Terms and Conditions

Scope

These conditions apply to individual bookings. For wholesale agencies and service providers, the policies agreed in each case apply.

During your stay

• If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance so we can prepare your menu.
• Outdoor footwear is not allowed inside the refuge: please bring slippers or indoor shoes.
• Entry to the Los Huemules Reserve is from 9 am to 4 pm. Room check-out is at 10:30 am.
• There is no mobile signal or wifi at the refuge: a chance to disconnect and enjoy nature.
• We can help you book transport to and from El Chaltén. Please request it in advance.

Access

The trail starts at the Estancia Los Huemules Interpretation Centre, on Provincial Route 41, 17 km from El Chaltén (about 35 minutes). You can get there by car or on the regular transport services from town, and there is parking at the reserve entrance. The refuge can only be reached on foot, along a moderate trail of about two and a half hours.

Contact

For changes or assistance, call +54 9 2966 27-9914 or write to reservas@refugiosdepatagonia.com.

It is one of the first mountain huts in the area: a true classic!

Sheltered from the wind and deep in the Río Eléctrico Valley, this place has offered shelter and comfort to climbers from all over the world who come to climb the Fitz Roy range, as well as to hikers passing through. It is also a classic meeting point for the local community, and on arrival you can feel a distinctly friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Services

The hut has bathrooms (no hot water). We offer shared dormitories for 4 to 6 people with mattresses. You need to bring your own sleeping bag or, if you prefer to hike up light, we have our own rental.

The hosts prepare delicious homemade dishes such as pizzas, cakes and stews. The hut has no shop, so food must be brought from town together with a stove, gas and utensils, to be used in the designated areas. We do not have a shared indoor kitchen.

We also have a covered common area heated by a wood stove to rest or spend time if the weather is bad, with board games and books available.

Bookings

No prior booking is required for camping.

To book dormitory beds, at least 50% of the booking must be paid. No refunds are given, and date changes are subject to availability.

Access

The trail starts at the Río Eléctrico bridge, 16 km from town along Provincial Route 41. You can get there by car or on regular transport from El Chaltén. The hut can only be reached on foot, along an easy trail of about two hours.

Trails

Getting to the hut is already a wonderful journey in itself. Those who want to go further into the valley can visit Lago Eléctrico and Laguna Pollone: a walk of under 2 hours, very rocky but without steep slopes. The hosts will gladly show you the way, map in hand!

Our hut is also the gateway to more remote places such as Paso del Cuadrado and Piedra Negra, for which hikers will need enough mountain experience and independence, and good route-finding skills. In recent years these places have been recklessly promoted on social media, underestimating the physical effort required and the technical terrain, putting visitors at risk. For your safety and that of rescuers, please choose responsibly. If in doubt, visit the National Parks visitor center.

Los Glaciares National Park

Access to the refuge

Los 14 is designed as a waypoint for those heading onto the Southern Patagonian Ice Field or the Marconi Pass. These activities are done exclusively with certified guides, and access to the refuge must be requested in advance.

Los 14 is run around each expedition: it is not a walk-in refuge and has no permanent staff on site. Access is arranged in advance with each group, so it is not possible to book a night and turn up on your own.

A stay at Los 14 is included in the All-Refuges Circuit. If you plan to use the refuge as an entry point to the ice field, access is from Piedra del Fraile, with places booked in advance.

Services

• Room for 8 guests with single mattresses
• Room for 4 guides with single mattresses
• Shared common area
• Shared dry toilet
• Water
• Sleeping bag rental
• Tableware

Enquiries

Questions? Fill in the request form and a member of Refugios de Patagonia will get in touch to answer them.

Important considerations for your participation

Before we set out on our exciting activities, we kindly ask you to pay attention to the information below. Our main goal is your safety and well-being, so it is vital to choose activities that suit your physical condition and level of experience. While we take this matter seriously, we want you to know that fun and adventure are the order of the day!

It is essential that all participants are able to walk on technical mountain terrain for extended periods. This means dealing with rocky and unstable surfaces, steep slopes and changing weather conditions. Patagonia's characteristic weather is often unpredictable and can cause abrupt changes in terrain conditions, and our guides are used to dealing with its whims! Situations such as crossing swollen streams or facing snow or ice, among others, are well within their skills.

During the activities, we will use via ferratas to overcome obstacles on the terrain. These consist of steel cables anchored to the rock face, to which we secure ourselves with our safety equipment. Our professional guides will carefully supervise every maneuver, ensuring your safety at all times.

Cancellation and refund policies

In the unusual event that Refugios de Patagonia cancels a program, the payment made will be fully refunded. This does not apply to situations in which weather conditions pose a danger to the safety of participants, the guide in charge being the competent authority to make that decision. If the weather does not allow an alternative activity either, there will be no right to any refund. If the client decides to cancel their booking, the following refund policies will apply:

• 100% refund for cancellations made 30 days or more before the start date, minus bank transaction fees.
• 50% refund for cancellations made between 30 and 21 days before the start date.
• No refund (0%) for cancellations made within 21 days before the start date.

Please note that in all cases, the refund will be calculated on the deposit previously paid to confirm the booking.

Weather considerations

If weather conditions do not allow the planned activity to take place, a decision will be made together with the guide to carry out an alternative activity in a more suitable location. Participants must understand that weather conditions are changeable and unpredictable. The competent authority to cancel an activity due to weather is the guide in charge, at no cost to Refugios de Patagonia. If a participant decides to cancel for weather reasons, the cancellation policies mentioned above will apply.

Risks

Every mountain activity carries an inherent level of risk. Before starting the program, all participants must declare their awareness of these risks, and Refugios de Patagonia fulfills its responsibility to inform them properly.

Each participant is responsible for bringing the personal equipment specified by Refugios de Patagonia. Failure to meet this requirement may endanger the participant's safety, and the guide has the authority to prohibit participation in case of non-compliance, with no right to a refund from the company. In addition, each participant must report any allergies, dietary restrictions and medical conditions in advance.

In the event of an emergency, participants will be responsible for any rescue or evacuation costs incurred. Refugios de Patagonia assumes no responsibility for injuries or damage caused by forces of nature. Participants must understand that in remote areas access to medical care is limited and communications may be restricted, which may cause delays in rescues.

Requirements and level

• Level: Demanding. High technical difficulty (rock, ice, exposure and via ferrata sections).
• Fitness: Very good / excellent.
• Season: November to March inclusive.
• Maximum capacity: 8 people per departure. Departures are private to the booking group, though refuge accommodation may be shared with other guests.

Guide and transfers

A mountain guide accompanies the group from Puesto Cagliero to Piedra del Fraile.

The circuit does not include transfers from El Chaltén to the Los Huemules Reserve, nor the return from Piedra del Fraile at the end, which is done independently.

Weather and equipment

Patagonian weather is known for its strong winds and extreme variability. Please come prepared for anything, with good rain and wind gear.

The equipment listed on the circuit page is mandatory. If the guide in charge considers that its absence compromises the group’s safety, the activity may be cancelled.

Accommodation

The nights at Puesto Cagliero, Los 14 and Piedra del Fraile are also subject to the terms and conditions of each refuge.