South Patagonia
4 Days
Training Required
Backpacking Exp. Required
Circumnavigate Cerro Huemul, including Paso del Viento with views to the 2nd largest icecap outside the polar regions! Experience classic Argentine Patagonia landscapes - steep granite spires towering over vast glaciers, cerulean lakes, rivers and forests.
3 Nights Camping
2-8 People
per guide
Intermediate Difficulty.
October to April
Meeting with the Guide in the morning; debrief about the details of the program and check of the equipment. We´ll start the trek at noon from El Chaltén and hike towards “Laguna Toro” campsite, passing over the “Pliegue Tumbado”. This hike takes about 5-6 hours and has an elevation gain of 500m. We will camp at Laguna Toro (650m/a/s/l).
After 30 or 40 minutes of hiking, we´ll get across the Tunnel river, either by wading through the river or using a zip-line cable and harnesses, (depending on the conditions). We´ll continue the ascent towards Paso del Viento, along screes, moraines and the Inferior Tunnel Glacier. From the pass, you can appreciate a portion of the Patagonian Ice Field, the origins of Glacier Viedma and the Cerro Mariano Moreno mountain range. We´ll descend to the “Refugio Paso del Viento” (900m/a/s/l) where we will camp. It is a 7 hour-hike with an elevation gain of 900m from Laguna Toro to Paso del Viento.
We´ll continue the trek bordering Cerro Huemul towards East until we reach “Paso Huemul” (1000m/a/s/l). There are great views of Viedma Glacier during the entire trip! From “Paso Huemul we can appreciate the front of the Viedma Glacier and the homonym lake. It’s usual to see condors flying near by. There is a very steep descent trough the forest and rocky terrain, down to “Bahía de los Témpanos”. The hike will take around 8-9 hours and we will camp at Bahía de los Témpanos.
The terrain today is steppe, with moderate elevation gain, some rivers and bog areas. Near the end of the hike, we will need to get across the Tunnel River. Total time 5-6 hours to “Bahia Tunel”. Transfer back to El Chaltén and end of our services.
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.
