HELSINGFORS TO ESTANCIA CRISTINA TRAIL

This is undoubtedly an expedition to the heart of wild Patagonia. For six days we will walk joining two of the oldest Estancias in the area. Glaciers, forests, lakes, rivers and impressive mountains will leave us a memory for a lifetime. We will cross little marked trails; high passes in the mountains; rivers and wetlands that will make these days a true Adventure.

Day 1: EL CHALTÉN – ESTANCIA HELSINGFORS

During the morning, a private transportation will pick us up at our hotel to begin a scenic journey through the steppe to the La Leona Parador, then we will skirt the southern side of Lake Viedma, until we reach Estancia Helsingfors. Along the way we will have unusual views of Cerro Fitz Roy, in the distance.

Once in Estancia Helsingfors we will meet the hotel staff, and we will check in rooms with private bathrooms, decorated and set with exquisite taste.

In the afternoon we can relax around a spacious fireplace in the living room and enjoy a drink at the bar.

At the end of the day, a selection of Argentine wines accompanies the delights of sophisticated regional cuisine.

Meals: Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Room with private bathroom (double occupancy)

Day 2:  ESTANCIA HELSINGFORS – SENO MOYANO CAMP

After breakfast, we will leave Estancia Helsingfors and start our hike, through completely inhospitable region. We will walk to Seno Moyano. After setting up our camp with the assistance of the guide, we can rest.

Hiking time: 7:00 hrs.

Distance: 10 km

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy)

Day 3:  SENO MOYANO CAMP – PASO MOYANO CAMP

We will continue our tour trekking between the most incredible landscapes, full of greens and bushes. Once in the valley, we will see the most incredible views of Cerro Norte.

This is the most difficult day since the trail is not marked and we will cross two elevation steps. We will continue walking until we reach our camping site, located approximately 200 meters after the moraine. We will set up camp to then taste dinner and rest.

Hiking time: 8:00 hrs.

Distance: 15 km

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy)

Day 4:  PASO MOYANO CAMP – MORENA CERRO NORTE

After breakfast, we will cross a small pass, through the North River Canyon, with some viewpoints of Anita and Pearson lakes. Halfway we will make a stop to eat the box lunch. We will continue until we reach our camping site near Río Norte. We set up tents and rest.

Hiking time: 7:00 hrs.

Distance: 9 km

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy)

Day 5:  MORENA CERRO NORTE – REFUGIO LAGO ANITA – ESTANCIA CRISTINA

After breakfast we start the shortest day of our trek, just a few hours of walking down by the valley will take us to Lago Anita. Here a 4×4 vehicle will transport us to Estancia Cristina, an authentic place in Patagonia, with a lot of history.

We will accommodate and start planning our activities for the next day. We will taste a delicious dinner and rest.

Hiking time: 5:00 hrs.

Distance: 6 km

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Room with private bathroom (double occupancy)

Day 6:  ESTANCIA CRISTINA – CAÑADÓN DE LOS FÓSILES HIKE – EL CALAFATE

In the morning, our specialized drivers will pick us up in their 4×4 vehicles, to follow the route through the Feruglio Mountains, towards the Upsala Glacier lookout, views of the Lago Guillermo and the eastern side of the Glaciar Upsala, as well as the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

Once there, we will start a 14 km hike through Fossil Canyon. The fascinating Cañadón de los Fósiles – which is around 170 million years old – has been named so for its immense concentration of marine fossils, imprints of squid and jellyfish among them, left behind after the last ice age. We can observe a kaleidoscope of colors across this terrain, the canyon’s walls rising beside us as we make a gradual descent until reaching a ravine at the edge of the valley. Along the way, we’ll stop and tuck into our box lunches, before leaving the canyon behind, having explored it fully, then arriving back at the estancia.

Finally, we will navigate by the north arm of Lago Argentino to reach Puerto Bandera, where a vehicle will be waiting for us to take us to your hotel in El Calafate city. End of services.

Hiking time: 7:00 hrs.

Distance: 14 km

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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• Mountain guide
• All transportation specified in the itinerary
• One lodging night at Estancia Helsingfors (double occupancy room with private bathroom)
• Technical and camping equipment for the activity
• Three camping nights (double tent)
• One lodging night at Estancia Cristina (double occupancy room with private bathroom)
• Cañadón de los Fósiles hike excursion
• Lago Argentino navigation, from Estancia Cristina to Punta Bandera
• Meals specified in the itinerary
• Communication

• Box Lunch (day 1)
• Personal equipment
• Sleeping bag and insulating mat
• Lodging at El Calafate city
• All the services that are not specified in this program

• A backpack of 70 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)
• Sleeping bag
• Insulating mat
• Mug, bowl, knife, spoon & fork

Booking Code: T – FRE 23