El Chaltén, Argentina's trekking capital
Immersed in untouched nature, all your senses come alive.
Walk along trails through magical forests,
and at every viewpoint stop to take in mountains and glaciers you'll never forget.
Your body recharges with energy and pure mountain air.
You're in El Chaltén, where your spirit is renewed forever.
The most popular services
Explore the categories most sought after by visitors to El Chaltén, and contact each provider directly, with no middlemen.
Where to sleep
Explore every accommodation category with reliable information and book direct, with no middlemen.
Contact the hostsExcursions
Let the local adventure specialists guide you through activities on land, water, or ice!
Explore the excursionsBuses
To and from the airport or the city of El Calafate, there are at least two daily bus services, all year round!
Current schedules and faresPrivate transfers
Move to or from the airport or anywhere else, on the exact day and time you need.
Choose and book your transferWhere to eat
From bars to gourmet restaurants, there are options for every taste and budget.
Where to eat and drinkEquipment rental
You don't need to bring everything in your luggage — you can rent whatever you need for your activities.
Rent equipment and clothingWhat to do in El Chaltén?
El Chaltén is Argentina's Trekking Capital. In this stunning natural setting you have many different options for walking, climbing, and going on excursions or outings. The excitement starts long before you arrive, as you catch your first distant glimpse of the mountains and glaciers that make this corner of Patagonia unique.
Self-guided treks
Most treks don't require previous hiking experience in the mountains. Every trail leads to a viewpoint with spectacular panoramic views!
See all treks
Excursions
Local adventure specialists offer a range of activities that will take you to places you couldn't reach any other way.
See all excursionsAny mountain refuges?
Discover what the mountain refuges are and where they are located.
Missing some equipment?
You can rent or buy mountain gear in El Chaltén rental shops.
Featured excursions
Chaltén Kayak
A row that runs through De las Vueltas river valley immersed in an impressive landscape of mountains and glaciers.
6 hours
See excursionBonanza Mountain Bike
Pedal through forests and mountain streams, enjoying stunning views of the Del Bosque range and the Fitz Roy massif.
4 hours
See excursionOVO Night
The adventure of a lifetime! Spend the night in a capsule suspended almost 300 meters high, enjoying snacks, dinner, and breakfast.
two days
See excursionAutumn Photo Tours
Live the ultimate photography experience in El Chaltén. Custom Private and Group tours available.
From 4 days
See excursionBonanza horseback riding
Cross the native forest and ford streams to the most remote corners of the Estancia mounted on your horse.
4 hours
See excursionChaltén Rafting
Paddle for 16 kilometers through a succession of rapids in the Río de las Vueltas, with impressive views and lots of adrenaline!
3 hours
See excursionLa Leona Petrified Forest
Explore a stunning reservoir of petrified trunks and fossil bones in an impressive eroded landscape.
8 hours
See excursionAventura Viedma
Boat tour to the imposing Viedma Glacier, including a short and easy walk to a spectacular panoramic viewpoint.
4 hours
See excursionIce Trek Glaciar Neumeyer
Discover virgin terrain, climb the rock through via ferrata and explore a high mountain glacier.
full day
See excursionFull Day Laguna De los Tres
Visit one of the most desired natural attractions in Patagonia with this excursion that begins and ends in El Calafate.
full day
See excursionKayak in Lago del Desierto
Row in this fantastic lake of turquoise waters surrounded by native forest and wonderful views of the hills and glaciers.
2.30 hours
See excursionFishing Excursion
Fly-fishing and full-day spinning excursion at Lago Del Desierto and the De las Vueltas river.
10 hours
See excursionOVO Visit
Half-day excursion combining trekking + via ferrata, a snack and a visit to capsules suspended almost 300 meters high.
Half day
See excursionVia Ferrata of the Canyon
Combines safely rock climbing, climbing and walking, intended for those with no mountaineering experience.
half day
See excursionFoodie Tour
More than just a tasting tour, it’s an intimate encounter with the culture, creativity, and community that define life at the foot of Fitz Roy.
3 hours
See excursionFrequently asked questions
It's an active-tourism destination, but accessible to everyone: nearly every activity takes place in mountain settings that are mostly protected areas. El Chaltén is Argentina's Trekking Capital, so it's especially loved by outdoor enthusiasts and anyone looking for places of extraordinary natural beauty. Since the village sits in a valley at the foot of the mountains, even those who don't hike get to experience one of the most beautiful places in the world, whether from town itself or on one of the many outings available.
El Chaltén is typically a summer destination (October to April), but you can visit any time of year: the National Park stays open year-round, buses run daily, and most self-guided treks can be done in any season. Peak season (October to April, busiest in January): mild weather, long days, and every self-guided and organized activity available. Austral winter (June to September): cold, short days, excursions don't operate and some trail sections may close due to snow or thaw; some accommodations, markets and stores stay open. May and September are shoulder months: good weather for self-guided treks, though most organized excursions don't run and some lodging and restaurants stay closed.
Between 3 and 10 days, depending on how much you enjoy the activities and your experience in the mountains. Beginner (3 to 4 days): enough for a few short or medium-length treks and a half-day or full-day excursion, plus time for restaurants and shops. Enthusiast (5 to 7 days): the most common profile — several trekking circuits, nights at campsites or refuges and the most popular excursions. Mountain lover (7 days or more): for those who live for trekking and will always find an excuse to come back.
El Chaltén has a cool, dry mountain climate with intermittent winds — in Patagonia it's common to experience all four seasons in a single day. Spring-summer (October to March): mild, between 10°C and 20°C, with peaks of up to 30°C and nights that can drop to 10°C or lower. Autumn (March-April): fewer daylight hours, below-freezing temperatures possible in April, the forest turning shades of red and ochre, wetter weather with intermittent rain. Winter (June to August): cold, short days, little wind, between 5°C and -5°C with lows of down to -15°C in the valleys. August-September: the windiest and rainiest months of the year, with daylight hours and clear days increasing toward the end of September.
No. You don't need any previous experience in trekking, mountaineering, horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, etc. Most activities take place on self-guided trails that are well marked and in good condition. For longer or more demanding treks it helps to be in good physical shape, and only ascents or expeditions actually require real climbing or trekking experience.
Yes, without a problem, with a few precautions depending on age. Babies: with a baby carrier you can do short or medium-length, low-difficulty treks. Preschoolers: they can join trails with no real difficulty, respecting their rest and hydration needs and never leaving them alone. School-age children: they can do almost every trek and excursion, with extra care around safety rules if they're not used to the mountains. Some excursions (like rafting or kayaking) have a minimum age.
Still have questions?
This is a selection of the most frequently asked questions. For the full list of answers about your trip to El Chaltén, visit the frequently asked questions page.
Flights
Daily flights arrive at Comandante Armando Tola International Airport, 200 km from El Chaltén and 15 km from El Calafate.
Buses and regular shuttles
They come and go from El Calafate 365 days a year.
Private transfers and rent-a-car
From the airport or from El Calafate.
More on how to arrive