Two weeks in Patagonia: Torres only or with Los Glaciares?
Replies: 3 - Last Post: Feb 16, 2012 4:21 PM Last Post By: rics
jump to
Two weeks in Patagonia: Torres only or with Los Glaciares?
I'm suddenly confused now. I had been hell bent on going to Chile to trek the complete Torres del Paine circuit for 10 days to soak in as much of it as possible (I have dreamed of doing this for a long time). Now, having realized that I could split my time between Torres and Los Glaciares--by doing just the W circuit in Torres for five days, then spending three days in El Chalten and a day trip to Perito Moreno--the more I think about it, the more I'm getting attracted to the idea. It will be different, but a dream trip all the same, especially since I'm halfway across the globe and I doubt I'd be back to South America soon after this trip.What would you folks do? Is Los Glaciares worth it? This is between March and April.
1
Flatfoot: Last year I committed to do the complete Torres del Paine Circuit and did it.I managed to squeeze in two days at Los Glaciares (FitzRoy) and I'm glad I did it..
Since it's a long way down there it would be a shame not to see both. (I did not have time to see the Moreno Glacier, and did not get inot the upper reaches of the French Valley on the Paine Circuit.
My suggestion:
Go to Las Glaciares and see Mt FitzRoy and Cerrro Torre. This can be accomplished with just day hikkes out of El Chalten. (You can simply walk from your hostel in Chalten almost to the base of FitzRoy and Cerro Torre.) If the weather's clear you'll be blown away. Allow 2-3 days at El chalten.
See the Moreno Glacier out of El Calafate. It's a tour. Everyone raved about it. I didn't have the time.
Do the W. Don't miss the French Valley, and walking up to the Torres Towers. Make a reservation at the Campamiento Chileno Refugio. Grey Glacier is impressive, but if you see the Moreno Glacier I don't know if it's necessary to do both.
Spend a couple of night's in Puerto Natales. Great little town. Touristy, but funky, It has the worlds best seafood restaurants.
Finally: Bus connections are excellent. I left Chalten at 8 am., transferred in Calafate and got to Puerto Natlaes at 8 pm.
Enjoy.
Rics in Wyoming
2
Thanks, Rics. You've outlined exactly what I've been thinking, down to the two nights in Puerto Natales. It's funny how planning evolves. Initially my point for this trip was to test myself in solitude in the wilderness, but the desire to see something else while I'm there, considering how far I'll be coming from, is also quite strong. Right now I'm leaning on just doing the W and thinking that camping for two nights in Los Glaciares will more than make up for not doing the back of the Torres circuit.3
Flatfoot: Have fun. Get the fish chowder in Puerto Natales. The one I had was like an aquarium.Ric
