South Patagonia
7 Days
Training Required
Backpacking Exp. Required
Basecamps Trek in El Chaltén offers an immersive trekking experience, allowing adventurers to explore multiple base camps in the stunning Patagonian wilderness.
2 Nights Lodging
4 Nights in Tents
2-8 People
per guide
Vigorous. Must be physically fit.
October to March
Bus Transportation from Calafate Airport to El Chaltén. Briefing with your guide about details of the program. Gear check. Lodging at El Chaltén. No meals included.
We start hiking towards Fitz Roy base camp, along the Rio Blanco valley. We pass by the front of Piedras Blancas Glacier and then by the Rio Blanco campsite. We will hike up from here to Laguna de los Tres (1200m/a/s/l). This viewpoint has the closest and best panoramic view of Fitz Roy. From here, we descend to Poincenot campsite (750m/a/s/l), where we will spend the night. This hike has an elevation gain of 700 meters and will take approx. 7-8 hours. (B, L, D).
Poincenot campsite is a good spot to take pictures of Fitz Roy during sunrise. After breakfast, we will leave for our hike to Laguna Torre, passing by Lagunas Madre and Hija. The hike to Laguna Torre is about 3 hours and a wonderful place for lunch. If the weather allows, we will continue to Mirador Maestri, the main viewpoint of the mythical Cerro Torre and Glacier Grande. Afterwards, we’ll return to our camp at “De Agostini” to spend the night. This hike takes 5 to 6 hours and has an elevation gain of 300-400m. (B, L, D).
From “De Agostini” campsite we walk about 15 minutes to the origin of Fitz Roy river. We use a zip-line and harnesses to get across the river. Then we start ascending a steep forest towards “Paso de Las Agachonas” (1400m/a/s/l), a pass at “Pliegue Tumbado” mountain. The panoramic views of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre from this site are astonishing! From there we descend to “Rio Tunel” valley and camp at “Laguna Toro” (600m/a/s/l). This hike has an elevation gain of 800m and will take approx. 6-7 hours. (B, L, D).
After 30-40 minutes of walking around Laguna Toro, we cross the Tunnel river: wading through the river or using another zip-line cable, depending on the conditions of the river. The ascent to Paso del Viento (passes of the winds) through scree, moraines and a brief section of glacier trekking on the Inferior Tunnel Glacier. From the windy pass (1550m/a/s/l), you will appreciate part of the Patagonian Ice Field; the origins of Viedma Glacier and the Mariano Moreno Range, among others. We return to Laguna Toro campsite. The hike has an elevation gain of 900m and takes about 7-8 hours. (B, L, D).
We return to El Chaltén by a trail through an open valley and beech forests (lenga trees), traversing the lowest part of “Pliegue Tumbado”. This hike has an elevation gain of 300-400m and takes 5-6 hours. Lodging at El Chaltén. (B, L).
Bus Transportation from El Chaltén to El Calafate Airport. End of our services. (B).
Note: The Itinerary can be modified and should be considered only as a guide. External factors such as the conditions of the snow or weather conditions could change the original plan, and your Guide will have the criteria to change the program if he considers it necessary. This will not entitle passengers to claim any compensation.
Weather: The weather in Patagonia is notorious for high winds and extreme variability. Days can range from sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s (15°C) in October to rain, hail, and occasionally even snow. Nighttime temperatures often drop down into the 30s and 40s (0-5°C). The wind-chill factor can sometimes make the ambient temperature feel much colder. Please come prepared for all possibilities and equipped with good quality rain and wind gear.
* Please make sure you have all requested equipment. If you need to rent some of these items, please let us know in advance.
Don't hesitate and get in touch with us
so we can evacuate your doubts.
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:
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 request 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:
• Coffee, Tea, milk, sugar, etc.
• Muesli (cereals).
• Cookies.
Pack lunch:
• Cereal bar
• Trail mix
• Chocolate bar
• Bread or crackers
• Assorted cheeses and cold meats.
Snack:
• Peanuts
• Crackers
• Olives, etc.
Dinner:
• Instant Soup
• Main dish: Pasta, risotto or stew. (In some cases, could be dehydrated or freeze dry meals).
• Dessert: Chocolate bonbons - Herbal tea.
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:
| Activity | Weight Range |
|---|---|
| Hiking 1 day | 5-8 kg |
| Trekking 4-6 days | 15-18 kg |
| Mt. Ascents & Alpine Climbs 3 days | 18-20 kg |
| Ice Field Expeditions 8 days | 22-24 kg |
| Ski Touring 1 day | 14-16 kg |
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.
We highly recommend booking 90 days in advance, in order to find services available.
Our goal is to follow plan A, but if the weather or terrain conditions do not allow it, you will be offered a plan B or C, in order to use our services as best as possible.
info@mount-patagonia.com
+54 9 2966 60-7070
10am to 5pm
Eduardo Brenner 88 (9301) - El Chaltén.
