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Argentina
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Trekking at El Chalten
Located
in the Departament called Lago Argentino, El Chaltén is on the
northern margin of Lago Viedma, in the confluence of rivers De las Vueltas
and Fitz Roy, in the National Reserve "Zona Viedma" in Los Glaciares
National Park. This landscape combines the magic of glaciers, hidden lagoons,
estancias, Lake Viedma and the magnetic presence of Mount Fitz Roy. The
summit of its unmistakable majestic silhouette is almost always covered
in a cloud that the Tehuelche thought was smoke - a mistake that gave
origin to the name Chaltén, which means volcano. El Chaltén
is contiguous to Lake Viedma and its reserve, and has been declared National
Hiking Capital for the variety of activities performed by hikers and climbers.
Most outings start in town, and it is not necessary to be an expert to
follow the circuits if you walk on a current trail. The granitic towers
of mounts Torre and Fitz Roy compose a spectacular panorama together with
the Viedma glacier.
Day 1 - take
the bus from Calafate to El Chalten. You will be met upon arrival and
taken to the La Aldea Hotel.
Day 2 - breakfast. Full day hike to
a Patagonian classic: Mt Torre, famous for its beauty but also for its
difficulty to climb. Countless expeditions attempt every year to reach
the summit, but only a few succeed. After a 45 minutes climb you will
find an even area surrounding an old lagoon where vegetation is starting
to grow again. The trail enters a forest with a slight descent leading
to a lookout point facing the Cerro Torre range and the Adelas Mt. The
trail ends at the coast of Laguna Torre which offers a beautiful view
of Mt Torre surrounded by Egger, Standhard, spires and the Adelas range
as a backdrop together with the glacier Torre. Moderate hike of 7-8 hours.
Box lunch included.
Day
3 - breakfast. Then an amazing excursion which combines or encompasses
the quintessential of a Patagonian Experience. The excursion starts with
a morning navigation from Bahia Tunel (15 km from El Chalten) on board
the Huemul, a comfortable and safe 55-passenger boat. We navigate the
Viedma, close to the coast, to observe the Cerro Huemul and the Mascarelo
range. Arriving to Cape Horn (the Southeastern extreme of the Glacier)
we will enjoy a first-row view of the amazing Viedma Glacier and another
25 minute navigation will bring us to a natural pier to debark. Upon arrival
short hike (about an hour) to the glacier. The hike will be on a rocky
but smooth terrain. The place offers impressive views. Arrival to the
glacier (lateral moraine) and -weather and local conditions permitting-
we will get into the heart of the ice caves, under the huge mass of ice.
This will be a fulfilling experience but still more to come! We will be
don crampons and start a 2 hour hike on the Viedma glacier to observe
the ice formations and walk on top of the second largest glacier of Los
Glaciares NP. Upon return to the coast we embark again and return to Bahia
Tunel, a small sheltered and natural bay, a few meters away from the Delta
formed by the Tunel river. Return to El Chalten by car. Moderate, 7-8
hours. Box lunch included.
Day
4 - breakfast. Full day trek to Laguna Capri basecamp (Fitz Roy base
camp). After breakfast we will start a hike north towards Fitz Roy with
spectacular views of the massif ahead. Sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche
groups and believed to be a volcano, they called it "Chalten"
(exhaling fumes mountain). We reach Laguna Capri, where Mt Fitz Roy reflects
its image in its crystal clear waters. Stop en route for lunch and then
resume the hike to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three
glaciers drain into this greenish lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering
above. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Viedma and the endless Patagonia
steppe, matchless Fitz Roy and, if you continue down to the lake to the
natural balcony onto Laguna Sucia, the Saint Exupéry and Poincenot
spires. Although only 2 ½ km and a 400 m drop, this is a steep
upwards trail. 5-6 hours, moderate.
Day 5 - breakfast, then transfer to
the bus station to take the bus back to Calafate.
Price per person in US$ for 2008:
$599 double occupancy. Add $144 for single occupancy.
Includes: roundtrip bus tickets from
Calafate, transfer to and from hotel, 4 nights accommodation with breakfasts,
guided tours mentioned, including lunches
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