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Frequently Asked Questions 

Useful Information

To help you choose and prepare for our activities, we described the Level of Difficulty that corresponds to the physical effort, and technical skills required:

Physical Training Difficulty:
Moderate: Main Trails along the National Park, with distances between 5 and 18 km distance, and elevation gain lower than 500m.
Intermediate: Could involve some terrain off-trail and steep screes. Distances between 10 and 20 km, elevation gain between 500 and 1000m
Difficult: Semi-technical Alpine terrain, could involve steep screes, scrambling, moraines, glaciers, snow, etc. Elevation gain 1000m or more.
Very Difficult: Technical Alpine Terrain; could involve rock climbing, Ice Climbing or Ski Touring. Elevation gain 1000-1500m or more.
Technical Skills:
No experience required
Trekking experience required: previous backpacking 2 to 3 days.
Winter experience required: backpacking in winter conditions 3 to 4 days.
Glacier experience required: technical use of crampons and ice axe.
Climbing experience required: Alpine ascents on multi-pitch routes; rock or ice climbing. (Or both)
Ski touring experience required: Backcountry ski descents & skinning uphill. Use of beacon, probe & shovel.
Daily programs do not include packed lunch (you can requested with an additional cost) All our multi-day programs (ascents, trekking, expeditions) include the Expedition meals as detailed below. (You could bring some of your personal snacks as well)

EXPEDITION MEALS

Breakfast Pack lunch Snack Dinner
• Coffee, Tea, milk, sugar, etc. • Muesli (cereals)
• Cookies

• Cereal bar
• Trail mix
• Chocolate bar
• Alfajor (sweet)
• Bread or crackers
• Assorted cheeses and cold meats

• Peanuts
• Crackers
• Olives, etc.

• Instant Soup •Main dish: Pasta, risotto or stew. (In some cases, could be dehydrated or freeze dry meals)
• Dessert: Chocolate bonbons- Herbal tea



The combination and choices of the menu depend on each program.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have a special diet, you must inform us on the booking form, so we can be prepared in advance in order to satisfy your needs (Celiac, Vegetarian, Hypertensive, Specific allergies, etc.)
For a reference of the estimated weight you will be carrying in your backpack, according to the activity you choose, you can use the next chart:


Hiking 1 day 5-7 kg
Trekking 4-6 days 15-20 kg
Mountain Ascents & Alpine Climbs 3 days 18-24 kg
Ice Field Expeditions 8 days: 25-28 kg
Ski Touring 1 day 15-16 kg
a. Hiking: 1 Guide / 12 Clients
b. Trekking: 1 Guide / 8 Clients
c. Mountain Ascents: 1 Guide / 2-3 Clients
d. Rock Climbing Half day: 1 Guide / 4 Clients
e. Rock Climbing Full day: 1 Guide / 2 Clients
f. Expeditions: 1 Guide / 6 Clients
g. Ski Touring: 1 Guide / 4 Clients
Unlike many cities in Argentina that are located on the high Andes mountain range, the city of El Chaltén is located only at 430m/a/s/l.
At the same time, most of the activities in the vicinity of El Chaltén (hiking, trekking, expeditions) do not exceed 2000m, where the great majority of people will not suffer any altitude problems.
On Alpine Climbs a max. of 2574m can be achieved in the summits of Guillaumet, or 2900m in the Summit of Gorra Blanca

Yes, definitely! We are specialized on Custom Trips, and we can provide also the following services: Transportation, Lodging, Expedition Meals, Porters.

We also provide services for Travel Companies, Photographers and Private Groups.

El Chaltén has a Police and Fire Station.

Accidents in the mountains are take care by the Park Rangers from Los Glaciares National Park, and a Volunteer Rescue Service from the “Centro Andino El Chaltén”.

Our guides maintain communication with VHF radios or Satellite Phone to call for a rescue in case of an emergency in the mountains.. Although our guides have been trained to provide first aid, you must be aware that there are NO Helicopters in the area, and any rescue could take several hours-days in order to reach a proper hospital.

For more information: https://www.centroandinoelchalten.org/comision-de-auxilio/

Carrying out the proposed activity will depend in great measure on the climatic factors and conditions of the terrain. The weather in this area is very unstable and unpredictable. Any proposed Itinerary can be modified and should be considered only as a guide.

External factors such us the conditions of the terrain and weather conditions could modify the original plan, and your Guide will have the criteria to change the program if he considers is necessary.

There is Mobile service in the Village, and Wi-Fi in most Hotels; but consider that communications are limited due to a slow satellite connection.

The equipment required will depend on the activity choose. You can check the List of Personal Equipment on every detailed Program.

In all cases, you can rent some of these Gear in Town:
Sleeping bags, Mountaineering boots, etc. are available in El Chaltén.
Book early for best availability.

From Other Countries: You must take a flight to Buenos Aires City, and from there, make your flight connection to El Calafate Airport. Note that the City of Buenos Aires has 2 different Airports: Ezeiza (Ministro Pistarini) and Aeroparque (Jorge Newbery).

From El Calafate Airport: You can take a minibus service from the Airport to El Chaltén. (3hs drive). Check the schedule at the Airport.

From El Calafate Village: There are several bus companies that depart from the Bus Station of El Calafate, and usually have 3 daily frequencies: 8am-1pm-6pm in the high season. The travel time is 3hs.

With a Rental Car from El Calafate: Distance from el Calafate is 210km on a paved road: 30km on RP 11, detour to RN 40. About half way driving you´ll find the “Cafeteria La Leona” for a short brake, then continue north until you reach the detour on RP 23 and continue to El Chaltén the last 90km.

NOTE: It is important - and above all in the high season: November to March – Make your reservations well in advance!

In El Chaltén you will find a good variety on accommodation, gastronomic services and various services such as laundry, equipment rental, transportation, etc. The rates vary every year, but to give you an idea, the following are some references:

Restaurants
Large Pizza: U$S 16
Sandwich Ham & Cheese: U$S 6
Beef Steak with Potatoes or Salad: US$ 20
Gourmet Food Dish: (Patagonian Lamb, pastas, etc.): U$S 20-25
Soft drinks (330ml): U$S 4
Beer (300ml): U$S 6-7
Bottle of Wine : U$S 15-20

Accommodation:
Camping: U$S 10-12
Hostel ( Shared dormitories): U$S 15-20/person
Hotel 2 *: U$S 80-100 Double room. With private bathroom and breakfast.
Hotel 3 *: U$S 120-180 Double room. With private bathroom and breakfast.
Hotel 4 *: U$S 200-250 Double room. With private bathroom and breakfast.
Cabins and Apartments: U $ S 100-150 (2-4 people).

NOTE: It is very important in the high season, November to March, to make your reservations well in advance!
Various :
Rental for Sleeping bag and mattress: U$S 10/night
Rental for double Tent: U $ S 12-14 / night
Propane gas for a stove ( 230gr): US $ 10 each
Laundry: U$S 7-8



Yes, there are two Red Link ATMs. One is at the bus Station and another at the “Banco Nación”, located at the entrance of the village. ( Note that only the Banco Nación Works for International cards with chip)

In the High season, they run out of money often, due to a high demand of cash, and only a few shops accept Credit or Debit Cards.

It´s highly recommended to bring enough cash for your expenses. ( Pesos, Euros or Dollars will be accepted)

El Chaltén has a very low rate of robbery and criminality.

Being a small town and having only one vehicular access, it’s a place to enjoy the tranquility. However, it is advisable to take care of your personal belongings and money, especially if you are staying in Camping’s or Hostels, where common spaces are shared with other people.

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Eduardo Brenner 88 (9301)
El Chaltén, Santa Cruz, Argentina
Phone: +54 9 2966 60-7070
Email: info@mount-patagonia.com

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Trekking El Chalten Patagonia
Trekking El Chalten Patagonia