A several-day primitive backcountry expedition through the rugged granite spires and remote valleys of northern Patagonia.
At a Glance
Technical route connecting Refugio Frey, Jakob, and López.
Shared high-mountain refugios — simple communal accommodation.
Led by a professional mountain guide for technical navigation.
Every weather window, transition, and gear logistic personally overseen.
~800–1,000m of elevation gain and descent per day.
San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Patagonia, Argentina.
The Experience
This nine-day journey is designed for those seeking a raw, immersive experience in the heart of Patagonia. Moving away from civilization into the deep Andes range, this traverse trades luxury for the isolation of the granite towers and remote high-altitude valleys of Bariloche.
The environment is demanding, requiring sustained skinning and technical descents across untracked terrain. The accommodation is deliberately primitive — sleeping in high-mountain Refugios means shared dormitories and simple facilities.
While this itinerary offers the complete circuit, the experience is entirely modular and can be adapted to visit only one or two specific huts depending on your time and objectives.
Sample Itinerary
A suggested nine-day programme through Nahuel Huapi National Park.
Day 1: Bariloche
Private transfer to your hotel and initial team meeting. Complete gear check and technical briefing.
Day 2: Cerro Catedral Warm-up
Lift-assisted backcountry skiing at Cerro Catedral to calibrate gear and ability levels. Evening in Bariloche for final preparations.
Day 3: Approach to Refugio Frey
Departure for the ascent toward the Frey Valley, first ascent with resort lift followed by ski touring. Arrival at Refugio Frey and an afternoon session in the surrounding chutes.
Day 4: Frey Valley
A full day exploring the world-class couloirs and jagged spires surrounding the Toncek Lagoon. Second night at Refugio Frey.
Day 5: Traverse to Refugio Jakob
A technical day of skinning across high passes and remote alpine bowls (~1,000m elevation gain). Arrival at the isolated Refugio Jakob.
Day 6: Jakob Valley
A day dedicated to exploring the untracked bowls and ridgelines surrounding the high-altitude lagoon. Second night at Refugio Jakob.
Day 7: Traverse to Refugio López
A demanding traverse across high ridges connecting the Jakob and López massifs. Arrival at Refugio López, perched high above the valley floor.
Day 8: Cerro López & Recovery
Morning skiing on the steep, technical faces of Cerro López. A long, sustained descent back toward the valley. Private transfer back to Bariloche with the option of an afternoon in the spa to facilitate recovery.
Day 9: Departure
Final breakfast in Patagonia and private transfer for your return journey.
Begin Your Journey
Every AoniTem journey begins with a single conversation. Tell us how you ski, what you want to feel, and where you want to go — we'll take care of the rest.
