Discover the Nahuel Huapi National Park with this backpacking traverse, hiking through five lagoons from Colonia Suiza to Pampa Linda with Juan Carlos, an AAGM certified mountain guide.
Private
Andes
5 Days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Dec
Fit
Intermediate
The Crossing of the Five Lagoons is an unparalleled experience in Northern Patagonia. This 5-day expedition along the Andes offers the opportunity to get away from the crowds that are usually found around the mountain huts, especially during January and February.
In addition, we will camp at a different lagoon every night, surrounded by the most beautiful peaks. You will live the unique experience of cooking outdoors, camping along the most amazing shores and feeling the calm of the Patagonian wilderness.
At the bottom of this page you will find a sample itinerary of the program. Please keep in mind that I can extend the trip two days or more so we can enjoy the famous Paso de las Nubes traverse. That way we will descend towards Lago Frias and catch the ship back to Bariloche.
Furthermore, I can also add a mountaineering trip to the Tronador's Argentinean Summit.
So, if you find this program interesting get in touch with me. I am sure we will have the best time in Patagonia!
The afternoon before departure we’ll have a meeting to check equipment and talk about the expedition and logistics.
Using a well marked trail we will follow the Goye river until we are at Laguna Negra. We will be hiking along a beautiful evergreen forest with wildflowers and the roar of the river crystal waters. This trail gets a lot of use by hikers that ascend just to Laguna Negra Mountain Hut. Then, we will set up camp close to the hut by the shore of the lagoon.
After a good breakfast, the first challenge is to make our way around Laguna Negra. Before descending to Arroyo la Chata, we will take a moment to enjoy the view of Mount Tronador and the soaring summits. Then, we’ll descend to the dense forest and cross the creek. Arroyo La Chata is a good place for lunch and a well deserved break. In the afternoon the trek continues climbing towards Laguna CAB. Camp by the lagoon and take a swim at its shallow bays.
This is the longest day, it begins by climbing CAB mountain and traversing towards Mallin Mate Dulce. There, a wide open meadow is great for a lunch stop. The second leg of the day climbs the ridge line of Cerro Cristales, another astonishing view from where we will be able to see the next campsite, Laguna Creton. Surrounded by granite walls and big boulder fields, we will camp on a completely different environment.
Wake up by the alpine glow lights, have breakfast, pack camp and get ready for the most scenic part of the trek. Hiking above Laguna Azul (Callvu) gives us a magnificent perspective, followed by another alpine treasure, Laguna Jujuy. Lunch break will take place at the top of Cerro Capitan ridge. Here Condors flying close by are often seen. From this point the remain of the day is all downhill hiking across open meadows before entering the tall Lenga forest by Laguna Ilon. This last alpine lagoon reflects Tronador glaciers creating a peculiar scenery during the sunset.
Everything has an end and this is your last day so we will add a morning hike to another view point before starting the descend to Pampa Linda where the traverse finishes. Mirada del Doctor panoramic point offers amazing granite walls and a view to Laguna Frey down valley. After lunch, we will begin the descent across a wide valley with open meadows. Then reaching a stead down climb to the valley bed where we will cross Castaño Overa creek. Finally we will end the traverse at Pampa Linda. Now it’s time to loosen your boots and enjoy a well deserved cold beer!
Meeting point Colonia Suiza |
AAGM mountain guide from Argentina.
I was raised in Buenos Aires where I used to go sailing and fishing with my family during weekend and holidays. As a teenager I began traveling to Patagonia with friends to fish, hike and camp. Years later I became a rock climber and mountaineer since I wanted to asses more summits and amazing views.
At the age of 23 and after gathering a good amount of fun ascents and traverses along Patagonia, I decided to fully commit to a life in the outdoors. As a result I started my carrier at N.O.L.S. – National Outdoors Leadership School in the U.S.A. and Chile. I lead rock climbing and mountaineering trips in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Alaska and in Aysen (Chilean Patagonia) for nine years.
In 2009 finally settled permanently in Bariloche and focused my guiding work on the Lake District Region. Here I discovered new styles of guiding and service which were good to experience and helped me grow in this profession. Now I am able to mix my background on outdoor education with the guiding world and create unique experiences for active travelers.
I take advantage of every season of the year, going mountain biking and sea-kayaking in the summer, ice-skating on alpine lakes during the Fall, back-country skiing during the Winter, rock climbing and mountaineering as soon as the Spring makes it way through the snow.
Outdoor Certifications:
• N.O.L.S. Senior Instructor
• A.A.G.M. Mountain Guide
• W.F.R. First Aid Certified
• L.N.T. Leave No Trace Master Educator
• AV 1 Level Avalanche Awareness
• Nahuel Huapi National Park Mountain & Kayaking Guide
• A.C.A American Canoe Association Level 3, Coastal Kayaking
Rachel Miller
5.00
March, 2022
Juan was an amazing guide! We had the best experience treking with him and would highly recommened this trip!
Taylor Luttrell-Williams
5.00
July, 2018
Juan was very informative and offered a well-rounded trip; would definitely do it again!
Peter
5.00
August, 2016
We went snowshoeing in Bariloche last July. The trip was great and Juan Carlos was fantastic!
Group of 1 | USD 1289 Each |
Group of 2 | USD 774 Each |
Group of 3 | USD 619 Each |
Group of 4 | USD 516 Each |
Group of 5 | USD 382 Each |
Group of 6 | USD 382 Each |
Group of 7 | USD 382 Each |
Group of 8 | USD 382 Each |
Want a different number of travellers?
- Guiding fee
- Transportation start and back
- Permit and entrance fees
- Personal insurance
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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