7 Day Fitzroy Trek

Amazon Adventures

Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

7 Day Fitzroy Trek

To complement any trekking trip on the Chilean side of Patagonia there is "Los Glaciares National Park" in Argentina. Los Glaciares is one of the most scenically impressive national parks in South America. This vast reserve protects around 2300 square miles of the Patagonian Andes, including over 40 major glaciers. The northern section of the park is dominated by the incredible, world-famous form of the Fitzroy Massif, with its sheer, 6000-foot rise from the glaciers at its base. There are numerous spectacular mountains rising above the immense Lago Viedma, including Fitzroy 3405m (11,072') , and Cerro Torre 3128m (10,280'). The latter is such a steep and difficult granite needle that its summit was not climbed until 1974.The southern section is one of the world's glacier wonderlands (40 percent of the park is covered by glaciers). About a dozen glaciers flow east to feed two huge lakes, Lago Viedma and Lago Argentino, and there are another 190 glaciers not connected to the park's giant South Patagonis Icefield. We will spend several days exploring and hiking through these places of outstanding beauty that have made of Patagonia a true hiker's paradise at the ends of the earth.

This 7 day trip in Los Glaciares N.P. has been designed as the perfect complement to our regular 5 or 7 day trip in Torres del Paine that both finish on Sunday, with direct connection from the Torres del Paine National Park to Argentina.

Note: - This trip can also be booked starting and ending at El Calafate in which case itinerary ends on day 6th at the airport in Calafate.

Day 1(Sun), Pto. Natales - Cerro Castillo - Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier
Leave early from Torres del Paine (clients not doing Torres del Paine with us start Sunday morning from Puerto Natales) and drive onwards Cerro Castillo border crossing where we meet the regular bus to El Calafate in Argentina (287 kms/180 miles). Arriving at Calafate we are transfered to the hotel. Calafate is a small place set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park amid dramatic scenery. In the evening (around 3PM) we take part in a guided excursion to the Perito Moreno glacier, a very active glacier on the south arm of Lago Argentino. The Perito Moreno Glacier, a 60m-high relic of the Ice Age, creates a unique geographic event approximately every three or four years. As it advances, it pushes out across the surface of the lake, cutting the lake into two separate sections. As water pressure builds up on one side over the years, the glacier eventually explodes open with a torrent of water and a fury of calving icebergs. Although this spectacular event no longer occurs as cyclically as it did during the past 50 years, the Moreno Glacier is constantly moving, calving, crackling an incredible sight and sound at any time. Later we return to Calafate for overnight in the Hotel Libertador, Lar Aike or similar.

Day 2: Calafate - El Chalten - Fitzroy
Early breakfast and continue with the regular bus from Calafate to Chalten (220 kms/138 miles). We drive on isolated dirt roads across the pampas and along the northern end of Lago Viedma and reach the settlement of El Chalten, a tiny outpost beside Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and on foot of the impressive mount Fitzroy. Time permitting, we will do a walk by river Electrico side trail with some of the most beautiful Lenga forest of Patagonia. Overnight at Hosteria in Chalten. (B).

Day 3-4: Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
We will have the next three days to explore the park. We shall undertake two main walks into the nearby mountains. One may take us to the Fitzroy Base Camp (about 6-7 hours) and the other in the direction of Cerro Torre (6-7 hours), but this will depend on weather conditions at the time. Most of these hikes are on well established trails so that shorter options are often available. While hiking in the park, the trails will take us to places as Laguna Torre, the base camp of Cerro Torre climbs; Laguna Capri and Laguna Madre, Laguna de los Tres, directly in front of Fitzroy and Piedras Blancas. The scale of the scenery, with it's jagged peaks and glimpses of glaciers suspended between them makes these walks extremely rewarding. (B, L-)

Day 5: Fitzroy - Calafate
After the last morning hike guiding in the Fitzroy area, we are transfered to Chalten's bus terminal on time to board the regular bus back to Calafate. Overnight in Calafate at Hostal Libertador, Lar Aike or similar. (B)

Day 6: Calafate - Puerto Natales
We take the early morning regular bus to Puerto Natales (5 hours). Arrive around 1PM with enough time to visit the town. Overnight in hotel Aquaterra, Francis Drake or similar. (B)

Day 7: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas
Transfer from your hotel in Puerto Natales to the bus station and board the regular bus that will leave you at Punta Arenas' airport on time for your departure flight. (B)

Included:
- 3 nights Hosteria or Hotel at El Chaltén, B&B W/private bathroom.
- 2n Hotel in Calafate B&B w/private bathroom.
- Domestic bus: P.Natales/Calafate/ P.Arenas and Calafate/Chaltén/Calafate;.
- Perito Moreno regular Exc. SIB .
- Park Fees
- Piedra del Fraile Entrance Fee
- 1 bilingual trekking guides each 8 pers at Chalten.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, L-=boxLunch, D=dinner

Group Size & Guiding Staff
8-12 clients most typical group size plus staff. Maximum is 20 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1/8

Fixed Departures
The trip starts every Sunday morning from Puerto Natales or from Torres del Paine for clients finishing a 5 or 7 day trip with us. (minimum of 2 people) Season starts for this program on October 1st to April 15th .

2007-2008 Price in US$:
Superior Option:- 2 people: 1,216 SGL SUPPL: 230
Standard Option:- 2 people: 1,082. SGL SUPPL: 180

Physical Demands
This trip, rated moderate, is recommended for people in good physical condition in the habit of walking long distances and camping outdoors. All passengers over 65 years old are requested to send ahead a medical examination that states that they are able to safely accomplish moderate hiking.

What you need to bring
Day backpack (10lt), mountain backpack or duffel bag (70 liters), waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka & pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear.

The climate
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, the strong marine influence makes the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 120 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summers average temperature is 11ºC/ 52ºF (24 ºC max, 2ºC min).