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A Mountain Refuge in El Chlatén

Imagine yourself in the middle of the Patagonian nature with amazing mountain views, the sound of silence and time at your expense to connect with this surreal environment.

Laguna Cóndor Mountain Refuge provides this experience to anyone willing to unplug from everyday life and technology.

This exclusive refuge is located on the west bank of the Río de las Vueltas, 17 km north of El Chaltén. Surrounded by an imposing scenery, this new lodging alternative combines the wild beauty of a nearly explored place with the facilities of a luxury camp.

The proposal is to enjoy the peace and quiet of the surroundings without the interference of technology, Hence, there is no mobile phone signal, Wi-Fi or TV available. Although there is permanent electricity provided by a hydroelectric turbine that uses the natural river torrent, reducing any impact or pollution that may be produced by a power generator.

Wood is the main element of the refuge. There is a main cabin that works as a common living room with a fireplace where you can sit and read a book, a breakfast room and a restaurant; all with beautiful views of the northern face of the mythical Mt. Fitz Roy.

Laguna Cóndor has eight small cabins located in the best spots of the property. Each one has two beds, a salamander and a deck; offering a complete privacy and comfort experience, an intermediate between a campsite and a hotel. There are also spacious locker rooms with toilets and hot showers; a multipurpose room with a fireplace and view to the mythical Fitz Roy.

The refuge offers different activities and excursions with the objective of providing and intimate contact with nature and the possibility to enjoy the peace of the place. There are many hiking trails and places to go over, from classic full day treks (such as Laguna Torre) to longer and more difficult options.

One of the preferred treks is the ascent to Loma del Diablo; a demanding but rewarding one, given the spectacular view from above of Mt. Fitz Roy. Its top is at 1800 meters, providing a great panoramic view of the whole area.

It is also possible to kayak across the waters of the Laguna Cóndor itself or to ride a mountain bike along the paths crossing the andean patagonian forest and lakes on a self-guided circuit that borders the Río de las Vueltas, including a few stops to contemplate cascades and the local flora and fauna that may come across.

Overall, Laguna Cóndor grants an unusual and reserved experience deep in the patagonian forest, where nature and relax are the protagonists.

Please, do not hesitate to contact our Kallpa Executives to learn more about this lodging option in El Chaltén.

Trekking into the woods in El Chalten

A full day experience that combines driving, navigating and trekking at one of the wildest and outermost corners in the Patagonia.

There is no doubt that anyone who visits El Chaltén looks for nature, adventure and hiking. Many trails within this trekking national capital take you through and towards breathtaking landscapes and views, such as the mighty Mt. Fitz Roy.

This time, we want to tell you about a full day adventure from El Chaltén to the northern area of Los Glaciares National Park and the Lago del Desierto reserve.

A different tour option that allows not only many pictures and memories but also flora and fauna observation and interpretation, sailing across the Lago del Desierto, hiking through one of the prettiest forests of the region and reaching lookouts with unique views of the Vespignani glacier.

Departing from El Chaltén, we travel 36 km by bus across a panoramic road through the woods and along the Río de las Vueltas. On the way, you can’t miss the view of giant glaciers.

After arriving in Punta Sur, we go aboard a boat and sail on the Lago del Desierto for about 50 minutes, spotting the Crestón and Huemul glaciers.

We disembark for 15 minutes in Punta Norte to enjoy a unique distant view of Mt. Fitz Roy’s northern face and breath in the Patagonian fresh forest air.

We continue to navigate towards the Vespignani glacier, right in the middle of the lake. Once at the reserve, we disembark and get into the forest walking towards a dome where you can leave any personal belongings that you don’t want to take with you.

Then, a person responsible for the trekking activity takes you to the starting point of the hikes and gives information about the three different trails. All of them are self-guided and imply different levels of difficulty and effort. There’re about 2 hours for the trekking activity before the boat returns.

The more demanding hike trail begins right after crossing the bridge over the river. It takes about 40-50 minutes at a slow pace and it goes through the forest on a slight and constant slope. This path takes you first to the nearest viewpoint of the Vespignani glacier and then to an outlook of the north face of Mt. Fitz Roy.

The moderate trail is softer and takes about 20 minutes. Hiking through the native woods of lenga and coihue trees and by the stream line on the right, we reach a different viewpoint from where Mt. Vespignani with its hanging glacier and a part of the Lago del Desierto can be seen, frames by the forest. Picture perfect!

Last but not least, the easiest and more relaxed path reaches a river’s mouth where you may also spot the glacier. Walking by the lake’s coastline, you get back to the dome. There’s almost no slopes on this trail and it takes about 30 minutes.

After the hiking experience of your choice, we have a snack at this magical place. Then we go on board again to sail back on the Lago del Desierto towards Punta Sur, where the bus awaits to take us back again to El Chaltén, where the adventure comes to an end.

Contact you Kallpa Executive for more information about this experience.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Operates from October to April.
Full day regular excursion.
Daily departure in the morning and in the afternoon.
Morning departure by bus from El Chalten at 8 am, leaving from Punta Sur at 10 am. Return to Punta Sur at 1.30 pm and ending in El Chaltén at 4 pm.
Afternoon departure by bus from El Chalten at 12.30 pm, leaving from Punta Sur at 2.30 pm. Return to Punta Sur at 6 pm and ending in El Chaltén at 8 pm.
Includes bilingual Spanish/English guide, roundtrip transfers from El Chaltén (can be excluded), navigation and a snack (hot chocolate, tea or coffee and sweet and salty biscuits).
A Box Lunch can be included with extra charge and upon request. It includes two empanadas, an individual chard pie or similar, one cereal bar, one alfajor, an apple, candies, a small bottle of mineral water and a box of fruit juice.

el chalten featured glaciers Trekking trekking in el chalten

Andreas Madsen Museum El Chalten

Andreas Madsen Museum El Chalten is one of the great activities you can do during your trip. El Chalten means also Culture.

Adventure and culture generally go together. Each place we visit has a history, culture and other appealing aspects that we will discover throughout the journey. This is what the Kallpa’s philosophy involves: the possibility of enjoying an active trip to the Argentine destinations and of closely experiencing the local culture and history.

This is why this moth we want to tell you about the new touristic attraction at “El Chaltén”. This is the guided visit to the manor of the former Estate Cerro Fitz Roy also known as Casa Madsen (Madsen House) which was owned by the Madsen family, pioneers of the area and its proposal is to inform travelers who visit El Chaltén, the activity generally developed by the first inhabitants of the area and especially the habitat of the Madsen family.

Andreas Madsen was a Danish pioneer who arrived to the region in 1901. He was an active member of the Commissions on the Limits ruled by the Perito (technical specialist) Francisco P. Moreno. During 12 years he explored the area developing all sort of tasks, at the beginning for the Commissions and then for the Estates already set in the area.

In 1912 he returned to his country of origin and married Stephanie Tomsenwith with whom he undertook the venture of living in the Patagonia until the last days of his life.

Andreas Madsen life is fascinating. He was a husband, father of family, sailor, tamer, writer,multilingual, among other characteristics of this Patagonian traveler who knew how to narrate in his books ‘La Patagonia Vieja’ (The Old Patagonia), ‘Cazando Pumas’ (Hunting Cougars), among others, as well as countless anecdotes that deserve to be told.

Something that appeals to our attention is the Family House, built with materials from the area: wood, sheet metal and bricks stuck with adobe. The house is in the process of being restored respecting the original structure and the looks this used to have when inhabited by Andreas and Stephanie. In the guided visit we may appreciate the method used by the Patagonian Pioneers for building their homes which shows their sacrifice and work.

The House, surrounded by trees planted by the Madsen family, is also an excellent panoramic point of view for tourists to appreciate the beauty of the landscape, of the mountains and especially of the Massif Fitz Roy which named to the Estate built by Mr. Andreas.

Daily visits to the house start in October. There will be trips at 3pm and 6pm. Journey duration is 2 hours, with a cost of USD31 per person. This activity is suggested for people with a free afternoon at the Chaltén and who are interested in having a close encounter with the architecture, history and knowledge of one of the Pillars of the foundation of our beautiful Patagonia.