[COPY]-Trekking across the Glaciers - Desierto Lake - Ohiggins Lake - El Chalten

Walking in Chile and Argentina, between lakes and glaciers of the South Patagonian Ice Field

Our program invites you to walk through one of the most impressive areas in Patagonia, of worldwide attraction. Between Desierto Lake, the southern ice field, and Lake Ohiggins, there is an environment of powerful landscapes that include small glaciers, large glaciers and turquoise lakes, due to glacial minerals. Includes crossing the Lago del Desierto by boat, Candelario Mansilla, a place guarded by carabineros, sightings of the Chico and Ohiggins glaciers from land (or on board option). Return through the Chilean forests until crossing back to Argentina, on a route that ends up being circular. It does not present great technical or physical difficulty.

Modality and difficulty
Trekking journey carrying backpack with weight. There are permanent slopes, between forests and high passes. You must carry your own backpack with personal equipment and a bag of group food. Overnights are in wild areas (without restrooms), in tents and/or mountain stalls.

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to El Chalten 10 am approximately. Check In at the Hostel. Equipment check, presentation of guides. In the afternoon we will take a short walk along the trails around El Chaltén.

Day 2: Transfer by charter vehicle to the southern head of Desierto Lake. Round trip hike to the Huemul Glacier, with great views of the lake. On the afternoon, cross by boat to the north head of the lake, to the Gendarmerie post. Customs formalities. Short hike to camp, by the lake. Overnight

Distance: 5 km
Duration: 3 hours

Day 3: We begin the journey to the west, towards Laguna Diablo, along a path that goes into the forest. We camp next to the lagoon, almost on the border with Chile, at the Hito del Tambo.

Distance: 11 km
Duration: 6 hours

Day 4: Crossing to Chile through Portezuelo del Tambo and bordering Lake Chico above to see the homonymous glacier and snowdrift from different places. We continue to the narrowness of the lake with the South Arm of Lake Ohiggins, where we will set up the new camp.

Distance: 10 km
Duration: 7 hours

Day 5: After breakfast, we are ready to make the section through the Portezuelo del Cañadon to the small town of Candelario Mansilla, on the shores of Lake Ohiggins (same lake as San Martin). Rest and new camp.

Distance: 17 km
Duration: 10 hours

Day 6: Rest day. There is a possibility of hiring the boat excursion that visits the spectacular Ohiggins glaciers. New camp in Candelario Mansilla.

Day 7: Trekking day back to Argentina and up to the north head of Desierto Lake, passing through Laguna Larga (Portezuelo de la Divisoria). Cross the lake by boat to the southern headwaters, and from there transfer by vehicle to El Chalten. End of the tour and our services.

Distance: 15 km
Duration: 8 hours

Note

Interesting extra activities:

• Stay one or two more days in El Chalten to walk diferent trekking trails: Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre. Excursion on a boat to the Viedma Glacier, etc.

Included Services

• Full guided tour
• Local transfers (El Calafate/El Chalten/El Calafate)
• Round trip transfer to Desierto Lake.
• Hostel in El Chalten on day 1
• Desierto Lake crossing boat round trip.
• Permanent coordination + trekking and mountain professional guides.
• Tents: overnight in wild camps and/or shelters
• All meals, from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 7
• General camping equipment (pots, heaters, VHF, security elements, orientation).

Services NOT included

• Travel to the starting point of the trek (flight tickets)
• Meals in El Chalten
• Boat excursion in Lake Ohiggins