Glacier Trekking with crossing to Chile - Desierto Lake - Ohiggins Lake

Proposal

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

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be trained?

For any mountain activity you need to have previous physical preparation, or be physically active.

Do I need to have previous experience?

No previous experience is required, we recommend having good physical condition, and knowing that the modality is a journey, where you walk during the day with a backpack, and spend the night in a wild camp.

Where do you spend the night?

The overnight is done in mountain camps in igloo-type tents, comfortable and for 2/3 or 4 people. No restrooms or services

Do I have to bring a tent?

The tents are included in the service. If you want to bring your own, ask us. You have to load it among all

Is there a bathroom?

No. There are no toilets or chemical toilets. Everything is in nature, delimiting sectors. And you have to maintain the hygiene of the place, taking the papers.

What is the weather or temperature?

Although the time of year is optimal for this journey, in Andean and/or wild areas, temperatures tend to drop at night.

Are there rest stops?

The stops are given with a frequency and graduation according to the intensity. There are stops for lunch, snack, and rest.

From what age can they do this activity?

From 16 years of age. We also recommend that you contact us before registering or registering a minor.

How much does the backpack weigh?

In a woman a range from 13 to 15 kilos, in a man from 15 to 20 kilos.

Is there a porterage service?

No, everyone must carry their own backpack.

What do we eat?

In all our expeditions we offer the service of meals IN FULL BOARD PLAN:

March lunches (cold meals): Milanese and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, appetizers, salads, tapas, etc.
Dinners: Vegetable-bacon-red chorizo ??stews, Chicken and vegetable casseroles, Pasta with various sauces or stew, Roast meat (Chivito), Chaw Fan, Chicken with rice in a saucepan....
Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Mate Cocido, Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit

It is necessary to complete the personal/medical record to clarify if someone does not eat any type of food.

Difficulty Graduation System

Click on each indicator to see details

60%

Backpack (M)

Backpack: Weight / Duration of the Day.

Clic para detalles

60%

Physical (F)

Physical demand

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40%

Technical (T)

Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.

Clic para detalles

20%

Psycho (P)

Psychological Strength

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Height (A)

Height Exposure

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How to interpret these values?

Each aspect is evaluated from 20% to 100%, where:

20-40%: Basic or beginner level
60%: Intermediate level
80-100%: Advanced or expert level

Ideal for beginners

This adventure is perfect for those starting in outdoor activities.

Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

Trekking backpack (60 to 80 liters) + backpack cover (or large consortium bag to cover it)
Sleeping bag and insulation
Trekking sticks

CLOTHING

1 trekking boots (in conditions). Better if they are high (we are going to pass sections with snow)
1 second footwear (can be slippers, sandals or crocks)
Underwear
Various trekking socks (minimum 4 pairs)
3 t-shirts and/or shirts (synthetic dry fit type for walking and cotton for outside the activity)
Trekking pants (not cotton or jean)
Spare-replacement pants
Shorts or tights
2 coats (fleece, wool or soft shell-windstopper)
Warm jacket or duvet vest (optional)
Fleece gloves or similar
Warm hat (preferably fleece, or wool)
Sun cap (with flaps)
Fleece collar or scarf (for the neck)
Third layer jacket (waterproof and if possible breathable-windproof type ultrex-gore tex or similar)