El Calafate and El Chaltén, Patagonia’s Classic
Hiking

El Calafate and El Chaltén, Patagonia’s Classic

(Price per person/based on 2 )

El Calafate and El Chaltén are the main gateways to Patagonia’s most iconic landscapes, offering access to glaciers, mountain peaks, and some of the best hiking trails in Argentina. This itinerary combines both destinations into a seamless travel experience.

A Patagonia based adventure operator and local expert, designing and delivering custom, high-quality travel experiences in Chile.

    Categories: , Tag:

    Patagonia Off the Beaten Path

    Explore Los Glaciares National Park

    This is Patagonia at its most iconic and accessible. From the massive ice walls of Perito Moreno Glacier to the sharp granite peaks of Mount Fitz Roy, this journey connects the two gateways of southern Patagonia, El Calafate and El Chaltén

    plan your adventure

    Active, Guided

    Adventure Style

    Moderate

    Difficulty

    7 Days

    Duration

    From Perito Moreno to Fitz Roy, A Classic Patagonia Journey

    With a mix of guided excursions and self-guided treks, this Patagonia program allows travelers to explore at their own pace while still benefiting from local expertise. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to experience the best hikes and natural highlights in southern Argentina.

    enquire now

    Itinerary Overview

    This classic Patagonia itinerary explores the highlights of Los Glaciares National Park, combining glacier excursions, scenic hikes, and unique landscapes between El Calafate and El Chaltén. The journey begins with a close-up experience at Perito Moreno Glacier, followed by a visit to a remote petrified forest before heading north to El Chaltén, Argentina’s trekking capital.

    From here, a series of hikes including Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, offer panoramic views of Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the surrounding glacial valleys. A kayaking experience at Lago del Desierto adds a different perspective to the landscape.

    This program balances guided excursions with independent exploration, making it ideal for travelers seeking an active yet flexible Patagonia experience.


    • 4 Days of trekking in Los Glaciares National Park 
    • Specialized mountain guide for 4 days of trekking
    • 3 Nights camping in off grid locations
    • Transfer from end point back to El Chalten 
    • Technical mountaineering equipment 
    • Group camping and cooking equipment 
    • Tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mats 
    • Breakfast on days 2-4
    • Lunch on days 1-4
    • Dinner on days 1-3
    • Afternoon tea and snacks
    • Accommodation not listed 
    • Meals not listed 
    • Land Transportation not listed 
    • Airline tickets 
    • Personal trekking gear 
    • Travel insurance 
    • Drinks during lunch or dinner 
    • Tips for staff
    • Accommodations not mentioned
    • Meals not mentioned
    • All other airline tickets not mentioned above as included
    • Travel Insurance
    • Personal trekking gear (sleeping bag)
    • Drinks during lunch or dinner
    • Tips for staff or at dinners

    Today, take an exciting all-day excursion to Los Glaciares National Park, which sits about an hour away from El Calafate via private transfer. As you enter the park, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the majestic Perito Moreno. This expansive glacier flows down from the Andes out over the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, ending abruptly in a great wall that curves around the lake. Wait a bit, and you’ll witness “calving,” the awe-inspiring sight of ice breaking off the facade and crashing into the tranquil waters below.

    While not the only glacier in the area, Perito Moreno is definitely the star of the show. It’s unique in that it is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, which results in the calving mentioned above. Upon arrival, you’ll be able to admire Perito Moreno from several different vantage points via the network of wooden walkways strategically situated in front of the glacier. Even better, you’ll also get up close and personal with its massive ice wall on a boat tour. 

    After a day spent discovering the glacier and wandering the numerous trails, you’ll head back to El Calafate.

    You lThis Patagonian city sits on the shores of Lago Argentino and is known as the gateway to Argentina’s glaciers. If arriving by flight, try to snag a window seat so you can take in the stunning views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field as you fly over it. 

    As you drive into El Chalten, if the skies are clear, you’ll be treated to incredible views of Mount Fitz Roy. After checking into your hotel take the rest of the day to acclimate to the area. Perhaps take a walk in town before a relaxing evening sampling El Chaltén’s many restaurants and craft-beer bars.

    This morning you’ll embark on a full-day of hiking into Los Glaciares National Park. With several trailheads just outside of town, El Chaltén is the perfect starting point for treks into the Fitz Roy range and offers fantastic opportunities for day hikes.

    Many of these full-day treks can take up to 11 hours, depending on which route you take. The hike you’ll be embarking on this morning is to Laguna de los Tres. The trail leads through an alpine forest, complete with views of Piedras Blancas Glacier, all the way up to the lake. Laguna de los Tres earned its name because its shores offer panoramic views of three peaks: Fitz Roy, Poincenot, and Torre.

    At the end of the day’s hike, you’ll descend the mountain and return to your hotel in El Chaltén.

    Hiking Distance: 20 kilometers (12.4 miles)
    Hiking Duration: 8-9 hours

    After breakfast, head out of town on foot for a memorable hike to Laguna Torre. Traverse a glacial valley that has fascinated geologists due to its perfect “U” shape, the result of the area once being covered by large swaths of ice. 

    The hike will take you through bright green lenga forests and around lagoons until you reach the day’s final destination: Laguna Torre. This glacial lake sits at the foot of the sharp granite peak of Cerro Torre, and here you’ll find the glacier that feeds the lake as well. After spending some time at the lake and admiring the views, you’ll return to El Chaltén along the same path.

    Hiking Distance: 20 kilometers (12.4 miles)
    Hiking Duration: 7-8 hours

    The final self guided trek in the national park; it also starts from the door of your hotel! This trek takes you along less walked trails and takes you up to a 360° viewpoint. You can appreciate the Torre and Fitz Roy valleys, the mountains themselves, the Patagonian steppe and Viedma Lake – the largest lake of Argentina. In the last section of the trail you will come across different flora, found in these high plateaus and exposed areas, and if you look closely you will also spot marine fossils (ammonites and belemnites).

    A driver will pick you up at a pre-scheduled time based on your confirmed flight details. 

    El Chalten, Argentina
    Mount Fitz Roy in El Chalten, hiking capital in Argentina

    Let’s Take You There

    Our team knows this region inside out, and we’ll guide you with honest advice, the right logistics, and the small details that make a big difference out there. Reach out to our adventure specialists, and we’ll shape something that truly fits you.

    contact our specialist