El Chaltén is a village of trailheads, and the best of them are not in the village. Sixteen kilometres north, on the gravel road to Lago del Desierto, the seven domes of Patagonia Eco Domes sit on three hectares of forest and streams, each one facing the Fitz Roy, at the start of the trail to Laguna de los Tres and the Piedras Blancas glacier. No phone, no internet, solar power and a wood stove: the point is to wake up at the foot of the mountain and walk out of the door.
Day 1 · Up the valley from El Chaltén
Highlight · The road north along the Río de las Vueltas into the forest, to domes at the foot of the trails.
Walk · Piedras Blancas glacier · 1 h 40
From the village, the road follows the Río de las Vueltas north into the forest. The Río Blanco is five hundred metres from the domes. Neighbouring estancias and Los Huemules reserve add more trails, from half an hour to four hours.
Night · El Chaltén
Day 2 · On the trails
Highlight · The climb to Laguna de los Tres under the Fitz Roy, and a dome for yoga at the end of it.
A free day for walking, from the climb to Laguna de los Tres under the Fitz Roy to gentler valley paths; riding, fishing and cycling are all close by. A dome for yoga and massage waits at the end of the day.
Night · El Chaltén
Day 3 · Back to El Chaltén
Highlight · The morning ride back down the valley of the Río de las Vueltas to the village.
A morning shuttle down the valley to the village.
