Trekking on Glaciers in Patagonia: Do you sometimes feel how it feels to travel back in time and face something that can be as old as a thousand years?
But instead of time travel, which isn’t yet a possibility, you can at least walk on a glacier shaped during the last ice age.
Side benefit: the glaciers in Patagonia are the source of one of the cleanest waters on the planet.
There are daily trips across to the Exploradores glacier (which takes a few hours) by boat out of the nearby town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo. i was completely down with the glacier hike after i saw pictures of it presented by Steve through Google images.
Tours began on Exploradores a couple of years ago, which has been another revenue source in the town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, and has boosted tourism. Access to the town of Pto Rio Tranquilo is new in a big picture.
Before the Carretera Austral was built in the late 1980s, this was one of the most isolated locations on the planet.
Perito Moreno:
in the south on Perito Moreno or Glacier Grey the tours cost approximately twice that (this one had cost me near USD $60) and the images that i had seen taken there would not compare to the ones on our trek.
Maybe it was a variety of glacier or more of them, a bit more strict rules, i thought it was amazing what i had seen (and edited on the same day later in the evening).
The organizations are in the size of approximately 20 individuals and two guides wandering in a line over the glacier. A guide is a must in this instance. Not only are they necessary in the national park, but also not falling in a crevasse. They are familiar with the paths, and have the best places when it comes to photo taking.
it begins an hour hike through a forest route that leads to a glacier moraine. The thing with the moraines is, that being like the glaciers, they are in a continuous movement.
it implies that there is no definite route and it is the game of boulder to boulder and hands and feet climbing sometimes. This too takes a couple of hours.
However there is no need to worry as when you need some refreshments you may always expect the fresh water to pour directly out of the glacier itself!
Ice Caves
Finally the rocks give way to ice. With the crampons on, the sensation of moving levels on the ice is similar to a satisfactory crunch of a jump on autumn leaves. it Crackles and it crunches.
They showed us how to stay upright and how to climb up and down the glacier’s slopes.
I hoped no one would fall into a crevasse, but considering the steepness of some ups and downs, I could very well have landed on my face at least. I’m simply that coordinated.
The new ice caves that are being created, and closing down periodically, are receding in the glacier just as they are worldwide. Part of what we crept around and through corners and through and into and out of,–some of the ice waves, one would think they might not be there now at all, only a few months ago.
Patagonia ice Waves:
At a certain moment of the day it strikes you, with such baby blue water around you, huge mountains that flank the glacier, full of glaciers and waterfalls as well, that this is a special place.
That is why there are not so many places in the world which have so much ice, so few tourists and so many adventurous options. it is not a surprise that Patagonia has always been a dream to adventurists and virtually held the top of the wish lists of most travelers.
And yet so many of them blow this chance fully up the nose, as it is not the coolest place to reach. They thus go directly south instead and miss most of Chilean Patagonia.
Here was the thing, you see? I am perfectly satisfied with that; its far-off-ness only makes it more beguiling.
But in the event you are willing to go the distance i hope you get there also.
And you do not even want to miss a chance to see these marble caves!
Plan Your Patagonian Glacier Trek:
- How to arrive and book tours?
The Puerto Rio Tranquilo and Exploradores glacier tours have daily schedules, and many local companies provide the opportunity of individual booking.
We recommend Explora Sur as one of the operators; they offer the glacier trek for around 45,000 CLP. You can also combine this with boat trips to the beautiful Marble Caves. These trips leave Puerto Río Tranquilo several times a day and take about a couple of hours.
it’s generally best to arrive in the town and inquire from the tour guide for most current information and availability.
- What to wear?
When you pack your baggage when trying to go to a glacier trek you should focus on clothing that is not baggy. Free-flowing garments may be dangerous as they may cause one to stumble when crossing rocky areas or walking around with crampons.
You should also bring good, supporting high-hiking boots, gloves to protect your hands, and waterproof clothing in case of sudden rain or spray of glaciers, as well as a lot of sunscreen, which could reflect strongly on the ice.
The most important thing is layering because the glacier is one of the places where weather may suddenly change.
- Where to Sleep?
There are many accommodation facilities in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Campgrounds exist even in case you are taking a tent. instead cheap guesthouses are available in the town.
The simplest way is always to just come into town and go and ask the inquiry about the accommodation that may be available since it may not necessarily be booked particularly in the not-so-busy season.
FAQ:
Q1: What is the attraction talked of in this blog post?
A1: The main attraction is hiking on the Exploradores Glacier, which you access through the town of Puerto Río Tranquilo in Patagonia, Chile. It offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk on ancient ice created during the last ice age.
Q2: What qualifies the Exploradores Glacier to be an excellent glacier trek option instead of the other glaciers?
A2: Exploradores Glacier is the less crowded one that is more intimate. Most tours cost approximately half what they cost on Perito Moreno or Glacier Grey, and the scenery and ice formations in the region are more spectacular in the opinion of many guests.
Q3: How do we arrive at Puerto RiO Tranquilo?
A3: Sierra de Puerto Rio Tranquilo is also very much simplified in that the Carretera Austral was built in the late 1980s. The blog does not point to specific routes but it suggests that now it is available as a daily tour.
