Viento Oeste
Viento Oeste is a mountain store that sells and rents gear and clothing for trekking, climbing and camping, and also offers handicrafts, regional souvenirs, books and maps. It is at 898 San Martín Ave., at the end of the avenue, steps from the start of the Fitz Roy trail and the road to Lago del Desierto, and is open from October 1 to May 30.
Since 1993, Viento Oeste has offered souvenirs and mountain gear rental. We accept cash, credit and debit cards.
Good to know
Business hours: from 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM and from 03:00 PM to 09:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3).
Payment: cash, credit and debit cards.
Mountain store
Technical clothing for trekking and mountaineering. Handicrafts and regional souvenirs: crafts in wood, fabric, wool and paper, ceramics, T-shirts, souvenirs and regional products. Books, guidebooks, maps, postcards and posters.
Gear rental
Gear and clothing rental and sales (new and used): ice and rock climbing gear, jackets, boots, backpacks, sleeping bags, gas canisters and fuel. We only work with the best brands: Ansilta, Lowe Alpine, Asolo, Salomon, Leki and Lorpen, among others.
Important: we do not rent tents.
| Item | Price * |
|---|---|
| Stove (screw-on gas cartridge) | $ 4,400 |
| Camping pot | $ 5,500 |
| Pan | $ 2,000 |
| Sleeping bag | $ 12,000 |
| Sleeping pad | $ 2,500 |
| Waterproof jacket | $ 15,000 |
| Waterproof trousers | $ 12,000 |
| Lightweight trekking boots | $ 15,000 |
| Leather/Gore-Tex expedition boots | $ 20,000 |
| Large backpack (40 L or more) | $ 15,000 |
| Lowe large backpack (40 L or more) | $ 21,500 |
| Baby carrier backpack | $ 17,000 |
| Baby carrier backpack with rain cover | $ 20,000 |
| Small backpack (up to 25 L) | $ 7,000 |
| Lowe backpack (25 to 35 L) | $ 10,000 |
| Leki three-section trekking poles (each) | $ 5,000 |
| Fixed-length trekking poles (each) | $ 3,000 |
| 6-point metal crampons | $ 13,000 |
| Silicone crampons | $ 9,000 |
| 12-point metal crampons | $ 20,000 |
| Harness (includes 2 locking carabiners) | $ 12,000 |
| Locking carabiner (each) | $ 3,500 |
| Walking ice axe | $ 10,000 |
| TSL snowshoes | $ 13,000 |
| Snow gaiters | $ 6,000 |
| Recovery rope (coiled) | $ 1,500 |
| Recovery rope (tangled) | $ 2,000 |
| Shovel | $ 2,000 |
| Snow stakes | $ 3,000 |
| Sling (webbing) | $ 1,000 |
* Prices in Argentine pesos (ARS).
A security deposit is required to rent gear.
Location
898 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: 1,500 meters).
From El Calafate Airport: 200 km to El Chaltén, about 3 hours by bus.
What our customers say
“Amazing service!! Staff helped us with renting hiking poles, picking out base layers and even checking the weather for our hikes! Everyone who worked here was so friendly and knowledgeable.”
“Great service and they help you figure out what you really need. Very fair prices for rentals.”
“Dropped into almost every shop in town and this is the only one that had gear repair patches […]. There’s two floors and they’re well stocked!”
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 +54 9 2966 72-6342, from 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM and from 03:00 PM to 09:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3). You can also visit the store at 898 San Martín Ave.
We are open from October 1 to May 30, every day, from 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM and from 03:00 PM to 09:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3).
It is conveniently located at the end of San Martín Avenue, steps from the start of the Fitz Roy trail and the road to Lago del Desierto: right on your way before or after your activity.
A security deposit is required to rent gear.
Viento Oeste 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.