This trek counters around Cerro Huemul completely. Hiking through Rio Tunel Valley and Paso del Viento (wind pass). We hike where Glacier Viedma gets born and follow it until it drops into Lago Viedma. This trek is the most accessible one to observer the Hielo Continental Patagonico Sur.
Guides and group sizes
Ratio is 1 guide/assistance per 4 guests. Maximum group size is 10 guests.
Difficulty and prerequisites
These are all physically demanding days and participants must be in good hiking shape.
Guests are required to carry a backpack with their personal gear (clothes, sleeping bag, pad, etc), group (tents, pot, stoves, etc) and food. About 15 to 20 kg. Personal porters could be arranged in advance, if needed.
No mountaineering experience is required, however if you have had some, it helps a lot.
Transportation
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to El Chaltén, Argentina. Your travel agent should be able to arrange this for you. You can get there by flying to Buenos Aires, and then fly to El Calafate. From there, you can get on a 4-hour bus journey or you we can arrange a private transfer.
Weather consideration
The fame of the area regarding wind and fast changeable conditions are not a legend. Be ready to experience nature and all its beauties and power. We have two back up days and one rest day, which we use flexibly to make best use of weather conditions.
Accommodation & Meals
All food during the expedition is included.
Please let us know of any special dietary requirements you have when booking.
If you need any help with your lodging, do not hesitate to ask us. We can find the best for your taste and budget.
ITINERARY
Day 1
After a nice breakfast and packing our stuff. We hike along Rio Tunnel and over Loma del pliegue tumbado. Only 6 hours with 500-meter elevation gain. One of the less hiked trails in the Park, however one of the most spectaculars ones. We could see both mountain ranges, Cerro Torre Range and Fitz Roy Range! Also, if mother nature allows we could see the famous Wind Pass with Mariano Moreno range in the Back (mountains in the southern continental ice cap). We camp in Laguna Toro Camp.
Day 2
This trek brings all the terrains together: grass, scree and glacier. This is the strawberry of the desert. For some people the best hike. Impressive views of the continental Southern Ice Cap, third largest ice mass of fresh water in the world. There would be a Tyrolean crossing or wading a river according to conditions. We camp by a rustic hut of Paso del Viento. We use only the hut for cooking and we sleep in the tents.
Day 3
Back up day. If weather is good we will do a day hike near Wind Pass.
Day 4
We contour Cerro Huemul, always having Glacier Viedma on our right. Alpine meadows, glacier erosion terrain delights us along the way. By the end, only 400-meters elevation separates us from Paso Huemul. Impressive view, one side Lago Viedma, in the other Glacier Viedma! Walking down and some bush waking make us reach Huemul pass Camp. After pitching camp, a five-minute walk delights our eyes: Viedma Glacier face falling into Lago Viedma. Only fifteen more minutes away, in a cliff of 500 meters, we find condors nesting.
Day 5
From here on, everything down hill! So the rule is: your butt touches the ground; you buy a beer/drink for the group! Destination: Túnel Bay, where a taxi will pick us up, to return to Chalten. “Cordero asado”, barbecued lamb, (veggie options always available) and Vino tinto (other drinks available too)!