Bajo Zero
Bajo Zero is a mountain store that sells and rents clothing, footwear and gear for trekking, climbing and camping, and offers a locker service. It is at 685 San Martín Ave., right in the shopping area and 200 meters from the Fitz Roy trailhead, and is open year-round.
Bajo Zero arrives in El Chaltén with an innovative proposal that brings together all the classics of mountain towns, to accompany your stay in the National Trekking Capital from start to finish.
Good to know
Business hours: from 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM and from 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3).
Payment: cash, credit and debit cards.
Mountain store
A wide range of clothing, footwear and trekking and climbing gear, accessories, maps, freeze-dried food and much more.
Gear and clothing rental
A large stock of rental gear and clothing: tents, sleeping bags, stoves, sleeping pads and much more.
We do not take reservations: the weather changes a lot, so we keep plenty of gear on hand.
Rental per night
- Tent for 2 or 3 people.
- Ultralite tent for 2 or 3 people.
- Sleeping bag + sleeping pad.
- Sleeping pad.
- Cooking set for 1–2 or 3–4 people (if you are not renting camping gear). Includes stove and pot.
Rental per day
- Trekking poles (pair).
- Boots or shoes.
- Crampons.
- Water-repellent jacket.
- Softshell trousers.
- Warm gloves.
- Backpacks (large and medium).
- Baby carrier backpack.
- Harness (includes 2 carabiners: 1 steel and 1 aluminum).
- Single carabiner.
- Accessory cord (35 m).
- Locker service (large size).
- Climbing helmet.
Lockers
To hike light or stroll around at ease, you can leave your luggage in our lockers.
Location
685 San Martín Ave., Z9301 El Chaltén, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Location and access map
The blue line on the map shows the route by vehicle or on foot from the entrance to El Chaltén. (Distance: 1,300 meters).
From El Calafate Airport: 200 km to El Chaltén, about 3 hours by bus.
What our customers say
“Rented crampons and one pair of shoes which were great, kept my feet dry. Staff were very accommodating and friendly thank you:)”
“Solid shop with a huge range of equipment. Could probably come to El Chalten and buy everything from here for the hike. […]”
“Went to the store to get hiking sticks because of a knee injury. In the end they helped me with a brace as well. Super good advice, nice people and good prices. Definetely get your stuff here!”
Frequently asked questions
You can send your message using the "Send your enquiry" button or the "Chat on WhatsApp" button. We take phone calls at , from 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM and from 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3). You can also visit the store at 685 San Martín Ave.
We are open year-round, every day, from 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM and from 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3).
It is on the main avenue, right in the shopping area of El Chaltén, close to restaurants, breweries and supermarkets, and 200 meters from the Fitz Roy trailhead.
A security deposit is required to rent gear.
Bajo Zero accepts cash, credit and debit cards.
Useful information for your trip
Argentina
Official language: Spanish (castellano). In Buenos Aires and tourist areas, English is fairly well understood. Demonym: Argentine / Argentinian.
Currency: Argentine peso (ARS). Symbol: $. ISO code: ARS. US dollars are accepted at many hotels and tourist businesses (always ask about the exchange rate). There are official and parallel exchange rates ("dólar blue"). Recommended: exchange money at official exchange houses, banks, or Western Union. Bring clean, low-denomination cash dollars. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities; cash is essential in small towns and for tips/taxis.
220-230 V / 50 Hz. Type C outlets (European, two round pins) and type I (Australian-style, two flat V-shaped pins + ground). Bring a universal adapter.
Valid passport (at least 3-6 months of remaining validity and blank pages recommended). Citizens of most countries in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, etc. don't need a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days. Always check with the Argentine embassy for your specific nationality. Additional entry requirements: round-trip ticket or proof of onward travel. Sufficient funds (approx. USD 50/day). Travel medical insurance (recommended/required under recent regulations – check whether Decree 366/2025 is in force; many sources require it with minimum coverage for emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation). A sworn declaration in some cases.
Time zone: UTC-3 (Argentina Time – ART) across the whole mainland. Daylight saving time has not been used since 2009. Phone code: +54.
911 (general emergencies – police/ambulance, with English-language support in Buenos Aires City). 100 Fire department. 107 Ambulance (SAME). 101 Police. Buenos Aires also has a dedicated Tourist Police.
Driving is on the right. A valid national license plus an international driving permit is recommended (depending on agreements and the rental company). Legal minimum age is 17 (rental companies usually require 21+).
In Buenos Aires: the SUBE card is used for the subway, buses, and trains. Useful apps: Cabify, Uber, BA Taxi.
Generally safe in major cities (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, etc.). In rural or remote areas, bottled water is recommended.
Not mandatory but expected for good service. Restaurants: 10%. Taxis: round up or leave the change. Hotels: bellhops and housekeeping as appropriate. Guides: 10%.
Good 4G/5G coverage in cities. Prepaid SIM cards are easy to buy (Claro, Movistar, Personal) with your passport. WiFi is common in hotels, cafés, and airports.
No mandatory vaccines. Recommended: routine vaccines up to date, plus yellow fever if visiting the north (Iguazú and surrounding areas). Medical insurance is strongly advised (and possibly required).
Highly varied: subtropical in the north, temperate in the center, cold/subantarctic in Patagonia. The best time to visit depends on the region (southern summer, Dec-Feb, for most of the country; winter for skiing).
Mealtimes run late (dinner starts around 9 pm). Siesta is common in inland towns. Mate-drinking culture. Asado (barbecue), empanadas, Malbec wine.
Normal precautions apply, as in any big city. Watch out for pickpockets in touristy areas of Buenos Aires. Avoid displaying valuables.
El Chaltén
El Chaltén is located about 210-220 km north of El Calafate via Route 40 + Route 41, fully paved: about 2.5 hours by car or private transfer, and about 3 hours by bus or shuttle, due to stops.
Chaltenense (the term used for people from El Chaltén).
High season: October to April (best for trekking). Peak: December-February (longer days, more visitors). Shoulder season: October-November and March-April (fewer crowds, good fall colors). Low season / winter: May-September (many services close, snow, difficult trails; for experienced visitors only).
The closest airport is Armando Tola International Airport, also known as El Calafate Airport (FTE). El Chaltén has no airport of its own. It's only reachable by land: daily buses run from El Calafate, usually departing in the morning, midday, and afternoon during the tourist season. Private transfers and rental cars are also an option. In high season, it's best to book in advance.
Extremely variable (all 4 seasons can happen in a single day). Very strong winds (Patagonia). Summer temperatures: 10-20°C (50-68°F) during the day, cool at night. Winter temperatures: -5 to 5°C (23-41°F) during the day, very cold at night. Layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, and a windbreaker are essential.
220V / 50Hz (same plug types as the rest of Argentina: C and I). Internet and cell signal are limited or intermittent (better in the town center). WiFi is available at most accommodations, though not always stable. Satellite internet (Starlink) is being adopted quickly. Mobile service: 4G (Movistar, Claro).
There's a branch of Banco Santa Cruz. ATMs (Banco Santa Cruz / Red LINK) are available, but they can be out of order or run out of cash. It's best to withdraw money in El Calafate beforehand.
There's a local health center with basic care and an ambulance (Puesto Sanitario). Serious emergencies are evacuated to El Calafate. Travel insurance with mountain/rescue coverage is highly recommended.
There's a YPF fuel station (Módulo de Abastecimiento Social, MAS) at the entrance to town, offering diesel and Super gasoline. Postal service: Correo Argentino.
Currency exchange offices.
A small, quiet town, 100% focused on trekking and nature. A backpacker and mountain-lover atmosphere. Meal and business hours are earlier than in Buenos Aires. There's a strong "mountain culture" and respect for the environment.
Since late 2024, there's an entrance fee for the main trails. Tickets are purchased online or via QR code (cash is not accepted at the trailheads). Multi-day passes are available.