Highest peak in America (6,962 meters)

It is located in the Las Heras department, and is completely situated in the argentinian side of the Andes range. The Aconcagua is not a volcano but also a marine sediment long pedestal covered by a volcanic mass. It has in fact two summits: the highest with 6,962 meters (22,841 feet) is the northern summit. In the summer of 1897 the Swiss Mathias Zurbriggen reached for the first time the summit of the ´colossus’ of America. In order to protect the integrity of the place, it was created the Provincial Aconcagua Park in 1983, which includes also the andinistas cemetery. It is in charge of the Natural Resources Direction, whose main office bureau is in the General San Martin Park in Mendoza city. The reserve presents the typical characteristic of the central Andes mountain range: its dryness. As fauna of the place, the guanacos and foxes stand out among the mammals; cóndores, eagles,  among the most characteristic birds in the zone. Vegetal life is highly limited, it is just observed only near the water sources. A typical phenomenon which experience those that remain in the provincial Park during certain time and in certain conditions it is known as the puna, the disease of the central Andes. Puna disease not only includes the malaise by the height and the lack of oxygen, but also it has other symptoms, as you feel nauseous and get headache.
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Some places of interest

Cementery of andinistas: it is located to little distance from the Inca  bridge,  2 km outside the limits of the Aconcagua provincial park.

Plaza de mulas: it allows to accede to the normal route towards the summit, also the west wall, the Southeastern edge and Glacier of Polacos. In order to go to plaza de mulas from the inca bridge, the footpath marked in the valley Los Horcones must be taken, it has 35km length. It is recommended to become aclimated during two days in Confluence and Playa Ancha.

Plaza Francia: it allows the access to all the routes in the Southern side, it is the shortest route from the Inca bridge with just 25km, taking the same footpath from plaza de mulas.