El Chalten

Nature & adventure

Discover the National Capital of Trekking on a private or shared guided day trip from El Calafate El Chaltén. Let yourself be amazed by this mountain town as you discover incredible landscapes and walk part of its trails. Start the morning with pickup from your hotel in El Calafate. Relax on the trip to the town of El Chaltén which is 220 km from El Calafate. Cross the Santa Cruz River and make a rest stop for a few minutes at Estancia La Leona where you can buy homemade cakes and a hot drink. Continue to El Chaltén, bordering Lake Viedma with its homonymous glacier. Take in stunning views of Cerro Chaltén (also known as Fitz Roy) and Torre on clear days, as well as the Viedma Glacier with its impressive icebergs. Upon arrival at Chaltén, have 5 hours to explore and enjoy this small mountain town. Enjoy a 700-meter guided walk to the Mirador de Los Cóndores viewpoint and visit the Chorrillo del Salto with a 300-meter walk over flat terrain. To return, meet at a previously arranged meeting point for the drive back to El Calafate, arriving at approximately 8 PM.

It is a challenging walk along the Fitz Roy path, 20 kilometers in total. The duration of the trek can vary according to the rhythm and physical condition of each person, but generally it is estimated between 8 and 9 hours, including short breaks and stops to admire the landscape, which will amaze you throughout the journey. The activity begins with the pick up from your hotel. During the journey, you take route 40, surely you can spot local fauna and if the weather is good, see the sunrise over the hills. Once at the destination, we give you a talk about the trail, we give you walking sticks and the map, and the trekking begins. During the first section you will cross the forest until you reach Laguna Capri, the first technical stop. You will be surprised by the color of the water and the nature that surrounds this lagoon, in addition, the views of Fitz Roy are unmissable. Returning to the trail, we cross the Río Blanco bridge until we reach Camping Poincenot, a totally wild camp in the middle of the native forest. Crossing Poincenot, we arrive at the beginning of the climb to Laguna de los Tres. Due to the altimetry it presents and the terrain conditions, this last kilometer is the most difficult of the path. During this climb, the views of the landscape are incredible, being able to appreciate Laguna Madre and Hija from the heights. When it seems that you are about to arrive, another 300 meter climb awaits you, but once at the top, all the effort was worth it. You are surprised by the immense nature and the color of the water. The feeling is impossible to describe in words.

The excursion begins at 6:00 a.m., when the company's minibus picks you up at your accommodation in El Calafate. Once all passengers are on board, the vehicle heads towards El Chaltén, which you will reach in about three hours, travelling along a good part of National Route 40. Halfway along this beautiful scenic route that runs through the vastness of the Patagonian steppe, you will be able to see the southern Andes, where the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy stands out against the rest of the granite needles that surround it. Once in El Chaltén, at approximately 8:30 a.m., a short stop is made for those who wish to use the bathroom before setting off. Here a second trekking guide joins the group who will accompany the group during the hike. The trailhead is at the Puente del Río Eléctrico, just 14 kilometers from El Chaltén. There, food is given to each hiker and the group begins the hike at approximately 9:30 am. In the first section of the route (6.3 km, which takes an hour and a half to cover), the trail gains altitude until it reaches the Mirador Piedras Blancas. After the Mirador del Glaciar Piedras Blancas, the trail slowly descends to the Meeting Point near the Poincenot Base Camp, where the group arrives at approximately 11:30 am. Those who hesitate to continue with the second section, much more demanding than the first, will continue the journey with one of the two guides as GROUP 2 to the beautiful Laguna Capri, another of the must-see attractions of El Chaltén. There they will have lunch before continuing the descent to El Chaltén. GROUP 1 continues the journey with one of the guides through the Poincenot Base Camp area, crosses the bridge over the Blanco River, and from there begins to gain altitude rapidly. In total, they climb some 430 metres of altitude for almost 3 km until they reach the highest point: Laguna de los Tres. As they ascend, they begin to discover increasingly panoramic views and the sensation of getting closer to the mountains, which, due to their imposing size, seem to be very close. After the effort, at approximately 1:30 p.m. the group reaches a morainic ridge from where the Fitz Roy massif can be seen in all its splendor and at its feet the Laguna and Glacier De los Tres. To reach the Laguna itself, you descend a few meters and once there, and if the weather permits, it will surely be the perfect time for lunch, enjoying an unforgettable view and moment. After exploring the area and taking many photos, GROUP 1 says goodbye to this magical place and begins the descent to El Chaltén. Once you reach the meeting point in the Poincenot Camp area (where GROUP 2 eventually split up), the way back goes through Laguna Capri. At approximately 7:00 p.m. the minibus leaves for the city of El Calafate, where the service ends, dropping off passengers at each hotel between 9 and 10 p.m.

Choose from 2 daily departures and get picked up from your hotel in El Calafate. Hop into a 4WD vehicle and set off on a 35 km adventure into the hills behind the village. Drive along a trail which takes you through marvelous landscapes with varied vegetation reaching up to 1050 m above sea level.  Make your first stop at a viewpoint where you can admire impressive panoramas of El Calafate and the central body of Lake Argentino. In the background, observe the unforgettable and imposing Andes Mountains, and at times, views of the glaciers, towards Boca del Diablo. Occasionally it is possible to see the Fitz Roy and Torre hills in El Chaltén. With some luck, you might even be able to spot a condor, the master of the Patagonian skies. After this, follow the trail to the Labyrinth of Stones which is only accessible through the Calafate Mountain Park. This Cretaceous formation dates back to 85 million years and was once the bed of a river. Learn about how numerous fossil remains have been found here which enable paleontologists to observe millions of years of history.  Next, stop for a snack at the Huyliche confectionery before beginning the descent down the northern slope of the hill. Arrive at the Stone of the Hats, curious iron concretions that are only found in 4 places in the world. Finally, return to El Calafate with taking in the incredible views of the omnipresent Lake Argentino en route.

This exciting experience combines walking, sailing, stunning views, and truly unforgettable sites. The adventure starts at 11am with a bus ride from El Chaltén meeting point to Punta Sur Port. This is a 37 Km ride on a gravel route with amazing panoramic views of Rio Las Vueltas. Head towards the stunning Lago del Desierto, Patagonia’s Lake District. Be sure to soak in the panoramic views of glimmering glaciers during the ride. Once you arrive in Punta Sur, you will set sail on a 30-minute journey, cruising by impressive glaciers such as Crestón and Huemul. After reaching Punta Norte, sail to Vespignani Glacier in the middle of the lake to begin your hike. Under the supervision of a safety expert, you will be able to choose from three well-marked trails through the Glacier Vespignani Reserve. Each differs in terms of duration and difficulty. The more demanding trail takes roughly 45 minutes to complete, reaching an altitude of nearly 500 feet (150 meters) and overlooking the north face of Mount Fitz Roy. The second option is an intermediate trail that takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and leads to sweeping views of the region. Finally, there is an easy trail that winds through the wooded area to the coastal reserve. Afterward, enjoy an afternoon snack before boarding the boat and sailing back to the port of Punta Sur. There, a bus will be waiting to deliver you back to El Chalten downtown. You will be arriving to El Chalten at 5.30 PM aprox.

At the scheduled time, we will pick you up at your El Calafate hotel and head towards Route 40. This iconic Patagonian route will allow us to skirt Lake Argentino in a minibus and cross the Santa Cruz and La Leona rivers. After a brief break to stretch our legs near La Leona, we will continue along Route 40, encircling Lake Viedma with the Andes Mountains in the background. Our road journey will conclude in the famous mountain village of El Chaltén, where we will visit its Interpretation Center. From here, we will embark on an easy hike of approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. Are you ready? At the end of the trail awaits the famous Condor Lookout, where we will enjoy beautiful views of Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy. This observation point will also provide us with an extraordinary panoramic view of the surrounding glacial landscapes. After taking the obligatory photos, we will walk back to El Chaltén to enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. The menu includes a main course and a non-alcoholic beverage, to choose between soda or mineral water. After lunch, we will embark on another 30-minute hiking trail to the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall. Get your cameras ready to immortalize this beautiful waterfall! (Optional, not included). After contemplating the waterfall, we will walk back to El Chaltén, where you will have an hour of free time to explore the town on your own. Finally, we will gather again to begin the return journey to El Calafate.

Our adventure starts from select downtown hotels in El Calafate, ensuring a convenient start for our journey. We'll embark on an exciting 4x4 expedition from these central points to discover the awe-inspiring vistas awaiting atop the hill. Capture the 360° natural beauty with your camera, marveling at the stunning landscapes of El Calafate and Lake Argentino, Argentina's largest lake. Traverse a thrilling 35 km route over the hills, guided by our expert who offers enriching insights into the typical Patagonian landscapes surrounding us. Depending on the season and weather, witness the breathtaking sight of glaciers accumulating on Lake Argentino and the majestic peaks of the Patagonian Ice Field, including Cerro Fitz Roy and the Tower in Chalten. For the descent, we offer three different options, each with its charm: •In 4x4: Just as fun as the journey up, we will descend on the south slope of the hill, where we will stop to take a walk towards the Labyrinth of Stones, a curious rock formation resulting from thousands of years of wind erosion. Also, during winter months you can choose to slide down in "culipatin" through 240 meters. •Trekking: A guided 90-minute walk on the north face of the hill with views of Lake Argentino, traversing the Cretaceous-era valley. •Zipline: You will descend on our exclusive circuit of 4 zipline lines totaling 2920 meters in length. After arriving at the oldest house in Estancia Huyliche, you'll be treated to a snack.

The experience starts at the operating base located in El Chaltén (Av. San Martín 872). The guides will hand you the technical and safety gear, necessary to conduct this activity. Once you are equipped, you will be taken by van some 5 blocks up to the river. On the banks of Río de las Vueltas, you’ll be given a technical and safety talk – how to hold the paddle, instructions to go forward, to turn, to go back, so that the whole team paddles at the same time. The first stretch in the river is quiet water, with meanders that will allow you to catch nice views of mount Fitz Roy and its satellite needles. It is 6 km in all, in which you’ll enjoy crossing areas with Andean forest, and going out into the steppe. It is frequent to spot birds (condors, upland geese, black-faced ibis, among many others) and other native wildlife (foxes, armadillos, guanacos). In this stretch, you’ll be able to enjoy the landscape and practice the paddling and safety techniques. In the second section, 10 km long, the river becomes wedged into a natural canyon, which generates around 20 class III to III + rapids. The whole circuit takes approximately two hours traveling along Río de las Vueltas, with time to spend contemplating, and a fair dose of action and adrenaline. When you get off, you’ll be offered a comforting snack (a hot drink and something delicious to eat). At the bridge of Provincial Route 23, the vehicle awaits to return to the operating base.

The excursion begins at 06:00 a.m., when the company's minibus picks you up from your accommodation in El Calafate. When all the passengers are on board, the vehicle heads towards El Chaltén, where you will arrive in about three hours, traveling a good part of National Route 40. Halfway along this beautiful scenic route that travels through the immensity of the Patagonian steppe, you will be able to appreciate the southern Andes where the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy stands out over the rest of the granite needles that surround it. Once in El Chaltén, at approximately 8:30 a.m., there is a short stop for those who wish to go to the bathroom before setting off. Here a second trekking guide is incorporated who will accompany the group during the walk. The trailhead is located at the Río Eléctrico Bridge, just 14 kilometers from El Chaltén. There, the food is delivered to each walker, and the group begins the walk at approximately 9:30 a.m. In the first section of the route (6.3 km that is completed in an hour and a half of walking) the path gains altitude until reaching the Piedras Blancas Viewpoint. After the Piedras Blancas Glacier Viewpoint, the path descends slowly to the Meeting Point near the Poincenot Base Camp, where the group arrives at approximately 11:30 am. Those who hesitate to continue with the second section, much more demanding than the first, will continue the journey with one of the two guides as GROUP 2 to the beautiful Laguna Capri, another of the unmissable attractions of El Chaltén. There we have lunch before continuing the descent to El Chaltén. GROUP 1 continues the journey with one of the guides, crossing the Poincenot Base Camp area, crossing the bridge over the Blanco River, and from there it begins to gain altitude quickly. In total, you ascend about 430 meters of elevation for almost 3 km until you reach the highest point: Laguna de los Tres. As you ascend, you begin to discover more and more panoramic views and the sensation of approaching the mountains, which due to their grandeur seem to be very close. After the effort, at approximately 1:30 p.m. the group reaches a moraine ridge from where the Fitz Roy massif can be seen in all its splendor and at its feet the De los Tres Lagoon and Glacier. To get to the Lagoon itself, you descend a few meters and once there, and if the weather permits, it will surely be the perfect time for lunch enjoying an unforgettable view and moment. After exploring the area and taking many photos, GROUP 1 says goodbye to this magical place and begins the descent to El Chaltén. Once we reach the Meeting Point in the Poincenot Camp area (where GROUP 2 eventually split up), the way back passes through Capri Lagoon. At approximately 7:00 p.m. the minibus leaves for the city of El Calafate, where the service concludes, leaving passengers at each hotel between 9 and 10 p.m.

Explore the breathtaking beauty of Patagonia with our full-day private driver service tour from El Calafate to El Chaltén, hailed as the "World's Capital of Hiking." Our company is your gateway to a one-of-a-kind adventure in the heart of Argentina's stunning wilderness. With our expert local drivers and comfortable, well-maintained vehicles, you can leave the hassle of navigating the winding roads and focus on immersing yourself in the natural wonders of the region. As you journey from El Calafate to El Chaltén, you'll witness the transition from the arid steppe to the lush, snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Along the way, we'll make stops at key points of interest, ensuring you don't miss a single awe-inspiring view. El Chaltén, nestled in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park, is a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. You'll have the flexibility to create your own adventure, explore its numerous trails, and soak in the breathtaking views. Whether you're a novice or an experienced hiker, our private driver service will accommodate your needs. With our full day service you will be able to visit Laguna Capri, Laguna de los Tres or Laguna Torre.