Trekking to the Vespignani Glacier and sailing on Desert Lake

About this tour

Trekking to the Vespignani Glacier: Navigation and Adventure in Patagonia

We invite you to experience a day of nature and adventure in one of the most extraordinary corners of Patagonia: the Lago del Desierto and the Vespignani Glacier Reserve, near El Chaltén.

The excursion begins at our meeting point in El Chaltén, from where we will travel the 37 km to Lago del Desierto along a beautiful gravel road that follows the course of the Río de las Vueltas. During the journey, we will learn more about the history and natural features of the area, while making several stops at scenic viewpoints to enjoy the Andean landscape.

Upon arrival at the Punta Sur Pier, we will board a boat for an approximately 30-minute boat trip across Lago del Desierto (Desert Lake). During the journey, we will be able to admire the impressive mountain landscapes and see the Huemul and Crestón glaciers, until we reach the central part of the lake, where the Vespignani Glacier Reserve is located.

Once at the reserve, we will have four hours to explore its trails and viewpoints, under the supervision of an activity leader who will be in charge of our safety. We can choose from different routes according to our physical condition and the level of challenge we wish to face:

• Sendero Verde : an easy, flat, 800-meter interpretive trail. It crosses a wooded area and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Great Vespignani Glacier.
• Yellow Trail : a moderately difficult route, with a 50-meter elevation gain and a length of 1 km. Its gentle slope allows you to reach, in approximately 30 minutes, a prominent panoramic viewpoint overlooking the glacier.
• Red Trail: a more challenging alternative, with a 200-meter elevation gain and a 2-km route. It leads to the foot of the glacier and offers a panoramic view of the north face of Mount Fitz Roy.
• Blue Trail – Doctor's Lookout: the most demanding route in the reserve, with a 535-meter elevation gain and a length of 3 km. It ascends to a natural balcony offering breathtaking views of the glacier in all its immensity and the imposing north face of Fitz Roy. This trail requires the mandatory hiring of a high-mountain guide and cannot be self-guided.

During our stay at the reserve, we will also have the opportunity to rest and enjoy a snack accompanied by hot chocolate in the dome, before starting our return journey.

Next, we'll re-embark and sail to Punta Sur Pier. Once there, you'll have an hour of free time to explore the lake's surroundings and enjoy the natural environment before beginning the land transfer back to El Chaltén.

An ideal experience for those looking to combine trekking, sailing and glacial landscapes, discovering different perspectives of the Vespignani Glacier and the majestic Mount Fitz Roy in a full day of Patagonian adventure.