aysén glacier trail

A five star trekking experience. Getting into the back of beyond in the depths of Patagonia. Walking where very few people have ever walked before. No roads, no paths, just wild wild landscape. Jonathan, the man that makes it all happen, is confident, reliable and professional throughout the whole experience. From co ordinating flights and accommodation, advice on gear and clothing. Local knowledge and natural history.

In the process of preparing our second 10+ person trip with Jonathan and his team I noticed the rave reviews they have been receiving. Each and everyone of them is more than justified. I concur with everything that's been said. We had a wonderful time in every respect when we went on the Aysen Glacier Trail back in March 2009 (sorry about having to manipulate the date of our visit below in order to qualify for this review). Our next expedition is planned for 2014. We'll be reviewing that experience a bit more timely. W.A. Schmidt, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, USA

I got to hike part of the AGT while shooting a documentary film. Jonathan is a logistical wizard, bringing people and equipment into a spectacularly remote part of the world. All the guides are top notch. The terrain is stunning. The locals are an integral part of the trek and the experience. No other trek will bring you as close to the essence of this region. PAEX, the AGT, and Patagonia are unforgettable.

I had the great pleasure of walking the AGT in February of 2010 and it was all that I had dreamed that the Patagonia would be and more. I will never forget trekking through isolated valleys and glaciers, drinking directly from rivers, and bonding with gauchos by the campfire. Jonathan and his guides were fun, professional, accommodating, and fantastic cooks. For anyone who wants to get away from the tourist route and have a pure Chilean Patagonian adventure, Jonathan's AGT is the trip for you!!

This experience connects you to the "real" Patagonia, traveling up spectacular valleys, crossing glaciers, and seeing some of the most remote parts of Patagonia, all while eating delicious food, staying in rustic but comfortable camps, and learning from Jonathan and his experienced guides. If you're looking for an experience that not many other people have, or are a photographer, or want to learn more about the people and landscapes of Patagonia, or looking for an invigorating escape from city life, look no further. Because of it's remoteness you won't be passing crowds of other hikers and encountering the messes they create as you would on some other treks. Don't pass this up!

A Symphony of stunning and remote beauty. A crescendo of color, light, texture and power. Follow the Huemel tracks of the Aysen Glacier Trail into a magical kingdom where nature still reigns supreme.The burning question of would-be Patagonian trekers of whether to do Torres del Paine or to do El Chaltén has finally been answered. Neither. Do the Aysen Glacier Trail. http://www.flickr.com/photos/headlessmonk/sets/72157603687025446/

This is maybe the most beautiful "walk" I have Done. After crossing the Neff Glacier on day 3, you get to the most remote spots into San Rafael National Park, deep in Patagonia. You keep walking into the park for 2 day until get to the camp where you get the View of the picture: Arenales.

My wife and I did the trek in late April of 2009 (TripAdvisor only allows selecting a date in the last year). The fall colors were just turning and the crisp air was perfect. Alas, a storm prevented us from getting across the glacier so we weren't able to walk the entire circuit, but it was still a phenomenal trip. This is the way to see Patagonia, and the Aysen region is absolutely spectacular.Jonathan and the PAEX team are also exceptional. They built the trail, they know the territory and the people, and they are committed to supporting and protecting the local environment and culture. We will definitely be back some day.

defenatily the AGT headed by Jonathan Leidich is the best hike experience in Patagonia -you get the inner spirit of gaucho life-style, the best local knowlodge from "Jon´s patagonian cool life", and the most beautiful and untouched lands you can reach down here...I enjoyed pretty much the 2012 AGT!!! (and not to mention the superlative food and service from Jon´s staff -such a good bbk and waffles folks!).Go ahead guys, you´re offering real adventure!!!Juan (from Chile)

I did the Aysen Glacier Trail in Feb 2012 and it was one of the best physical/spiritual experiences i have ever had. The area is stunningly beautiful and the folks at PAEX are truly the nicest people i have ever met. If you are looking for an educational environmental trip that is physically demanding and takes you deep into a place where few humans have been to - this is the trip for you. You need to be in reasonable shape - you will be on your feet for 10 hours a day. Some Advice: Get the right equipment and pack light. If you are thinking about hiring a porter, you are carrying too much stuff. Less is more. Here is the basic equipment you need:1) backpack/snowpack (waterproof is good - you will encounter rain)2) 2 trekking pants - one for camp, one for trekking 3) 1 base layer4) 1 mid layer (fleece jacket)5) 1 waterproof shell (top and bottom)6) Gaiters (very important - you dont want your hiking boots to be soaked and you will walk in water)7) Trekking poles (again very very important - this is the first time i used trekking poles and it saved my knees)Also definitely get to Balmaceda one day early - do not take the risk of missing your flight and having one day less to do the trek.

Our group of 8 (aged 62 to 45) hiked this trail with PAEX Dec/Jan 08/09 for 8 days. The hike itself was quite challenging but well worth the effort. Its odd when spectacular becomes an everyday condition but that's how it was. Our guides were excellent. You will carry your own pack but the guides will carry the food. There are tents and sleeping mats stored at each night's campsite so you don't need to carry those items. The food was great. Conditions on the trail are primitive but that's why you're on the trail in the first place. We joked with Jonathan Leidich the owner or PAEX that it wasn't so much a trail as a route. You don't need to be a climber but I'd suggest that you do lots of hiking preparation with about 25-30lbs on your pack to get ready. The average day was about 6 hours of hiking but the longest and hardest day over the glacier was about 10 or 11 hours. Our group considered that this day was as demanding as the last day summitting Kilimanjaro. This is a real adventure in the backwoods mountains and you will never forget the day spent crossing the glacier.

I hiked this trail with Adventure Patagonia Expeditions in Mar of 2006. It was one of the best outdoor experiences of my life. The guides were knowledgable and took great care of the group. The trail is rugged and the scenery is spectacular. We saw a mountain lion, condor and Huemul. The scenery while crossing the Neff Glacier in the bright sunshine with a clear sky is something that I'll never forget. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes wants to see wild Patagonia with the comfort of guides and fixed camps.

Nature at it's best expression

Aysen o aisen, es una región de Chile que ofrece múltiples atractivos, únicos en esta parte del mundo.Canales, fiordos, termas, bosques, y mucho hielo, campos nevados(Norte y San Quintin) y Hielo Patagonico Sur y, ya en magallanes, la famosa Cordillera de Darwin(ruta de los hielos).Para el que gusta de aventuras y soledad, misticismo y demás formas de conectarse con la naturaleza esta es una de las zonas mas bellas del mundo. Si van, pongan atención en la topografía, fiordos y canales. Si pueden hagan excursiones en glaciares y si tienen mas dinero, arrienden un avión y sobrevuelen los Campos de Hielo Norte, hay servicio. El viento y aguas puras los hará reflexionar¡.Por último, cada vez que estas en lugares de naturaleza intocada o poco dañada es preciso transmtir estos valores a los que vendrán y, así, sustentar el ecosistema de(los) lugares en cuestión.Chile, en general, es un paraíso¡, a disfrutarlo y cuidarlo¡

Excelente y maravilloso viaje, con recuerdos para atesorar por el resto de la vida.No hay en toda la Patagonia un mejor guía y anfitrión que Jonathan Leidich.Son 14 días de un maravilloso viaje, pasando por los lugares más virgenes que podamos imaginar, alejados de todo, solamente tú y la naturaleza en su máxima expresión. Innumerables cruces de espesos bosques virgenes húmedos, ríos y arroyos de origen glaciar, cruce del Glacier Neff, caminata por el valle Colonia hasta llegar nuevamente al Río Baker e inciar la navegación a remo hasta el río baker, todo esto acompañado de los mejores guías de la Patagonia y de las mejores comidas.Me considero un afortunado por podido realizar este viaje.Para los que buscamos conocer el corazón de la Patagonia y tener un contacto total con la naturaleza más virgen que va quedando, entonces definitivamente este es nuestro viaje.Saludos,José.Stgo., Chile.