ALPINE LAKES TREK

Backpacking from Colonia Suiza to Pampa Linda

ALPINE LAKES TREK

Backpacking from Colonia Suiza to Pampa Linda

  • LENGTH TRIP
    5 days

  • SEASON
    December through May

  • LEVEL
    Advanced- hikers comfortable in alpine terrain

  • STYLE
    Backpacking and trekking

  • TRIP DATES
    On request

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP

  • 5 days in wilderness
  • Camping trip
  • Lots of alpine lakes to swim after hiking
  • Views of Nahuel Huapi National Park
RATES

Minimum 2 people

2 persons Private USD 2200 pp
2/3 people US$ 1650.-
4 or more people US$ 1450.-

* If you would like to carry a lighter load, Porters are available for US$ 80/day.

QUESTIONS?
TRIP DETAILS

It is one of the most complete guided treks in Nahuel Huapi National Park, and there is a lot to see in only 5 days!  We camp by clean, blue alpine lakes every night of this trip, and experience traversing all the way from Bariloche, Argentina to the foot of the glaciated volcano, Mount Tronador which is on the Argentina and Chile border.

Your mountain guide will take you up ridges with excellent views deep into the pristine Patagonian lands, and down into lush valleys and meadows.  There is a variety of beautiful terrain on this hike including trails beside cascading rivers, old coihue forests, alpine scree, granite domes, bamboo jungles, stream crossings, open meadows, and some scrambling.

This is a well-rounded adventure trek in Northern Patagonia for experienced hikers.  We will sleep just one night in a mountain hut and rest of the trip is supported by tent logistics.

INTINERARY

Day 1:
Multiday trek traverse in Bariloche, Patagonia ArgentinaWe start this guided trek in Colonia Suiza, a little farm village outside of Bariloche, Argentina founded by Swiss settlers in the early 1900s. The trekking trail goes through a coihue and cypress forest and follows alongside a creek that comes from the heights of the mountains, Arroyo Goye. Later, when we will get up between 900 and 1.400m the forest is mostly Nothofagus, “Lenga”, a typical Nothofagus beech from Patagonia. After 2 or 3 hours of hiking, we reach the last section of the trail which is switch backs that will take us to the tree line and the foot of Cerro Negro and Laguna Negra. Beside the lake is the Manfredo Segre Mountain Hut (1.650m). The dark stone makes the lake appear black, but it is actually crystal clear and it is wonderfully refreshing to take a dip after the hike. Relax in this cozy hut or by the lake. The refugio offers good Malbec, their home brewed beer, and a nice dinner.

Night in the hut or you have the option of sleeping in the tents.

Approx. 12 km with 500 meters elevation change in 4 hours of hiking.

Day 2:
After a nice breakfast in the hut, we start today’s hike by traversing around Laguna Negra and then a pleasant climb up to the saddle between Bailey Willis and Cerro Negro. Then we hike down through the “bobsled run” to Valley of LLuvu. Lunch beside a beautiful stream in the valley. After lunch, your mountain guide will take you back up the other side of the valley. The trail climbs through a bamboo forest and then beside a cascading stream. After gaining about 400 meters, we reach our camp beside Laguna CAB, named for Club Andino Bariloche. This a very scenic campsite beside the lake and stream to enjoy a beautiful sunset in the mountains.

Night in tents.

Approx. 8 km with 700 meters elevation change in 5-6 hours of hiking.

Day 3:
This day is a long day of hiking across different valleys, high meadows, and ridges, so we get an early start. The morning begins by going around Lake CAB and then a somewhat challenging traverse on rock around the upper shoulder of CAB peak (1901m). You have the option to climb to its summit with your mountain guide. Nice hike on granite domes, some beautiful open grass fields, and granite ledges with quartz crystals to the top of Cerro de los Cristales. From here you’ll see our home for the night, Laguna Creton, below. To get down to camp, there is some scrambling through boulders and then hiking down a scree slope. Another beautiful alpine lake to sleep next to, and listen to the little waterfalls in the river that flows out of it. Your mountain guide will set up camp above tree line with nice views of Nahuel Huapi Lake.

Night in tents.

Approx. 14 km with 600 meters elevation change in 6 hours of hiking.

Day 4:
Laguna Ilon multiday guided trek in Bariloche, Patagonia ArgentinaAfter your mountain guide prepares breakfast, we pack up camp and start the day hiking on beautiful granite domes. From a cliff we can see down big granite walls to Laguna Azul. In places the rock is studded with crystals that catch the morning light, and we pass by a few more bright blue and turquoise lakes. We climb up to the saddle between Cerro Punta Negra and Cerro El Capitan, and from this ridge we can see the majestic Mount Tronador in the distance again, but this time it’s closer! You can see into the Andes of Chile. Hike down to Laguna Ilon, which has one of the few sandy beaches in the middle of the Patagonian Andes. Your mountain guide will set up the tents in a nice spot among the trees by the lake shore and you can go for a swim. This is an excellent place to enjoy the view of Cerro Tronador and its reflection in Lake Ilon as the glaciers turn pink with the sunset and sunrise. You can occasionally hear the faint “thunder” of Mt Tronador, “the Thunderer”, as chunks of hanging glacier fall!

Night in tents.

Approx. 10 km with 400 meters elevation change in 4 hours of hiking.

Day 5:
Tronador viewpoint multiday guided trek in Bariloche, Patagonia ArgentinaToday you have the option of taking in the morning slowly or going for a little side hike. A 45 minute hike to the Doctor’s viewpoint doesn’t feel like much without your pack, and the view is stunning. Huge granite walls, Lago Frey below, and the unobstructed wilderness of the Patagonian Andes stretching to the horizon. From Laguna Ilon, we have a 4 hour hike to Pampa Linda at the base of Cerro Tronador. The trekking trail goes through forests and meadows and then down to the valley floor. We arrive to this tiny village in the middle of the Nahuel Huapi National Park where there is a Rangers’ Station, hotel, restaurant, and camping area. Scenic drive with your mountain guide through the Nahuel Huapi National Park back to San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.

Approx. 7 km with 400 meters elevation change in 4 hours of hiking.

For this trek, we strongly recommend hiring a Professional IFMGA UIAGM or AAGM Mountain Guides.

GEAR LIST

Summer/ Fall Trekking Trips and Multiday Backpacking trips
This gear list is designed for Backpacking for Several days in the Mountains being able to carry the minimum but logical to travel light and safe in the mountains of Patagonia

  • Backpack 35-42 liters if you need sleeping bag bring the bigger
  • Sleeping bag ideal 600/700 grams of down fill
  • 2 pairs of  sintethic socks (like Columbia or similar)
  • Hiking or Trekking boots good to deal with wet meadows and scree slopes
  • Gaiters
  • Quick dry pants with Schoeller material (North face, Mammut or similar)
  • Merino wool long underwear
  • Water proof Goretex pants
  • 2 T shirt- Capilene or Merino wool ideal
  • Thin fleece, like Patagonia R1 or similar with a hood ideal
  • Mid fleece layer or synthetic Jacket with some insulation
  • Down jacket or warm puffy
  • Water proof Goretex jacket
  • Thin Fleece gloves for hiking
  • Thick gloves (according to season)
  • Warm hat
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses with UV filter
  • Sun screen and lipstick
  • Earplugs… very recommended (for Mt huts, windy days in tents)
  • Tooth brush and paste
  • Headlamp (Petzl Tikka plus, Black diamond or similar)
  • Waterbottle Nalgene or similar
  • Optional for Autum trips – Thermos 0.5 liters ideal for warm drinks
  • Optional Crocs or sandals
  • Iphone/ Ipod music player/camara- optional
  • Hiking poles
  • pocket knife
INCLUDES
  • Backpack 55 lts
  • Headlamp (Petzl Tikka plus, Black diamond or similar) and extra batteries
  • Waterbottle Nalgene or Camelbak
  • Trekking boots to hike comfortable in scree slopes, snowpatches and forest trail.
  • Crocs sandals (Optional)
  • 2 pairs of  sintethic socks (like Columbia or similar)
  • Hiking or trekking pants – Quick dry-(North face, Mammut or similar)
  • Capilene underwear
  • Polipropilene – capilene shirt
  • T shirt
  • Thin fleece
  • Thick fleece
  • Puffy or  down jacket, beautiful for cozy afternoons in the mountains
  • Lightweight Water proof Goretex jacket
  • Lightweight Water proof Goretex pants
  • Fleece gloves x 2
  • Warm hat
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses with UV filter
  • Sun screen and lipstick
  • Hiking poles x 2 (Leki , Black Diamond, etc)
  • Gaiters
  • Pocket knife
  • Small Tupperware – pot for meals- or similar (if you have it, if not we will provide it)
  • Sleeping bag (800 grs of goosedown or equivalent)  and sleeping pad (Therm-a-rest)
  • Spoon
  • Ipod- Mp3 player (optional)

Summer/ Fall Trekking Trips and Multiday Backpacking trips
This gear list is designed for Backpacking for Several days in the Mountains being able to carry the minimum but logical to travel light and safe in the mountains of Patagonia

  • Backpack 35-45 liters if you need sleeping bag bring the bigger
  • Sleeping bag ideal 600/700 grams of down fill
  • Sleeping pad as Therm-a-rest or similar
  • 2 pairs of  sintethic socks (like Columbia or similar)
  • Hiking or Trekking boots good to deal with wet meadows and scree slopes
  • Gaiters
  • Quick dry pants with Schoeller material (North face, Mammut or similar)
  • Merino wool long underwear
  • Water proof Goretex pants
  • 2 T shirt- Capilene or Merino wool ideal
  • Thin fleece, like Patagonia R1 or similar with a hood ideal
  • Mid fleece layer or synthetic Jacket with some insulation
  • Down jacket or warm puffy
  • Water proof Goretex jacket
  • Thin Fleece gloves for hiking
  • Thick gloves (according to season)
  • Warm hat
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses with UV filter
  • Sun screen and lipstick
  • Earplugs… very recommended (for Mt huts, windy days in tents)
  • Tooth brush and paste
  • Headlamp (Petzl Tikka plus, Black diamond or similar)
  • Waterbottle Nalgene or similar
  • Thermos 0.5 liters ideal for warm drinks
  • Crocs
  • Iphone/ Ipod music player/camara- optional
  • Hiking poles

Camping  Gear:

  • Mug to go
  • Spoon

PHOTO GALLERY

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