We specialize in unique, small, customized trips designed around your schedule and goals! In fact, we limit all trips to 6 people. Enjoy a more personalized journey where you are an individual and not just part of a large group! Our fees go into your trip, not to support a huge office staff and expensive advertising! Every trip is finely tuned, based on experience and a passion for what we do, with dedication to details primary in our goal to create the adventure of a lifetime, one not to be forgotten quickly! We can custom design an itinerary for whatever your personal goals are, for a very fair price, and on your schedule! This is the essence of Adventures International!

All Adventures International guides maintain the highest professional standards in training and are knowledgeable in the local areas, customs and language. Most trips are led by Adventures International's Director Scott Woolums, who has over 18 years experience leading trekking and climbing expeditions around the world!

Call or send an e-mail for more details about us or for custom adventures information!

Dates: Sept. 1st and 14th, Nov. 10th, 2002; Jan. 4th and 18th, 2003.
Length: 8 day climb, 5 days on Safari for total of 14 Days
Land Cost: $4000
Included: All permits, ground transportation, airport transfers (Kilimanjaro Airport), hotels in Arusha, agency costs, American guide (both safari and climb), safari guide and driver, local Mt. guide, porters, all meals while on safari and climbing, all park fees, hut fees, and camping fees.
Not Included: Airfare to/from U.S., personal equipment, gifts, food in restaurants, tips, visas, departure taxes.

Aconcagua-Upper Vacas Normal Climb
The highest mountain in South America, Cerro Aconcagua rises up above the high plains of Argentina to the east and the Pacific Ocean and Argentina to the West. We will meet in Mendoza, Argentina, then drive to Puente Del Inca where we'll hire mules for the 25 mile, 3 day hike up the Vacas valley to base camp. This is the least traveled side of Aconcagua, but by far the most beautiful. From here we slowly make our way up to the summit by either traversing to the normal route at 20,000 feet or climbing straight up the Polish glacier, depending on our goals.

The Upper Vacas route is not a technical climb, demanding only carrying loads at high altitude. This is the best non-technical way up and by far the better choice if you want a quality experience, clear of the crowds and trash of the actual standard route which is on the opposite side of the mountain. The Vacas normal route is a good way to be part of the Polish glacier side of the mountain, definitely a few more people but still not nearly as crowded as the Horooones Standard Route. The Polish glacier is a difficult, moderately technical snow and ice climb.

Both of these routes offer a fantastic way to reach the summit at almost 23,000 ft. We are offering 10 departures into the very remote yet technically very easy Upper Vacas Valley. By far the best choice, yet least known route to the summit of Aconcagua! After the second day of the approach, we will not see anyone else till high camp at 20,000 Ft.
Dates: Dec. 14th, 21st, and 28th, 2002; Jan. 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2003, Feb. 1st and 8th, 2003.
Length: 20 Days
Land Cost: $3300
Included: Transfers, hotels (except Mendoza), local transportation, park fees, mules, food on the mountain, group climbing/camping equipment, and American guide.
Not Included: Restaurant food and airfare to/from Mendoza.

Considering climbing Aconcagua?

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR WHATEVER COMPANY YOU GO WITH!
Over the course of the last 12 years of leading over 40 trips to Aconcagua we have learned a lot, we'd like to pass some of this onto you, so you can make an educated decision as to who to go with. We have also seen a lot of other guide services doing things that are not the best, easiest, and safest ways to approach this seemingly casual mountain. If you choose not to go with Adventures International, we would be happy to recommend other companies that we know and have seen operate safely and run very good trips!

MOST IMPORTANT- HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ON YOUR TRIP?
A smaller number is critical for a better, more enjoyable, hassle/conflict free, and safer trip!

NUMBER OF DAYS TO HIGH CAMP?
We use a very minimum of 14 days, typically 15 days to the summit from Puente Del Inca. The reason that most groups and individuals that do not summit on Aconcagua is not because of bad weather, but because of just simply moving up the mountain too fast!

HOW MANY CAMPS ABOVE BASE CAMP?
We normally use 4 above Base Camp, which dramatically increases safety, and summit success because of better acclimatization! Most other groups including guided groups use only 2 camps above base camp, making for a much harder and less enjoyable trip (less successful!) While really saving no more time! This is especially critical if you are considering the polish glacier route, so to acclimatize better.

WHERE IS HIGH CAMP?
We use white rocks at a bit lower than 20,000 ft.. Not to high and not to low! Camp 2 on the Vacas side is too low! Its amazing how many guided groups go from here! Guaranteed over 15 hours out if you go this way! Check on this one, a very serious mistake that will dramatically decrease your summit chances!

USE OF A PULSE OXIMETER?
We use a very small pulse oximeter to check your blood oxygen saturation levels at every step of the way. These are small, very accurate medical instruments that basically give a digital readout of how you are acclimatizing. Adventures International is one of very few companies using these on all our high altitude trips! In our opinion every high altitude guide should have one to further help assure your safety, otherwise many altitude related decisions are just a guess!  If the company you are going with does not know what this is, keep looking!

NORMAL ROUTE VIA THE HOROCONES VALLEY?
Our advice is to not even think about the Horocones valley for ascent, extremely crowded, polluted water, and a not very aesthetic side of the mountain to spend over 2 weeks acclimatizing on. All our trips concentrate on the more remote yet just as easy, Vacas valley side.

AMERICAN OR LOCAL GUIDES?
We use all experienced, English speaking guides, from the USA. Many American companies contract out their trips to local agents, or cut costs with not as experienced local assistant guides. Local guides do many things quite different than you might expect, we have seen this many times! In most cases they are not up to USA guides technical standards and awareness levels concerning safety and the effects of altitude! Be careful here!

ALL OUR TRIPS START AND END IN MENDOZA! THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS FOR THIS, WHY?
-There are new park service regulations requiring all climbers to register for the climb in person, in Mendoza. Be leery of any service that is operating trips based in Santiago. Any trip beginning in Santiago is going to spend extra days on travel and not on the mountain.
-A shorter flight from the states, actually one less connection!
-Much less chance of baggage being lost on the way in and out of Santiago (one less flight), this has been a problem in the past into Mendoza!
-Save at least 2 days and many times 3 days overall, while still allowing the same number of days on the mountain (its your time)!
-chance to see the Argentina which is very beautiful and a lot of fun following the trip!

BEST LOCAL AGENTS?
-We use by far and away the best local company to handle our affairs to Aconcagua, this assures a very smooth trip with permits, mules, reservations and schedules.
-Many other companies cost less, use cheaper agents, then when you want to get out you have to wait for mules, or have trouble with Hotels, not fun!

EQUIPMENT AND FOOD
-Our group equipment is replaced usually every season!
-We use the lightest and best tents for the extreme winds Aconcagua can see! This is critical, we have seen lots of tents destroyed by the winds, including other guide services!
-We pack all our food in the USA so you can be assured of food that is safe and appetizing at any altitude
-We consider every detail to make your experience better, down to all titanium pots to save weight!