El Chaltén Super Trek
Los Huemules, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and Paso Agachonas
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
physical exertion
Total duration
El Chaltén Super Trek
Los Huemules, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and Paso Agachonas
Program detail
INTRODUCTION
This extended trekking itinerary encompasses some of the most beautiful trails in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, including two that lead to less-visited but equally magnificent viewpoints.
Combine Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre with an ascent of the remote Loma del Diablo in the Reserva Los Huemules, a zip-line across the Fitz Roy River, and a wild traverse to the Agachonas Pass and the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado for a mixture of classic and adventure trekking.
ATTRACTIONS
• Climb the Loma del Diablo in the Reserva Los Huemules for a birds-eye view of the Río de la Vueltas (Twisty River) and the Vespignani mountain and glacier
• Climb to the Laguna de Los Tres for an incomparable view of Cerro Fitz Roy and Laguna Sucia (Dirty Lake)
• Camp in a typical Patagonian Lenga forest near Laguna Torre and enjoy an unforgettable sunset across the Torre lake and mountain chain
• Cross the Río Fitz Roy by zipline for a unique, panoramic view of the Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy mountain ranges from the Agachonas Pass and the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
ITINERARY
We leave El Chaltén by car and travel 20 km along the scenic Río de las Vueltas to the starting point of our trek - a village in the Los Huemules nature reserve. After we register our hike at the Visitor’s Centre, we will start our climb towards the Loma del Diablo (1790m). Depending on the weather and the physical condition of the group, we may ascend through the full 1200m of altitude to reach the summit, or we may opt to climb only to the beautiful viewpoint located just above the tree-line at 1050m.
At first, the trail climbs through a forest of Lenga and Ñire and offers glimpses of the different glaciers and peaks in the area. Once we pass 850m, the terrain becomes quite steep and the vegetation reduces in height, revealing mountains in every direction.
If you would like to explore the reserve but would prefer a less strenuous hike, we will instead take the route to the Lagunas Azul and Verde (Blue and Green lakes) which connect via a valley to Laguna Diablo. In this way, we can avoid the steep ascent. This is also the route that we will take if the weather is particularly bad and ascending to the viewpoint and peak is too dangerous.
After our hike, we will spend the night at an Eco Camp - relaxing in cabins with private bathrooms, and enjoying a hot tub on the shores of the Río de las Vueltas.
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Today begins with a short transfer to the start of the trail into the National Park at Hostería El Pilar. From there, we hike along a beautiful trail through the lenga forest, following the Río Blanco (White River) towards the Poincenot campsite. Along the way, we will stop to learn a little about the flora and fauna that is characteristic of the Patagonian Andean forest and also visit the beautiful Piedras Blancas (White Rocks) viewpoint. Here we will see the Piedras Blancas glacier and its associated glacial features, including the erratic boulders and lateral moraines left behind as the glacier retreated over the last few decades.
We will have many different views of the Fitz Roy mountain chain as we make our way towards our objective for the day - the magnificent Laguna de Los Tres. This unforgettable location has the best view of Cerro Fitz Roy - and one of the most impressive vistas in all of Patagonia. We will have plenty of time to take in this unforgettable view before descending to the Poincenot campsite for snacks and drinks in advance of our dinner.
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From our forest campsite, we will enjoy the first light of day breaking over the incredible Ritz Roy mountain range.
After breakfast, we leave Cerro Fitz Roy behind us and head off towards a lovely valley with rolling hills and the Lagunas Madre e Hija (Mother and Daughter lagoons). We will have plenty of time to stop and take photos and, if we are very lucky, we may even spot the small group of Cauquenes that is sometimes found in the area. The trail leads us through forests of Lenga and Ñires and across a large moraine before arriving at our destination - Laguna Torre (Tower Lake).
Here, we will stop and have lunch while taking in the spectacular views of the Torres mountain chain and Glacier Grande (Big Glacier). If the weather conditions allow, we will then hike towards the viewpoint Maestri for the closest view of Glacier Grande. This viewpoint is named after the controversial Italian climber, Cesare Maestri, who designed his strategies for climbing one of the most difficult mountains in the world from this location.
Once we are ready, we will descend a little to our home for the night at the Torres campsite and settle in for the evening. If the sunset looks promising - we will return to the lake to watch.
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We will rise early for an intense but incredible last day of hiking. Early on, we will get the adrenaline flowing by crossing the raging Río Fitz Roy by zip line. This will, undoubtedly, wake you up if you are still struggling to shrug off sleep! Once safely to the other side, we will follow the trail across another moraine and enter a forest. Note how the trees get smaller as we ascend. Our steep climb to the Paso de las Agachonas is well worth the effort though, as the view across to Cerro Torre and Glacier Grande is spectacular.
The challenging Patagonian wind will almost certainly find us here to deliver a taste of the strength and chill-factor for which it is famous. However, while we brave the elements, we will be able to see the entirety of the Fitz Roy and Torres mountain ranges, the Paso del Viento (Windy Pass), and, if the weather permits, the snow-capped mountains of the South Patagonian Icefield. This is one of the least visited viewpoints in the park so you will have unique photographs to showcase your adventures with us.
From this point, we will descend once more towards El Chaltén via the Loma del Pliegue.
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NOTES
Our camping equipment is already set up at the campsites. Participants only have to carry personal objects and their boxed lunch during the trek. The campsites have dry toilets (with a seat) but do not have electricity or showers. Access to drinking water is available throughout most of the hike.