
Trekking in Los Glaciares
Trek amongst jagged, snow-capped peaks and electric-blue lakes, venture out into open valleys and private reserves, or visit the icy glaciers that roll from the Southern …
Discover MoreSat at the base of Mount Fitz Roy, El Chalten has a rich mountaineering heritage that attracts climbers from all over the world. Hiking trails head straight out from town, and there are an assortment of independent breweries, restaurants and bars to explore in the evening.
The hikes to the viewpoints of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are the most popular in the park. At 20 km they are both full day hikes but the rewards are worth it!
For those looking to escape the crowds, consider going off-the-beaten-track treks to places like the Electrico Valley, the Los Huemules Reserve and the Tunel Valley where few other hikers venture to. The landscape around El Chalten has been carved out by ancient glacial formations to form deep valleys so the approach hiking here is relatively easy compared to the steep mountainous main trails.
Linking together the day hikes with overnight camping means you can spend longer in the mountains with the added reward of evening sunsets and early morning sunrises. For those seeking a more remote trek, the Huemul Circuit leads you further south to a distant corner of the Park.
The ultimate multi-day hike in El Chalten is the Ice Cap Expedition which loops around the back of Mount Fitz Roy and involves snowshoeing and dodging crevasses on the South Patagonian Ice Cap - the perfect choice if you want to take your hiking to the next level.
Given it's proximity to the South Patagonian Ice Cap and the many large granite rock faces, El Chalten is the perfect launchpad for climbers and mountaineers. Cerro Madsen (1806m) is a suitable introductory climb for beginners, whilst Cerro Vespignani (2146m) is a good glacier-level introductory climb further north. Gorra Blanca (2910) stands guard over the Ice Cap, and although it is a physically demanding climb, it is also one of the less-technically challenging peaks. For a more technical challenge, Cerro Solo (2221m) or Cerro Electrico (2257m) are perfect choices.
Experienced rock climbers have a whole host of routes to choose from and there are plenty of equipment shops in town to rent gear if required.
Most people spend a minimum of three days in El Chalten to make the most of the day hikes. However if you're an experienced hiker we recommend you spend longer to really make the most of the off-the-beaten-track trails.
This action-packed small group trekking tour combines the best hikes in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks. Enjoy the best treks in Southern Patagonia, discover Perito Moreno Glacier via small boat expedition, enter Torres del Paine by zodiac…
Take a boat trip to a remote estancia and stay in their renovated lodge at the base of the mountains. Visit glaciers and icebergs. Enjoy a range of activities exploring the…
The complete El Chalten trekking experience - combine the highlight trails around Mount Fitzroy and Cerro Torre with the challenging Huemul Circuit in the south of the Park. Enjoy dramatic mountain views, hanging glaciers, peaceful forests and windy mountain passes…
Read More >If you happen to be in Chalten, get a completos from the food truck if it's there - you won't regret it.
Sonia Canada November 2017
Read More >El Chalten was our favourite town. Loved the funky, hippy, healthy vibe of the place.
Ellen and John Georgia March 2017
Read More >El Chalten is special. Although a remote town, we (as outdoors people) felt at home with the vibe and the people. The popular hiking trails were well-maintained, but we were very glad to have our guide lead us on the lesser-travelled paths as there were areas we would have had a difficult time determining our way.
Sarah and Jason Colorado, USA November 2017
Read More >I really enjoyed El Chalten – it's a great size for a trekking type town and a fantastic base from which to explore the surrounding areas.
Amil Patel United Kingdom December 2018
Read More >Overall El Chalten was my favourite place! I hiked every day and it was very easy to find the routes and they all led to stunning viewpoints.
Hannah UK February 2017
Read More >Some of the most beautiful hiking we have ever done.
Rachel December 2016
Read More >El Chalten turned out to be our favourite place of the trip - such a lovely, charming town with amazing restaurants and bars!
Anne Marie McGonigal United Kingdom December 2018
Read More >The highlight of my trip was the pure joy and amazement that I made the climb to Laguna de Los Tres! It was incredible.
Stacey Rieger United States Of America November 2019
Read More >This trip has definitely opened our eyes to what is possible to plan and do in a few days, especially with help from Swoop. Having the opportunity to experience such a unique part of the world in such a seamless way was amazing.
Katherine Cappellacci Costa Rica March 2019
Read More >Both El Calafate and El Chalten were fun to spend time in. Great shopping and food, showers too!
Brian McIntyre United States Of America February 2019
Read More >Pay guide gratuity in euros or US dollars rather than the local currency so that you don't get stuck with too many AR Pesos – their currency is not accepted outside of their country, including Chile.
Tracie Wingo USA September 2018
Read More >Our guide was awesome. His knowledge and commitment clearly made the difference – and was the primary reason why you should do this trip with a guide, and not just on your own. What would we tell family and friends? Go there! You won't regret it.
Henrik Sand Denmark October 2018
Read More >Amazing! It's a land of immense beauty, I've seen nothing like this. We saw Fitz Roy in the best weather possible and it takes your breath away. Grueling hike to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine brings a magical moment of first seeing them in the clearing in the clouds and staying in full view.
Elen Ace Canada January 2019
El Chalten is 3 hours north of El Calafate. There's a direct public bus service that departs both ways three times a day. The bus station in El Chalten is on the edge of town whilst the bus station in El Calafate is more centrally located. Alternatively you can take a shared shuttle service that takes you door-to-door to your hotel.
You can break the journey up with a stop at the petrified forest, a collection of fossilised trees.
You can fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate in three hours, or if you're coming from Chile and from Torres del Paine, you'll need to take a bus across the border which takes around five hours.
There are a range of different accommodations to choose from in El Chalten including basic hosterias, homely B&B's, alpine style lodges and upmarket hotels.
For a more unique experience, the Fitz Roy Adventure Camp north of town is a great choice whilst the Aguas Arriba Lodge offers luxurious seclusion on the edge of Lago del Desierto.
El Chalten's food and wine scene has rapidly grown over recent years as chefs flock from Buenos Aires for a taste of the mountain lifestyle. It takes no longer than 20 minutes to walk from one end of the town to the other so everything is fairly central. Our favourites are:
Techado Negro - Warm, art-decorated, family-run restaraunt focusing on traditional dishes using local ingredients.
La Vineria - Wine bar with over 250 wines from 10 different states in Argentina. Also offer a selection of 50 craft beers including pales ales, porters, pilsner, lager and stouts.
La Ceveceria - Cosy alpine lodge offering locally-brewed pilsner and homemade food. The locro (spicy mountain stew) is a firm Swoop favourite.
La Tapera - Wooden-furnished grill restaurant set over two floors serving up the best steaks in town with a decent wine selection.
Curcuma Natural Kitchen - Small home kitchen offering lots of healthy vegetarian food including juices/smoothies, wraps, salads, soups and stuffed vegetables.They're vegan and celiac friendly and can make nutritious lunch-boxes too.
Waffleria - Stock up on sweet waffles with chocolate sauce and ice cream. The hot chocolate and coffee is also some of the best in town.
Trek amongst jagged, snow-capped peaks and electric-blue lakes, venture out into open valleys and private reserves, or visit the icy glaciers that roll from the Southern …
Discover MoreLos Glaciares National Park is home to the magnificent Fitz Roy Massif and more glaciers than any other region in Patagonia. The park is renowned for its day hiking - nowhere else …
Discover MoreTrek amongst the famous, towering peaks of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, exploring hanging glaciers, hidden valleys and the mighty South Patagonian Ice Cap. You'll sleep under …
Discover MoreOne of the most famous and awe-inspiring of Argentina's natural wonders. Standing before it's 70-metre high electric blue face and watching 100-tonne blocks of ice crumble and …
Discover MoreWe'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.
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