Trekking Lago San Martin - Lago del Desierto - El Chaltén, Santa Cruz

Trekking Expedition through a unique Patagonia region

  • Start Date : Request!
  • Hora Inicio: 8am
    Hora Fin: 10am
  • Meeting Point:El Calafate, Santa Cruz
    End point: El Chalten, Santa Cruz
  • Duration:7 days + trip
    Availability: 8 spots
Southern Transpatagonic Trekking - San Martin Lake to Del Desierto Lake, El Chalten

Proposal

A Trip to Remember

The Estancia El Condor is located in the southeast extreme of Lake San Martin, an emerald color rarely seen. The mentioned lake is called O'Higgins on the Chilean side. Our proposal invites you to walk along the shore of the lake, from Argentina, to cross to Chile to the Candelario Mancilla post, a place guarded by Carabineros (Chilean Police). From there we´ ll continue through the Chilean forests until crossing again to Argentina in the Lago del Desierto area, where we finish, after crossing the lake. And from there, we go to El Chalten, "The Trekking Capital". It does not present technical or physical difficulties.


Modality and difficulty
Shoulder backpack Expedition. There are permanent slopes, between forests and high passes. You have to carry your own backpack with personal equipment and a bag of group food. Overnight stays are in wild areas (without toilets), in a tent and / or stalls.

Itinerary

Day 1 ESTANCIA EL CONDOR. From El Calafate, we traveled by vehicle along Route 40 to Lake San Martin, Estancia El Cóndor. Lunch. Short walks through the area and the lake. Dinner and overnight in the Estancia.

Day 2 We start our first section of the route, along the trails that leave the ranch to the west. We skirt the lake again and again and walk through a typical forest of the region on an open road. We arrive at La Nana post in the afternoon, where we will spend the night. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 Continued along the coastal path and increasingly closed, we reached the Martinez de Rozas refuge in ruins at noon. Lunch. From there we enter the great valley of the Río Martinez de Rozas. We will cross the river a couple of times to our next camp, close to the old Altamirano Post. Camp, campfire. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4 We raise camp again and we´ll go, always through the same valley, towards the sources of the riverbed. We´ll cross the river several times and pass through increasingly complex terrain, such as mallines, forests and closed trails. Finally we will look for a new camp near the old Torito Minero post. Camp, campfire, dinner and overnight.

Day 5 Lago del Desierto: We continue our ascending path towards Paso La Unión, already outside the vegetation limit. Crossing the pass, perhaps with snow, we will descend to a new valley to reach the Lago del Desierto and then skirt it until its southern head. Last camp on the mountain.

Day 6 El Chalten: After breakfast, everyone will have the option of going up and down to the Huemul glacier, for our last excursion. Finally we set up camp and a vehicle will take us to El Chalten. Overnight in hostel. End of our services.

Day 7 Return home or continue with new adventures ...

Note

Interesting extra options:

Stay one or two more days in El Chalten to make circuits on foot: Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre. Excursion on board the Viedma Glacier, etc.

Included Services
  • All tour guided 
  • Entrance to the Estancia El Condor 
  • permanent coordination + guides
  • Support horses and mules for the general team Equipment during the first three days
  • 1 night accommodation in Estancia El Condor in refuge or trailers
  • Tents: overnight stays in wild camps and / or shelters
  • 1 night accommodation at a hostel in El Chalten
  • All meals, from lunch on Day 1 to dinner on Day 7
  • General camping logistics (pots, heaters, VHF, security elements, orientation).
  • Previous advice.

Services NOT included
  • Plane Tickets 
  • Local transfers (El Calafate / Estancia El Condor / El Chalten / El Calafate)

Photo and Video Gallery


Albums

Alto Mirador Lago San Martin
Austral Transpagagonic Trekking

from Lake San Martin to Lago del Desierto + El Chalten, Santa Cruz

Where do you sleep

Nights are spent in mountain campsite in igloo tents, comfortable and for 2/3 or 4 people. Last Night we includ a Hostel to share.

Faq

Do I need to be trained?

For any mountain activity you need to have a previous physical preparation, or be physically active. In this case we suggest Aerobic training (going for a run two to three times a week, cycling or swimming) and doing a good leg workout (gym, crossfit, AEX training, etc.)

Do I need previous experience?

We recommend  walking at least once before this trekking with a backpack, although no previous experience is required. Having slept in a tent also helps as a experience for this trekking.

Where do we spend the night?

Overnight is spent in mountain campsite in igloo tents, comfortable and for 2/3 or 4 people. Last Night we includ a Hostel to share.

Do I have to carry a tent?

The tents are included in the service. If you want to bring yours, ask us.

Are there toilets?

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

What is the weather like ?

Although the time of the year is optimal for this crossing, in mountain and/ or wild areas temperatures tend to fall at night. There may be the possibility of rain storms, hence the importance of personal equipment. Non of what we detail in the equipment list can be missing.

Are there any breaks to rest?

Stops are given with a frequency and graduation according to the intensity.

There are breaks for lunch, snack, and rest.

How old do I have to be to do this activity?

From 16 years old onwards. We also recommend you to contact us before registering or registering a minor just to make sure that his/her experience is the suitable for this trek.

How much does the backpack weigh?

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

Is there any carrying service?

No, each one has to carry their own backpack with all their equipment; and part of the general food. 

What do we eat?
  • Meals: Milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold sandwiches, snacks, salads, tapas, etc.
  • Dinners: Vegetable stews with bacon or chorizo ;chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various , barbacue (goat), Chaw Fan, chicken with rice among other meals
  • 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 file to clarify if someone does not eat some type of food.

Difficulty graduation

Mochila: Peso / Duración de la Jornada.

Exigencia Física

Técnico: Dificultad en el Terreno / Equipo.

Fortaleza Psicológica

Exposición a la Altura

Backpack (M)

This point has to do with the weight that we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or crossings where we have pack animals allow us to bear less weight on our backs. And the multi-day journeys in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules) generally make us carry more weight, especially in the early days.

20% Up to 5 Kilos: Short excursion walks / Trekking Talampaya

40% Up to 8/10 Kilos: Round-trip trekking / Vallecitos 3 and 4-day programs

60% Up to 12/15 kilos: Crossing trekking with porting / Crossing of the Andes Paso Portillo

80% More than 15/18 kilos: Cross-country trekkings with little or no portage / Trekkings in Patagonia (Paso Vuriloche, PN Lanin or Nahuel Huapi, etc)

100% More than 25 Kilos: With a lot of equipment on top and little or no porting / Continental Ice

Physical (F)

We consider physical demands to the wear that we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscle (resistance = many hours walking) and of legs and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

20% half a day or less with little unevenness.

40% more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.

60% Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range / intense 4-day trekking (Uruguayan plane)

80% Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents (Lanin - Domuyo) or more than 5000 meters. Ice courses.

100% Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua, mountains of more than 6000 meters.

Technical (T)

The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain. How much can it cost us to climb a slope, if it is very steep or if we have to use our hands in some section (simple climbing), both in rock and snow-ice, or materials such as crampons and pegs in other ascents.

20% flat land

40% trails with moderate ups and downs. General crossing trekkings . Sierra de la Ventana, Córdoba, Patagonia, Cuyo, north, others. Classic ascents

60% Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons. Domuyo, Cordón del Plata, Cordillera Central.

80% Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador. Bolivia, Peru.

100% Highly technical terrain. Glacial transit and climbing in sections. Hill climbing with sections on slopes of more than 60 ° inclination

Psycho (P)

We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and will power to achieve a goal. And depending on the attitude with which we face distances, slopes, terrain and many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

20% We will not be much affected.

40% This is a normal level of attention.

60% We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.

80% The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.

100% Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.

Adventures (A)

It is the factor that, the height above sea level, influences us depending on the activity we carry out. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point

0% + sea level.

20% Up to 2000 masl.

40% + 2000 masl.

60% + 4000 masl.

80% + 5000 masl.

100% + 6000 masl.

Gradual Adventure Activity Difficulty System designed by Leandro Scheurle.
Copyright Argentinaxtrema.com © 2009. All rights reserved.

Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT
  • Trekking Backpack (60 to 80 liters) Backpack Rain Cover
  • Warm sleeping bag  & Insulated sleeping pad
  • Trekking poles
CLOTHES
  • 1 pair of trekking boots (in good conditions)
  • 1 second pair of footwear  to cross rivers 
  • 3 pairs of trekking socks 
  • Underwear
  • Long trekking pants (NO JEAN)
  • 1 indoor long pants or leggings
  • 2 Dry fit synthetic short sleeve t-shirts
  • 1 Long sleeve shirt
  • 2 sweatshirts (fleece)
  • Warm jacket (made of feathers or synthetic) 
  • 1 sun hat (with flaps)
  • 1 handkerchief to cover your neck from the sun (multifunction scarves Buff type)
  • 1 waterproof / breathable jacket  (parka,ultrex,goretex)  
  • Warm gloves 
  • Warm hat 
PERSONAL ELEMENTS
  • Passport or ID.
  • Medical insurance
  • Travel assistance insurance. Required.
MISCELLANEOUS
  • Front flashlight with batteries (With spare batteries)
  • Plastic Bags
Hygiene elements and personal care
  • Sunscreen /Lip balm
  • 1 small towel
  • Wet wipes for sanitizing.
  • Personal medication
  • Brush and toothpaste set.
  • A small soap / shampoo
  • Toilet paper.
KITCHEN GEAR FOR PERSONAL USE
  • Containers for at least 2 liters of water (can be plastic bottle) Camelback, Nalgene or similar
  • Cutlery, plate or tupper and cup (No glass or metal)
OPTIONAL, not mandatory (check space and weight)
  • SILVER TAPE tape, for blisters and repairs.
  • Steel thermos
  • Binoculars, monocle. Camera
  • Book, travel diary, pencil, pen.
  • Games; cards, dice, etc
  • Whistle and lighter.

Rental Equipment

Trekking sleeping bag

Booking in Advance

US$ 16 + options

Pair of Trekking Poles

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Rental mittens

Booking in Advance

US$ 8 + options

Pair of Crampons

Booking in Advance

US$ 15 + options

Rental : helmet, crampons and ice ax

Booking in Advance

US$ 36 + options

Combo Top: helmet, crampons, ice ax and full harness

Booking in Advance

US$ 50 + options

Category 3 sunglasses - Shepra Julbo Spectrom

Booking in Advance

US$ 5 + options

Backpack for trekking and mountaineering - Woman

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

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