What to do in El Chaltén?
Treks, excursions, rides and expeditions
Walk, sail, paddle or pedal: you choose how to experience the mountains!
El Chaltén is the Argentine Capital of Trekking, and for good reason: many trails start right in town and take you to viewpoints, lakes and glaciers at the foot of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. But you don’t have to be a mountaineer to enjoy it. You can also sail up to the face of a glacier, paddle the De las Vueltas River, go horseback riding or drive a scenic route to Lago del Desierto.
It all depends on how much time you have, how fit you are and how much adventure you’re looking for. Here we bring the options together so you can plan the trip that suits you, from a stroll of a couple of hours to a crossing of several days.
- Self-guided treks: trails you can walk on your own
- Excursions: activities with local guides
- Scenic rides: by car, by bike or on horseback
- Camping: in town, in the park or at a mountain refuge
- Guided trekking and expeditions: crossings and ascents
Self-guided treks
This is what brings most people to El Chaltén, and you can do it on your own: the main trails are signposted and can be walked without a guide, at your own pace. Most of them require no previous mountain experience.
There are treks for every level. In a couple of hours you can reach the Los Cóndores and Las Águilas viewpoints, ideal if you’re traveling with kids or want to start off easy. In half a day, Laguna Capri and one of the best views of Fitz Roy. And in a full day, the two great classics: Laguna Torre, facing the glacier and Cerro Torre, and Laguna De los Tres, at the foot of Fitz Roy.
You pay for an entry pass to walk the trails of Los Glaciares National Park. And since the Patagonian weather changes quickly, it’s a good idea to allow a few spare days so you can choose the best moment for each trek.
Excursions
If you want to reach places you couldn’t get to any other way, or experience the mountains from a different angle, El Chaltén’s adventure specialists have something for you. Here, adventure happens on land, water, rock and ice: rafting and kayaking on the De las Vueltas River, boat trips to Viedma Glacier, walking on the ice, via ferrata, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, a food tour, and even a night in a capsule hanging from a rock wall!
There are options for every age, schedule and fitness level. Most of them require no previous technical experience: the guides provide the safety gear and the instruction.
Want to fish on your own? Fishing near El Chaltén covers what you can catch, where, when and which permits you need.
Open each excursion to see all the details and prices, and inquire or book directly with the organizer, with no middlemen.
Scenic rides
El Chaltén sits in the valley of the De las Vueltas River, which you can follow all the way to its source at Lago del Desierto. It’s 37 km of gravel along Provincial Route 41, a designated Scenic Route, through native forest and with so many views of mountains and glaciers that you’ll want to stop at every turn.
In the other direction, toward the steppe, a short drive along the same route offers panoramic views of the mountains, the lake and Viedma Glacier. In this landscape you may come across guanacos, rheas and gray foxes, see condors flying low and take that photo of sunrise over the peaks. There are no roadside stops or gas stations on this road, so set out with everything you need.
If you’d rather pedal, Estancia Bonanza, 12 km from town, offers a guided mountain bike ride through lenga and ñire forests and mountain streams, with views of the Fitz Roy massif. And if you’re looking for something really relaxed, you can also explore it on horseback: the rides are easy, require no previous experience and are suitable for almost everyone.
Car rides Mountain biking Horseback riding
Camping
If you’re traveling with your backpack and want to pitch your tent and really enjoy nature, you have several options. In town there are private campsites, close to the bus terminal, the markets and the grocery stores; others are farther out, surrounded by nature; and inside Los Glaciares National Park there are rustic base camps, so you can sleep closer to the mountains.
Keep in mind that, since the 2024-25 season, the park’s campsites are no longer open to all and free of charge. They have public latrines and no other services, so you’ll need to bring your own gas stove to cook.
You don’t have to pack it all: in El Chaltén you can rent tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and stoves. And if you’d rather not sleep in a tent, the mountain refuges offer you a roof and a hot meal in natural settings away from the busiest routes.
Campsites Equipment rental Mountain refuges
Guided trekking and expeditions
This is where the big thrills are, what thousands of mountain lovers dream of experiencing in El Chaltén: trekking with camping, crossings of several days and ascents in some of the most remote and untouched mountains in the world.
El Chaltén’s guides and tour operators offer everything from a private walk to the lakes to expeditions with all the logistics taken care of. Going with a guide lets you walk more safely, learn about the region’s flora, fauna and history, and take on routes you wouldn’t try alone. And to walk on glaciers, make crossings off the marked trails or climb, a guide is necessary.
Photos may appear courtesy of: Alex DeMets fotografía, Comarka expediciones, Estancia Bonanza, Excursión Fishing, Morresi Viajes, On Patagonia Adventures, OVO Patagonia, Patagonia Mágica, Refugios de Patagonia, Solo Patagonia and Zona Austral Turismo.