December - February
- Length:21 days
- Cost:Call for Details
Expedition camp on Toqllaraju. Andrew WexlerAscents of Nevado Urus Este (17,783 ft.), Ishinca (18,143 ft.), Toqllaraju (19,790 ft.) plus review of alpine climbing and glacier travel skills.
- Location:Cordillera Blanca, Peru
- Season:May - August
- Length:14 days or 20 days w/6 day extension for Chopicalqui
- Cost:$3590, or $4790 with Chopicalqui extension
On the summit of Chopicalqui. Many consider this to be the best view in the Cordillera Blanca. Andrew WexlerAscent of Chopicalqui (20,847 ft.) via the classic Southwest Ridge. Participation in Peru - Toqllaraju Sklls Expedition is required for thorough acclimatization.
- Location:Cordillera Blanca, Peru
- Season:May - August
- Length:6 days (not including acclimatization period)
- Cost:from $1390
Evening at our 15,000' high camp on Pisco Oeste. Bill PearsonAfter acclimatizing during an ascent of Pisco Oeste (18,871 ft), teams attempt Nevado Huascaran (22,205 ft), the highest peak in Peru and one of the most imposing summits in the world.
- Location:Cordillera Blanca, Peru
- Season:June - July
- Length:14 days
- Cost:$5690 (2 or more climbers); $8625 (1:1)
Alpamayo (left) and Artesonraju (right) from the summit of Pisco. Marco GabbinClimb Pisco (18,870') and the classic Southeast Face of Artesonraju (19,768') in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru.
- Location:Cordillera Blanca, Peru
- Season:July - August
- Length:17 days
- Cost:Contact AAI for details
Alpamayo with the North Ridge of the left skyline and the Southwest Face which we climb on the right. Leigh Ortenburger.The goal of this expedition is to climb the Southwest Face of Alpamayo (19,411ft), one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, rising several thousand feet from the valleys below in a near-perfect pyramid of snow and ice.
- Location:Cordillera Blanca, Peru
- Season:June - August
- Length:16 Days
- Cost:$5700 (2 or more climbers); $7740 (1:1)
View from a Bolivia II camp in the Condoriri Lake District. Cerro Condoriri is in the distance and its West Wing is to its left in the center of the photo. Miles NewbyThe high peaks of Bolivia's Cordillera Real offer some of the most spectacular alpine climbing in the world. Join AAI for just the first part of this skill-building expedition, or use it to prepare and acclimatize for the Illimani Expedition.
- Location:Cordillera Real, Bolivia
- Season:May - September
- Length:17 days or 10 days without acclimatization trek
- Cost:Starting at $3140
Climbers just above the 20,000-foot level of Illimani with the lower, north summit in the distance. Andrew WexlerIllimani is the highest peak in the Cordillera Real. It is a massive mountain with three summits over 20,000 feet and with a profile visible from hundreds of miles out on the altiplano to the west and from far out into the Amazon Basin on the east.
- Location:Cordillera Real, Bolivia
- Season:May - September
- Length:22 days or 5 days without prep programs
- Cost:$1330
Ancohuma (21,095 ft) rises dramatically above the altiplano. Mike McWherterAncohuma (21,095 ft) and Illampu (20,873 ft) constitute two of the best alpine climbs on the continent and because of their remoteness and technical quality, they are among the least often attempted of South American classic routes.
- Location:Cordillera Real, Bolivia
- Season:July - August
- Length:18 days
- Cost:Please call for details
The routes we climb are at basic and intermediate levels, but the peaks around us are among the most challenging in the world. Dunham GoodingThoroughly explore the Cerro Torre and Fitzroy massifs, view exotic wildlife from lakeside camps, climb to Marconi Pass, explore Glacier Torre, and ascend Cerro Marconi Norte and Cerro Velluda.
- Location:Southern Argentine Patagonia
- Season:November - February
- Length:13 days
- Cost:$4240
El Altar. Michael PowersAn exotic, remote expedition goal, El Altar (17,930 ft) is one of the most technically demanding peaks of the northern Andes and its nine distinct summits have seldom been climbed.
- Location:Ecuadorian Andes
- Season:November - February, May - June
- Length:15 Days
- Cost:$4200 (4:2); $4660 (3:2); $4980 (2:1); $7660 (1:1)
Program Finder