Trekking in Los Glaciares

The day hiking in Los Glaciares is superb. Base yourself in the bustling mountain town of El Chalten, from where you can walk straight out onto the trails and return each evening to a comfortable hotel and streets lined with great cafes and restuarants.

The most famous routes are Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre, but venture out a little further and you'll find a sprawling network of trails across the mountains and into valleys and nature reserves.

For some, sleeping out amongst the stars, waking up amongst the mountains and setting off early along the trails brings a very different hiking experience. Not only do you get a privileged view of the mountains at sunrise, you can really immerse yourself in the national park, taking your time on the routes and venturing further into some of the less visited areas. 

Porters will carry your tent and cooking equipment, and you can choose the level of challenge you're after, from simply combining the most popular day hikes, to including some mountaineering, or ice hiking over the ice cap itself.

World class day hikes: There are few places in the world where you can sleep in a comfortable hotel, fill your pockets with pastries, hike straight into the mountains and be sat under a glacier in time for lunch.

Unexplored valleys: The Tunel, Electrico and Diablo valleys are largely unexplored and can be visited on either a multi-day hike or day hike from El Chalten. You'll see gnarled Lenga forests, hanging glaciers and climb to get unique views of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre without any of the crowds.

El Chalten is a hiking, mountaineering and climbing hub with gear stores, bakeries, waffleries and two breweries. Its prime location right in the mountains means you can step out of your hotel door and onto the trailheads, eat your lunch beneath a hanging glacier, and be back in time to swap stories with fellow hikers over a craft beer. What else do you need to make a happy hiker?

Estancias are dotted around the region, often a two- to three-hour drive from El Chalten. These are old working ranches that have been modernised to accept guests, but still retain their rustic charm. They're spread out on acres and acres of land, away from the tourist hustle and bustle, and offer a more authentic, relaxed experience.

Estancias are often located on the edge of the national park, so don't have access to the main trails in the Fitz Roy range. However, all offer their own excursions, anything from trails around their land, to group hikes around the mountains and lakes. Visit an estancia after your time in El Chalten to make the most of everything Los Glaciares has to offer.