Chaltén

Chaltén is a mountain in Patagonia which is sacred for the Tehuelche people. It is said that when Tehuelches were on their hunting route and reached the Chaltén peak, they had to offer a solemn bow. The Aonikenk people-which means “people of the south”-have inhabited the land of the southern mountain ranges and glaciers for thousands of years. They are best known by the name “Tehuelche”, a Mapuche word meaning ” fierce people”. The life of the Aonikenk people was nomadic and revolved around the hunting of guanacos (Patagonian llamas). Until a couple of centuries ago, they freely traveled and inhabited the entire extension of Patagonia.