Fitz Roy

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.

We will begin at 7:30 in the morning with the pick up at the hotels in Calafate. Once we finish this tour, we will begin our journey to the town of El Chaltén, considered the National Capital of trekking, located 220 km from El Calafate. On our way, we will cross the Santa Cruz River, and we will stop for a few minutes at Estancia La Leona, next to the river with the same name. There there will be a bathroom stop and you can enjoy homemade cakes and something hot to drink (not included). Then, we will continue on the way to El Chaltén. During the tour, if the weather permits, we will make a stop at the Viedma Glacier Viewpoint, where we will have amazing panoramic views of the Viedma Glacier valley, the emblematic Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre We will carry out 2 walks of low difficulty: First, we will go to the Mirador de los Condores, a trekking strategically located for the eventual observation of condors, from where we will also have magnificent views of the town, Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. We will continue towards the center of the town, where depending on the option selected, you will enjoy a varied homemade menu in a typical local restaurant. After lunch, we will continue towards the second trail called Chorrillo del Salto, which after a short walk will discover its beautiful waterfall surrounded by a unique natural environment. - Open all year round and the ideal option for those who do not want an extensive walk. Visit the Mirador de los Cóndores about 700 meters, with low demands, and Chorrillo del Salto about 300 meters completely flat. Always accompanied by the guide. - To return, we will all meet at a meeting point previously set at 4:00 PM and we will begin the return to El Calafate, arriving approximately at your hotels between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m.

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.

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.

Start the trek with a transfer to the trailhead at El Pilar, located 17 km to the north of the town. Take in the lovely views of the Río de Las Vueltas valley and the impressive Cordón de Los Cóndores as you drive. Start walking through dense forest until you arrive at the first viewpoint, the Piedras Blancas glacier. End up in a clearing and admire the peaks of Saint Exupéry, Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Mermoz, and Guillaumet. Continue for a few more minutes until you arrive at Poincenot campground, located in beautiful lenga forest inhabited by countless varieties of birds. Then climb 400 m in about an hour until you arrive at Laguna de los Tres. Arrive at the highest point on the path, where you will be rewarded by majestic views of Fitz Roy, the glacier de los Tres, and its lagoon. From here, circle Laguna de los Tres and head towards the Laguna Sucia viewpoint and its glacier. After a rest and a bite for lunch, start the descent and walk back to El Chaltén. Pass some varying landscape, crystal clear streams and Laguna Capri, a favorite spot for photographers. Visit the lagoon as you drop down into the valley where El Chaltén is located.

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.

Start your trip with a pick-up from your hotel, and pass through woodlands and back roads bordering the blue waters of Rio Las Vueltas during the 23 miles to Lago del Desierto. Upon arrival at Punta Sur, embark on a 30 minutes sail through Lago del Desierto to reach Punta Norte. On the way, spot the amazing Huemul and Creston glaciers, and snap your best shot. After sailing, disembark in the Vespignani Glacier Reserve. Once there, under the supervision for your safety, you will have 4 hours to choose to walk all or one of the four perfectly signposted trails in the area depending on the difficulty and effort you wish to make. You can choose a 2 hours hike to the natural balcony called ¨Mirada del Doctor¨ to be astonished by the majestuosity of the Glacier, this is the most demanding trail. Or you can go on a 45-minute uneven hike to the foot of the Vespignani glacier, promising incredible views of the northern face of Mount Fitz Roy, an intermediate option that takes 30 minutes, ending in a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the glacier. Or choose a soft trek in an entirely flat trail where you can wander the forest and the coastline. Regardless of your choice, your tour guide will be there to assist. End the day by enjoying an energizing snack from within a dome in the woods before embarking again for the bus back to El Chaltén.

Step into the fascinating story of Andreas Madsen, the Danish pioneer who built the first house in El Chaltén over a century ago. Explore his historic home, uncover the challenges he and his family faced, and immerse yourself in the daily life of Patagonia more than 100 years ago. Located by the Río de las Vueltas, this historic house offers a privileged view of Mount Fitz Roy and a unique connection to the region's heritage. Meet your guide at the gate of Madsen's House to begin the tour. During the visit, discover the stories and adventures of Andreas Madsen and his family: what brought them from Denmark and how they built a life in this magical yet remote and untamed corner of Patagonia. As you approach the house, see its original construction, which has stood intact for over a century. Its lenga wood walls, hand-cut by Madsen, are insulated with wooden crate boards, burlap, and newspapers from Madsen's era—a testament to the creativity and resilience of the time. Inside the house, find a collection of original artifacts, tools, and furniture, along with a black-and-white photo exhibit that captures the daily life of these early Patagonian settlers. To complete the experience, enjoy a warm cup of tea or coffee with sweet pastries while your guide shares anecdotes that bring the Madsen family’s story to life. After the tour, your guide will bid you farewell at the gate. From there, you can return to the village, taking in the scenic route and the unique charm of this special place.