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The Lago del Desierto: Huemul and Vespignani excursion departs from El Chaltén and is ideal if you want to combine sailing and trekking to discover this corner of Patagonia. During the tour, you’ll sail across its emerald-green waters, surrounded by lush vegetation, with views of Huemul and Crestón glaciers, and explore Vespignani Glacier Reserve along trails of varying difficulty. You’ll also have free time to hike to Huemul Glacier or explore the shores of Lago del Desierto, through Andean forests and with views of Mount Fitz Roy.
Price
Adult12+ years
$ 115,000ARS
Child3 to 11 years
$ 92,000ARS
Infant0 to 2 years
Free
StartEnd
9:45 am2:00 pm
Sailing on Desert Lake
Trekking to Vespigniani Glacier Viewpoint
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start
Optionals
Transfer from El Chalten to the port
$ 45,000ARS
Lunchbox
$ 37,500ARS
Recommended
Availability
Highlights
1 / 3
Included
Optional
Included
Included
Optional
Food
lunchbox
Optional
This tour does not include food. We recommend taking a lunchbox.
Good to know
It is recommended to bring warm clothes, waterproof jacket and pants, trekking boots, gloves, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, backpack and lunch box.
Description
Discover one of the most captivating corners near El Chalten on an excursion that combines navigation on Lago del Desierto, optional self-guided trekking to the Vespignani and Huemul glaciers and Patagonia’s iconic mountain landscapes. During the boat tour across the lake’s emerald waters, you will enjoy privileged views of the Huemul and Creston glaciers, while the Andean forests and mountain walls create a truly Patagonian setting. This excursion is ideal for discovering the main natural attractions of the Lago del Desierto area in a single day.
The excursion can begin from El Chalten, departing at 8:00 a.m., or directly from Lago del Desierto, located at 37 km from town, at 9:45 a.m., adapting to different travel preferences.
Upon arriving at Lago del Desierto via a scenic mountain road, you will board the boat for a 20-minute navigation. You will disembark at the Vespignani Glacier Reserve, an exclusive access area where you will have 3 hours to explore self-guided trails of varying difficulty levels. The trails lead to panoramic viewpoints, lenga forests and strategic spots from which to admire the impressive Great Vespignani Glacier, Creston Glacier and the northern face of the Fitz Roy massif.
After the trek, the return boat tour offers a new perspective of this exceptional natural environment. You will arrive at the lake’s southern pier and have 2 hours to enjoy another trek, this time to Huemul Glacier, or to explore the shores of Lago del Desierto. At 4:00 p.m., the return journey to El Chalten begins, arriving at approximately 5:30 p.m., concluding a day where water, ice and mountains are the true protagonists.
Ideal for those seeking to combine moderate adventure, nature and some of the most spectacular views in the El Chalten region, this excursion reveals the most authentic essence of Southern Patagonia.
The excursion can begin from El Chalten, departing at 8:00 a.m., or directly from Lago del Desierto, located at 37 km from town, at 9:45 a.m., adapting to different travel preferences.
Upon arriving at Lago del Desierto via a scenic mountain road, you will board the boat for a 20-minute navigation. You will disembark at the Vespignani Glacier Reserve, an exclusive access area where you will have 3 hours to explore self-guided trails of varying difficulty levels. The trails lead to panoramic viewpoints, lenga forests and strategic spots from which to admire the impressive Great Vespignani Glacier, Creston Glacier and the northern face of the Fitz Roy massif.
After the trek, the return boat tour offers a new perspective of this exceptional natural environment. You will arrive at the lake’s southern pier and have 2 hours to enjoy another trek, this time to Huemul Glacier, or to explore the shores of Lago del Desierto. At 4:00 p.m., the return journey to El Chalten begins, arriving at approximately 5:30 p.m., concluding a day where water, ice and mountains are the true protagonists.
Ideal for those seeking to combine moderate adventure, nature and some of the most spectacular views in the El Chalten region, this excursion reveals the most authentic essence of Southern Patagonia.
Itinerary
8:00
Pick-up in El Chalten
37 km distance
9:45
Boarding at Lago del Desierto
Boat tour in Desert Lake
Trekking to Vespignani Glacier
3:00 hs duration
Lunch in the forest
Visit to the dome
14:00
Return to port
Trekking to the Huemul Glacier
16:00
Return from Desert Lake
Return to El Chalten
17:30
Return to El Chalten
Included ActivitiesOptional ActivitiesTimings, order, and activities may vary based on the day's organization
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Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the questions other travelers also had before booking.Since it's a self-guided trek, are the trails clearly marked?
Yes. The trails to the Vespigniani Glacier are clearly marked. They also have a well-defined route.
Is there a departure time to return to El Chaltén?
The excursion has a pre-established return time from Lago del Desierto, so you must take this into account to continue with the excursion and return to El Chaltén.
Does the dome at Lago del Desierto have heating and restrooms?
The dome has restrooms for visitors. However, it is not heated, so we advice following the dress code recommendations.
Is there cell phone or Wi-Fi signal in the Desert Lake area?
No. There is no Wi-Fi service in the Desert Lake area and cell phone signal is very limited or nonexistent for much of the route.
Is the experience cancelled due to bad weather?
The excursion is not cancelled due to weather conditions, as it takes place in Patagonia, where changing weather is common. For this reason, it is recommended to follow the clothing guidelines to be prepared for any eventuality during the experience.
Is the Huemul Glacier trail included in the tour?
In this option, the trek to Huemul Glacier is optional and can be done after the navigation and visit to the Glaciar Vespignani Nature Reserve. The hike lasts approximately 2 hours and is of moderate difficulty.
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