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Villa O’Higgins El Chalten, the border crossing from Chile to Argentina off the overwhelmed observe. For all journey seekers and nature lovers crossing from Chile to Argentina (or the opposite means) at O’Higgins is a must-do exercise. The surroundings is unreal, the panorama is beautiful with turquoise blue and emerald inexperienced colours. The stroll is brief and difficult however on the similar time, it’s rewarding, the O’Higgins – El Chalten route was one in every of our favourite treks in Patagonia.
Villa O’Higgins is the top of the Carretera Austral, the final level you will get by street on the Chilean aspect that makes the whole lot (principally meals) right here dearer however nonetheless inexpensive. The stroll was fairly troublesome because of the heavy baggage we have been carrying however it was completely definitely worth the effort. The stroll to El Chalten was good preparation for trekking the O Circuit in Torres del Paine. The primary recommendation right here is to take your time, don’t rush, and benefit from the panorama.
The price of the O’Higgins to El Chalten crossing
- Transport. Bus Villa O’Higgins to Bahamondez pier – CLP 2500/US$3; boat Bahamondez – Candelario Mancilla – CLP 60 000/US$65; ferry Punta Norte de Laguna del Desierto to Punta Sur (optionally available, you possibly can stroll as an alternative) – ARS 17 500/US$50; bus Punta Sur de Laguna del Desierto to El Chalten – ARS 8500/US$25.
- Meals. CLP 14 000/US$15 pp.
- Tenting. Candelario Mancilla – CLP 4500/US$5 pp., on the Argentinian immigration workplace – free.
Complete: between US$115 and US$165.
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The right way to get to Villa O’Higgins?
There are common buses from Cochrane to Villa O’Higgins however they don’t go day-after-day, 2 or 3 occasions per week. Value about CLP 27 000/US$30 from Cochrane to Villa O’Higgins. Attending to Cochrane is less complicated there are each day buses from Coyhaique and Puerto Montt that go on the Carretera Austral and cease at a number of locations. You’ll be able to catch it from any city alongside the best way.
As an choice, you possibly can hire a automotive however you gained’t have the ability to go together with it on the ferry and cross to Argentina. Notice! Between Cochrane and Villa O’Higgins, there’s a ferry cross from Caleta Yungay to Rio Bravo – site visitors is dependent upon the ferry schedule. In summer time there are 3 ferries per day; 10 am, 13 pm, and 6 pm. The ferry cross is free for everyone.
The most affordable means of attending to Villa O’Higgins is to hitchhike. Hitchhiking works completely all over the place in Chile; you meet cool native individuals, get to know higher the nation, and are extra versatile no want to fret about lacking a bus or not getting a ticket.
If you happen to like mountaineering you would possibly get pleasure from visiting different locations in Patagonia that supply nice trails comparable to Cerro Castillo, Queulat Nationwide Park, or Pumalin Park.
Villa O’Higgins
Lodging in Villa O’Higgins
Tenting/hostel/guesthouse El Mosco, in our opinion the very best campsite in Patagonia! It has sizzling water showers, electrical energy, many shops in widespread areas, wi-fi, cozy and heat inside space. Our favourite was a kitchen with nice amenities for cooking: range, oven, pots, pans, plates, cups, and many others. Value CLP 9 000/US$10 per individual – tenting, they’ve dorm beds as nicely CLP 14 000/US$15 pp. Non-public rooms from CLP 45 000/US$50 for a double room.
There are a number of different locations to remain in Villa O’Higgins in case you need extra privateness and tranquility.
ATMs and bank cards in Villa O’Higgins
In Villa O’Higgins, there aren’t any ATMs, the final ATM on the best way is in Cochran, you should have sufficient money to pay for lodging and the boat, and all outlets settle for playing cards – Visas (undecided about Grasp playing cards). Reasonably attempt to alternate Chilean pesos for Argentinians at your lodge in O’Higgins or with different vacationers that do the stroll the opposite means round and are available from Argentina. Purchase gasoline to your range in Chile, in El Chalten it prices rather more.
Villa O’Higgins to El Chalten tips on how to get?
The route description
- Bus Villa O’Higgins – Bahamondez port, 7km/4,3 mi;
- Ferry Villa O’Higgins – Candelario Mancilla (Chilean immigration), 2h30min.;
- Stroll Candelario Mancilla – Punta Norte de Laguna del Desierto (Chile to Argentina), 22 km/13,6 mi;
- Stroll/ferry Punta Norte – Punta Sur de Laguna del Desierto, 12 km/7,4 mi;
- Bus/hitchhike Punta Sur de Laguna del Desierto – El Chalten, 40 km/24,8 mi.
Step 1. Bus Villa O’Hggins to Bahamondez (ferry pier), 15 min.
The pier is 7 km from the city in an effort to catch a ferry it’s higher to take a bus in any other case you’ll have to start out strolling very early to get there on time. Most cyclists go on their very own and depart the city at about 1h30min. earlier than the ferry departure. Bus worth – CLP 2500/US$3 pp.
Step 2. Ferry Villa O’Higgins to Candelario Mancilla, 2h30min.
- Ruedas de la Patagonia CLP 60 000/US$65 (they do switch from O’Higgins to the pier for CLP 2500/US$3), leaves Monday and Thursday at 8.30 am.
*Notice! There isn’t any further cost for bicycles on the ferries. Bikes will not be allowed.
Boats run from the first of November to the thirtieth of April. All the time verify departure occasions and costs with the corporate as they may change.
Bear in mind that because of the climate situations, you possibly can await a ship for 2-4 days when you’re brief on time suppose twice earlier than selecting this feature. When you have time El Mosco will not be a foul place for ready; there are a few mountains whereas ready you are able to do day hikes.
Candelario Mancilla
Chilean Carabineros (immigration) is 1 km away from the pier, the workplace is open from early morning until 9 pm. Right here you get your Chile exit stamp, The officers are very pleasant when you have any questions concerning the stroll ask them they know the realm very nicely. When you have time and wish to do an off-the-beaten-track hike you possibly can go to one of many glaciers on the Chilean aspect – O’Higgins or El Chico. When you have further baggage you possibly can depart it on the Carabineros workplace for no further cost.
Tenting at Candelario Mancilla about 1 km uphill from the pier (you’ll see it on the highest). Value CLP 4500/US$5 pp. In addition to the campsite, there’s a small restaurant the place you should buy a cooked meal in addition to house bread CLP 300/US$0,5 and jam CLP 1000/US$1,5. If you happen to arrive early morning we’d recommend beginning to stroll in the direction of El Chalten. If you happen to arrive within the afternoon or night it’s higher to remain at Candelario and proceed the subsequent morning.
Step 3. Stroll Candelario Mancilla – Punta Norte de Laguna del Desierto, 22 km/13,6 mi
From Candelario Mancilla to Argentinian immigration (Punta Norte de Laguna del Desierto) is 22 km;
- 17 km to the border, grime street on the Chilean aspect, principally flat, some ups, to start with, might be cycled.
- 5 km from the border to the lake and the Argentinian immigration workplace. This path is a small path within the forest, with some ups and downs, not possible to cycle – you push your bicycle by the forest.
In whole, it takes between 5-6 hours to stroll 22 km, relying on how a lot baggage you will have, climate situations, and naturally your health stage. On the immigration workplace, you get an Argentinian entrance stamp. There’s a free tenting space subsequent to the workplace the place you possibly can cease for the night time.
Notice! If you happen to don’t wish to stroll with all of your baggage or simply realized you’re too drained to stroll in any respect you possibly can prepare transportation to the border with carabineros. Value between CLP 10 000-15 000/US$10-15. They will drop you on the border however from there you’ll need to stroll the final 5 km by yourself.
Step 4. Stroll/ferry Punta Norte – Punta Sur de Laguna del Desierto, 12 km/7,5 mi
From Argentinian immigration, you possibly can stroll alongside the lake for 12 km or take a ferry to Punta Sur de Lago del Desierto (South Level). The ferry takes about 1 hour, worth is ARS 17 500/US$50 pp. All of the cyclists take the ferry as a result of the stroll alongside the lake is similar to the final 5 km to the Argentinian border management, and it’s not possible to cycle.
We determined to stroll, in any case, it was a phenomenal path with some wonderful viewpoints overlooking the glacier, lake, and mountains. The trail is obvious and simple to observe however it takes time – about 5-6 hours resulting from fixed up and downhill, typically fairly steep.
The complete stroll might be simply performed in 2 days. On the primary day – ferry O’Higgins to Candelario, then stroll from Candelario Mancilla to Punta Norte de Laguna del Desierto and camp at Argentinian immigration. On the second day – stroll Punta Norte to Punta Sur de Laguna from there take a bus to El Chalten.
Step 5. Bus/hitchhike Punta Sur de Laguna del Desierto – El Chalten, 40 km/24 mi
As soon as you’re at Punta Sur de Laguna del Desierto (South Level) you will have two choices to get to El Chalten which is 40 km away; take a bus to El Chalten for ARS 8500/US$25 or hitchhike. The bus journey takes about 1 hour. You’ll be able to proceed your Patagonia journey by trekking in El Chalten, Laguna de los Tres is a not-to-miss hike. After El Chalten, you possibly can go to Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate. You may get from El Chalten to Torres del Paine and do one of many mountaineering routes there.
El Chalten
El Chalten is an even bigger city with higher infrastructure in comparison with Villa O’Higgins. There are extra lodging choices right here you’ll find. There are some good campsites in El Chalten which can be nice for assembly individuals.
- Accommodations
- Hostels
- Campsites
- Eating places
- Bars
- Outlets
- Pharmacies
- Gear rental locations
- ATMs
- Tour businesses
Lodging in El Chalten
There are numerous lodging choices in El Chalten from finances tenting and dormitories to luxurious lodges.
Funds choices – Hostel Rancho Grande – one of many top-rated hostels within the city – a giant home situated simply exterior El Chalten. There are dorm beds and personal and household rooms.
Helpful gadgets to pack for mountaineering in Patagonia
For extra particulars on gear and clothes for Patagonia for women and men test our Patagonia packing checklist put up.
Advisable books and guidebooks
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack reasonably than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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