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 ...

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)

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.

Where to 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 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

Clic para detalles

Height (A)

Height Exposure

Clic para detalles

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 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