Trekking

Single Day Treks

Patagonia Style single day treks have been designed to get you into the mountains where you can experience the immensity of the cordillera de los Andes, and yet not have to go through the hassle of carrying overnight gear for extended trips, or if your itinerary doesn’t allow for a more ‘full-scale’ incursion into the mountains.
Usually the single day treks are from 5 to 8 hours long, which means that a small daypack for a jacket, picnic lunch and water is all you’ll need to carry.

Keep in mind that we take pride in tailor-making each of our itineraries according to our clients’ preferences and requests. You will have the chance to discuss the particulars of your chosen itinerary with your guide before booking.

There are a variety of itineraries to choose from for single-day treks depending on your physical condition and how hard you want to hike.
Some example itineraries are:

La Kika Lake Hike

Only a half hours drive from the hotel, the Quica lake hike begins at a mountain community 1600 meters above sea level.
An early start will assure us that a 4 hour hike through the woods will get us to the lake by lunch time, so we can relax on the lake shore and (if you are brave enough) swim in its icy waters. The trail is steep in parts, but there are plenty of scenic overlooks where we can stop to take pictures, have a snack and take a short rest.
Once we reach the crest, the Andean cordillera unfolds behind us, revealing the many volcanos (several active) that make up the mountain chain in this region. Nearby, the Chapelco Grande mountain and the Azul mountain, (the highest in the area at 24oo meters) make for an impressive view. Beneath our feet a surprising number of high altitude plants in a wide array of colors and shapes lay hidden among the rocks, cracks and crevasses.

The return leg of our day trip follows a trail down toward Miralejos, another mountain community. Following a ridgeline down, we get some spectacular views of the valleys and mountains to the north and East of San Martin de los Andes, not to mention the ever-present Lanin volcano dominating the background.
Within 4 hours we arrive at the Miralejos hostel. During the high season we can treat ourselves to an afternoon snack or a complete high tea in the tearoom, while enjoying the panoramic view from our table.

Whether we opt for the tea or not, whenever we are ready there is a van at our disposal ready to return to San Martin de los Andes, with a camera full of pictures and a mind full of memories of a great Patagonia experience.

Cerro Colorado Hike

Probably our shortest itinerary, the Cerro Colorado hike is still visually stunning. The Cerro Colorado is actually a volcanic vent, the summit being a pile of volcanic rubble that offers an impressive view of both the Lacar lake and Lolog lake basins.

Just a 30 minute drive from San Martin de los Andes to the trail head, the hike begins up a steep mountain canyon. Gradually the trail wind around the side of the mountain and the gradient becomes easier. Just before reaching timberline the trail passes through a lenga (a type of beech) tree forest that turns abruptly to scrub lenga, and then disappears altogether, a typical phenomenon at 1600 meters elevation.
The final approach to the summit is above timberline and over pumice like volcanic rock. About 15 minutes after leaving the tree line we are standing on the summit of the Cerro Colorado with the entire Andes mountain chain before us.
As we sit and enjoy a picnic lunch on the summit we can see all of the major peaks in the area, many of these volcanoes in Chile and some of them active. The Lanin volcano, the massive 3776 meter high namesake of this National Park, dominates the view.
When the time comes to head back to town we have the option of an alternate trail that will take us through the woods down toward the Lolog Lake. Not only will this allow us to hike a different trail, but also do a bit of sight seeing of the Lolog lake area on our way back to town. So, all in all, our shortest itinerary is packed with a variety of incredible vistas and varied landscapes.

Expedition Treks

Patagonia Styles coined the term ‘expedition treks’ to draw attention to a unique and specific activity. Not a simple ‘camping trip’, the expedition treks are itineraries that have been created to offer a wide variety of sceneries and modes of travel within a single trip.
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, launches, 4x4, Tyrolean traverses and rappels are all possibilities in these itineraries. The great part is you can mix and match them according to your ability and interests.
Nights during the treks are spent in roomy expedition grade tents. Our mountain cuisine is served in an airy ‘mess tent’, porters or pack horses are available for those who don’t want to (or can’t) shoulder heavy loads; all of this designed to give you the highest grade of comfort in the wildest of settings
And as with every itinerary that is offered by Patagonia Styles, you’ll have the opportunity before booking to contact your guide in order that you can ask specific questions about your trip,’ tweaking’ the itinerary in order that you get a truly ‘tailor made’ trip.
There are a variety of itineraries to choose from. Some examples are:

The Auquinco Valley Trek
San Martín de los Andes to Laguna Verd

DAY 1
Leaving San Martin de los Andes on horseback (vehicular transfer to trailhead is optional), our trip begins with a ride through a Mapuche Indian Reservation that borders the Lacar Lake near SMA.
In a couple of hours we begin climbing the steep trail of the Cerro Colorado, our sure footed horses taking us safely to the summit of the 1700 meter high volcanic vent, that gives the mountain its name

Our first night out, amid the volcanic scree, we will see the lights of San Martin de los Andes far below, as if they were a reflection of the stars in the night sky.

DAY 2
As the sun rises on our second day out, we send the horses back to town and continue our adventure on foot along the ridgeline to the Cerros Sabana and Centinela. Dropping down into the forest we hike toward our campsite, still several hours away.
Tonight our camp will be situated in the middle of a high altitude meadow, surrounded by sun-warmed pools of snowmelt, where we can bathe and relax after the day’s hike. From our camp we can see a panoramic view of the Lacar Lake and surrounding area. A campfire after dark is the perfect touch for this perfect Patagonia summer night.

DAY 3 A leisurely breakfast and we’re off. A narrow horse trail marks the way through the meadows and ridges until we reach the saddle at Quilanlahue, which is our land mark to turn and head down to the Lolog Lake.

After a steep descent we arrive at our campsite on the beach. Those who had the foresight to bring a fishing rod can fish while the guides set up camp. The launch that will ferry us across the lake in the morning has brought a grill, so grilled beef and chicken are on the dinner menu, accompanied by a fine Argentine red wine to round out tonight’s asado.

DAY 4
Ferried across the lake, our days hike up the Auquinco valley starts at an abandoned Park Rangers cabin. We cross the Auquinco River and follow the trail along the bottom of the valley, and eventually climb into the forest.

A 7-hour hike brings us to a hut that was built for horseback expeditions that come down from Laguna Verde, our destination. Here we can enjoy bathing in the Auquinco River and just ‘hang out’ around the hut. As the sun drops a campfire will keep us cozy until we retire for the night.

DAY 5
The hardest day of our trek, Day 5 will also be the most varied. Once we leave the hut, we will climb into an Araucaria (monkey puzzle) forest, where we sill see Argentina’s oldest known specimen of Araucaria, said to be over 800 years old. A spectacular view of the Huanquihue volcano accompanies us for while before it disappears behind the trees. We climb up to the pass and are immersed in a volcanic wasteland of black sand and bare ash covered slopes. The result of an ancient volcanic eruption, we will be witness to the stark beauty of an entire valley transformed by a volcanoes fury.

Our last night out is a camp in an oasis in the middle of this desert of black sand. A small stream running off to one side will provide us with plenty of fresh water during our stay.

DAY 6
Day 6 takes us parallel to the old lava flow. For several kilometers we follow its course. Incredibly symmetrical peaks flank us on both sides, towering blackly above us like parodies of the snow-covered mountains.

Soon the trail begins winding through a stand of cane, showing us that we are near the end of our journey. And then we come abruptly to a hole in the wall of trees. Beyond, an emerald green lake shimmers and a beach of fine white sand beckons. We have arrived at the Laguna Verde, the end of our trek. Off to our left we can see how the hot lava tumbled into the cold water, freezing itself forever into fantastic shapes. To our right, a welcome sight: our van with an awning, chairs and a table covered in fresh food! A perfect ending to our expedition.

South Face Valley Trek
A Visit to the Glaciers on the Lanin Volcano

DAY 1
From the shores of the largest lake in the Lanín National park, the Huechulafquen, our trek begins at the corral of one of the areas´ first settlers. The pack horse and handler from the ranch will make the first leg of our journey more relaxing, as well as adding another ingredient to the incredible mix of the South Face Valley Trek.
A 10-kilometer hike into the Hueyelthue Valley is the beginning of this trek and is an amazing experience. With the South East face of the volcano looming at 3776 meters high at the end of the valley, we are drawn inexorably toward the massive mountain.
The Lanín Volcano is but one of many in a chain the runs North/South through the Argentine/Chilean Andes. What makes the Lanín Volcano so spectacular is that it stands alone, and over 1700 meters higher than any of the mountains nearby, adding to the already incredible height of the mountain.
After five or six hours of easy hiking we reach the end of the valley and a stand of monkey-puzzle trees, where our campsite awaits us. A typical Argentine asado (barbeque) is our reward for this first day’s effort.

DAY 2
Up with sun, a leisurely breakfast prepares us for the days hike. We see off our packhorse and handler, since the terrain will become too rugged and loose for them to continue with us.
Climbing out of the Valley, we find ourselves at the base of the volcano. As we hike we gradually climb until we are actually on the flanks of the mountain, negotiating moraines and old lava flows. Above us, massive hanging glaciers accentuate the incredible dimensions of our surroundings.
By the time we reach the high altitude meadows beneath Black Mountain, we are ready to pitch camp and take a well-deserved rest. Afterward, if the light is right, we will be able to take some fantastic pictures of these unique surroundings. An ‘Alpine Dinner’ will taste as good to us tonight as our asado the night before. High on the mountain, we will feel close to the star - studded Patagonia night sky.

DAY 3
Today’s hike is down the Ruca Leufu Valley, and is completely different from the surroundings of our last 2 days. Where the approach was dry and somewhat barren, the Ruca valley has a river running through its bottom and is lush with vegetation. Relatively easy, this leg of our trek will allow us to see the type of plant life typical to the region, as well as an impressive view of the volcanoes summit as we draw away and get a better perspective.
When we reach the van at the end of the trail we will, for the first time, have a complete and unobstructed view of the entire South Face of the Lanín Volcano, a view, and an experience, that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Mountaineering:

Anyone who has ever climbed a mountain has surely experienced the sensation of attraction that the summit has had on them.-a simple desire to reach the top, be it of an overlook or a thousands meter high mass of ice and rock. This simple desire is the beginning of an experience that is rich beyond words, and that is why we, at Patagonia Styles, climb mountains. The physical challenge, the visual beauty, and the spiritual satisfaction of communing with these remote and relatively inaccessible places make mountaineering an incredibly fun and satisfying hobby and sport.
Our mountaineering itineraries have been created for those with limited experience in mountain climbing. All are strictly ‘non-technical’ climbs (walk ups) that still contain the essence of high altitude mountaineering. With all the rewards and excitement of mountain climbing, our climbs are serious business.
All the guides, assistants and other persons involved in our mountaineering program are highly trained and experienced in their specific roles to assure your safety and enjoyment.

Difficulty grade: C4
A summit attempt on the Lanin Volcano is a challenge to anyone aspiring to a real mountaineering adventure. With an elevation gain of over a mile and a half, this 3-day climb up the flanks of this beautifully symmetrical 12,000 ft mountain is an unforgettable event. Though not technically difficult, this is real mountaineering from the trailhead to the summit. From the Patagonian steppe our journey begins on the crest of a long moraine (the knife edge of a ‘ valley ‘ formed by a glacier) that winds its way up the lower part of the mountain. Within hours we are within view of the glacier that formed the moraine. The summit towers far above, luring us onward and upward.
Before long all of the other peaks in the area are left below us as we progress ever further up the volcanic slopes. Scree and old lava formations abound on our way to the mountain hut, where we will stay for the night.
An alpine meal, graced with a few unexpected luxuries, and the days efforts leave us feeling satisfied and ready to turn in early, as we must be ready to set off by 5 a.m.
By the light of our headlamps we set off on the morning of day 2 across frozen snowfields, our crampons and ice axes crunching in the cold, brittle snow as we climb.
Finally we reach the headwall just below the summit. It is not much further now, but we must move slowly. At 12,000 above sea level the air is scarcer than most of us are used to, and the difference is notable. A quick lunch on the summit (if weather conditions permit), a few pictures, and it’s time to head down. Our goal has been reached. Now it’s time to turn back and reach the hut safely.
Once in the hut we can all relax. It is time now to replenish spent energies and share fresh memories. After a leisurely afternoon, our final evening meal is a celebration of our conquest. Then, one by one, we’ll all drop off to sleep as our tired bodies give in to the lure of the warmth of our bags.
Our last day on the mountain dawns. We can now afford the luxury of a late start, as it is only a 4-hour hike down to the base. Once at the bottom we turn and look toward the mountain. It seems incredible that only yesterday we were standing on the summit!

Expedition Cordillera del Viento / Domuyo Volcano (4706 mt / 15400 ft).
Difficulty grade: C4

In a remote area in the North of the Province of Neuquén rises a massive mountain 4,700 meters high…
After a transfer from the city of Neuquén to the foot of the mountain, our adventure begins. An approximation hike of about 5 hours along the bottom of a valley takes us up to 3000 meters (11,100 ft) where we will set up our base camp.
On foot, or with packhorses, the approximation serves to acclimatize ourselves to these magnificent surroundings.
The immensity of this scenario is amazing, and when we see the Domuyo massif up close, we begin to realize the challenge we have taken on: To reach the summit.

Day one arriving at base camp there is time to rest, eat, take pictures, and become acquainted with the wind - which will be our constant companion for the next 3 days.

Day three is summit day. Beginning before sunrise, equipped with crampons, ice axes and ski poles - patience and desire - we begin the last stage of our climb.
With a bit of luck - and a lot of effort - eight hours later finds us taking pictures on the summit of this magnificent mountain, beside the cross that marks the highest point.

The pace is slow. We are tired, and at this altitude we have 2/3 of the oxygen we would have at sea level. Reaching Camp II there is time to rest before taking down the tents and heading down to camp I, where we will spend our last night, tired but satisfied by the day’s conquest.

Day four After waking up at a more ‘reasonable hour’, a big breakfast replenishes our energy for the return leg. If we are going down on horseback, the going will be easier; if not, we have 4 hours packing out. But when we arrive at the base, we will find we have a well deserved prize awaiting us: a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs at Aguas Calientes and a barbecue on our last evening in the cordillera del Viento.

Day five we drive back to the city of Neuquen, probably weary to the bone, but proud in our attempt at the 15400 ft summit of the Domuyo Volcano.

Difficulty Chart