The Best Short Trek To Do In December - Fitz Roy Massif Trek

You'll find the most important details you need to know about this trek here, ranging from average cost to the nearest airport, aswell as a brief description of what you should expect on this trek.

FYI - This is part of a series of blogs that describe and detail the best short and long treks around the world per month. The trek per month is not random, I chose the best treks with the best climate conditions per month. Type in January in the search bar of my blog section and find out what the best treks to take are in January.

Name of the Trek: Fitz Roy Massif Trek

Location: Patagonia

Nearest Airport: El Calafate Airport

Average Trekking Duration: 3-4days

Distance: 30 km approximately

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Highest Altitude: 3,359 m

Best Month To Go: December

Average Temperature: 13 degrees Centigrade

Average Cost: If you are a solo experienced trekker, then it should not take you more than USD $300 approximately. The food is reasonably priced, and you can stay at the campsites for free if you carry your tent. Likewise, if you prefer a local tour guide, the cost could be between USD $500 and USD $2000.

The trek will begin with you traveling to El Chalten bordering the Los Glaciares National Park. Hike up to Laguna Capri and then go mountaineering to Laguna de Los Tres. The Poicenot lagoon is a scenic treat to the eyes. The trek uphill from Rio Blanco from where Mount Fitz Roy is close up. The trek will give you views of the nearby scenic glaciers in these parts.

The last leg of this trek will be a hike down the Cerro Torre trail.

What to Expect?

The trek’s specialty is the up close and upfront approach it gives the trekkers to the glaciers. The view from the summit is very charming and is different at all months of the year.

The Glacier Mountains are located in the Los Glaciares National Park, and it is 312 km north of Punta Arenas. The pros of this trek are the granite wall of rather steep mountains and summit and the high walls of ice and snow all around. The park and its vicinity have as many as 47 glaciers and aqua blue lakes too. If these do not prompt you to take the trekking route of Fitz Roy, nothing will.

The park has plenty of signs to help the trekkers around until a certain limit. Carrying your camping gear and even trekking poles will save you money. Food and lodging are available, and though open fires are not allowed in the park, you can cook on stoves. Carry these if you plan to cook and eat.

The other positive in this trek is the fact that it does not cause any altitude sickness because the elevation remains constant. The Poincenot is where you will get to stay in camp and cook your food or have food.