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11-day ski tour in Coyhaique, Chile and El Chaltén, Argentina | Argentina
11-day ski tour in Coyhaique, Chile and El Chaltén, Argentina
11-day ski tour in Coyhaique, Chile and El Chaltén, Argentina
11-day ski tour in Coyhaique, Chile and El Chaltén, Argentina
11-day ski tour in Coyhaique, Chile and El Chaltén, Argentina

11-day ski tour in Coyhaique, Chile and El Chaltén, Argentina

Join Merlín, an UIAGM/IFMGA-certified guide on this ski tour through Chile and Argentina! You will find scenic beauty on every slope!


MOUNTAIN RANGES

Andes

DURATION

11 Days

OFFER PERIOD

Aug, Sep

FITNESS LEVEL

Fit

SKILL LEVEL

Advanced

PAYMENT METHODS

Credit Card, Wire Transfer and more!

Description

Calling all experienced skiers who want to come discover the beautiful slopes of Argentina and Chile! Come join me on this 11-day ski tour!

We’ll begin our trip in Coyhaique, Chile, which is home to what some say are the world’s most beautiful mountains. I’ll pick you up at the airport and transport you to our accommodation in order to debrief about the program before settling in for the night.

From there we will go to Cerro Castillo, which houses many mountains and valleys that are perfect for ski touring and backcountry skiing. While there, we will eventually hike to our campsite in the mountains, with porters to help us carry our camping equipment. We will camp for 2 nights, in order to be in the closest proximity to the ski slopes.

After a week around Cerro Castillo, we will cross to Argentina. We’ll take the scenic Route 40 to El Chaltén. This small town is home to the incredible Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Southern Ice Field, all of which we will have the opportunity to see as we ski through the region, before finishing the trip in El Calafate.

This trip is meant for experienced backcountry skiers, who are in great physical shape, so please keep this in mind when signing up. Prices for this trip also vary based on group size, so if you happen to have a group of 4 or more people who like to backcountry ski, this might be the trip for all of you!

So, if you are an avid skier, eager to unearth the amazing mountains of Chile and Argentina, this trip is for you!

And if you love skiing in Argentina, then check my other trip, doing a guided ski tour in El Chaltén for a week!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Transport during the trip

- Group porters

Price details

Price does not include: personal insurance, equipment and flights, restaurant meals and drinks, gratuity

Secure your spot with just 25% payment

48-hour free cancellation with 30-day advance booking


Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1

We will pick everyone up at the Coyhaique Airport, and then transport everyone to Villa Cerro Castillo. Shortly after we arrive, we will spend the day debriefing; conducting an equipment check, and going over the details of the program. We will spend the night at Villa Cerro Castillo.

Day 2: Day 2

We will take a short drive to ski at Portezuelo Ibáñez. Assuming the conditions are good, we will take 2-3 different ski runs once there. Then return to Villa Cerro Castillo for lodging.

Day 3: Day 3

We will take a 30 minute drive to the beginning of the ski trail. For this trip, we will carry skis and personal equipment and the porters will
carry the camping equipment and food on the walk to our campsite (Camp Neozelandés). The walk takes between 3-4 hours; optional ski in the afternoon.

Day 4: Day 4

There will be different full-day ski options depending on the weather and snow conditions. We will again stay at Camp Neozelandés.

Day 5: Day 5

There is a possibility that we will do a ski tour in the morning. Then we will go to Villa Cerro Castillo in the afternoon (3 to 4 hours). We will stay at
Villa Cerro Castillo that evening.

Day 6: Day 6

This is a long day on the road, but it will be very scenic as well: We’ll drive for 12 hours along Buenos Aires lake, which is the second largest lake in South America, and then on the historical “Route 40,” which is the longest road in Argentina
from North to South along the Andes). Total driving time: Aprox. 12-14hs. We will stay in El Chaltén.

Day 7: Day 7

We start the morning driving to Mosquito Creek (1 hour); we will then hike from there carrying our skis until we
reach the snow, usually starting above the three line (1000m above sea level). We will Ski the Loma del
Diablo, which has a vertical gain of 1200m. We will stay in El Chaltén.

Day 8: Day 8

We will drive to Lago del Desierto ( 1.5 hour drive). We’ll then hike to Laguna Huemul in order to reach the base of the Huemul Glacier (1 to 1.5 hours). From there, we will ski the “Cerro Vespignani.

 Vertical gain: 1500m.
This is our last night in El Chaltén.

Day 9: Day 9

We will drive 30 minutes to “El Pilar” to start our ascent into Fitz Roy Basecamp (3 hour hike). After setting up our
campsite at Camp Poincenot, we will continue to Laguna de los Tres (another hour carrying the skis on steep rocky trail). We will then
cross the frozen Lake and Ski at Glacier de los Tres, the closest you can get to Fitz Roy Mountain!

Day 10: Day 10

After breakfast, we’ll go back to Laguna de Los Tres, and skin up the Cerro Madsen, with great views of the Piedras Blancas Glacier. Back to the camp and hike back to El Chaltén.
Vertical Gain 1000m.

Fare well dinner with a good “Asado” ( barbecue). Lodging at El Chaltén.

Day 11: Day 11

Transfer to El Calafate Airport. End of the services.

About the guide: Merlín

Guide profile image

Merlín

5.00

(78)

Mountain Guide

Certified UIAGM-IFMGA Mountain Guide from Argentina.

I live in El Chaltén since 1998. I'm originally from Bariloche and I started with mountain activities when I was 15 years old. I've done climbing and ascents in many mountains of Patagonia, Perú, Bolivia, United States and Europe; such as Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Alpamayo, El Capitán, Mont Blanc and Aconcagua among others. I'm also a Ski Instructor and I am passionate for backcountry ski.

I speak fluent English, Italian and French and have been leading trips and expeditions for more than 20 years. I work together with a group of guides, so if I'm not available for the trip you request, one of my colleagues will guide you!

Certificates

AAGM | UIAGM

Request more information

What people are saying about Merlín

Nicole

5.00

Teo was our guide and he was great! He was very knowledgeable about the different wildlife and plants. Without him we would have never attempted to summit or descend (which was worse - his belaying and short roping was totally awesome and we felt in good hands). The weather wasn’t the best but he definitely helped guide us on what to do with the crazy winds we got. His English was very good as well. Totally recommend this for anyone seeking a great adventure and these guys made us feel very ready with all the questions and information they gave us before the day! If you want a real adventure do this and not just Laguna de los Tres!

Maeve

5.00

Great hike, exhilarating and so much beautiful scenery! Thank you Marco. Grateful for the hiking poles on the incline to the Laguna.

Kathryn

5.00

Teo was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable about the area. He was very considerate of how I was getting on. I had an amazing time!

Sean

5.00

Merlin is the top climbing guide in Chalten. Anything from simple sport climbing to hard multi pitches. I did a sport day with my brother and our girlfriends. We went to two different crags in Chalten, and climbed 10 routes, fun for the whole family. I got to lead climb and had my girlfriend belay me for the first time. Thanks Merlin and Martin! I want to return to climb Guillaumet with Merlin!

Gülçin

5.00

Everything about this trip was really great. Firstly explore-share was extremely helpful, really responsive. We felt really supported making all the arrangements from Netherlands to Argentina. Thanks for the team for that! In terms of the trip -- this was one of the most special trips we ever had. Huemel circuit is was very special. You start day1 in Patagonian forests and slowly ascend to the more rugged, stoney views of the circuit until you end up in the glaciers (and walk on them!) in day 2. Day 2 is slightly challenging due to the long ascend and walk until the camp. But without being very experienced we were able to do it (also thanks to our amazing guide Luis). We camped in an area only by ourselves, where it snowed overnight, which added to the majestic beauty of the whole trip. Day 3 mainly was descending to the 3rd camp area next to Viedma lake. This was also slightly challenging given the very steep descend in the forest, but despite the challenge it was fun, and was filled with great views. The reward is big, where Viedma lake is awaiting with glacier pieces floating on the lake just in front of you (and sometimes letting go some of it’s pieces). It’s a mesmerising area. And day 4 is going back to the start through next to the lakes, hares and guanakos. slightly easier trek but very peaceful, a nice goodbye to the circuit. We were picked up by a car at the end, arranged by Merlin/Luis. In all days, we were flabbergasted by the ruggedness and beauty of Patagonian mountains, glaciers, forests, lakes and everything we've seen. We were mainly alone in the circuit -- at least in the direction we were doing there was no one else with us. In that sense it was extra special. Our guide Luis was one of the main reasons for why this trip was so special. Very experienced and friendly -- made us feel really comfortable in what we were doing through his guidance on technical moves (e.g. in traverses, when we are descending etc). Also very experienced in the area, knew the circuit step by step - gave us a lot of information on the story of the geography not just like a guide but like a scientist almost (he was full of knowledge for this space). It was obvious that he really loves these lands and mountains, it was great to experience this route with him. I never write reviews, but this was a great trip on all levels, and want to make sure anyone who sees the review doesn’t doubt and just goes for it. Thank you Luis, Merlin and explore share - for your friendliness, professionalism and love of nature. You definitely added an incredible memory to our minds. I highly recommend everyone to experience Huemel Circuit with Luis and Merlin. Gulcin and Sebastiaan

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