Hike Paso del Cuadrado in El Chaltén

Things to know

• Covid measures in El Chaltén

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in El Chaltén, please refer to Argentina Travel.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Advice on Argentina's money exchange policies

  Argentina’s local currency is called Argentine Peso (ARS). There are two different exchange rates to buy pesos called “official” rate and “blue” rate. This creates a confusing situation in which products can have an absolutely different price.

  Since the country’s government introduced tough currency change restrictions, alternative ways of exchange have emerged. You can exchange your money at an official outlet (banks or legal currency exchange offices) for one price; or you can go to one of many shops, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and car rentals and exchange money at the “blue” rate – which will put many more pesos in your pocket.

  If you pay with credit card, debit card or money transfer, the rate applied will be the “official” rate. Using credit or debit will cost you almost double the price that you can get by paying in cash.

  Taking plenty of cash contradicts the usual advice to tourists travelling abroad, but many have been doing just that to take advantage of the “blue” rates. Ask your local guides for advice on exchanging money.

• Why should I book with 57hours?

  With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • Certified Mountain Guide
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Shuttle from El Chaltén to Paso del Cuadrado (and back)
  • Personal accident insurance for every client

  Not included:

  • Personal gear: tent, sleeping bags, crampons, trekking poles, helmets, etc.
  • Overnight stay at El Fraile campsite or hut
  • Transportation
  • Travel insurance
• What can I expect from hiking with a guide?

  Hiring a local guide offers you the chance to experience Patagonia’s beauty to the fullest. Local guides know all the hidden gems the area has to offer, will explain the history and geology during the hike, and will transport you to and from the destination. Also, your guide will know just what to do if the weather takes a turn or something unexpected happens.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Hiking boots
  • Helmets
  • Crampons
  • Trekking poles
  • Gloves and hat
  • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood and pants (Gore-Tex recommended overall)
  • Down jacket or vest (synthetic puffy jackets work better in wet environments such as Patagonia)
  • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  • Waterproof layers (both jacket and pants)
  • Spare clothes
  • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
  • Water bottle
  • Compass
  • Mattress (inflatable or not)
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, first aid kit, toilet paper, etc.)
  • High-quality sunglasses
  • Head lantern
  • Sunglasses
  • Snacks
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

  • Camping equipment from Viento Oeste
  • Boots and trekking poles from Viento Oeste

  Rental locations are in El Chaltén and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• How fit do I need to be?

  You need to be able to hike for full days, carrying a full daypack. Each day you will hike between 6-13 kilometers per day. This is a technical ascent and the group will need crampons, helmets and guide ́s assistance for easy glacier traveling and walking on rocky terrain and slabs. The terrain can be challenging and the weather can change. That said, if you are looking for adventure and up to the task of two full days of hiking, you’ll be rewarded immensely!

• What is the minimum age requirement?
  • Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this hiking adventure.
  • Minors may be permitted to join the tour on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to hike with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
• What about group sizes and pricing?

  For this adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 3:1 and pricing is per person.

  Hiking in El Chaltén can be arranged for larger groups, up to 9 people per group (up to 3 people per guide). The minimum number of people per group is 2. Contact us to make arrangements.

• What about bad weather?

  Tours are scheduled to fit with the seasons and ideal hiking conditions, but Los Glaciares National Park is prone to temperature and weather changes, so you need to be prepared with the right gear. Make sure to always have a rain jacket with you. The mountains are a beautiful place to be even when it rains and wet weather can add a very unique aspect to the whole experience

  When the weather does not cooperate, your guide will know the correct course of action to take. Whether that’s shifting to a more favorable location or postponing until conditions approve, your guide will know just what to do. In the event of predictably bad weather, you will be contacted prior to the trip to discuss suitable alternatives.

• Do I need an insurance policy?

  We highly recommended that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  As we’ve recently seen, travel plans can be abruptly halted, so it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance that covers cancelled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. For peace of mind, we suggest you consider both options of insurance.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Cancellation policy

  With 57hours, you benefit from both our own cancellation policy as well as that of the individual guiding service that delivers your adventure. All policies regarding cancellation will be clearly laid out by your guide after booking your adventure, but rest assured that our own cancellation policy will work on top of what is provided by your guide.

  For this adventure, 57hours offers a Strict Cancellation Policy, which states:
  If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund.

  For more information on terms and conditions, please visit our Terms of Service page.

• Getting there and meeting location

  El Chaltén is located in the middle of Los Glaciares National Park. Most people fly from Buenos Aires to International Airport El Cafete Armando Tola in southern Patagonia. From there, you can take a three-hour bus to El Chaltén. You can also reach El Chaltén from Bariloche along Ruta 40.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you will meet your guide at the guide’s recommended location. Your adventure begins with a shuttle ride from El Chaltén town to Río Eléctrico bridge where you will start your trek.