viedma ice trek

Ice Climbing On Viedma Glacier, Glacier National Park

Hiking & Trekking | 10 comments

Viedma Glacier is a part of the Southern Ice Field between Chile & Argentina. I found the glacier quite impressive as it is not only the largest glacier within Los Glaciares National Park , but also the second largest in the southern hemisphere. We chose to head out with Patagonia Aventura who specialized in activities on the glacier. They offer three main adventures:

• Viedma Light : Set off on a catamaran ride across Lake Viedma to the terminus of the glacier. Riders get to see the glacier in all its glory and travel up and down the 2km terminus before returning back to the port.
• Viedma Ice Trek : Adventurers set off on the same catamaran ride but get the opportunity to throw on some crampons and go on a guided glacier walk.
• Viedma Pro : This adrenaline packed glacier experience takes the first two activities and adds in some rope for repelling and ice axes for climbing.

Wanting to kick the adventure game up a notch and test my limits I selected Viedma Pro . Check out the ice climbing adventure here.

ICE CLIMBING IN PATAGONIA

After an early rise a group of us made our way over to the Patagonia Aventura office in El Chaltén. After checking in we boarded their bus and headed south about 17km to the Bahía Túnel harbor. We hopped on the catamaran which took us south on a scenic trip across Lago Viedma. Regardless of the amount of time you have spent around the El Chaltén area, the views on the lago of Huemel and Fitz Roy mountains are always a sight to see.

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10 Comments

Adventures on glaciers, ice-picking and narrow crevices…wow. We all travel and experience the world so differently! Patagonia has some super stunning landscapes. I would be happy just photographing them 🙂

This is gorgeous! I’m really hoping to get to Patagonia at some point. Your photos are awesome and really make me want to prioritize a trip there ASAP.

I always love your photo’s! Guy you really do get around and are so adventurous, I love reading about the different stuff you do it makes me realize that I am pretty boring… hahah. Very awesome stuff!!

Your photos are absolutely amazing! Patagonia has been on our mind for a while now and we’d definitely love to give it a go. Good tip to plan the activities with an experienced company, we’re noting it down because we’ll feel safer knowing it’s tested already!

Reading this post really makes me laugh – at me, not at you. You I admire. I’m just comparing your way of travelling with mine – and realize what a bore I am. Instead of crossing ice gaps I enjoy ice cream. When I read that it was difficult to sink an ax in an ice wall…well, that has never been my problem on a trip. I simply refrain from sinking axes and I’m good. No, seriously, again I’m very impressed; very, very impressed!

What an incredible adventure out there, we are very much looking forward to visit this region and it looks well worth the wait!

Going to Patagonia and trekking across a glacier has been near the top of my bucket list for some time now. I am very jealous that you were able to do this!

Ok, I never tried Ice wall climbing with a axe before but would love to try this out someday. Loving the photos and looks like you had an amazing time doing this. Love following your adventures. Keep it up and keep on smiling 🙂

This place looks amazing, I cannot believe how beautiful everything is. Sounds like you had quite the adventure for this! Thank you for sharing this.

Oh my goodness, this is absolutely stunning! I adore icy landscapes, and would LOVE to try this out!

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The Viedma, Much More than A Glacier

At El Chaltén, travelers may navigate Lake Viedma up to the ancient walls of its glacier and then walk on it with the aid of crampons. A fantastic experience.

Túnel Bay lies just a few minutes away from El Chaltén and it is the starting point to navigate across Lake Viedma on a modern catamaran. Passengers may land on the shore and walk on the glacier bearing the same name. The firm Patagonia Aventura has launched this modern watercraft for visitors to have the chance of coming close to the glacier in order to behold the colors, cracks, formations and listen to the sounds made by this wonder of nature. At the Tourist Information Office in El Chaltén, Patagonia Aventura offered three tours. They could be done in half a day, all day or adventurers might choose to spend the night.

To see the glacier from a different perspective

Navigate Lake Viedma

To behold the colors, cracks

Walk on it with the aid of crampons

Light-blue and even blue

A really memorable adventure

Viedma Light consists in a two-and-a-half-hour navigation across Lake Viedma. It takes visitors down to the glacier and its 40-meter-high walls. Viedma Ice Trek consists in navigating only to land on the Viedma Glacier and walk on it with the aid of crampons. This hiking tour on the ice takes two hours and a half. The other tour has been specially designed for physically fit travelers. It takes nine hours and it is called Viedma Pro. We chose Viedma Ice Trek. According to our guide Juan Aguada, this is the most popular excursion among tourists who wish to see the glacier from a different perspective. We landed on an area with large rocks that looked burnt and washed out. Our eyes were not wrong. “These rocks were occupied by glaciers for thousands of years; their colors give proof of the cold temperatures as well as of the pressure of the ice”. After walking for a while, we reached the spot where the rock meets the glacier and it was at this moment when we started to put on the crampons in order to go up and climb. We started to walk in a single file. Juan was leading the small troop. “The secret is to open your legs wide and take short but firm steps. This way, it is impossible to get tired or to be in risk of getting hurt with the crampon edges. This is essential to keep the excursion going.” White, light-blue and even blue walls followed one another as we discovered the different parts of the glacier and even appreciated some we just dared to behold without getting too close to the dangerous sections. Juan is one of those guys who is full of peace and that is evident both in the way he talks and walks, as well as in the way he moves through life. Not anyone can climb the Fitz Roy on its most difficult side. He had. He had a surprise for us. Holding his pick axe, he started to break up the ice and got a bottle of Baileys from his backpack. We need not tell what happened next. The glasses cheered up the moment as we all had a well-deserved rest in order to keep on discovering some really magical areas on the glacier. Ice ridges, deep blue cracks and frozen ice ponds appeared on the last segment of this wonderful tour. There is no doubt that the Viedma Ice Trek is one of the best excursions to choose at El Chaltén. Ice scenes. Hues ranging from white to extreme blue. A really memorable adventure.

Contact of the excursion or tour

Patagonia Aventura S. A.

San Martín 56 (9301) El Chaltén, Santa Cruz

Tel: +54 2962-493110

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Terminos y condiciones

Ice Climbing the Viedma Glacier in Patagonia

By Sydney Tong on January 15, 2017 . Read time: 7 mins .

Using all my strength, I thrust my ice pick into the dense, glossy wall. Some of the ice chipped off and fell into my mouth. It tasted slightly sweet, which I wasn't expecting.

Booking a tour

The glacier.

At this point, all of my senses are involved at this moment. The cold air coming off the glacier smells fresh, and I can hear the rivers around me carving out new paths in the ice. The Viedma Glacier commands my attention as I pull myself out of the bottomless crevasse and feel the warm sun hit my face.

We wanted to take on the challenge of ice climbing the Viedma Glacier in the small Patagonia village. Second, to the Brüggen Glacier, the Viedma Glacier stands tall among the others in the park.

El Chalten is also home to Monte Fitz Roy which is one of the most technical climbs in the world. El Chalten is extraordinarily remote and about a 3-hour drive from the more commercialized, El Calafate. The 360 degrees of mountains that surround the village rise so tall that they pierce the sky. This small village offers authenticity to those who make it this far north in Patagonia.

The prices of accommodations and food are low and remain immune to price gouging. Everything must be paid in cash as wi-fi and credit cards are scarce. There is a small bank at the entrance to the village, but it's hours are subject to change. If you need to fill up there is a small gas station near the entrance to the village, and they only accept cash.

Hiking inbetween glacial crevasses

Some of the people on our expedition

The only way to get on the glacier is by joining an organized tour. Going solo would be dangerous, as glaciers are constantly moving. Glacier Viedma moves at a rate of 1 meter per year and pieces larger than semi trucks fall off on a daily basis. Using a guide familiar with the terrain is for your safety. Getting to the glacier involves an hour-long boat tour that can only be arranged through a company.

There are hiking tours available if you are not interested in climbing.

We booked our tour through Viva Patagonia (also known as Patagonia Adventures) and met our group in El Chalten. If you are staying in El Calafate, they can arrange a transportation service to get you to El Chalten. It is a 3-hour drive be prepared for a long day if you choose this route.

The tour price does not include the transportation cost, but they can set it up for you no problem. Everyone on our tour was staying in El Calafate except for us. We had been camping and driving through Patagonia on our own, and had camped at El Relincho the night before.

View from a top of the glacier

At 8:30 am we met our group at the dock on Lake Viedma. As we boarded the boat, the bad weather from the night before was still lingering. Freddy, our main tour guide, assured us that the weather would clear up in the hour it would take to reach our destination, and he was right.

I enjoyed looking out of the window as our boat took us towards the glacier. As glaciers move they grind the rock underneath into a fine powder which makes the lake a milky turquoise color. Glacial lakes are colors unlike any other lake in the world.

When we got off of the boat, we hiked up a rocky hill towards what would be our base camp for the day. We got fitted for our harness, helmets, and crampons.

Some of our mates hiking up steep hills

Hiking carefully around deep holes

Our hiking mates hiking along a small spine

After we acquired all of our gear, we began our journey on the glacier. Hiking on this giant was incredible, and we saw all different shades of blue that we didn't know were natural. Our guides; Freddy, Esteban, and Austin carefully led us around the glacier. They were excellent and pointed out unique formations or offered interesting facts about the glacier.

We hiked 30-minutes towards our first wall of the day, side-stepping crevasses and working our way up steep hills. Some parts of the hike were incredibly steep and narrow, so I was grateful for the added traction the crampons gave me.

When we got to the first wall our guides showed us proper techniques for climbing, handling the picks, and how to find our rhythm on the wall. The eleven of us took turns climbing and practicing our form. We stayed at this wall for 2-hours, and everyone picked it up fairly quickly.

If you go on this trip to climb you need to bring a pair of boots that have a stiff sole.

The warm up wall

Gabe topping out on the warm up wall

Sydney warming up on the wall

The other guests on this excursion were incredibly friendly. Some people had experience with climbing while others wanted to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. One man had signed up for this tour to conquer his fear of heights. He was terrified, and everyone in the group was supportive of him. He did wonderfully, and it was inspiring to see a bunch of strangers support one-another.

There were eleven people in our group, and everyone got plenty of action time. We had three guides in our group, so there was plenty of hands-on help.

After everyone felt comfortable with their newly found skills, we headed back to base camp to enjoy lunch and rest before we started our ascent to a more challenging wall.

It was relaxing to sit on rocks that had been warmed by the sun while eating my smashed sandwich and looking out on the lake. Some people socialized with other group members, some took naps on the rocks, and other enjoyed their lunch with the view.

The hike back we took a different route that led us to a bottomless crevasse. I would guess that it was 70-100 meters deep, but I could not see the bottom from any angle, so I am unsure of how deep it was.

We set up two ropes and took turns going up this incredibly vertical wall. It was much more difficult than the first wall because the ice was densely packed, so I had to put my whole weight into getting my pick in the wall. I had to kick with all my might to get my crampons to hold. It was a full body workout and exhausting, and I consider myself to be fairly in shape.

Gabe climbing in the crevasse.

The experience is one that I will never forget. All of my senses were on edge. I could hear the rivers moving through the glacier; the sound was so pure and gentle. I have never smelled air as fresh as this glacial air. Something about it was so crisp and youthful despite the fact that the ice had been here for a couple of decades or longer.

My face could feel the coldness coming out of the glacier, and it kept me alert. As I swung my pick over and over into the wall small chips of ice fell into my mouth, and it tasted sweet. I couldn't get enough of it.

A few times in my life I have felt completely and utterly in sync with Mother Nature, and this was one of those times. As I came out of the crevasse, the sun-kissed my cheeks. By this time the muscles in my hands had cramped up from over-gripping the pick. I have climbed rock walls in the past, but I had never felt so humbled than when I climbed this glacier.

Bring cash to El Chalten, credit cards are rarely accepted. Banks are open when they want to be and ATMs work when they feel like it.

A friend getting ready to descend into the crevasse

Our guides letting loose

After everyone had a few turns on the glacier, we started our hike back towards base camp. Freddy led us through an underground tunnel/cave. The colors were so brightly blue. These colors that you see in these glaciers seem so unreal that sometimes I felt like I was in a dream. They are unlike anything I have seen before, and it is unlikely that I will see them anywhere else.

When we got out of the tunnel, we entered a clearing. The guides poured us some of Tia Maria's Coffee Liqueur cooled by glacial ice they had chipped off. We toasted to a successful trip. The hike back was light-hearted as everyone was still riding the high from the incredible day.

Everyone was exhausted but very happy with how our day turned out. The boat ride was calmer this time around, and everyone seemed at ease.

As we arrived at the dock, everyone got onto their bus to head back towards El Calafate. We hopped in our Suzuki Jimny and headed back towards the village in search of something to eat.

Waterproof pants and jacket are a must!

Our whole group

We recommend this to anyone who wants to try something new or challenge themselves. We are avid rock climbers, and this trip was right up our alley. We liked that the group size was small and that everyone had a turn. The tour never felt rushed, and our guides were excited to share the wealth of knowledge with us.

There were varying levels of athletic ability in our group, and everyone did well. I would not recommend it to people who are completely out of shape or elderly. I do not think it is a good activity for children, maybe the youngest I would recommend would be 12 or 13 years old. The hiking excursion might be a better option, but I wouldn't recommend anyone younger than 8 or 10 years old. We met an elderly couple (the late 60s, early 70s) the had hired a private guide to take them on an easy trail. They were able to go at their own pace without feeling rushed or slowing anyone down.

Patagonia Adventures Tour - Check it Out Here

Our hike back to the boat for the end of the day

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Contact of the excursion or tour

Patagonia Aventura S. A.

San Martín 56, El Chaltén, Santa Cruz, Argentina

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Terminos y condiciones

Glacier Trekking & Boat Tour to Viedma Glacier

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Glacier Trekking & Boat Tour to Viedma Glacier By: Serge Pikhotskiy December 28, 2015 A large glacier floating in the lake We typically try to avoid big tours when we travel, as we like flexibility of being on our own schedule. But for this time, we decided to go with Patagonia Adventura to experience the lake side views of the Viedma Glacier from the boat and later explore the opportunity to actually walk on the glacier. I must say, we were not disappointed! There are 3 types of tours:

• Boat Tour Only (Viedma Light) 3Hrs Roundtrip
• Boat & Glacier Trekking Tour (Viedma Ice Trek) 6Hrs Roundtrip
• Boat + Ice climbing tour (Viedma Pro) 6Hrs Rondtrip

We opted for the Boat & Glacier Trekking Tour. And let me tell you, I did not think once about the $300 that we spent on this excursion while we were out there. This is what I call getting your money’s worth.

Dash is getting ready to board the boat that will take us Glacier Trekking

Once you purchase the tickets, you will be given instructions on when to arrive to their pickup location so you could get on their shuttle bus and be taken to the Boat Terminal. It’s about 30-45 minutes ride. One you arrive at the boat terminal, it would take another 30 or so minutes to board one of the boats.

After about 45 minute ride, you will get very close to the Viedma glacier. There were few times when we heard a loud cracking noise and witnessed huge chunks of ice fall into the water. A very sad but also a very unique experience.

Dash is on top of Viedma Galcier

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The activity Viedma Pro is a combination of both excursions, the “Viedma Light” and the “Viedma Ice Trek” . It is mainly practicing climbing on the ice, an activity where tourists will be delivered technical and safety material for a safe climb.

• Description

The descriptions of the excursions in each destination appear on our website as information for our clients. We organize comprehensive trips, which include hotels, excursions, transfers and flights if necessary. We do not sell individual excursions. If you would like to get a customized quote for your trip, please contact us at [email protected] .

Always accompanied by a mountain guide and his assistants, the group of passengers will go on board at 8:45 am at Puerto Bahía Túnel to the Viedma Glacier, navigating the Lago Viedma, where it is possible to see icebergs. At 10:30 am, arrival at the glacier, where you will be given crampons to start the trek on the glacier, until you reach the ideal wall for the climb. At 4:45 pm we return to the vessel, and arrive at Puerto Bahía Túnel at 5:30 pm, ending the activity. There isn’t an age limit for this excursion, but the minimun age is 12 years old and you must be in a good physical condition.

Each passenger must take his/her own trekking footwear, warm clothes, gloves, scarf, sunglasses, sun protector and lunch box.

A lodge where tranquility and nature find its utmost expression. An exclusive and secluded place in El Chaltén, on the Lake, in the heart of the majestic Patagonian Andes and with absolute privacy for the guests.

This 5 star hotel is emblematic in El Chaltén, strategically located in a natural viewpoint, with fantastic views of Mount Fitz Roy and the surrounding lakes and valleys. Located 8 minutes on foot from the commercial center and 200 km from El Calafate International Airport, it has a wonderful infrastructure.

Chalten Suites is located in one of the most spectacular places of Patagonia, surrounded by Mount Fitz Roy, hills and lakes. It offers a personalized service in very comfortable installations designed exclusively for those who love tranquility, good food and the unbeatable view of the Andean mountains.

Chaltén Camp is located only 3 km from El Chaltén, the ideal place to enjoy the best glamping experience in Argentina. You can sleep and wake up in a large dome equipped with everything you need to enjoy nature and the panoramic view of Cerro Fitz Roy.

Lodge Explora has a privileged location, being a perfect place to discover the wonders of the Argentinean Patagonia. Offering high standards of comfort and spectacular views of the Marconi Glacier and the Eléctrico River Valley, its philosophy is aligned with a style of sustainable luxury.

Our team is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm EST ( -4 GMT) to help you with your queries.

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• Perito Moreno Vs. Viedma Glacier Tour

April 18, 2018   27 Comments »

Home » Blog » Destinations » South America » patagonia » Perito Moreno Vs. Viedma Glacier Tour

March 26, 2013 27 Comments »

In this corner – we have the world champion Perito Moreno Glacier known through out the world for it’s heavyweight size and knock-out calving punch. In the other corner we the Viedma Glacier – a scrappy new opponent offering a powerful one-two punch of adventure and crevasses.

Lets get ready to rumble!

Two Glaciers, both in Los Glaciares National Park , both offer ice trekking, both marketed to adventure travelers – but which one should you choose? I was lucky enough to set foot on both Viedma Glacier and the Perito Moreno Glacier – but not everyone is that fortunate. I decided to compare my experiences based on some criteria that I deem relevant for adventure travel seekers. You can go through this and determine what’s important to you and choose for yourself. And if you have the chance to go to both…do it!

Table of Contents

Perito Moreno VS. Viedma Glacier

A boat awaits to pick us up on Viedma Lake

Viedma – The boat was new and well maintained. You could ride on the top and get some great photos of the approach. The boat ride took about 45 minutes to get across the lake and to the glacier. The boat swung around and took us rather close along the base of the glacier

Perito Moreno – The boat was a bit older – but nice. The ride was much shorter – only about 20 minutes. There was also a top viewing area, but the boat took you straight to the drop off point and didn’t spend much time taking you past base of the glacier.

Viedma Glacier boat landing – a technical hike to get to the glacier

Walking to Perito Moreno glacier – an easy path to the base of the ice.

Viedma – once you got off the boat you still had to get to the ice. The Viedma landing was rocky. Clearly the adventure started the moment you stepped off the boat. You were deposited onto some harsh terrain – orange colored large rocks that you had to scramble across. Our English-speaking guide team met us and then led us over the rocks towards the ice. The rock scramble wasn’t easy – it was steep in areas, however the guides were like gazelles – they knew every hard part and ran out in front to offer a hand just when you needed it. Once near the ice we sat on the rocks and the guides helped us get outfitted in crampons. We then were able to step on to the ice. There were no bathroom facilities once you got off the boat.

Perito Moreno – The boat landing area was very nice with a dock and an easy disembarkation. They had a number of buildings located there where you could sit and eat lunch and look at views of the glacier and there were bathroom facilities. After a short talk we followed our English speaking guides along an easy walk which skirted the water’s edge. It was a well worn trail which deposited us in front of another little hut with benches. There was a team of workers there to outfit you in crampons. Everyone sat on a little bench and had their crampons put on then they followed the guides onto an easy entry onto the glacier. There was no scrambling required on this entry – extremely straightforward and easy.

Equipment/Guides

Crampons used on Viedma Glacier. Notice the front ice picks at the toe which make it possible to climb steeper ice.

The Viedma team served up Bailey’s with a bit of glacier ice…now this is happy hour!

Viedma – The crampons were good quality and they had toe picks which allowed you to go up steeper walls. They also furnished gloves for those who didn’t have their own. We had 3 English speaking guides for our group and they were the energetic, upbeat, and always there when you needed a hand. In fact they moved so fast on the ice that they snuck up on me many times! They encouraged you to try things slightly out of your comfort zone and would give you extra support if you looked nervous. They also took a lot of time to explain the history and geology of the glacier which I found fascinating. I was really impressed with how nimble and adventurous the group of them was. About ¾ of the way through the trek the guides surprised us with a bottle of Baily’s that they poured over glacial ice for a little celebration – a real treat!

Perito Moreno – the crampons were a step down from Viedma – there were no toe picks which pretty much immediately signaled to me that we wouldn’t be doing any real challenging hiking/climbing. The crampons were good quality, but more restrictive. We had two English speaking guides who were very nice and helpful. They also had some explanation of the glacier and the Southern Ice Field, calving, etc – but I didn’t find it as thorough. However I might not have been as attentive since this was my 2nd glacier trek. As expected from the crampons – the guides did not take us to very many adventurous areas. We stuck to a fairly well worn path and didn’t do any intimidating climbs or descents. They were there to lend a hand generally – or more often than not to tell you not to do something or get to close to things. Also at the end of the trek the guide took you to a little ‘bar area’ where they chipped off ice from the glacier and then poured people whiskeys over ice. A nice way to stay warm.

Glacier Tour Restrictions

Viedma –  My Adventure Life hiking group was older  – we had people in our group over the age of 65. However there were no upper limit age restrictions for the Viedma trekking so everyone was able to go (minimum age 12). This is where the guides came in though – they were extremely attentive to our group and made sure everyone was comfortable and watched over well.  Everyone in our group did the trek just fine!

Perito Moreno – the age restriction for the Mini Trekking was 10 to 65. This meant that half the people in our group were unable to even go on the Perito Moreno Glacier no matter how fit they were. I found it really ironic that one of the men in our group was 67 years old and restricted from being on Perito Moreno even though he was the most experienced climber in our whole group. After all – he actually climbed Everest when he was 65. But there were no exceptions to the restrictions – not even Everest experience.

Glacier Trekking Difficulty

Climbing up Viedma Glacier – nothing felt off limits to us!

Posing for the camera…they gave us the ice picks for the shots – but we didn’t do anything like this during the mini trekking. I believe it’s included in other trekking packaged though.

Viedma – the trekking was challenging – and it was really fun. The guides explained how to use the crampons well and we were off. I was really surprised at the things they were taking us through and on. We did some steep climbs and descents that I wouldn’t have sought out on my own! But they were there lending a helping hand and were generally confident in our ability which was nice. They would occasionally make some steps for us with their ice picks in a really steep area, but mainly they just taught us how to utilize the crampons in these more challenging situations. By the end I was exhausted and we still had to scramble back over the rocks to get to the boat at the end. It was challenging, risky, and well supported.

Perito Moreno – This was a well-traveled tourist path and because of that the whole trek was watered down. There were no steep climbs or descents and in fact I got reprimanded a few times for trying to go my own way (which I do greatly appreciate their concern with safety). The people who were on this trek were much more timid and out of shape too – so I understand that the guides had to account for that too. The guides would lead us to some crevasses and holes and let us walk up and peer over one by one with support – but that was about as daring as it got. We even had a photo session where everyone posed for a photo that made us look way more adventurous than what they were! There are more difficult treks you can do on Perito Moreno – but they cost much more money and aren’t as comparable with the Viedma prices any longer.

Views and Landscapes

Perito Moreno glacier – you can’t beat the views!

Viedma – the ice was gorgeous – however it was the overall setting that made it stunning. The bright orange rocks and blue glacial lake water were an beautiful against the ice glacier. I found the overall scenery to be stunning and colorful. It was also barren as there were no trees. Once you climbed up to a ridge you could see for a ways and take in the whole glacier. The glacier is a bit more remote so the only way you can get a good frontal view from the water is on the boat.

Perito Moreno – absolutely spectacular – it’s 3 miles wide at its front and over 20 stories high. The size is overwhelming – both while you are on the glacier and also while you are viewing it. Once you got to the top of a ridge on the glacier you could see for miles and miles. You could start to understand what being a part of the Southern Ice Field meant. The cliffs and valleys seemed larger than Viedma and overall you just felt small on Perito Moreno. In addition, you could view the whole glacier from an elaborate set of viewing platforms in front of the glacier. I easily spend 45 minutes walking around the platforms watching ice calving and trying to get a full picture of the glacier , which was about impossible even with my wide-angle lens. The viewing platforms and facilities were top notch.

Crowds and Price

The path was well-worn and easy to follow on Perito Moreno

Our much larger group on the Perito Moreno glacier hike.

Viedma – Aprox. $100 US (half day).  There were very few people on the glacier and since there only way to really get there and see it was by boat – it really did feel remote. There were two trekking groups when we went – only about 25 people overall. Once we got on the ice we never even saw the other group of people once. The two groups went their separate ways. Perito Moreno – Aprox. $140 US (all day includes the viewpoint & park fee of $20 is separate).   There was a constant flow of people on and off the glacier with much larger group sizes. Since the glacier is also viewable from the park on the viewing platforms – there were just more people in the park in general. More tour companies operated tours around the glacier so there was just more activity in general. It was never a real hindrance – but the experience didn’t feel as unique to me.

See my Essential Hiking Gear List

Now that you’ve chosen a hike, you need to know what gear to take with you! Don’t leave on your hike without these hiking gear essentials. !

Overall Glacier Tour Decision

Our guide peers at a small ‘baby’ crack in Perito Moreno. One day soon it will grow into a big crevasse.

Viedma – I loved the remoteness, the difficulty, and the organization of this trek the best. It felt more unique and the challenge was definitely greater which then left me with the real feeling of accomplishment when it was over. I also loved the fact that we had better crampons for doing more difficult climbing. Plus – for whatever reason – I connected with the guides more on this trek. Perito Moreno – the trek was ok – but I was a bit turned off by the fact that I was a part of this big tourist dance and didn’t feel nearly as unique or special. However the experience was safe, and well run without a doubt. In addition – I did really love the fact that the view area was included in the days activities. From a photography standpoint – Perito Moreno offered much more.

And the Winner Is…

If you have to choose just one – then I recommend the Viedma trek for it’s uniqueness and more adventurous trekking . Then I would recommend simply driving out to Perito Moreno and checking out the viewing area and setting your eyes on this large piece of moving ice – it’s a humbling experience to simply see it’s enormity.

How you can visit these two Glaciers

Complete tour including hiking and both glaciers 

Self Drive tour of the glaciers

Glacier only Options: Viedma Glacier Patagonia Adventure Perito Moreno Mini Trekking

Disclosure:

Disclosure: Adventure Life hosted my Patagonia travels. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own – as you know how I love to speak my mind!

27 Responses to "Perito Moreno Vs. Viedma Glacier Tour"

By Turtle March 26, 2013 - 10:48 am

Great analysis but it’s a big call to pass up trekking on Perito Moreno. I still remember how amazed I was to finally see it for myself. It’s one of the most incredible sights in Argentina! I didn’t make it to Viedma but I saw some other very cool glaciers when trekking around El Chalten. It’s such a beautiful part of the world!

By Sherry March 26, 2013 - 3:34 pm

True – I did enjoy Perito Moreno for the views – but if you can only do one trekking – in my opinion it should be Viedma – and then just go visit Perito Moreno – they have an amazing viewing area that’s totally worth it and only costs the park admission.

By Natasha von Geldern March 26, 2013 - 7:28 pm

Absolutely marvellous – crampons and Baileys, what a combination! I’d love to dig my crampons out of the garage and take them here 🙂

By Rocio March 27, 2013 - 5:15 am

Gorgeous pictures!!

By Red Hunt March 27, 2013 - 11:57 am

Super cool, I haven’t been down that way of Patagonia yet and hear about Perito Moreno non-stop…but this Viedma Glacier sounds much more my style….great comparison! (Although both still sound fun.)

By Laurence March 28, 2013 - 11:09 am

Sounds like the Viedma one is the one to go for, but they both sounds pretty awesome to be honest 😉

By Mark H March 29, 2013 - 11:04 pm

A bit of a David and Goliath comparison. One well known and one not so well known. Travel throws this conundrum up in several places around the world and the choice is difficult. NZ also has two glaciers near each other with merits to both. Great review of the two options.

By Sherry April 4, 2013 - 2:41 am

Great point Mark – it is David and Goliath – and I always go for the underdog!

By Sam April 9, 2013 - 12:49 pm

Those are some great pics. Have no yet been to either Perito Moreno or Viedma Glacier yet but will have to give one of them a try next time I am in Argentina, thanks for the in depth article.

By Federico January 14, 2014 - 11:51 pm

You get the same crampons if you do the Big Ice trekking, but is a 2:30 to 3hs on the Ice, plus 1 hour (each way) to get to the glacier. The mini-trekking is just 1 to 1:30hs on the Glacier plus 15 min. to get to the glacier

By Phil July 31, 2014 - 6:38 am

Thanks for the info Sherry going to South America in February and was looking for good places to visit on my way from ushuaia to the caves at chile chico ,thanks again Phil

By Sophie November 12, 2014 - 9:27 am

That is a great comparison and I really enjoyed the article! Quick question: Is the Viedma trek available from El Calafate or only from El Chalten?

Thanks, Sophie.

By Sherry November 13, 2014 - 4:13 am

Sophie – I”m not sure. As I recall it’s about a 3 or 4 hour drive from Calafate – so not sure that they run a day tour out of there or note.

By Alejandra January 29, 2015 - 9:02 pm

Muy buen análisis! We will follow your advice!

By Toncica prosic February 4, 2015 - 6:36 pm

Hi, sherry, my decision is not ice trekking but 1 or 2 boat trips. 1st day Perito moreno walkways and/or no 1 hour boat trip. 2nd day el chalten with viedma boat trip. Should we take both? Are they different/equally stunning? Or just enjoy walkways and next day viedma?

By Sherry February 12, 2015 - 2:32 am

In my opinion the Perito moreno boat trip is probably better. The great thing about Viedma is the hiking on it! But if you can do both go for it!

By El Chalten<>Cuevas de las Manos-->Ushuaia Tips and Itinerary Feedback - FlyerTalk Forums November 19, 2015 - 9:51 am

[…] debating whether to do the self-directed tourist shuffle or a private tour on Moreno after reading this compare/contrast analysis. Did you book Viedma in advance or after arriving? All this talk about […]

By Sherry November 19, 2015 - 10:59 pm

I booked it after arriving.

By carol March 15, 2016 - 3:09 pm

Awesome post. Convinced me to do viedma and skip the trek on perito moreno.

By Sherry March 19, 2016 - 1:21 pm

Yay! How did you like Viedma?

By Carlota April 17, 2016 - 5:42 am

Hi Sherry! Excellent article and thanks for the input. I was wondering whether to do the hike in PM or Viedma. My incline is to go for the Viedma one, but I just realised the age restriction, my kids are 11 years old, so we’ll be restricted to Perito Moreno. I’m sure it’ll be wonderful anyway. Can you recommend any other hikes for adventurous kids in El Chalten?

By Aaron Johnson May 16, 2016 - 4:13 pm

I am planning a trip to this area in December and have been searching all over for good info on hikes, camping areas, and other experiences in Patagonia. When you did both Perito Moreno and Viedma, where did you stay? If I understand my geography right, Perito Moreno is closer to El Calafate and Viedma is closer to El Chalten and they are a few hours by bus from each other. Also, what company did you get your glacier trek through? I saw you said you booked it once you got there, but I would like to at least look at prices and whatnot online so if you have more info that would be really helpful. Thanks!

By Sherry May 17, 2016 - 2:31 am

I planned and booked my hotels and the glacier hike with Adventure Life – http://www.adventure-life.com/patagonia – I’ve used them again after that trip too in Belize and they did a great job. You can book when you get there too in El Chalten – or you can book in a package like I did. Adventure life booked the hotels and organized transportation between the two places – as well as hiking in the Area. They are an American company but they have been operating in Patagonia now for a while.

By VINICIUS DE CARVALHO FREITAS November 14, 2017 - 10:30 am

I could not find the same trekking that you did, they are offering only walking over the rocks at Patagonia Aventura, is there other companies/agencies doing this trekking?

By Sherry November 14, 2017 - 10:34 am

For Viedma Trekking You can try this company – Patagonia Adventures Avenida San Martin 56, El Chalten Z9301ABA, Argentina

By jojo March 11, 2018 - 11:55 am

Hi, just to update this blog post, trekking on viedma is NOT available for 2018. No walking on the glacier is allowed. We are here now and tried to book. Such a shame as we have already seen Perito Moreno and now have to go back to do the trekking if we want

By Sherry March 11, 2018 - 11:57 am

That’s horrible news. Do you know why they are discontinuing it? Is it a safety thing or environmental thing? Any info is appreciated and I’ll happily update the post. Thanks!

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Viedma Glacier

Top ways to experience Viedma Glacier and nearby attractions

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Viedma Glacier - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Lago Viedma

Full day excursion to discover the Viedma Glacier, the largest of Argentina.Starting from El Chalten, after 10 kilometers along Provincial Route 23 and then taking the road to Tunnel Bay after 8 kilometers you will reach the port from which the vessel departs towards the front of the glacier. The boat sails across the lake passing infront the Viedma Glacier.There are two guided tours, called Viedma Ice Trek, which allows hiking with crampons on the Surface of the glacier and Viedma Pro, for those who wish to pursue a more demanding physical activity incluiding ice climbing.Once you get to Bahia Tunel by car or bus, where you embark and after half an hour of navigation, ship will reach the Icebergs Bay , later you disembark near the glacier, to start trekking for a few minutes since you arrive to the glacier.

Viedma Ice Trek: Total duration of the tour 6 hours. (2 hours of navigation). Physical demand low. Technical difficulty Low.

Viedma Pro: Total duration of the tour 9 Hours. (2 hours of navigation). Physical demand medium. Technical difficulty Low.

Lago del Desierto You can take a navigation on the lake spotting different glaciers of Vespigniani Range (two hours approximately) or cross to the north bank with the boat, where there is a delegation of Gendarmeria Nacional (Border Police) , from this point starts the trail by foot or by bike to Lake O ‘Higgins in Chile, via Laguna Larga and then the Laguna Redonda, reaching the Chilean border at milestone IV, open from November to March.

After continuing a stretch more (13 kms.), you get to Lake O’Higgins (Chile) where you ll find border police checkpoint ( Carabineros) , who will require passport or ID to carry out customs procedures ; this hike demands six hours, approximately.

Already at the shores of Lake O’Higgins is allowed to camp or stay overnight at Candelario Mancilla, that also provides food. There is a ship crossing the lake once a week, allowing to get to Villa O’Higgins where the Carretera Austral begins.

This interesting tour allows adventurers to cross into Chile from El Chalten ( and viceversa) , and continue their journey. This circuit, attracts an increasing number of tourists, who cross it by foot or bicycle every year.

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Lago del Desierto Se puede hacer la navegación en el lago avistando diferentes glaciares del cordón Vespigniani (de dos horas de duración aproximadamente) o cruzar hasta la margen norte con la embarcación, donde se encuentra el destacamento de Gendarmería Nacional, para luego seguir camino a pie o en bici hacia el Lago O’ Higgins en Chile.

Cruzando el mismo en una embarcación se llega a la margen norte, donde se encuentra un destacamento de Gendarmería Nacional. Allí se puede acampar, para continuar la caminata al día siguiente bordeando la laguna Larga y luego la Laguna Redonda, llegando así al límite con Chile en el paso fronterizo hito IV, abierto de noviembre a marzo. Luego de continuar un tramo más, se llega hasta el Lago O’Higgins (Chile) donde se encuentra el retén de carabineros, quienes le exigirán pasaporte o DNI (para los argentinos) para efectuar los trámites de aduana correspondientes; esta caminata demanda seis horas, aproximadamente. Ya a orillas del Lago O’Higgins se permite acampar o pernoctar en la estancia El Candelario, y también proveerse de comida. Hay una lancha que cruza una vez por semana el lago, permitiendo llegar al pueblo de Villa O’Higgins donde comienza la carretera Austral. Este interesante recorrido permite a los aventureros cruzar a Chile desde El Chaltén, y así continuar su viaje. Dicho circuito, atrae cada año a un mayor número de turistas, que lo transitan a pie o en bicicleta.

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Viedma Glacier: Tours to Take

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While the Perito Moreno Glacier might be the most famous of Argentinian Patagonia's glaciers , the Viedma Glacier holds the title of largest. The enormous glacier has an area of 977 km² and dominates the ice field of Southern Patagonia. But, the Viedma Glacier is not just something to look at — it is an interactive experience. Visitors to Patagonia can organize expeditions that will allow them to delve deep into the icy crevices of the glacier. It’s an exhilarating journey but one that will stay with you forever. Here is everything you need to know about the Viedma Glacier and how to get the most out of your visit.

• Salvatore T.

How to experience the Viedma Glacier

Depending on how much time you have on your trip to Argentina and your level of fitness, there are various different ways you can experience the Viedma Glacier. Each Viedma Glacier tour has its advantages and disadvantages so weigh them up and work out which option suits you best.

Ice trekking

If you really want to get the most out of your trip to the Viedma Glacier then you should consider doing an ice trekking tour across its surface. Tours usually last around two hours and include a drink filled with ice from the glacier. The crowds at the Viedma Glacier are much smaller than those at the Perito Moreno Glacier. This means you can have a much more tranquil and intimate experience.

Guides help you strap on crampons before you set off to explore icy caves and climb snowy slopes. Bear in mind that the Viedma ice trek tour is difficult. Participants should have a good level of fitness and preferably some previous ice trekking experience.

Ice trekking is certainly not for everyone and if you want to see the glacier in a more relaxed manner then a boat tour is definitely a better option. From El Calafate or El Chalten, you will drive to the harbor on the edge of Lake Viedma and board one of the boats. Once everyone is on board, the boat will embark on its journey across the beautiful Lake Viedma.

The boat trip in itself is spectacular as the vessel weaves through mini-icebergs that sit in the water as you approach the glacier. The views of the Viedma Glacier from the boat are incredibly impressive and the tour usually lasts just under three hours.

Attractions near the Viedma Glacier

While you’re visiting the Argentinian section of Patagonia , you might as well cram as much in as you can. First, if you’ve got a taste for glaciers, you would be crazy not to check out Perito Moreno Glacier . There is a reason this glacier is so popular — find out why for yourself. Boat tours and ice trekking excursions are both available for the Perito Moreno Glacier. Note that if you go in summer, you may have to share the experience with quite a few other people.

Viedma and Perito Moreno are located inside the famous Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. And while the park is known for the glaciers, they are just a part of what makes this park so great. There are dozens of hiking trails that visitors can take on solo. These routes and circuits will take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the park, past lookout points, and through miles of rugged wilderness.

Finally, if you want something a bit more peaceful during your trip, you should check out an es tancia . These are lodges that are surrounded by natural beauty in the heart of Patagonia. They are usually the only buildings to be found for miles on end and offer weary travelers comfortable accommodation as well as a number of activities. Guests can choose from horse riding, hiking, wildlife spotting, and more.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Viedma Glacier is from November to March . This is the warmest time of the year in Patagonia. December through to February is summer in this part of the world and can get a lot busier than the shoulder months of November and March. Do not visit outside of this window as extreme weather conditions make many of the attractions inaccessible.

Good to Know

Before you head off on the adventure of a lifetime, it is worth taking note of the following things:

• The Viedma Glacier is a challenging trek. If you are nervous about whether you can cope, do the Perito Moreno Glacier first as it is an easier climb.
• There are not very many ATMs in Patagonia so make sure you load up on cash before you go.
• The weather in Patagonia is unpredictable and can change multiple times within a few hours. So, pack for every possibility. Check out the best time to visit Patagonia for more information.
• Be respectful of nature here.

The Viedma Glacier is a natural wonder unlike any other and is capable of completely taking your breath away. If you are planning a trip to Patagonia , the Viedma Glacier will make a fantastic addition to your itinerary.

If you are looking to explore more  destinations in Argentina , there are abundant opportunities to venture out. You can check our guide on  things to do in Argentina  to find activities that best suit you. For a seasonal overview of the country, you can read our guide on the  best time to visit Argentina . 

You customize your tour of Argentina ;  Get in touch with our local travel experts in Argentina the best of the country. You can create a tailored tour based on  how many days you want to spend in Argentina , including Viedma Glacier.

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A Once In A Life Time Adventure

This Patagonia Holiday is perfect for anyone looking for a once in a life time adventure holiday. Starting at El Calafate, going all the way down to Ushuaia, visiting Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre (maybe the two most emblematic mountains of Patagonia) as well as Perito Moreno Glacier (only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process), Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and eventually across the Magellan Strait into Tierra del Fuego to end our tour in the “city of the end of the world”. There will also be the chance to explore this beautiful area on any free days. During this itinerary there is also the opportunity to take part in an optional excursion which is boat trip in the picturesque Tempanos Channel. This Patagonia tour offers the very best immersive experience into a very special and constantly changing part of our planet, whilst enjoying the company of fellow travellers.

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Price £3,895 / $4,850

Based on 2 pax. Excludes international flights.

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2023: 23-Dec

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DAY 1 - El Calafate Airport - El Calafate

We welcome you at Calafate airport and we transfer you to town to check in at your hostel. You get the rest of the day to explore and enjoy the town. Later you have your welcome dinner.

Overnight Inn

DAY 2 - Bus to El Chalten - Laguna Capri

After breakfast we take our bus for the 220 km long drive to El Chaltén, a small and picturesque village at the foot of Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre massif. We make a stop half way to enjoy local pastries and hot coffee. Once in El Chaltén, we will start our trek. We carry in our packs only the necessary items for this 2 nights and 3 days in which we’ll overnight in our Full Camp inside the National Park. What we don’t need is left behind at our office and you will find it back at your accommodation when we arrive back to El Chaltén on day 4.

We hike up a gentle slope on Fitz Roy trail to gain height over the River de las Vueltas valley up to the first viewpoints over Fitz Roy massif. From these first viewpoints, another 2 hours of gentle walking across bogs and forests take us to our camp, from where we will enjoy a spectacular view of all the Fitz Roy group spires rising from the surrounding glaciers.

DAY 3 - Cerro Fitz Roy - Laguna De Los Tres

Early in the morning, before the first coffee, we can try to catch the morning light only need this to feel the trip is. It’s a spectacular start to the day but  the day offers so much more. After breakfast, carrying only day personal items such as our parka, gloves, our camera, water bottle and box lunch, we hike along Fitz Roy trail up to Rio Blanco, climbers basecamp to the east side of the mountain. From here a steep 1 h trail leads us to one of the most spectaculars viewpoints of the National Park: Laguna de los Tres, with its zephyr blue colour, lies at the foot of the massif, offering full close up views of Fitz Roy massif spires and glaciers. Each wall rises something from 600 to 1500 metres above the surrounding glaciers. Fitz Roy, with its 3405 metres above sea level, is considered the “King of Patagonia” and also considered one of the three most beautiful mountains on Earth (together with Alpamayo in Perú and K2 in the Karakoram). We hike back to Laguna Capri in the late afternoon. Walking time is 5 to 6 hrs.

DAY 4 - Cerro Torre - El Chalten

Today we make it around Laguna Capri to get to the Lagoons Madre and Hija Valley and we travel down to Fitz Roy river valley, where we meet Cerro Torre trail. The trail runs along beech forest, bogs and shrubland. From the camp, a short hike takes us to Laguna Torre, enclosed by morraines and with the Glacier Grande calving in its west side. It is usual to see icebergs pushed by the wind in the coast of the lagoon. The thin and elegant 3128 mts of Cerro Torre group and the Adela range in the background complete this spectacular view. In the evening we hike back to El Chalten along Cerro Torre trail.

Overnight Lodge.

DAY 5 - El Chalten - Loma Del Pliegue

This mountain, 1500 mts tall, is located immediately south of Cerro Torre valley and offers some of the best views over the different group of mountains, glaciers and lakes that features the area. From the lower terraces to the summit, you can get spectacular views of Fitz Roy, Torre and the spectacular glacier valley in between both. From the summit the bonus is the sight of Paso del Viento and some of the mountains that stick out from the Patagonian Icefield. According to the group capacity, we choose the lower terraces or try the summit, a long but gentle climb in scree. The lower part of the mountain is covered by shrubland and forest. We are back in Chalten by late afternoon.

Overnight Lodge

DAY 6 - El Chalten – Laguna del Desierto

This day is free. We recommend the optional excursions offered in the town such as Viedma Ice trek. Trekking on glacier, using crampons. This activity is physical demanding, but allow us to enjoy a trek on ice and a boat trip in Viedma Lake. Also, you can discover the town or other optional excursions with less physical effort. In the late afternoon, we return to El Calafate.

Optional excursion recommended:  Viedma Ice Trek. (This excursion is not included in the program)

DAY 7 - El Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier

We dedicate this day to one of the World’s Natural Wonder: the Moreno glacier. This ice field- type glacier flows down from the Patagonian Icefield, a big sheet of ice that with its 22.000 square kilometers is the third largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M sq km) and Greenland (1 M sq km). Because unusual favorable local conditions, this glacier is the only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process. The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be only meters away from your eyes. A beautiful, short trail, will lead us from the shores of the lake to the upper viewpoints. The roar of the chunks of ice falling inside the glacier or from the glacier into the lake, the frequent collapse of the front seracs into the turquoise water, makes out of this day a very special and unique experience.

Optional Excursion Recommended: Safari Nautico – Boat trip in The Tempanos channel. (This excursion is not included in the program)

DAY 8 - El Calafate – Torres del Paine National Park

We have an early start as we start a 6 hour drive to our camp in Paine. We drive across the steppe, still following by parts the legendary route 40, to get around Sierra de los Baguales, an impressive range in between Calafate and Paine. We cross the Argentinean Chilean border at Cancha Carrera/ Cerro Castillo. After the border crossing, we start our final sprint to Paine National Park, World Heritage by the UNESCO (United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization). Approaching the Park, we start to see the different mountains that feature the area: Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto and the Towers. Once we entered the Park, we go for a short 1 to 2hrs walk to get familiar with the landscape, the wind and the rich wildlife: guanacos, lesser rheas, condors and all types of wetland and buzzard birds, will be available for our eyes and cameras. There are also plenty of flowers to appreciate and photograph. Back in the bus, we reach our camp at the foot of Paine massif.

DAY 9 - Paine Towers – Ascensio river valley

Day 10 - lake pehoe crossing – french valley.

All good things must come to an end at some point. After breakfast at the Hotel you will be transferred with your guide/driver to San Jose Airport where you will get your flight home.

DAY 11 - Discover Grey Glacier Viewpoint and Lake Grey Shore

Lake Grey trail leads from Pehoe valley across ridges to reach Grey valley. This magnificent valley flows down 60 km from the Patagonian Icefield, featuring the huge glacier calving down in the grey colour lake. Our trail skirts the lake, going up and down the westerns slopes of Paine Grande, offering some of the most impressive sights of the Park. From the high sections of the trail, many different viewpoints allow us to see the south end of the lake where the blue icebergs gather, the mountains rising far in the distance above glaciers Grey and Tyndall, and of course lake and glacier Grey. We reach the main viewpoint, a rocky point somewhat 2hrs away from Pehoe, with views over the Lake and Glacier Grey and the surrounding glaciers and mountains. We come back along the same trail, crossing bogs, shrub lands and forest. By noon we take the boat to cross Lake Pehoe back and then we go to our accommodation in Puerto Natales, a picturesque fishermen town located in the shores of the Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) fiord.

DAY 12 - Puerto Natales to Ushuaia

Long drive today, though quite worthwhile. We continue south to reach the legendary Magellan Strait, which we will keep on sight up to Primera Angostura, where we board the Ferry in which we will cross the Strait. This Pass, discovered by Hernando de Magallanes in 1520, was the natural and logical way to all vessels until de Panama Channel was open at the beginning of the XXth century. You will find yourselves wondering how those brave men dare to sail those waters in such fragile caravels!!! Once in Tierra del Fuego (literally, Land of Fire, due to the fires seen by the first white sailors in the coast, done by the local Indians to cook and heat) we enter back Argentina through Paso San Sebastián. Once in Ushuaia a transfer will take us to our hotel.

DAY 13 - Ushuaia – Tierra del Fuego National Park

You will enjoy this entire day by your own, to choose the optional activity that better fit your desires.

DAY 14 - Take a boat from Ushuaia to the legendary Beagle Channel

After breakfast we transfer to the touristic pier and get on board to our boat trip in the legendary Beagle Channel.  We will navigate the Beagle Channel to the iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, we will see Los Lobos Island and Los Patos Island, we will visit the Acatushun Museum in the pioneering Estancia Harberton and we will have the unforgettable opportunity to walk among penguins on Isla Martillo.

The afternoon is at leisure.

Optional excursion recommended: Estancia Harberton with Penguin colony. (This excursion is not included in the program).

Overnight lodge

DAY 15 - Time to say goodbye as you are transferred from Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport

You will have the morning on your own to discover the town of Ushuaia, which is located in the north coast of the Beagle channel. Then town features interesting museums and its typical architecture. In the afternoon we are transferred to Ushuaia airport to take our flight to Buenos Aires. Our services end at the airport.

Create your own review

This ranks among the top 5 trips I've ever taken (and I've done a fair bit). The whole trip was peppered with fantastic experiences, so it's hard to pinpoint one or two. Although the weather was not ideal, the stark landscape and views were still spectacular. Walking over the ridge to see the view of Lago de Los Tres backed by towering mountains was breathtaking. The best hike was climbing 3000 feet to have lunch under the looming Torres del Paine. Everything was impeccably organized and executed and I can't think of a single complaint (aside from the couple rainy days, but what can you do?). Most of the food was fantastic (the camp food at Torres del Paine was mediocre, but it's privately run, so not a lot to be done about it),the guides were outstanding, and I felt totally taken care of. I was traveling with my friend from home, but within days our group of 15 felt like family. It was very hard to say good bye! I had been eyeing this trip for a few years and I'm so glad I finally made it happen. Absolutely fantastic!

Overall the holiday was excellent with a group of 8 people including me, all singles - 2 x German girls, 1 x Dutch guy, 1 x USA guy (who booked through you) 1 x Spanish girl and 2 x Argentinian girls- so group size and make up was great. The highlights were Fitzroy, the view of Fitzroy from the campsite, Torres Del Paine, kayaking in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier, the sheep farm bbq near Rio Grande and seeing the penguins in the beagle channel. The included food was excellent and campsites were better than I was expecting which was a pleasant surprise. The tour leader Tomas was excellent as was the Argentinian guide Paulo. Transport was good and driver was excellent - no concerns at all with driving. Overall I thought it was a fantastic adventure and I made some great friends.

Really wonderful - Hiking and camping in the magnificent landscape of Patagonia

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A Complete Huemul Circuit Trek Overview (Patagonia’s Best Hike)

By: Author Charles

Posted on October 17, 2023

When it comes to hiking in Patagonia, there are so many options out there. While I took part of many hikes across several regions, the Huemul Circuit of El Chalten truly stood out among the rest.

Over the course of 4 days and 3 nights, the Huemul Circuit takes you across some of the most picturesque and unique landscape you can ask for.

Whether it is hiking along rivers, on glaciers, over mountain passes, or even getting a view of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, the Huemul Circuit has it all and more.

This trekking guide is meant to be comprehensive, covering all the various topics to consider. By the end of reading through, you should have everything you need to know to take on the trail for yourself.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) Huemul Circuit Overview

The Huemul Circuit (pronounced way-mool) is a 4 day / 3 night loop trail located just on the outskirts of El Chalten, Argentina. The trail takes you along some of the most impressive landscapes you can ask for in the region.

This is no ordinary hike though and should only be attempted by those with the appropriate skills and experience. It is mostly unmarked, with technical terrain, two river crossings (where ziplines / Tyrolean traverses are used), two mountain passes, and some steep descents.

Since this is a multi-day overnight trail, you will also need to bring everything with you on the hike. Camping gear, food, clothing, a harness (more on that soon) & more, will all need to go into your backpack and along for the trek.

However, with this difficulty does come much reward. The views, landscape, and experiences on this trek are unparalleled. Some of the highlights include:

• Hiking down the Toro Valley with the Patagonian mountains all around
• Taking part of 2 Tyrolean traverses over Rio Tunel (day 2 & 4)
• Walking along the Rio Tunel Inferior Glacier
• Taking in the views from Paso del Viento of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field   – the second largest contiguous extrapolar ice field in the world, and the only hike in El Chalten that offers the view
• Enjoying the panorama from Paso Huemul of the Viedma Glacier 
• Waking up at Camp Bahia Tempanos for an iceberg filled sunrise

Day by Day Trail Stats

Below is a high-level view of what each day on the trail will entail in terms of logistics, distance and elevation gain. Please note that these distances and gains can vary slightly.

Huemul Circuit Day 1

Starting Point : El Chalten APN Visitor Center Ending Point : Laguna Toro Campsite Distance : 10.8 miles / 17.4 km Elevation Gain : 2,450 feet / 747 meters Elevation Loss : 1,640 feet / 500 meters Duration : 5 Hours

Huemul Circuit Day 2

Starting Point : Laguna Toro Campsite Ending Point : Refugio Paso del Viento Distance : 8.0 miles / 12.9 km Elevation Gain : 2,615 feet / 797 meters Elevation Loss : 1,969 feet / 600 meters Duration : 6 Hours

Huemul Circuit Day 3

Starting Point : Refugio Paso del Viento Ending Point : Camp Bahia Tempanos Distance : 9.3 miles / 15.0 km Elevation Gain : 1,420 feet / 433 meters Elevation Loss :  3,937 feet / 1,200 meters Duration: 6 Hours

Huemul Circuit Day 4

Starting Point : Camp Bahia Tempanos Ending Point : Bahia Tunel Boat Terminal* Distance : 10.0 miles / 16.1 km Elevation Gain : 1,400 feet / 427 meters  Elevation Loss : 1,300 feet / 396 meters Duration : 6 Hours

* Hike Finish Note : while the official ending point is at the Bahia Tunel boat terminal, you will still need to get back to El Chalten. If you cannot hitch a ride back from the terminal, you will either need to walk another couple of miles to the La Quinta hotel (and grab a taxi from there), or continue onto El Chalten (~5 miles). More on all of this soon.

Huemul Circuit Total

Distance : 38.1 miles /  61.3 km Elevation Gain : 7,885 feet /  2,403 meters Elevation Loss: 8,846 feet / 2,696 meters Duration : 23 Hours

As you can see, each day of the Huemul Circuit will entail quite a bit of hiking and elevation gain/loss along the way. This circuit should only be attempted by those with the necessary experience and skills to take on such a multi-day hike.

Combining Days Note : there are many questions out there regarding combining days to make the circuit three days instead of four. This can certainly be done, but ONLY by those that can handle very long days on the trail (10+ hours). Days 1 & 2, days 2 & 3, or days 3 & 4 can be combined into one, but be sure to start very early and get ready for a full day of hiking.

Before going into the day by day details of the hike, there are many important topics to understand regarding the region and the trek itself. In each of the next several sections, I will be diving into these topics to better prepare you for the Huemul Circuit.

2) Getting to El Chalten

First things first, you need to make your way to El Chalten. El Chalten is a small town within the Los Glaciares National Park of Patagonian Argentina.

Surrounding the town, you will find some of the most beautiful peaks, lakes & views in Patagonia. Since El Chalten was essentially built to cater to the surrounding landscape, you will be able to walk right from town to the various trailheads (including the Huemul Circuit).

There are two main ways to get yourself to El Chalten – either by bus or by rental car.

Since El Chalten does not have an airport, you most likely will be coming in by bus from El Calafate (home to the closest airport and the Perito Moreno Glacier ).

You can reach El Calafate by plane from major cities like Buenos Aires. The bus ride from El Calafate is relatively quick, taking around 3 hours between the two towns.

There are multiple busses a day, serviced by several companies. Feel free to look through Busbud to see options across many of the companies.

Some of these busses stop at both the bus terminal and the airport. You can take a look on the site for the latest schedules and fares for your journey. A one way ticket will cost somewhere around $20-$25 USD. 

Renting a car in Patagonia is also a great option for those that want more flexibility. You can make more of a road trip out of it, visiting several places all along the way, such as Torres del Paine .

Depending on where you plan on going, some of the drives may be quite long. However, you will be surrounded by some stunning natural landscapes all around, making the drive a highlight within itself.

Feel free to take a look at Rentalcars.com that has options across several different car rental companies.

Learn More : Check out this Patagonia Itinerary that can better help you put together a complete trip to the region, including time on the Huemul Circuit.

3) Where to Stay in El Chalten

El Chalten is home to many different hotels and lodges for visitors. Essentially, everything will be within walking distance from one another.

Hotels, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, and the trailheads (such as the Laguna de Los Tres hike), are all located within the same general vicinity.

These hotels will sell out during peak season, so be sure to book your accommodation as soon as you know your dates.

I would recommend booking a hotel for the length of time you will be in El Chalten, even if some of those nights may be spent on the circuit. You can touch base with your hotel about cancelling some nights when you decide to head out for the trek. 

Below are some of my top recommendations based on budget for your trip to El Chalten:

Mid Tier: Hosteria Senderos | Senderos Aparts & Suites

Luxury: Chalten Suites Hotel | Los Cerros del Chaltén Boutique Hotel

Budget: Hosteria y Cabañas Koonek | Rancho Grande

Note: El Chalten receives its WiFi connection via a radio connection from El Calafate. This means that you should not expect strong WiFi for most of your visit. Phone signals did not work as well, so be prepared to have limited access to Internet during your time there.

Check out this guide to the best El Chalten hikes to consider during a visit to Patagonia

4) El Chalten Weather

The weather could be one of, if not the most important things to consider when taking on the Huemul Circuit.

From a time of year perspective, the most realistic timeframe to enjoy hiking in Patagonia will be during the southern hemisphere’s summer period. From the months of December to March you will have the best chance to have the most suitable hiking conditions in general.

If you are not aware already, the weather in Patagonia can be very inconsistent and unpredictable on a daily and even hourly basis. You can have all types of weather hit you in a single day.

When I visited El Chalten, I ended up staying for 10 days hoping to get around 6-7 days of hiking weather. This was to complete the circuit and a couple other day hikes like Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre .

While some days in El Chalten had absolutely perfect conditions, other days were filled with snowstorms, no visibility, and very strong winds.

The Huemul Circuit is certainly a tough trek to take part of where consistently ideal weather can be had. I mean, one of the main highlights of the trek is called Paso del Viento, which translates into “windy pass”.

Wind speeds can reach up to 100mph up here. So, when eyeing the forecast, you must pay very close attention to wind speed too – hiking in these extreme winds would be impossible.

It is not uncommon to wait several days to get the weather window needed. Luckily, a few days into my time in El Chalten, the forecast began to show a perfect weather window for the hike.

Weather forecasting is tough enough in mountainous regions, but even tougher in a place like Patagonia. The locals were keen on using Windguru as their best source of truth when it came to weather forecasts.

Here is a link to the free version of Windguru for Paso del Viento (the mountain pass visited on day 2). Upgrading to the paid version will give you more insight and features.

What you are looking for here is low wind speeds, low % of cloud cover, and no precipitation. You can see from the Tuesday to Friday that I completed the circuit, that conditions were looking great for a hike on the circuit.

I would recommend heading to the visitor center leading up to your trek to get their thoughts on the best day to head out and ask them any questions you may have.

Hiking Resources & Checklist Before heading out for the trails, be sure to read up on some of the hiking resources up on the site. These are here to better prepare you for all types of outdoor adventure. Gear : Hiking Packing List Weather : How to Prepare for Hiking Weather Navigation : Hiking GPS & Navigation Tips : 20+ Hiking Tips & Tricks for the Trail Accommodation : Book Your Hotel Today Rental Car : Book Your Car Rental Today

5) Packing List

Hiking the Huemul Circuit will require a gear list that is quite different from just a normal day hike.

Since you will be staying overnight at campsites, you must bring everything along with you for sleeping and eating as well.

Below is my recommended packing list for the circuit, but understandingly each person may be a bit different with what type of gear & clothing they bring along.

Check out the Huemul Circuit packing list overview that dives into some more details about the below

Hiking & Camping Gear

Below is a list of the hiking & camping gear essentials for your time on the trail. Note that much of these can be rented or bought in El Chalten if you do not have everything already. I will talk a bit more about renting in El Chalten in the following section.

• Hiking Backpack | Hyperlite Southwest 3400 (and Backpack Rain Cover )
• 3-Season Tent | Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL
• Sleeping Bag (20 F – 40 F)  | Thermarest Questar 20 ; Thermarest Hyperion 32
• Sleeping Bag Liner | Sea to Summit Liner
• Sleeping Pad | Thermarest NeoAir Xlite
• Camping Pillow | Thermarest Camping Pillow
• Hiking Poles | Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles
• Hiking Map | Purchase in El Chalten

From a clothing perspective, you will want to bring along what is needed for four days on the trail. I am usually a bit more lightweight here as I use the same layers on a day to day basis.

Note that the weather can change quickly, so you will want to be prepared with the appropriate layers (all outlined below). Also, be sure to have moisture wicking materials for your clothing items.

• Hiking Boxers (2-3)
• Hiking Socks (2-3)
• Hiking Pants (1)
• Hiking Shorts (1)
• Long Sleeve Sun Hoodie (1)
• Short Sleeve Hiking Shirt (1)
• Puff Jacket (1)
• Hard Shell Jacket (1)
• Baseball Hat
• Quick Dry Towel
• Packing Cubes & Laundry Bag

Hiking Shoes

A hike like the Huemul Circuit must be done with the appropriate footwear. Be sure to invest in quality hiking shoes for your time on the trail. Some of my recommended shoes include:

• Keen (Targhee Series)
• Merrill (Moab Series)
• North Face (Ultra Series)
• Salomon (X Ultra Series)

Electronics

Most of my electronics were used for photography and navigation purposes. Be sure to also pay attention to the last item listed out – a Garmin inReach. This is key for anyone hiking a trail like this due to the absence of cellular service on the hike.

• iPhone & USB Cable
• Headlamp | Petzl Actik Core
• Portable Charger | Anker Portable Charger 10,000 mAH

Action Camera

• GoPro Stick
• Extra GoPro Batteries

Mirrorless Camera

• Extra Battery
• 256GB SD Card
• Mini Tripod

Satellite Communicator |  Garmin inReach 2 Mini

For a trail like the Huemul Circuit it is so important to have a satellite communicator like the Garmin inReach 2 Mini . This small device gives you the chance to communicate with family, track your route, and call for SOS in case of emergency.

Food & Drink

Remember, you will also need to bring all food for four days out on the trail. There are supermarkets in El Chalten where you can stock up on certain items. If you want to come prepared with food that you prefer, then check out my usual food purchases below (high calorie / low weight).

Lunch/Snacks

• Variety of Bars including PROBAR Bars , Honey Stinger Bars , Clif Builder Protein Bars
• Fruit & Nut Mixes
• Variety of dehydrated meals including Peak Refuel , Outdoor Herbivore , and GOOD TO-GO

Note that you will easily be able to fill up your water bottle consistently throughout the trek. Along most of the hike you will find rivers and streams, where you can get some fresh Patagonian water.

During my time on the circuit, I just filled up directly from these without any filtration. However, if you do want to play it safe, you can get a filtered water bottle like the   Katadyn BeFree water bottle.   I also brought along some Liquid IV hydration packets  to keep hydrated at the beginning of the day.

Cooking Gear

• Cooking Stove : Jetboil Micromo
• Spork : TiTo titanium spork
• Cooking Gas (purchase in El Chalten)

This last section of the packing list will be toiletries. Each person will also be different here, but below are the main items I brought along with me.

• Deodorizing Body Wipes  | Alcala Bamboo Deodorizing Body Wipes
• Body Deodorant
• Toothbrush / Toothpaste
• Contact Lenses / Solution
• Travel Shampoo & Soap
• Moisturizer
• Personal Creams & Medications
• Bandaids 
• Nail Clipper
• Small Mirror
• Toilet Paper

Required Items for Tyrolean Traverse

• Safety Rope
• Steel Carabiner
• Aluminum Carabiner
• 35 Meter Cord

I will dive more into these items in the following sections

6) Renting Gear in El Chalten

Now, if you are not already coming into El Chalten with all the gear necessary, there is nothing to worry about. You can rent your gear in town prior to the hike.

In town you will find several different gear shops where you can buy or rent gear for the hike. Some of these include Camping Center and Viento Oste (no tent rentals), but you certainly can find some more.

If renting camping gear, you will usually be charged per night and you must return the gear prior to ~5:00PM the final day not to be charged an extra night. Each shop may be a bit different so be sure to ask beforehand.

Tip : rent the gear even a couple days early if there is an anticipated weather window so you can avoid any stock outs. It is better paying for an extra day of gear than potentially not having the gear at all.

Below you can find a few photos I took of the camping gear and price lists (but note that prices change drastically over time with the devaluing of the Aregentian Peso):

7) River Crossings

There are two river crossings part of the Huemul Circuit – one of the second day and one of the fourth day. Since the route heads from one side of the river to the other in these instances, there are two installed steel wire ziplines (Tyrolean traverse) that connect either side.

I imagine for most people, renting the harness in El Chalten will be necessary. I also imagine that most people may not have the experience using a harness and carabiners to zipline across a river. While it does sound a bit intense, the process is quite simple.

Essentially what you will find in these two places is a steel wire that makes its way above and across the river flowing down below. On this steel wire you will find a pulley. This pulley makes it a more seamless and smooth process to get yourself across the steel wire.

When renting the gear, you will be given a harness along with some safety cords and two carabiners attached – one steel carabiner and one aluminum carabiner.

As you get yourself onto the steel wire, you will want to clip the steel carabiner onto the steel wire and the aluminum carabiner onto the pulley. The aluminum carabiner is considered your main means of safety here, while the steel carabiner would be your backup safety line in case the pulley breaks.

You will also see that a 35 meter thin cord is recommended to bring as well. The idea here, is that once someone goes across the river on the pulley, there should be an easy way to get the pulley back to the starting point.

So, if you attach the 35 meter thin cord to the pulley as well, then someone else will be able to pull the pulley back to the starting point once you have unhooked yourself on the other side.

Ideally, there is already a cord attached, so people won’t need to consistently swap out this cord as new groups come through.

Tyrollean Traverse Setup Recap

1. Step into your harness and properly secure yourself in . Be sure the straps are nice and fitting onto your legs so there is little movement and your body is secure.

2. Approach the pulley and attach the 35 meter rope (if necessary with a group). There is a chance a rope already attached.

3. Attach the aluminum carabiner to the pulley and the steel carabiner to the steel wire . If heading across with your backpack, you can consider attaching the pack to the steel carabiner as well.

4. Secure all of your belongings and slowly make your way across the traverse . You can either lay fully vertical facing up or take a more seated position – whatever is more comfortable for you.

5. Once you reach the other side, get yourself onto the rock securely, before unhooking your carabiners and backpack . From there, someone on the other side can go ahead and pull back the pulley using the 35 meter rope.

Helpful Tips & Things to Know

The first river crossing offers an easier chance to cross by foot instead . Simply make your way a bit further upstream, take off your shoes, and carefully make your way across. This will only be possible earlier in the day as the river flow usually picks up as the day goes on.

There also seems to be a way to cross the second river by foot but I did not see that option when I was there. You must be prepared to cross by zipline either way .

Be sure that all belongings are extremely well secured in your backpack or in your zippered pockets . If something falls out, you most likely will lose it for good.

You can decide to cross with your backpack in a few different ways :

• Have it on your back, nice and snug against your body
• Connect it to the safety line steel carabiner and slowly move along with it on the wire
• Cross the river on your own, then have someone attach your backpack onto the pulley, and pull the backpack across from the other side

Be very careful getting off on the other side. You should already be in a safe position before even thinking of unclipping yourself from the wire .

If you happen to arrive at the ziplines and the pulley is sitting in the middle of the wire (with no cord attached), you may need to first retrieve the pulley from the wire . Be careful when doing so, as that would mean you are attaching yourself directly to the wire.

8) Registration & Permits

Since this is a more intense hike on the outskirts of El Chalten, you must register yourself with the Parques Nacionales Administration (APN) at the El Chalten Visitor Center prior to departing (open from 9:00AM – 5:00PM). This can either be done in person prior to the hike or you can simply use their Google Form (pictured below).

Either way, I would highly recommend going to the APN office leading up to the hike to learn more about conditions, weather, and to watch their informative slideshow.

Check out their Huemul Circuit slideshow presentation beforehand to get a better idea of what it is all about

The office is also the location of the starting point of the hike. Once you arrive back in El Chalten after the hike, be sure to mark your arrival with them.

I have read in the past that it is 100% necessary to show your harness, carabiners, safety line, 35 meter cord, camp stove and topographic map to receive your permit. However, that was not my experience at all. They simply asked me to fill out the Google Form and be on my way.

Since requirements may change over time, I would highly recommend heading to the visitor center in the days leading up to your hike to better understand if rules have changed.

9) Huemul Circuit Map

Now that you have a bit of background on the hike, I did want to layout a Huemul Circuit Map for you to better grasp the trek in its entirety.

Below is a Google Maps view of the hike, that can be downloaded into a KML/GPX file for your time out on the trail. I have included the route, campsites, ziplines, mountain passes, and starting/ending points.

10) Starting & Ending Points

The Huemul Circuit is a loop trek for the most part. This will just depend on how you decide to finish the hike. Here is a bit more information on the starting and ending points of the trail.

Starting Point

The starting point of the circuit is located at the El Chalten APN Visitor Center . On Google Maps you will see this as “Centro de Visitantes, Guardaparque Ceferino Fonzo, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares”.

The visitor center is located just outside the town center as you head south on Route 23 and cross over Rio Fitz Roy. You will see the visitor center on the right hand side of the road. In addition to the visitor center, you will also find the starting points to other hikes in the area.

Depending on where you are staying in El Chalten, this walk should take anywhere from 5-20 minutes.

Ending Point

The official ending point of the Huemul Circuit is at the Bahia Tunel boat terminal .

Just before arriving at the boat terminal, you will pass through a gate and officially end the Huemul Circuit. The issue however, is that you will still be around 4.5 miles (7.2 km) away from El Chalten.

To get back to El Chalten, you will have a few different options:

1) Hitch a ride back from the boat terminal with someone who may visiting the lake. Unfortunately it does not seem like glacier boat tours use this terminal any longer. So the only real way to hitch a ride back is if you happen to come across someone visiting just for the view.

2) Around 2.5 miles from the boat terminal is the Estancia La Quinta hotel . On Maps.me you should see the route that takes you from the boat terminal up to the hotel. There is a bit of an uphill climb here too, just as a warning.

Once you reach the hotel, you can ask them to call you a taxi. I ending up getting a ride with someone who was leaving the hotel when I was arriving. Staying at the hotel is an option too!

3) The last main option here is to continue the hike back to El Chalten from the Estancia La Quinta hotel, which will be another couple of miles.

I have seen routes that head straight back to El Chalten, while others wrap back around to the visitor’s center.

11) Navigation

The above maps gives you a great idea of what the Huemul Circuit entails from a logistical perspective. Since the trail is not marked with hiking signs though, you will need to rely on your own navigational skills throughout.

Luckily, the trail is pretty obvious at this point with just a few sections, where it may be a bit confusing. You will also find rock cairns (small piles of rocks – seen in the below photo) and wooden poles located throughout the trail that will help guide you.

Either way though, you should have some sort of navigation app handy on your phone with the route downloaded onto it. That way you can see your location in relation to the trail throughout your time on the circuit.

What makes these GPS navigation apps so great is that you do not need cell service or WiFi. The apps use the internal GPS of the phone, so all should still work just fine.

My go to app has been Maps.me, but other alternatives include Gaia and AllTrails.

12) Guide or No Guide

Since the Huemul Circuit is going to be one of the tougher and more logistically challenging hikes out there, hiring a guide is certainly an option. 

The upside of hiring a guide is that you will not need to worry about navigating the trail, they can help you along the ziplines, and they will be able to give you much helpful information along the way.

The downside of hiring a guide is that you most likely will need to book one well in advance. This in turn could be very inflexible as you would be signing up for a particular date. If the weather does not line up well, then you may be out of luck. 

Guides cost somewhere around $1,000-$1,500 per person for a four day trek depending on how many people are in your group.

At the end of the day, my recommendation would be to go without a guide so you can have that flexibility. However, if you are more so on the beginner side and are worried about many of the trail’s difficulties, then I would recommend having a guide with you.

By now you should have everything you need to know about getting ready for the Huemul Circuit. Let’s now talk through what to exact day by day, along with many helpful photos along the way.

13) Huemul Circuit Day 1

The first day of Huemul Circuit begins at the El Chalten APN Visitor Center, located at the edge of town.

You will simply need to walk south out of town, cross the bridge over Rio Fitz Roy, and then onwards to the center just a few more minutes away. 

Once you arrive there, you will be welcomed to various hiking signs pointing out the different trails around the area (including the easier Mirador de Los Condores ).

Since there are several different trails to choose from here, you will just want to be sure you are following the signs to Laguna Toro (where the first campsite is located).

A few minutes into the trail, you will be welcomed to a second hiking sign. This one (shown below) gives the layout of the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado and Laguna Toro routes.

These two routes share the same trail for about 1.9 miles / 3 km, before they split apart from one another. I would highly recommend doing the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado on another day if you have the time (if you start early enough and have the endurance, you could check it out on day 1 too).

Throughout this portion of trail, the route does continue to gain elevation as you walk through the fields with the El Chalten mountainous landscape out in the distance.

The elevation gain here is moderate and not too steep, although some portions may be tougher than others.

Soon enough, you will be welcomed to the very obvious intersection – to the right will be the trail up to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, and to the left is the trail to Laguna Toro.

As you continue to the left, the trail then ascends right into the dense forest. This portion of trail is the only main section, where you will be hiking among the trees, rather than the open landscape.

In addition to the trees, you will find some of the harder incline trekking for day 1 of the hike. The trail will be full of rocks, branches, and mud as you gain elevation through the trees.

After exiting the trees, the landscape opens up once again as you continue to ascend to the high point for the day. From here you will get great views of Viedma Lake in one direction and the El Chalten mountains in the other.

Soon enough out in front, you will have the vast Toro Valley to enjoy. For the next couple of days you will be hiking all throughout this valley. From these viewpoints though, you will get a great sense of what is yet to come on the trail.

Rivers, mountains, glaciers, lakes and more will all be in view as you slowly make your way down through the valley.

As the trail descends downwards, you will continuously have some beautiful valley views before reaching the valley floor. From there you will follow the path onwards through the fields and across some river crossings.

You can see one of those water crossings below, so just be careful as you make your way across. I have read that there could be other water crossings that require to walk across the river itself, but that was not the case when I hiked the route.

Continue to enjoy the mountain views up above as you take in the mountains, greenery, and even some waterfalls. It is then just a little bit longer until you reach the first campsite at Laguna Toro.

Find a nice campsite spot, set up your tent, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon along the river.

14) Huemul Circuit Day 2

The second day of the Huemul Circuit is one of the most memorable hiking days I have ever had and I am sure it will be the same for you.

Wake up early, have some breakfast, and pack up your tent, before beginning the hike up to Paso del Viento.

The first couple miles of the day will be quite easy as you leave the campsite and begin walking around Laguna Toro. Once you get to the other side of the lake, you will have a little bit of an ascent as you navigate up and over some rocks.

Once you get over this section, you will continue along until you reach the first Tyrolean traverse of the hike. I covered this pretty extensively earlier on, but once you reach the rope, follow the aforementioned instructions and get yourself to the other side.

This traverse is certainly the more intimidating out of the two as it is higher up and the ending point is on rocks (rather than a wooden platform like the second one).

If the traverse isn’t for you, then just head 100 feet or so further upstream, where you can find some safer spots to cross over the river by foot. Remember that you can only do so earlier on in the day due to rising river levels.

Once on the other side, you will begin traversing the side of the mountain as you slowly gain views of the glaciated landscape out in front of you. The trail will then make its way right alongside the glacier.

I want to clarify this portion of route here as it may be confusing for some.

Once you reach the glacier, you should continue to walk right alongside it. Do not dangerously ascend the mountainside to your left yet. Instead, stay low and walk alongside the glacier.

As you are hiking along the glacier, you should have the opportunity to walk on the glacier ice itself. Be extremely careful here and do not venture too far out. There are plenty of dangerous spots and you don’t want to put yourself in a compromising position.

Continue to hike just alongside the glacier until you reach the junction, where you will see the glacial river making its way below the glacial ice (pictured below). Once you reach this area, you can begin to turn uphill to your left.

From here the uphill climb begins to Paso del Viento. Although this portion will require the most demanding ascent of the hike, it will also offer some of the best views you can ask for.

The vast glacier down below will be surrounded by mountain peaks, with rivers and lakes making up the landscape.

I recommend taking frequent breaks throughout to fully appreciate what it out in front of you. Below are several pictures from this section of the trail:

Continue the trail up to the pass as you say goodbye to some views and say hello to some new ones.

As you approach the top of the pass, you will hike pass some small lakes with the Southern Patagonian Icefields and the Viedma Glacier out in the distance.

Soon enough, you will arrive at the unparalleled Paso del Viento viewpoint, where you can spend hours just enjoying everything out in front of you.

The glaciers and mountains are never ending here, and you will find yourself taking in one of the best views in Patagonia.

Once all set up top, begin the descent down to the Paso del Viento campsite. The trail down still will offer some great views of the glaciated landscape as you lose much of the elevation gained during the first portion of the day.

Continue down the path, following the river to the campsite. I found some of the trail here to be a bit more difficult to pick up at some points. But as long as you are walking alongside the river and follow some cairns you should be good to go.

Once you reach the campsite, find a spot along the shores to set up camp for the second night of the trek.

15) Huemul Circuit Day 3

After a non stop day of action on day 2, it is time for some more on day 3. After packing up your gear at the campsite, it is time to continue along the trail towards the second pass of the trek – Paso Huemul.

The first 5 or so miles of the trail will be hiking alongside the Viedma Glacier with additional views that come and go as you continue throughout the trail.

I found myself turning around quite often here to get more views of the ice fields way out back with more beautiful panoramas all around.

During this section you will be hiking alongside a river for various portions of the trail. This should give you ample opportunities to fill up your bottle when necessary.

At one point you will need to make your way across the river, so be careful and look out for rock cairns to direct you.

You will then slowly start gaining some elevation as you make your way up to Paso Huemul. As you get higher, the views will become vaster and you will come across the stunning Viedma Glacier all laid out in front of you.

Getting to the top of the pass will be an easier task than the previous day, but do be prepared for the elevation gain and the rocky terrain.

From the top of the pass, you will be welcomed to additional views of the Viedma Glacier, along with all the other various mountains in every which direction. Some may say that this view is right on par with the view from Paso del Viento (if not better!).

Now it is time to begin the perilous descent down to the final campsite. Before you start the descent, enjoy the views of Lake Viedma from the top of the pass and get your knees ready for an extremely steep hike down.

The first part of the descent isn’t too difficult but then things continue to get steeper and more dangerous. Be sure to take this portion slowly and watch each and every step along the way. It is super easy to lose your balance so proceed with caution.

During one very steep portion of trail you will even find a helpful rope that can get you down to the next section.

You finally will then reach the bottom, where you should be on the lookout for a small sign pointing you into the forest to the final campsite (Maps.me is helpful here as always).

Set up your tent near the lake, and maybe even go for a glacial swim before calling it a night and getting ready for the final day.

16) Huemul Circuit Day 4

Before officially starting day 4, I would highly recommend waking up to take in sunrise. There are two options here.

You can either just enjoy a sunrise on the shores of the lake or you can head up to the viewpoint located on the hill (to the left if looking at the water – pin pointed on Maps.me).

I ended up taking in the initial sunrise by the shores as the icebergs lit up with the morning sun, and then took the quick climb up to the viewpoint to see the view from above. Below are some pictures from both locations.

After enjoying a sunrise, pack up your gear and begin the hike back to El Chalten. Although there are no mountain passes today, you should still be prepared for some elevation gain throughout the trail.

The first portion of trail takes you alongside Lago Viedma as you make your way back to El Chalten. I would recommend looking at Maps.me frequently during this first portion of trail as it can be easy to lose the path. While there are some hiking markers, they can be infrequent at times.

The path will eventually reach the Bahia de los Hornos. From the beach area, the path is more obvious and maintained all the way through.

I found myself once again turning around quite frequently during this portion of trail. The views of the Viedma Glacier out back with the lake in the foreground makes for some very scenic landscapes.

Be aware that there isn’t much opportunity to fill up your water through a good chunk of the trail. So, be sure to fill up at the lake and then conserve water until you reach the river once again.

The trail will have its ups and downs as you head up and over the rolling hills. The hiking is not so difficult but it is certainly not flat.

Eventually though, the trail will even out as you walk alongside the hillside with the lake to your right hand side and El Chalten somewhere out in front of you.

The path then makes its way down to the riverside where you will come across the second zipline of the hike. As mentioned earlier, I did not see an option to cross this river by foot (however, I have read that it is possible).

The zipline here is much less intimidating than the first one though as you have some helpful wooden columns on either side of the river. Take the same approach as the first time and make your way across the wire to the other side.

It is then the final push to the trailhead as you walk along the waterfront and eventually around the gate. Soon enough you will reach the Bahia Tunel boat terminal.

If you are lucky, you may be able to hitch a ride back to town with someone who may be visiting the lake.

If not, you can continue straight towards the La Quinta hotel. This portion of the hike has a bit of an uphill as you make your way up and through some fields. Once you reach the high point here, you will see the hotel out in distance.

You can decide to call a taxi from the hotel or you can continue along the path that connects back to the start of the trail.

Either way, your time on the Huemul Circuit has now come to an end. After 4 days and 3 nights of hiking, it is time to have a nice meal and rest up in El Chalten.

That about does it for a complete guide to the Huemul Circuit hike of El Chalten, Argentina. It is truly one of the best hikes in Patagonia and you will certainly enjoy such a memorable experience.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to add them in below. Also, don’t forget to check out the other Patagonia itineraries and guides up on the site.

Have fun out there and safe travels!

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Sunday 26th of March 2023

Thank you for writing up all the information on this circuit, it's very helpful. I have a few other questions.

1. How far in advance do you need to register for permits? Is this like other circuits, where you need to register 6-8 months in advance because it fills up instantly for the whole year? If this is a walk-up type of permit, how can you know if you'll even get a permit?

2. Are you required to stay only at the designated campsites, or is dispersed camping allowed? If it's designated campsite only, is it just for tents only or are there 'Tea Houses' like in Nepal?

3. Is early November a recommended time to do this circuit?

4. Is there any way to gauge how crowded/busy this circuit may be?

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

Hi MC - of course, glad you found it helpful. See below for some answers:

1) Registration can happen when you get there. Since most people wait for the right weather window, most people dont sign register until right before they depart. I have not heard of any sort of limitations on the number of hikers on the trail. 2) There are three designated campsite areas to set up tents. Along the trail there are no facilities besides a drop toilet at the first camp and an emergency shelter at the second. 3) November is possible to hike the circuit. It is more so recommended in the core winter months, but you can still hike in November. Feel free to double check with the visitor center. 4) It all depends on the weather windows. If there is poor weather for a longer period of time, you will have a lot more people waiting for the right day to depart. If there is a longer hikeable window, then groups may be more dispersed.

Hope that helps!

Monday 27th of February 2023

Hi Charles! (or anyone else who has done this trek recently). Great info, thanks! I plan on doing the circuit with my wife (so only 2 of us). One question: is it really required to get/buy/carry the 35-m cord/rope? Will the rangers need to see it before providing the permit? Basically, I want to know if this is an optional piece of equipment, or a "must have" (i.e., actually need it to complete the crossing). thanks!

Thursday 2nd of March 2023

@Charles, thanks Charles! OK, sounds like it would be risky to not have it. I was thinking that there might be some kind of permanent retrieval system built into it, but, I guess not! OK, thanks again for the fantastic info.

Tuesday 28th of February 2023

Hi Rob - so the 35m rope is needed to pull the pulley back to the start of the zipline. So for example, if you head across first attached to the pulley, your wife will need a way to retrieve the pulley back to the start. That is where the 35m rope comes into play. If you dont have one, then there is no way to retrieve the pulley. A couple alternatives include - hoping to use someone else's rope or the possibility that there is already a rope attached (this was the case for me at the second zipline but not the first). At the end of the day, it is "optional" and they arent going to stop you (they didnt even check for myself as I just completed an online sign up). Any other questions just let me know. Thanks!

Tuesday 7th of February 2023

Hi Charles, thank you for this extensive and helpful guide! We are planning to do the Circuit early March and debating whether to bring river crossing gear (harness etc) with us - we don't want to be stuck in El Chalten waiting for the gear to become available. Are the prices that you listed in USD or Argentinian peso? What was the approximate cost per person in USD? Cheers! Agata

Hi Agata - the prices on the charts are Argentinian Peso but the currency has devalued significantly so I would not look at the numbers as is. I would expect the prices to be around $7 - $10 USD per day for the river crossing gear. If you want to be certain, you can reach out directly to one of the shops listed out. I hope you have a great trek!

River Reinhardt

Thursday 2nd of February 2023

Super helpful post, thank you! My friends and I are going to Chalten in late May, and I'm wondering if this circuit is possible to do during that time or if the weather is too bad to camp outside?

Please let me know, thanks!

Saturday 4th of February 2023

Hi River - it is very hard to say what the weather will be like in May. It is known to be more unpredictable around that time but you really never know (even in peak season). There is always a chance you get the weather window but it is hard to predict. Hope you enjoy the trip!

Monday 30th of January 2023

Thanks so much for writing and sharing this. We are starting the Huemul Circuit tomorrow and your post was invaluable.

Good luck Rachael. Feel free to share how it ends up going! Have fun out there.