Chaltén Express: Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre

Day 1: Trek to Laguna de Los Tres; Poincenot camp

This trek is one of the highlights in the area. We'll drive from El Chaltén to the trailhead at El Pilar, 30mins away and then start this beautiful trek on a forest trail that climbs gently to reach the Glacier Piedras Blancas viewpoint. We'll stop here for a short break to soak up the view of the hanging glacier. After more gentle ascending, we'll start a challenging, 1hr section of steep ascent to Laguna de Los Tres.

All this effort is rewarded by stunning views from the top. We'll see Mount Fitz Roy, its satellite mountains and the valley we have just walked along. If the weather allows, we'll have our picnic lunch at the lagoon before starting the descent to Poincenot camp, our home for the night and from where we can enjoy more views of the Fitz Roy massif!

Length of hike: 6-7hrs, 12km 

Meals: Box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Poincenot camp

Day 2: Trek to Laguna Torre; El Chaltén

Perhaps get up very early this morning to capture some sunrise shots of Fitz Roy in its beautiful hues of red. After breakfast we'll get back on the trail, trekking past the beautiful Madre and Hija lagoons, before descending into the Torre Valley. This glacial valley is loved by geologists and photographers for its perfect shape. At the end of the valley we'll reach Laguna Torre, its glacier and the famous Cerro Torre – one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb. Sometimes there are icebergs floating on the lagoon that have broken off Glacier Torre.

The Fitz Roy River begins flowing from Laguna Torre and there is a Tyrolean rope here that is used by climbers to access the mountains they aim to climb. We'll also have a chance to visit D'Agostini campground where many famous climbers have stayed.

After a picnic lunch at the lagoon we'll head back to El Chaltén. We'll trek along the Fitz Roy River valley and cross a couple of old moraines. If we're lucky we may spot a Magellanic woodpecker, the nearly extinct Andean deer, the huemul, and a wide variety of beautiful wild flowers.

Length of hike: 7-8hrs, 20km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch