The South Patagonian Ice Cap, third largest expanse of continental ice on earth, is exceeded in scale only by Antarctica and Greenland. Our exciting trekking adventure in the wilds of the southern Patagonia, has as its centre-piece a challenging traverse of this Ice Field.Following a visit to the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier we enter Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park, and spend ten days on a trekking and snow-shoeing circuit amid its glaciers and towering granite spires. Our trek (seven to nine days, depending upon climatic conditions) takes us up the Marconi Glacier and onto the Ice Field. We spend several days in this immense icy wilderness as we snow-shoe our way west and south across the white expanse and marvel at the rarely-seen west face of the Cerro Torre group as well as the Mariano Moreno and other ranges at the heart of the Ice Field to the west. Having completed our circuit, we return to Calafate. [Note: For this programme, experience in the use of crampons and snow-shoes is not a requirement. However, extreme weather conditions can make the going tough and previous experience of trekking and camping in winter conditions would be beneficial. Participants are required to carry their own back pack, so a good level of fitness is necessary.] Joining the tour On booking, you will be sent the following information: name and address of Calafate hotel, and time of rendezvous with guide. Itinerary details Note: If circumstances dictate, certain details, such as overnight stops, may vary from those shown in the day-by-day itinerary below.
Day 1
Join the tour in Calafate, capital of the province of Santa Cruz. You met up with your guide who will give a full tour briefing, and then take you out for a welcome dinner. (1 night basic hostel, dinner)
Day 2
This day is dedicated to observing close-up the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. Vast in scale (over four miles wide and 60 metres high at its face!), this almost surreal spectacle is set amid a labyrinthine system of iceberg-filled waterways, and backed by deciduous beech forests and snow peaks. Spectacular even by the exacting standards of the Los Glaciares National Park, this glacier also represents an anomaly: The Perito Moreno, unlike most other glaciers in the region, is still growing. Periodically its advancing edge reaches the near shore of the Brazo Sur iceberg channel, thus cutting it off and damming it up. The steadily-building water pressure forces a breach in the ice and eventually a huge volume of water bursts forth and surges through to Lake Argentino. Another feature of this glacier is the frequent, ear-splitting calving of its ice-bergs.
Day 3
Today we travel by public bus, first NW across rolling plains, then W through pre-Andean heath. Flanking the shore of the immense Lake Viedma, we approach the vertical peaks of the Andes which loom ahead. Our destination is Chalten, a small settlement on the floodplain of the Rio de Las Vueltas set amidst the magnificent surroundings of the Fitzroy group on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park. The park encloses 2300 square miles of forested mountains, the sheer spires of the Fitzroy and Cerro Torre groups, part of the ice field, glaciers and immense lakes. It is one of the great glacial regions of the world. (1 night basic hostel, breakfast and dinner)
On arrival Today we have the opportunity for initial exploration of the Los Glaciares National Park. We also receive briefings from our expert local guide on the ice field and other features of the programme, as well as use of the equipment to be employed during the traverse.
Day 4-10 [Note: There are spare 'buffer' days available in case we lose days due to poor weather. Note also that the estimate of daily hours walked provides a guide only]. A short bus journey takes us to the trail-head. From here we follow the Rio Electrico upstream through beech forest and camp, beyond Lago Electrico, at the base of the Marconi Glacier. (6 hours walking/300m ascent) On day two of our trek, we don crampons and rope up to trek up the Marconi Glacier to the Paso Marconi pass (1500m). From the pass we have impressive views over the wild heart of the ice field and the mountain massifs of the area. Tonight's camp is on the ice field. (7-8 hours/800m ascent) Today, using snow-shoes, we head southwards across the ice field to the Circo de los Altares, at the foot of the mythical West Face of the awesome granite and ice spire of Cerro Torre (3128m). Once again, we camp on the ice. (6 hours) [Another day - at least - is spent on the ice, possibly a side-trip from the Marconi Glacier or around Circo de los Altares.] We continue south towards the Laguna de los Esquies, eventually exiting from the ice field by way of the lateral morraine of the Viedma Glacier. If weather is poor, we continue for another two hours to the Paso del Viento hut. (7-9 hours) Trekking across the Paso del Viento, we enjoy spectacular panoramas over Laguna Toro. We flank the Rio Tunel Glacier and the Tunel river. Tonight we camp at the edge of the beech forest. (6-7 hours/400m ascent and 800m descent) (Total 6 nights camp, all meals) Day 10 We trek back to Chalten via the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. (5 hours) (1 night basic hostel and dinner) Days 11, 12 Spare days in case of bad weather during key days on the ice field. Should these buffer days not be required, we will utilise them to perform one or more classic treks in the area (e.g. Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre, viewpoints for Fitzroy and Cerro Torre). (3 nights basic hostel and breakfast) Day 13 We take a bus to Calafate, located on the shores of the huge, turquoise-blue Lake Argentino. Tour ends Calafate.
Check our Books and Maps section where you will find a range of literature to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
Practical information Small groups mean flexibility and informality. Please note that from your arrival in Chalten on day two of the itinerary until departing Chalten on day 12, an English-speaking guide will be on hand to provide information, offer advice and iron out any problems. At all other times you will be assisted by our local representatives. While trekking you will be accompanied by mountain guides. In towns we use clean, comfortable hostels. In Chalten, a lodge with dormitory-style accommodation is used. When camping we use two person mountain tents. On the ice field trek non-personal equipment is transported for us, but you are required to carry your own rucksack. You may be called upon to assist guides in meal preparation. Fitness and experience: To get the most out of this tour you should be in very good physical condition. It is not easy to grade the fitness level required for the trek, since this is a subjective matter. However, we have classified this trek as strenuous. We will walk approximately six to nine hours per day while carrying all our personal luggage and equipment. The trek involves several ascents and descents (some long and steep). It also involves long periods on snow and ice. Previous experience of hillwalking and camping in remote areas is recommended for this tour. While experience in winter walking and the use of crampons would be beneficial, it is not a requirement. Neither is the use of snow shoes. A grounding in the use of equipment is provided. Altitude: Not a major factor on this itinerary, since we do not go above 1600 metres. Nevertheless, the strong winds which periodically affect Patagonia during the summer months can make walking much more strenuous, particularly while on the ice field. Climate: [NB This itinerary takes place within southern Patagonia. Seasonal climate information below refers specifically to this zone]. May to October Autumn/winter. Cold and wet. Snow often lying on higher ground. Proximity of oceans means that temperatures rarely drop below zero at sea level. Short days. Not suitable for trekking.
November to April Spring/summer. Average high 14 degrees Celsius, average low 5 degrees Celsius at sea level. However, temperatures drop sharply with altitude gain, especially on the ice field. After dark, temperatures on the ice field drop well below zero. Typical feature of the climate here is strong westerly winds, which lower temperatures significantly. Weather changeable and localised. In general, the further west, the wetter and the further east, the drier. Rarely snow lying below 800 metres. Long days. Trekking season. Visas: British citizens visiting Argentina currently require no visa. You must have a passport valid for at least six months after the date of travel. Non-British passport holders should check their visa requirements with the Chilean and Argentinean Embassy. All requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. Vaccinations: Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for latest advice as requirements are subject to change. Personal expenses: We recommend you carry funds in US dollars cash (mixed denomination, unmarked and undamaged bank notes) and US dollar travellers cheques, which can be changed in larger towns and typically incur a 5% commission. Cash cards are also useful as ATM machines are available in Rio Gallegos and Calafate. Credit cards can be used in some restaurants and for obtaining cash in certain banks. The cost of the tour includes all meals while on the trek, but you will need money to cover: other meals, snacks and drinks (approximately the same price as Europe); any equipment hire; gifts; airport taxes ($25 international, $10 national); optional excursions; extra entrance fees; tips; laundry etc.
Flights: We can arrange your flight to Rio Gallegos at competitive rates through our ATOL-bonded agency. Approximate prices are shown on the Dates and Prices sheet sent with the brochure.
Insurance: Your insurance policy must cover you against medical expenses and repatriation. If you do not purchase insurance from us, please ensure it covers all activities you will be participating in. Please send us a copy of your policy as soon as possible after booking. Luggage & Equipment: You should bring a piece of lockable luggage (eg holdall or kit bag) to be left at the hostel in Chalten while trekking. For the main trek you will need to re-pack into a rucksack (80-90 litre) which you yourself will carry. For the ice field you will need: plastic boots or four-season leather boots suitable for step-in crampons, sleeping bag (-20 deg C), camping mat (if Therm-a rest style. Standard foam mat provided), gaiters, headlamp, thermal underwear, polar fleece jacket and pants, goretex-type jacket (with hood) and overpants/saloppettes, thin polypropelene gloves, mittens and goretex overmittens, balaclava, ski-poles, bandanna, good glacier sunglasses, head-torch.
Crampons, harness and snowshoes are provided, as is all non-personal trekking and camping equipment. Most of the above (eg plastic boots) can be hired in Chalten. Advise us as early as possible so that items can be reserved. (Please let us know if you'd like to be sent a comprehensive equipment list). Optional extensions: If you want to spend more time in South America, whether a high altitude train journey in Peru or Bolivia, a 5-9 day jungle expedition in Peru's Manu Reserve, or a spectacular trek in another part of the Andes, please get in touch. Facts and figures: Argentina
Population: 34.5 million, the vast majority of European origin. Important Middle-Eastern and Japanese minorities. About 15% of the population is mestizo. Of the 200 thousand Indians, many live in northern Patagonia.
Capital city: Buenos Aires, pop approx 11 million.
Geography: With 2.78 million square kilometres, Argentina is the second largest country in South America. Economy: GNP US$ 244 billion. Highest per capita income in South America. Wealth traditionally from farming, but today it accounts for only 6% of GNP. Over half of export earnings from farming and food processing. Surplus of oil, natural gas and hydroelectricity. |
