GLACIERS TRAIL WITH GUIDE

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6 days / 5 nights
Difficulty: Moderate
From October 20th to March 31st
Booking Code: T - FRE 22

OVERVIEW

This program takes us through the stages of the Glaciers Trail.

For six days we’ll hike the trails that line the glaciers of the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre ranges to the Glaciar Cagliero. At the end of the program, we will navigate the Lago del Desierto and hike to the border between Argentina and Chile.

You will enjoy full-service camps, which have all the facilities to make your stay comfortable. They are attended by professionals, who are in charge of preparing the food and offering you exceptional service, friendly treatment and all care with a smile.

ITINERARY

Day 1: EL CHALTÉN – LAGUNA TORRE – THORWOOD CAMP

We start at 8 am., picking you up at your hotel. From El Chaltén we will take the Laguna Torre trail. We will walk through the Fitz Roy River valley, and its meandering watercourse in the background, framed by the singular Cerro Solo, the Adela range and the impressive Cerro Torre.

After crossing the entire valley, we arrive at our camp where we can take a break and then continue on our way to the Laguna Torre moraine, where we will enjoy box lunch.

Then we will return to Thorwood Camp, where we will spend the night. The staff will be waiting for us to enjoy a delicious dinner and then we will rest in bedroom tents.

Hiking time: 4:00 hrs.

Distance: 9 km

Elevation gain: 250 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy, sleeping bag & insulating mat)

Day 2: THORWOOD CAMP – LAGUNA DE LOS TRES – POINCENOT CAMP

After breakfast we will continue our hike to Poincenot camp. On our way we will skirt the Lagunas Madre e Hija, a trail of great beauty and incredible panoramic points.

After 3 hours hike we arrive at the camp, where we will take a break and then start the ascent to the Laguna de los Tres, the viewpoint of the entire Fitz Roy range and emblematic hike of the area. After an hour of contemplation where we will taste the box lunch, we descend to our camp to enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Hiking time: 7:00 hrs.

Distance: 10 km

Elevation gain: 650 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy, sleeping bag & insulating mat)

Day 3:  POINCENOT CAMP – PIEDRA DEL FRAILE CAMP

From Poincenot camp we will start our hike bordering the west side of the Río Blanco. We will cross in front of the Glaciar Piedras Blancas and continue on our way to our new camping site: Piedra del Fraile.

After settling down and resting our guide will take us an hour more hike to see the Glaciar Pollone and the impressive views of Cerro Fitz Roy. Then, we will return to the camp to taste dinner and rest.

Hiking time: 4:00 hrs.

Distance: 10 km

Elevation gain: 0 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy, sleeping bag & insulating mat)

Day 4:  PIEDRA DEL FRAILE CAMP – REFUGIO LAGUNA CÓNDOR

After breakfast we begin to go down following the Río Eléctrico until the bridge over Route 41. Here our transportation will be waiting for us to take us to the Refugio Laguna Cóndor where we will stay for two nights, in cabins equipped with private bathroom.

We can rest and recharge, enjoying the comforts of the place: use of the Hot Tube or bike rides. Finally, we can taste a three-step dinner and then rest.

Hiking time: 3:00 hrs.

Distance: 7 km

Elevation gain: 0 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabin with private bathroom (double occupancy)

Day 5:  ICE TREK GLACIAR CAGLIERO

The activity starts at 8.30 am. We move in our vehicle to the Reserva Los Huemules. Here, we get into fascinating Lengas forests within a private reserve and away from the busiest trails. We will enjoy the unusual view of Fitz Roy, its northern wall. We continue skirting the Laguna del Diablo through a natural but irregular terrain until we reach the beginning of the Via Ferrata.

As the meters pass, the crossing becomes more and more entertaining, transforming this part of the activity into an excursion in itself and the views will improve as we gain altitude. Approximately 1.30 hours will take us to the Glacier viewpoint.

From the viewpoint a short walk will take us to the front of the glacier and to the “Vivac Cagliero”, our base armed with domes. Here the guides equip us with crampons to start the walk on the glacier proper.

In the afternoon we return to the Vivac Cagliero. We will enjoy nature and the beautiful view while having a hot dink. Then, we begin with the descent by a Tibetan bridge to the Río Diablo and from there to the entrance of the Reserva Los Huemules where our vehicle will be waiting for us (6:00 pm approximately), to drive us back to Refugio Laguna Cóndor. We will enjoy a delicious dinner and rest.

Hiking time: 9:00 hrs.

Distance: 14 km

Elevation gain: 550 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabin with private bathroom (double occupancy)

Day 6:  REFUGIO LAGUNA CÓNDOR – ARGENTINA & CHILE BORDER – EL CHALTÉN

Around 08:30 am we will be driven to the southern extreme of Lago del Desierto, where an awaiting boat will depart to navigate to the other side of the lake. After an hour, we will disembark at the northern extreme, where we will carry out customs procedures.

Then we begin an uphill hike to the historical landmark, bordering point between Argentina and Chile. The hike lasts 2 and a half hours and 6 km away. Once at the landmark, we will enjoy lunch and then return to the northern extreme of Lago del Desierto.

At 5:00 pm. we have the boat back to the southern extreme where a vehicle will be waiting to take us back to El Chaltén. End of services.

Hiking time: 5:00 hrs.

Distance: 10 km

Elevation gain: 150 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch

Accommodation: Not included

Note:

The hiking times, distances and elevation gains are tentative.

Remember that each person will have to carry their own personal equipment, box lunch and water during all the program route.

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INCLUDED

  • Mountain guide
  • All transportation specified in the itinerary
  • One night at Thorwood Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy, sleeping bag & insulating mat)
  • One night at Poincenot Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy, sleeping bag & insulating mat)
  • One night at Piedra del Fraile Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy, sleeping bag & insulating mat)
  • Two nights at Refugio Laguna Cóndor, cabin with private bathroom (double occupancy)
  • Ice trek Glaciar Cagliero excursion (Mountain Guide / Reserva Los Huemules entrance fee)
  • Technical equipment for the activity (crampons, harnesses, helmets, etc.)
  • Lago del Desierto navigation (round trip)
  • Meals specified in the itinerary
  • Communication

NOT INCLUDED

  • Box lunch (day 1)
  • Personal equipment
  • All the services that are not specified in this program

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

  • A backpack of 60 liters capacity
  • Water-proof trekking boots
  • Synthetic mountain stockings (2 or 3 pairs)
  • Strong fleece pants, trekking or other synthetic material
  • Waterproof trousers with side closures (we recommend Gore-tex)
  • Two or three synthetic polypropylene shirts
  • Polar fleece jacket
  • Duvet or synthetic jacket for warmth when not hiking
  • Waterproof Shell jacket with hood (we recommend Gore-tex)
  • Polar fiber cap
  • Glacier sun glasses with UV filter for high solar radiation
  • One sun cap
  • One pair of polar gloves
  • Plastic bottle (if possible, wide mouth, Nalgene type)
  • Headlamp (with replacement batteries)
  • Multi-purpose penknife
  • Sunscreen cream (SPF 50)
  • Lipstick with sunscreen (SPF 50)
  • Personal first aid kit with personal medicines
  • Wide adhesive tape for blisters
  • Hygiene items reduced to the minimum necessary
  • Photographic equipment
  • One pair of trekking or ski poles (optional)

Booking Code: T – FRE 22