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El Chalten -> Laguna del Desierto
Distance: 37KM
Condition: OK gravel road, a bit hilly in places but relatively flat approaching Desierto
Camping: Available at Desierto for 10 Argentinian pesos
Food: Not available, beverage only at Desierto Campground
Tips: Stock-up on supplies in Chalten because there is very little available until Villa O'Higgins
Ferry Across Laguna del Desierto
Schedule: South to North: 10:45AM, 2:00PM
Fare: 45 Argentinian pesos
Journey Time: 30 minutes
Laguna del Desierto -> Chile/Argentina Border
Distance: 6KM
Condition: First 2km are narrow and very steep - pushing only. The rest is undulating with lots of mud, tree roots and several streams to cross
Camping: We camped at the border for 2 nights, you are on your own
Argentinian Border Control: 200 ft from Desierto north shore
Tips: Don't miss the border control. You would not want to go back.
There is a shed near the border control you can use to repack your gear in case of rain
Ask someone in border control to show you the trailhead
For bike pushing, put as much as possible in your backpack. Empty/light panniers are okay to have on bike
Chile/Argentinia Border -> Candelario Mancilla
Distance: 15KM
Condition: OK gravel road. Last 6-7KM HUGE downhill; use caution near cliffs
Chilean Border Control: 1KM from end of downhill
Lodging: You can stay with the wonderful Mancilla family for 2500 pesos/night or 1000 for camping
Food: From the Mancilla family: breakfast: 1500 pesos, lunch/dinner: 2500 pesos
Tips: Don't miss the Calafate berries circa 8km past the Arg/Chile border (but before the huge downhill)
Boat Ride Across Lago O'Higgins
Schedule: Weekly during Summer. Once every 2 weeks or various off season
Telephone Number to call for schedule: Municipalidad de Villa O'Higgins, (67) 234 813, (67) 211 849
Fare: 10,000 Chilean pesos
Journey Time: 4 HR
Tips: Summer schedule normally ends the first week of March
Some tour companies in El Chalten have close to accurate information about the schedule
Typically, the boat begins its journey from Villa O'Higgins at 8AM, arrives Candelario Mancilla at 12 noon,
departs for another stop and returns to Candelario Mancilla at 5PM. If you are lucky, it will
return to Villa O'Higgins the same day. (We waited until 4:30AM the next morning - the captain is crazy!).
Our ride was smooth, but be prepared for a cold, rough ride.
Lago O'Higgins boat dock -> Villa O'Higgins
Distance: 6KM
Condition: Good gravel road. Great scenery.
Lodging: 3 Hospedajes
Food: Supermarket/Hospedaje/Restaurant
Money Exchange: No traveler's checks or credit cards accepted anywhere; try Don Carlos for $US; Municipalidad might exchange Argentinian peso to Chilean
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