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.