The Travel Chica

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Photo Essay: Trekking Near El Chalten

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It is hard to describe our first two days of long treks.

Seeing the Perito Moreno Glacier was an overwhelming and exciting experience.  The trekking in El Chalten has been completely different.

Challenging?

Yes, at times.

I have enjoyed the physical challenge of it.  During our first two long treks, we covered about 44 kilometers.  But I am exhausted at the end of the day.

One of the bonuses of doing these treks as part of an organized tour is that I do not have to worry about preparing breakfast and packing a lunch.  I roll out of bed, stuff myself at the breakfast buffet, meet our guide in the hotel lobby, and he hands me a box lunch to pack.  Then we’re off.

Rewarding?

Abso-freaking-lutely!

You know I love photography.

If the weather cooperates, this whole area is a landscape photographer’s dream.

We got lucky. The weather has cooperated.

I’ll let the photos do the talking.

I normally do a Foto of the Week at the end of the week.  Well, this time you’re getting a photo essay.  I can’t help it.  There are just too many photos to choose from.

Here it is.  My favorite photos from two big treks to Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre.

Laguna de Los Tres Hike

Yep, that’s another glacier.  Fitz Roy is peaking above the mountain.  And you can barely see Cerro Torre peaking above on the far left.

 

You can see both Fitz Roy (right) and Cerro Torre (middle).

 

There is a really difficult, steep and rocky climb at the end of this trek (an hour if you move quickly).  This is a flat area just before you make the final 10-minute push.

I finally took a photo with me in it!  That’s the laguna we worked so hard to get to with the glacier of the same name above it.  Fitz Roy is hiding behind a cloud.

 

Laguna Sucia is to the left. Laguna de Los Tres is to the right.  No, this is not one of those weird angles I like to shoot.  Laguna Sucia is much lower than the other.

Laguna Torre Hike

This is Cerro Solo.

 

This is Laguna Torre.  Cerro Torre is in the distance obscured by a wind-storm cloud.

 

 

Rio Fitz Roy flows from Laguna Torre.

Check out more photos from the Laguna de Los Tres Hike here.

Check out more photos from the Laguna Torre Hike here.

What part of the world do you think has the most beautiful views?

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This post is part of a series about my experience on the Patagonian Trails Tour with Adventure Center.   I was very impressed by their range of tour options from light to extreme adventure all over Latin America and the rest of the world.  There really is something for everyone.  Adventure Center handles all bookings with Peregrine for North American clients.  

 

Comments

  3. Awesome pix. What is that in the water in the pix of Laguna Torre with Cerro Torre blocked by wind-storm cloud? An ice chunk that’s fallen in? Looks like a frozen diver emerging out of the lake : ) Love Mom

    • Thanks, Jade!

      There is a sign in El Chalten that says it is the trekking capital of Argentina. I think it could be called the trekking capital of South America (although I guess I have a few more places to see before I can really say that). If you like hiking, you would absolutely love this place.
      Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..How To Survive a 28-Hour Bus Ride

  9. You have an awesome life Stephanie! At least this part of it.

    I’ve always wanted to do a 2 week hiking tour of the Grand Canyon. This is really a great way to spend time.

  20. These pictures are absolutely stunning Stephanie :) I must go to Patagonia someday. It was already in the back of my mind as a place to go eventually but I may have to bring it forward and do it during my grand trip to South America whenever I get enough money saved and can squeeze it in between academic years whilst studying my Bachelor of Psychology that I’m starting this year.

    Although Australia doesn’t have any glaciers, the terrain that you’ve taken pictures of reminds me of the Victorian High Country a few hours drive from Melbourne where it snows a lot in winter. There are tonnes of mountains to climb and bush to go wandering in. You can even climb one of the alpine mountains peaks like Mount Hotham or Mount Buller in a day hike and then sleep in a cabin up the top overnight.

    But I must admit and these pictures prove it, Australia has nothing on Patagonia.

    • A few of our trekking days were quite hot. I was surprised. But there have been a few windy and cold days too.

      There are supposedly pumas in the area, but we haven’t spotted any. There is also a type of deer called a huemul. Also endangered, and we haven’t spotted any. I have seen some rabbits though :-)
      Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..The Source of the Ashes in Photos

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