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Ultimate Chaltén Trek

This complete El Chaltén trekking experience combines the highlight trails around Mount Fitz Roy 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 with 5 nights under canvas in Patagonia.

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Ultimate Chaltén Trek

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Trip type

Guided Activity

Trip length

8 Days

From

$2,710

Location

Los Glaciares

Ultimate Chaltén Trek - 8 Days - $2,710

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

Day 1: Transfer from El Calafate Airport to El Chaltén 

Day 2: Trek to Laguna de Los Tres; Poincenot campsite 

Day 3: Trek to the Maestri viewpoint; Cerro Torre campsite 

Day 4: Trek to the Agachonas Pass; Laguna Toro campsite

Day 5: Trek to the Viento Pass; Paso del Viento campsite

Day 6: Trek to the Huemul Pass; Bahia de Los Tempanos campsite

Day 7: Trek to Bahia Túnel; El Chaltén

Day 8: Transfer to El Calafate

Start from El Chaltén and end at El Chaltén

Landmarks visited on Ultimate Chaltén Trek

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from El Calafate Airport to El Chaltén

On arrival at El Calafate Airport you'll take a minibus directly to El Chaltén on a 2.5hr drive across the Patagonian steppe and through wind-hewn gorges. Once the vehicle turns to the west along the huge glacial Lake Viedma you'll have your first spectacular views of the famous granite peaks and immense hanging glaciers.

This evening you will have time to meet your guide for a briefing on the itinerary, and to ask any questions you may have. Your guide can recommend gear hire shops in town if you require any last-minute additions.

The small town of El Chaltén, nicknamed the 'Argentine capital of trekking', and only established in 1984, is nestled in a small valley between the Patagonian steppe (prairie) and the immense Southern Patagonian Ice Field and very much retains its 'frontier feel'. The gateway to such famous peaks as Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre make this a climbers' and trekkers' paradise and it's also a great town to base yourself for the various day hikes in the region. You should try the locally-brewed beer in the Cerveceria, or perhaps the hot chocolate in the Chocolateria. Either way, this little town will enchant and make you want to stay for longer.

Accommodation: 'No frills' hotel (private room)


Day 2: Trek to Laguna de los Tres; Poincenot campsite

We'll begin the day with a 30-minute transfer to the beginning of the trail at Hosteria El Pilar. From there we'll head towards the Fitz Roy massif to reach the Poincenot campsite where we'll spend our first night in the national park.

You can leave your overnight gear here and then continue on the trail upwards another 400m to the Laguna de los Tres viewpoint at 1160m. This is the best place to take in views of the Fitz Roy massif.

Return to the the Poincenot campsite for the night.

Length of hike: 7hrs, 11km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Poincenot campsite


Day 3: Trek to the Masetri viewpoint; Cerro Torre campsite

After breakfast, we'll have time for some more pictures before we get started on our way along the Mother and Daughter lakes which will ultimately lead to the legendary valley of Cerro Torre. This is a gentle hike and it won't take you more than 5 hours to reach the Cerro Torre campsite. After having a cup of tea and leaving our overnight gear at the camp, we'll continue on to see Laguna Torre. From there we'll continue a little further up to the Maestri viewpoint before returning to spend the night at Cerro Torre campsite.

Length of hike: 7hrs, 8km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Cerro Torre campsite

Note: From here everyone will have to carry their sleeping bags and help with a minimum of the tents or ask for porters


Day 4: Trek to the Agachonas Pass; Laguna Toro campsite

After packing up and having breakfast we'll start the walk to Lake Torre and cross the River Fitz Roy via the zipline. Once across, the trail takes us through the forest, then along a rocky stretch before finally leading to one of the best views in the valley at the Agachonas Pass.

It's from here that we'll begin our descent towards the River Túnel valley, with amazing views of the glacier bearing the same name and its neighbour, Mount Solo. Once in the vast glacial valley, we'll head westwards towards our next camp at Laguna Toro.

Length of hike: 9hrs, 13km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Laguna Toro campsite


Day 5: Trek to the Viento Pass; Paso del Viento campsite

After breakfast, we'll begin trekking towards the day's first challenge: the crossing of the River Túnel via a zipline, or wading across (depending on the temperature of the river). We'll then continue walking uphill along large and spectacular moraines towards the Viento Pass, an unrivalled viewpoint of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The name 'viento' translates as 'windy' in Spanish, so expect to feel the full-force of the notorious gales when up here.

Once over and onto the western slopes of the mountain we'll descend towards Paso del Viento campsite – an ideal resting place with a crystal clear river running next to our tents.

Length of hike: 8hrs, 16km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Paso del Viento campsite


Day 6: Trek to the Huemul Pass; Bahia de Los Tempanos campsite

Today we'll follow the trail which takes us alongside the Glacier Viedma. The glacier will always be in sight above us, giving spectacular views along the way, along with a series of sparkling mountain lakes. After lunch, the hard work begins in earnest. We'll trek up to the Huemul Pass – we may see condors from here. 

From the top of the pass, and after taking the necessary time for resting, we'll have a long descent through the forest to reach our campsite for the night at Bahia de los Tempanos (Bay of the Icebergs).

Length of hike: 7-8hrs, 18km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Bahia de los Tempanos campsite


Day 7: Trek to Bahia Túnel; El Chaltén

From the campsite we'll have the chance to watch icebergs calving from Glacier Viedma and after breakfast there will be a straightforward trek to reach Bahia Túnel. It's from there that our transfer will be waiting to take us to El Chaltén.

Length of hike: 6hrs, 15km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: 'No frills' hotel (private room)


Day 8: Transfer to El Calafate

Transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate.

Meals: Breakfast

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What our customers think of Ultimate Chaltén Trek

Ultimate Chaltén Trek trips scored 4.5/5 from 2 reviews

It would be hiking on the glacier on day four.

Travelled: January 2022

Jim -

Highlights: Wilderness of Isla de Navarino, and climbing surprisingly interesting and spectacular peaks from El Chaltén. Birdlife was prolific and spectacular. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Almost everything was surprising. Not to have time in the wilder off-trail parts of the Paine region was disappointing.

Travelled: March 2021

Rosemary -

Review:

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices for the 2023/24 season are:

6 people: USD $2,580 per person
4-5 people: USD $2,860 per person
2-3 people: USD $3,430 per person
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Book now to guarantee your place and price for the 2024-25 season.

We expect the operator’s rates to increase in the coming months, and we guarantee you will not pay more for your trip if you book before then. If the final rate is less than initially quoted to you, the lower rate will be honoured.

Prices for the 2024/25 season are:
6 people: from USD $2,710 per person
4-5 people: from USD $3,005 per person
2-3 people: from USD $3,600 per person

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Please enquire about joining a small group of like-minded travellers on an expedition to reduce the cost.

2024

2025

Start date Price (pp)
November 2024
8-Nov-2024 $2,710* Provisional Date Enquire
22-Nov-2024 $2,710 Provisional Date Enquire
December 2024
7-Dec-2024 $2,710* Provisional Date Enquire
21-Dec-2024 $2,710 Provisional Date Enquire
January 2025
3-Jan-2025 $2,710* Provisional Date Enquire
17-Jan-2025 $2,710 Provisional Date Enquire
February 2025
7-Feb-2025 $2,710* Provisional Date Enquire
21-Feb-2025 $2,710 Provisional Date Enquire
March 2025
7-Mar-2025 $2,710* Provisional Date Enquire
21-Mar-2025 $2,710 Provisional Date Enquire

* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $2,710

Additional Notes

Group size – Six maximum, two minimum.

Accommodation – An upgrade to the accommodation for the first and last days of the trip is possible. Please ask us for more information.

Pack weight – From day four you will need to carry your sleeping bag, sleeping mat and part of the group camping equipment – approximately 18kg/40lb.

Includes

  • Meals: 5 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 5 dinners
  • Accommodation: 2 nights in hotel in El Chaltén, 5 nights camping
  • Entrance fee to the national park
  • Bilingual certified mountain guide
  • Technical gear when required
  • Tents and any gear necessary, except for personal gear
  • Bus transfers from/to El Calafate

Excludes

  • Meals not indicated in itinerary
  • Personal porters: USD $150 per porter per day (includes their meals and insurance)
  • Sleeping bag and mat
  • 60-65ltr backpack
  • Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Gratuities/tips
  • International and domestic/in-country flights
  • Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses

Questions about this Trip?