Unveiling the Lost Valley TURBIO IV Hiking - Mountainering - Packrafting
This is truly one of the best trips we offer. The Argentinian Andes south of Bariloche are some of the most unexplored mountainous regions of South America. The glaciated peaks possess some of the largest granite walls in America. Many of them have never been climbed, or even photographed. A dense and lush rainforest riddled with bamboo and gorgeous birdsong covers the deep misty valleys. Giant alerces, massive trees related to redwoods, grow straight from the granite. These impressive old ones host beautiful micro-ecosystems of wildflowers and mosses.
Nowhere else on earth do you have such a wild contrast between the stark, uninhabitable world of the glacier cut walls that rise straight out of lush native jungle. It is otherworldly, enchanting, and provides endless possibilities for adventure.
The locals inhabitants of the main valley are welcoming and keen to show their life style to the visitors. They produce most of their tools, furniture and food in their communities. Once in the Turbio IV valley the closest living person is far away. It’s pure wilderness.
Located about 60 km south west of the town of Lago Puelo, Argentina, the valley of Rio Turbio IV is an untouched paradise that has only been explored by the occasional intrepid climber or adventurous backpacker. Two hours south of Bariloche, Lago Puelo and El Bolsón are beautiful mountain towns close to the Northern boundary of Patagonia.
Season
January to March
Difficulty
High
Duration
9 Days to 15 Days
Meeting point
Bariloche
Backpack
13 to 19 kg
Trekking
Previous exp
Overnight
Huts and tent
Transfer
Included
Mountaineering
Scrambling
Tyrolese
Glacier walking Optiononal
Kayak
Packrafting
Class 1 / 2 river
Rates
From 2900$
The logistics are in place to make the trip into Turbio IV an incredible and varied expedition. We start with a boat across a lake, then use horses to carry our weight most of the way up to the valley before reaching two different mountain huts (refugios) for shelter. To exit the valley, we depart on an incredible float down an easy river (Class 2) via packrafts to end the trip.
The approach to the valley is a full on adventure: horse riding, hiking, mountaineering and tyroleans traverses are on the program.
We will most likely be the only ones in the valley. It is over 1300m deep. Enormous granite walls rise out of a lush native forest (selva valdiviana). The peaks rise to 2300m above sea level and thus pose no risks of altitude sickness. Getting to the summits of peaks involves higher camps and scrambling.
The two mountain huts were built by one of the most talented Argentinian climbers and alpinists, Seba de la Cruz. He fell in love with the place and decided to put up one hut, where the horse trail ends and the hiking trail begins into the Turbio IV valley.
The huts offer a shelter from the heavy rain that can occur in that region, cooking and eating inside the wooden cabin during a rain storm is wonderful.
The best way out is to float down the river, which is a fast class 1 or 2 depending on water levels.
Instead of walking out the main valley, you get paddling days to enjoy the view and rest the legs.
Our services.
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Rates
Prices start from 2900 $
Minimum of 3 persons
Maximum 6 persons for 9 days trip
and 4 persons for 15 days trip
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Dificulty
9 days trip : Medium to Advanced
15 days trip : Advanced to Hard
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Length and fitness
Length of the total loop - 130 kilometers / 80 miles
Fitness - Medium to advanced
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What's included
- Mountain/trekking guide with First Aid training
-Accommodation during the trip
- Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast
- Emergency communication device
- Boat ride - Horses
- Packraft - Hut
A minimal time of 10 days is advisable to visit the Turbio, the optimum is between 14 and 20 days to assure good weather window and enough time to enjoy the marvels that it have to offers.
