Adventure Bariloche Patagonia trekking
Reach the summit. Reach heaven

Experience the unparalleled emotion of reaching the top. It's a feeling that makes the effort of climbing steep slopes worth it. Realize you've accomplished your goal upon reaching truly amazing panoramic viewpoints. Take advantage of the experts' experience. Our guides will invite you to discover our mountains and commune with them in a special way. You choose between our single-day programs and the extended outings for intrepid explorers wishing to connect mountaintops and cherish memories of a fabulous trip.

Season: November to April

Starting / Ending city: San Carlos de Bariloche

The whole trekking length is 7 days but you can join us for less days taking just parts or the whole of it. The trekking divides into the following units: ( you may opt for any unit regardless of the order)
unit 1: Refugio (mountain hut) Berghof (cerro Otto) Refugio Neumeyer (Challhuaco valley), Refugio Frey (cerro Catedral)
unit 2: Refugio Neumeyer, Refugio Frey, refugio Otto Meiling (cerro Tronador)
unit 3: Refugio Frey, Refugio Otto Meiling, Paso de las Nubes (Pampa Linda - Pto. Blest).
If you prefer shorter trekkings then check the 2 days treks: Tronador with its glaciers and Meiling mountain hut or Tronador to Paso de Las Nubes


Itinerary: duration 7 days

Day 1:
Welcome at Bariloche bus terminal or airport. We head to Km.1 on Avenida de los Pioneros where our upward trek starts through a transition forest dominated by cypress trees. After a while we reach Piedras Blancas, a major climbing center in this area. We resume our trek on the road and turn on a path that leads to Refugio Berghof (first skis manufacturer and South American ski center) which was the former home of pioneer Otto Meiling, an early promoter of mountain activities. We continue to the top of Cerro Otto which affords a spectacular view of Bariloche and its surroundings. On our way down on the south face of mount Otto, we encounter a rock called Piedra de Habsburgo and we eventually arrive at Lake Gutierrez and the lodge.
Dinner and overnight stay at Hostería - lodge. (Alternatives: Hostel Room with shared bathroom.)

Day 2:
In the morning we drive to Refugio Neumeyer, a mountain shelter surrounded by lenga trees (low deciduous beech) and situated 1,320 meters above sea level in the Challhuaco Valley. This valley's distinct feature is the transition from the steppe to the humid forest. The refugio is our starting point for a trek up mount Challhuaco, which rises 2,000 meters above sea level. As we go up, we see how vegetation varies as altitude increases and we end up enjoying the high-Andean flora at the mountaintop. You get one of the most wonderful views of the area from this summit. On our way back, we visit Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) situated 1,500 meters above seal level, the habitat of the frog of Challhuaco, a strict endemic species. We go back to the shelter from where we are transported to the place where accommodation is provided.
Dinner and overnight stay at Hostería - lodge. (Alternatives: Hostel Room with; shared bathroom).
Meals included: Breakfast – Box Lunch - Dinner

Day 3:
We get to the base of Cerro Catedral. From where the existing lifts take us to the upper mountain area. We start our trek along the ridge, which affords a wide and spectacular view of Rucaco valley and Catedral, Bella Vista, and López peaks. A couple of hours later, we take a left detour to Frey mountain shelter. Down the mountain we find Laguna Schmoll, a typical upland lagoon. It's time to stop and rest for a while in this unbeatable setting. We continue downwards to Refugio Frey, a shelter erected at the edge of Laguna Toncek, some 1,700 meters above sea level. There are many reasons for this location to be impressive. One of them is that you may admire one of the most recent geological formations of this region featuring imposing walls and granite needles. This makes it an almost unique and perfect place for rock climbing in Argentina. After lunch, we get on a marked trail to descend back to the base of Cerro Catedral from where we travel to Pampa Linda.
Dinner and overnight stay at Hostería Pampa Linda.
Meals included: Breakfast – Box Lunch - Dinner.

Day 4:
Our day's trek starts in Pampa Linda along the Castaño Overo, a stream stemming from the glacier. A rustic bridge allows us to cross this stream and get on a meandering trail surrounded by giant and centennial coihues (southern beeches). As we go up slowly, zigzagging through the woods to avoid the steep grade, we rejoice at the permanent view offered by Tronador peak. Once the dense forest is left behind, we enter the ice fields to eventually reach almost 2,000 meters. Refugio Otto Meiling, a shelter that may provide overnight accommodation, is awaiting us up there. We go back down on the same path.
Dinner and overnight accommodation at Hostería Pampa Linda.
Meals included: Breakfast – Box Lunch - Dinner

Day 5:
This beautiful route requires two days of trekking. From Pampa Linda we start walking on a vehicle road and, after a few kilometers, we cross Castaño Overo stream and turn left towards the Paso de Las Nubes trail. We continue on a wide path on the side of the Castaño Overo glacier to later descent to Río Alerce, a stream that we will follow on its right margin. Later on, we cross a creek and reach a marshy area where the path gets lost. We enjoy a spectacular view of Cascada Alerce, a gorgeous fall in a stream, and of mounts Del Viento, Mar de Piedra and Constitución. We leave the marsh behind and enter a forest of ñire and coihue trees on a better marked trail that will lead us to Paso de Las Nubes, a pass among the clouds. Down on the Frías valley, we reach our campsite before dark.
Accommodation in Full service campground “Valle del Frías”. Single or Double tent: (rural area).
Meals included: Breakfast – Box Lunch - Dinner

Day 6:
We have to set out early this day because there is a boat to catch in the afternoon. We start walking along the right margin of Río Frías amidst very thick vegetation. We will find several logs blocking our way and we'll have to get around them. Later on, we go across Río Frías and, after a one-hour trek, we reach Puerto Frías where a boat will take us to Puerto Alegre on the other side of this small lake. A vehicle will drive us to Puerto Blest, from where we start our return trip, sailing to Puerto Pañuelo first, and driving to the city of Bariloche next. Dinner and overnight stay at a downtown hotel. (Alternatives: Hostel Room with shared bathroom).
Meals included: Breakfast – Box Lunch – Dinner

Day 7:
Breakfast. Transfer to airport or Bus terminal.
Meals included: Breakfast

Fore Inquires and booking, click here

If you prefer shorter trekkings then check the 2 days treks: Tronador with its glaciers and Meiling mountain hut or Tronador to Paso de Las Nubes

Clothing and equipment suggestions:
North Patagonia presents a wide range of changing climate. Sometimes, it is fairly hot and on some other occasions cold wind will force you to wear warmer clothes (like a sweater and a jacket) or raincoats on rainy days. No need to move your wardrobe, but it is convenient to keep in mind the following suggestions: medium back-pack (sixty liters); sleeping bag, two pairs of adequate shoes (trekking boots or sneakers); several pairs of socks; a pair of cotton-light trousers or jogging (usu. more comfortable than jeans).
Overcoat: two synthetic overcoats or not too thick sweaters (to be able to wear both of them at the same time if necessary); warm jacket, water resistant outfit (raincoat or poncho-style coat); warm cap or hat; gloves; sun hat; sunglasses; sun screen; bathing suit. Toiletries, towel, personal medication, waste bags, flashlight, and camera.

Service included: Bilingual guide (Spanish, English) throughout all activities included in program. Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner. Camping, lodging in the refugio (1 nights), and in a hostería - lodge (alternative: hostel lodging with shared bathroom), 6 breakfasts, meals, lunches, and dinners, all transfers. Expert trekking guide. Tents with camp-mats for overnight camping, community tent for group meals, tables and stools, kitchenware, and cooking ware at camp sites.
Guides and coordination: Each program begins and ends in a given place and at a given time. Besides, a licensed guide, specialized in mountain recreational activities, will lead all groups. “Eco-family” (main office) will coordinate all the activities. Passengers will be assisted by our local guides and by hotel personnel (all of them highly familiarized with our traveling system).
Coordination: During your stay, a coordinator will permanently escort your group until getting on your transport to go back home.
Meals: Breakfast is always provided at the hotel. Lunch is included on days with full-day activities. It usually consists of a main course and dessert or a picnic lunch, and juice to drink. Meals consist of a nutritional salad or sandwich, piece of fruit, and an alfajor (local treat) or chocolate bar. Dinner consists of a main course. Beverages are not included.

Not included: beverages. Personal gear (clothing, shoes, backpacks, and sleeping bags). Drinks at dinner time. Medical or any other kind of insurance. Tips. Entrance fee to National Parks ($12.- Tronador Mt. entrance fee). Airport fees, as well as flights. Services not mentioned in the itinerary.

Safety: Medical assistance is NOT included. However, trekking guides do carry basic first aid kit and VHF communication equipment in case any emergency situation arises. Health certificate, issued by a physician who certifies physical fitness is strongly recommended, especially for those with sedentary habits.

NOTE:
Eco-Family will transfer all camp equipment.
· Eco-Family reserves the right to modify itineraries or suspend activities due to weather conditions or any other justifiable cause whatsoever to preserve passenger safety.
· No previous camping experience required to be part of this program
•Family groups are strongly advised not to bring children under nine years of age to the program.

For Inquires and booking, click here

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ECO-FAMILY: 20 de Junio 728 - Phone/fax: +54 2944 428995 -
(8400) - San Carlos de Bariloche - Patagonia - Argentina
e-mail: info@eco-family.com - http://www.eco-family.com

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