The word pristine has been used to death in travel writing. So much so that the word almost fails to evoke the intended emotion. However, this overused piece of crap did come to my mind when we finished the final leg of our 5-hour long hike to reach Laguna de Los Tres at the base of Mount Fitz Roy in Argentina.
But, I gently brushed it aside and told my mind, that this is what Laguna de Los Tres is- clean and fresh. And blue.
Location: El Chalten, Argentina
Located in El Chalten, in almost south of Argentina, Laguna de Los Tres and is one of the most unblemished lakes I have ever seen. I am almost tempted to use the word unsullied.
No wonder a trek to this lagoon is one of the top things to do in Patagonia.
Day 1- The Experience
Our journey stated when we boarded a flight from the national capital of Buenos Aires, to El Calafate in Santa Cruze province.
Located around 220 km north of El Calafate, El Chaten is a small and newly founded village that lies in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park. And it is popular among locals and foreigners alike for its amazing mountains, green lakes and many hiking trails.
To get there, we hired a self-driven Hertz car from El Calafate and drove all the way up. Must I tell you, the experience of driving in Argentina is one you will never forget, especially if you are coming from India as the roads are wide and the views just so stunning( almost throughout this huge country).
And, if I talk specifically about this journey, it was no different. We were accompanied by beautiful sights of the Andes and a few lakes all along. And there was hardly any traffic on the road. Occasionally, you might find a few hitch hikers waiting for a lift as soon as you get out of El Calafate, but other than that, the roads are almost empty and you can easily press that accelerator without worrying much about the brakes.
We entered the small village in the evening and were astonished to find it being so small. One could walk down the whole city from the beginning ( the tourist information centre) to the end in no more than 20 minutes. After strolling for a bit, we had dinner at Rambo hostel (highly recommended) and went off to bed.
Day 2- Full Day Hike to Laguna de Los Tres
Trek Duration: 10 hours( both sides)
Time taken: 9 AM to 9 PM ( with multiple breaks)
Distance: 24 KM
Difficulty Level: We started right after breakfast at around 9 AM and headed straight to the hike starting point. To reach there, just follow Avenida San Martin, the main street of the town and keep walking until the metalled road ends and a rough one begins. There is a clear board that tells you that you are on the right path.
Right before the starting point, there is also a big map , showing the complete route and the 2-3 detours that exist. We decided to hike via Lago Capri.
The first 9 km are of moderate difficulty and take you on a well laid trail, starting from a few steps, onto a cliff, then through a forest via a river bed. You'll come across many miradors or sightseeing points on the way, which'll offer unobstructed views of vast ranges of the Andes, as you rise. After climbing countless steps, crossing many small streams, walking on wooden bridges and passing by Lago Capri, you'll end this not-so-difficult part of the hike.
And come to the beginning of the last 1 km, which is the most challenging part. Here, the slope gets quite steep. Also, there's a lot of scree and loose rocks on the trail and climbing it almost takes 1 hour.
But be assured, you will make it. And it will all be worth it!
At the base of Mount Fitz Roy, in front of Laguna de Los Tres
The first sight of the blue lagoon and the very tall Mount Fitz Roy will calm you down. You'll look at your friend or partner or whosoever is accompanying you and smile, maybe even hug. And keep marching forward until you reach the bank of the lagoon and touch the icy cold water with your bare hands.
This water is nothing but age old melted ice of the surrounding glaciers.
If you have enough time, you can visit all the three lagoons and spend 2-3 hours here. We, however, had to rush back after 1 hour as it was getting late.
But, we filled our water bottle with the cold glacier water and our hearts with such beautiful memories before heading back.
The climb down of course takes a little less time than hiking up, so we got back by 9 PM.
Mind it, the sun sets at around 9-9.30 PM in El Chalten, so we didn't face any problem on our way back. But, it is always recommended to carry a small torch with you.
Also, don't forget to carry : Ample amount of water, snacks, juice, wind jacket, muti-layered warm clothes, a warm cap, raincoat and a light backpack. Also, your shoes must be sturdy yet comfortable as it is a long journey and will test you both physically and mentally.
Were we exhausted? Of course. This trek reminded us of our trek to Kheerganga, Himachal which we had done in September of 2016.
But, it is one experience we wouldn't trade for anything.
Also, watch the video and be a part of our unbelievable journey in Argentina.