Outline Itinerary
Day 1Arrive El Calafate.
Free day. (hostal or hotel accommodation)
Calafate is a small town of some four thousand inhabitants. It was, for several decades, a tiny staging post for the wagons transporting wool between remote estancias (sheep stations) and the coast. It lies within a few hundred metres of the vast, turquoise lake Argentino and is today a gateway to the natural wonders of the Los Glaciares national park.
Options for today - apart from just taking it easy - include: A 3-hour trip to the Punta Gualichu cave paintings, located 10 km north of Calafate near the shore of Lake Argentino. A half day or full day trip to the Perito Moreno Glacier. A half-day or full-day horse ride with a local gaucho. A full-day trip from Puerto Banderas across Lake Agentino to the lake’s NW corner & into the northern iceberg channels. Here you get close to the Uppsala, Spegazzini & Oneli glaciers (please ask if you’d like more details).
Day 2 Today travel by public bus - about 4 ½ hours - across Patagonia's plains to Chalten. The journey takes you past the eastern shores of Lakes Argentino & Viedma, then, turning west, along the north shore of Lake Viedma with its opaque-blue glacial waters. As you approach a row of jagged peaks loom ahead. El Chalten - is a small settlement, set at the foot of the Fitzroy and Cerro Torre mountains. This is one of the great glacial regions of the world. (1 night hostal or hotel)
Day 3 Today the trek starts. This morning you follow the Rio Electrico through southern beech forest to the Los Troncos mountain refuge and camp site at Piedra del Fraile. Continue walking to the foot of the north face of Mount Fitzroy (3,441 metres) for a good view of the impressive Marconi Glacier, before returning to overnight at Piedra del Fraile camp. (1 night camping)
Day 4 Today's trek takes you to Poincenot base camp via the base of the Fitzroy group’s east face. This spectacular granite peak, named in honour of the captain of Charles Darwin’s ship, Beagle, reaches two miles into the sky and was first climbed in 1953 by Lionel Teray’s French expedition.
You follow the Rio Blanco valley to the Piedras Blancas lake where there is an impressive view of the hanging Piedras Blancas Glacier. In the afternoon, ascend a well-trodden frontal moraine to Laguna de Los Tres for a stunning view of Mount Fitzroy. From here descend to tonight’s camp, located at the edge of a small beech forest. Views of Fitzroy, Poincenot, Saint Exupery and the other summits of the Fitzroy group are awesome. (1 night camping)
Day 5 This morning head along the shore of Laguna Madre through the Hija Valley and on to Cerro Torre base camp. Cerro Torre (3,128 metres) is a sheer, needle-sharp mountain once rated un-climbable and first conquered after Everest. It is the central summit in a row of dramatic peaks topped by by ice mushrooms. In the afternoon you can trek to the old Maestri base camp along a moraine ridge on the northern side of Laguna Torre (source of the Fitzroy river) and overlooking the Torre Glacier. From here, weather permitting, you get superb views of Cerro Torre, Aguja Standhardt and Torre Egger. (2 nights camping)
Day 6 The Cerro Torre Glacier is the centrepiece of today's activities. Depending on weather conditions you will either do a circular walk on the glacier near the foot of the sheer 2,000 metre south wall of Cerro Torre, or stay at the face of the glacier doing some easy ice climbing. All necessary equipment (rope, harness, crampons, ice-axe) and expert guids provided. Return to camp in the afternoon.
Day 7 This morning trek south through a dense forest of southern beech. Emerging from the forest, you ascend some 700 metres to the ridge connecting the summits of the Pliegue Tumbado. The panorama of the Fitzroy group and the Rio Tunel Valley is breathtaking. From here descend to the Rio Tunel valley and camp for the next 2 nights; a piece of sheltered beech forest not far from Lago Toro. (2 nights camping)
Day 8 From camp you set off on a long and strenuous, but hugely rewarding, day hike to the Paso del Viento for stunning views - weather permitting - over the South Patagonian Ice Field. If the weather is clear you are offered views of the Upper Viedma Glacier and the Mariano Moreno Range at the heart of the ice cap.
Day 9 Today trek back to El Chalten via a broad green valley and thick beech forest. (hostal or hotel)
Day 10 Return to Calafate. (hostal or hotel)
Discover all the highlights of Patagonia’s national parks with our 15 day Patagonia Adventure or, for trekking enthusiasts, our Wilds of Patagonia trip.
Argentina also hosts the mighty Iguazu Falls. Check our group and tailor made options. And you can always contact the office with questions or for advice.
Included in price:
English speaking trek guide;
Mules or llamas for kit transport;
Cook and dining tent;
All group camping equipment;
All meals and water on trek;
Hotels and/or hostel accommodation;
Private transport to and from the trek.
Not included:
Travel insurance;
Sleeping bag
Items of a personal nature;
Optional trips; Tips.
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