Southern Patagonia Ice Cap Expedition

Private transfer to Rio Electrico and Valley Trekking towards Marconi Glacier. One-way transfer to starting point. English speaking expedition guide for the reduced size group (up to 12). Walking distance: 10km (6 hours) | Elevation gain: 100mts | Box lunch and Dinner included. Mineral water during the day. The day begins with a private transfer to the bridge over Rio Electrico, 15 km northwest of El Chalten, and the start point of our trek towards the base of Marconi Glacier. We will walk the first two hours on a well-marked path, through a forest of Lengas and Ñires alongside Electrico River. At the end of the vegetation, we will stop a few minutes in Piedra del Fraile Campsite, last encounter of civilization before our return to El Chalten, at the end of the expedition. We will then enter into a great glacier valley surrounded by Treinta Aniversario, Marconi South and North Peaks. From Piedra del Fraile we will follow the southern shore of Lake Electrico, crossing moraines and rocky formations left by glaciers less than 70 years ago. Along the way, we will cross Pollone River walking, from where we will be able to observe the North-west face of Fitz Roy. One more hour of trekking will bring us to the western shore of Lake Electrico. We will set up our camp there, only 20 minutes away from Marconi Glacier. After a well-earned rest, we might have some extra energy to explore the area. Overnight at tent in Campsite La Playita.

Ice trekking at Marconi Glacier. English speaking expedition guide for the reduced size group (up to 12). Walking distance: 9km (7/9 hours) | Elevation gain: 850mts | Breakfast, Box lunch and Dinner included. Mineral water during the day We will wake up with dawn, to start our daily routine of the expedition: breakfast, packing up of camp and backpacks, and trekking… Only 30 minutes of walking will bring us in front of the Marconi Glacier. A gigantic scree moraine is our first obstacle; the terrain here is unstable and moves constantly, impeding the formation of a marked path. After this short but difficult stretch, we will climb on the glacier itself entering slowly in a kingdom of snow and ice. This day might be the toughest of the expedition. We will climb 2400 ft (800mt) on ice and snow, using crampons, and round crevasses with the assistance of the guide and his team – with the aid of ropes if necessary. Marconi Glacier forms a pass that creates a bottle effect with the winds coming from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the Pacific Ocean. Hence, participants will need to be not only physically, but also mentally prepared to trek in a rain or snowstorm. At the end of the day, we will arrive at our second campsite, in the shadow of Marconi South Mt and only an hour away from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field itself. Our almost aerial campsite offers fantastic sunsets and sunrises over the Fitz Roy Range, Cerro Pier Giorgio and Gorra Blanca Overnight at tent in Campsite Paso Marconi.

Enter the Patagonian Ice Field through Marconi Pass to Circo de los Altares. English speaking expedition guide for the reduced size group (up to 12). Walking distance: 13km (7 hours) | Elevation gain: 0mts | Breakfast, Box lunch and Dinner included. Mineral water during the day. In the morning, we will cross Marconi Pass. Guide and assistants will use sledge for the first time, carrying most of the general equipment (tents, food, gas). Only an hour of trekking with snowshoes will bring us into a land of rock and ice. The Patagonian Ice Field will open itself up giving away fantastic views (if weather permits) of Lautaro Volcano (Still active), Mariano Moreno Range (almost higher and much larger than Fitz Roy Range), the De Los Cuatro Glaciares Pass and Chico Glacier, further south. A day of southbound trekking on the ice field to the “Circo de los Altares”, at the foot of the mythic Cerro Torre’s West face, take us to the place where we will set up our camp on the ice. Overnight at tent in Campsite Circo de los Altares.

Trekking from Circo de los Altares to Paso del Viento Hut English speaking expedition guide for the reduced size group (up to 12). Walking distance: 10km (8 hours) | Elevation gain: 100mts | Breakfast, Box lunch and Dinner included. Mineral water during the day. Trekking to De Los Esquies Lagoon, on the lateral moraine of Viedma Glacier – where we will exit the ice itself. If the weather and the physical condition of the participants permit, we will continue up to Paso del Viento Hut Overnight at tent in Campsite Paso del Viento.

Trekking to Laguna Toro and Zip Line Adventure. English speaking expedition guide for the reduced size group (up to 12). Walking distance: 10km (6 hours) | Elevation gain: 250mts | Breakfast, Box lunch and Dinner included. Mineral water during the day. After breakfast, we will begin our trekking towards Paso del Viento, where we will rest and enjoy the overwhelming landscape. Then, we will head downwards to the Túnel River Valley and back into the vegetated area. Before arriving at the Toro Lagoon campsite we must cross the Túnel Glacier and also a zip line across the valley’s river. Overnight at tent in Campsite Laguna Toro.

This day is to be used at any point of the Expedition in case the weather doesn’t allow continuing. If it is not necessary, guests can dispose it to spend an extra day in Los Altares, rest or add another camp during the program. This will be decided by the guide. Overnight at tent in Campsite.

Trekking back to the town of El Chalten. English speaking expedition guide for the reduced size group (up to 12). Walking distance: 16km (6 hours) | Elevation gain: 250mts | Breakfast and Box lunch included. Mineral water during the day. We will begin walking next to Tunnel River following the path that will take us to El Chalten and enjoying the last views of Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy. El Chalten arrival, and check in at your hotel. Overnight at El Chalten Suites.