Los Glaciares Wilderness Trek

Day 1: Transfer from El Calafate Airport to Estancia La Estela

You'll be met at El Calafate Airport and, depending on flight times, taken into El Calafate or onto Estancia La Estela, on the shores of Lake Viedma. We'll have an equipment check and discuss the trekking route.

Accommodation: Hotel (El Calafate) or Estancia La Estela

Day 2: Transfer to Estancia Helsingfors; Trek to Seno Moyano; Wild camp

We'll start the day by driving to Estancia Helsingfors from either El Calafate or Estancia La Estela. It's 180km from El Calafate, a good deal of which is along dirt roads, so the journey can take around 4hrs.

The estancia is located at the entrance of the Seno Moyano of Lake Viedma and we'll trek along this section of the lake through low vegetation. We follow the valley between the Mascarello and Huemules ranges with views of glaciers and the Moyano range. Our wild camp location is near an old hut.

Length of hike: 8hrs, 13km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Wild camp 

Day 3: Trek to the North Pass; Wild camp

Today we'll continue our trek through the valley to a viewpoint for the Valle del Quemado below, the North Pass ahead and, in the distance, the Moyano and Norte mountains with hanging glaciers.

We'll hike into the Valle del Quemado and climb up to the North Pass at 1100m. From here we'll be able to see the entire mountain range of the Mascarello Strict Nature Reserve and the North Canyon.

We'll then start our descent from the pass on rocky terrain before crossing a section of wetlands and low forest where we'll look for a suitable place to wild camp.

Length of hike: 9hrs, 7km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Wild camp

Day 4: Trek through North Valley; Wild camp

After leaving our camp near the forest, we'll trek across a large glacial moraine into the picturesque North Valley. The route through here is undefined and requires skirting areas of wetland and navigating through forests.

If the weather is good, we'll wild camp with a view of Mount North's hanging glacier and lagoon, otherwise we press on further to a more sheltered spot in the forest. 

Length of hike: 4hrs, 8km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Wild camp

Day 5: Trek to Anita Lagoon; Wild camp

Today, we'll continue our trek through North Valley, to the left of the river. There are numerous waterfalls to look out for between the forests and wetlands. Once we ascend up to the a ridge we'll be able to see Lake Argentino and Estancia Cristina off in the distance and also the Canon of Fossils on the other side of the river.

We'll wild camp near the river and Anita Lagoon.

Length of hike: 9hrs, 16km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Wild camp

Day 6: Trek to Glacier Upsala; Wild camp

After packing up our camp we trek towards the River Catarina in search of a crossing point. Once safely across we'll walk through the amazing Canyon of Fossils to an isolated rocky ledge noted for its colours and geology.

Onwards from here we'll make our way to the viewpoint for Glacier Upsala. Close by, behind a rocky promontory is the Refguio Upsala and it is here that we'll set up our wild camp for the night.

Length of hike: 6hrs, 11km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Wild camp

Day 7: Trek to Lake Argentino to Estancia Cristina area; El Calafate

We'll need to be up early today to watch the sunlight over Glacier Upsala from the viewpoint near our camp. After breakfast we'll begin the final section of our trek – a descent to Lake Argentino. It is from here that we'll take a three-hour boat trip back to El Calafate. Here you'll check-in to your hotel and say goodbye to your guide after a truly memorable week together – it's time to celebrate.

If you wish, you can extend your stay at Estancia Cristina for a day or two and enjoy the included activities at the ranch, before taking the boat back to El Calafate.

Length of hike: 4hrs, 14km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Hotel