Trekking into the woods in El Chalten

A full day experience that combines driving, navigating and trekking at one of the wildest and outermost corners in the Patagonia.


There is no doubt that anyone who visits El Chaltén looks for nature, adventure and hiking. Many trails within this trekking national capital take you through and towards breathtaking landscapes and views, such as the mighty Mt. Fitz Roy.

This time, we want to tell you about a full day adventure from El Chaltén to the northern area of Los Glaciares National Park and the Lago del Desierto reserve.

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A different tour option that allows not only many pictures and memories but also flora and fauna observation and interpretation, sailing across the Lago del Desierto, hiking through one of the prettiest forests of the region and reaching lookouts with unique views of the Vespignani glacier.

Departing from El Chaltén, we travel 36 km by bus across a panoramic road through the woods and along the Río de las Vueltas. On the way, you can’t miss the view of giant glaciers.

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After arriving in Punta Sur, we go aboard a boat and sail on the Lago del Desierto for about 50 minutes, spotting the Crestón and Huemul glaciers.

We disembark for 15 minutes in Punta Norte to enjoy a unique distant view of Mt. Fitz Roy’s northern face and breath in the Patagonian fresh forest air.

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We continue to navigate towards the Vespignani glacier, right in the middle of the lake. Once at the reserve, we disembark and get into the forest walking towards a dome where you can leave any personal belongings that you don’t want to take with you.

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Then, a person responsible for the trekking activity takes you to the starting point of the hikes and gives information about the three different trails. All of them are self-guided and imply different levels of difficulty and effort. There’re about 2 hours for the trekking activity before the boat returns.

The more demanding hike trail begins right after crossing the bridge over the river. It takes about 40-50 minutes at a slow pace and it goes through the forest on a slight and constant slope. This path takes you first to the nearest viewpoint of the Vespignani glacier and then to an outlook of the north face of Mt. Fitz Roy.

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The moderate trail is softer and takes about 20 minutes. Hiking through the native woods of lenga and coihue trees and by the stream line on the right, we reach a different viewpoint from where Mt. Vespignani with its hanging glacier and a part of the Lago del Desierto can be seen, frames by the forest. Picture perfect!

Vespignani´s hanging glacier

Last but not least, the easiest and more relaxed path reaches a river’s mouth where you may also spot the glacier. Walking by the lake’s coastline, you get back to the dome. There’s almost no slopes on this trail and it takes about 30 minutes.

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After the hiking experience of your choice, we have a snack at this magical place. Then we go on board again to sail back on the Lago del Desierto towards Punta Sur, where the bus awaits to take us back again to El Chaltén, where the adventure comes to an end.

Contact you Kallpa Executive for more information about this experience.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Operates from October to April.
  • Full day regular excursion.
  • Daily departure in the morning and in the afternoon.
  • Morning departure by bus from El Chalten at 8 am, leaving from Punta Sur at 10 am. Return to Punta Sur at 1.30 pm and ending in El Chaltén at 4 pm.
  • Afternoon departure by bus from El Chalten at 12.30 pm, leaving from Punta Sur at 2.30 pm. Return to Punta Sur at 6 pm and ending in El Chaltén at 8 pm.
  • Includes bilingual Spanish/English guide, roundtrip transfers from El Chaltén (can be excluded), navigation and a snack (hot chocolate, tea or coffee and sweet and salty biscuits).
  • A Box Lunch can be included with extra charge and upon request. It includes two empanadas, an individual chard pie or similar, one cereal bar, one alfajor, an apple, candies, a small bottle of mineral water and a box of fruit juice.

Journey to El Chalten

Journey to El Chalten, the trekking capital of Argentina With the snow-capped magnificence of the Fitz Roy Range nearby, Led by an experienced local tour guide, there is no better way to learn about local wild and plant life and the history of the surrounding mountains.

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The Laguna Torre also offers incredible scenery and rewarding trekking – and there’s ample opportunity to be awestruck by the sheer might of the jagged Mt Fitz Roy. Travel back to El Calafate for some well-deserved downtime before the trip comes to an end.

El Chalten was founded in 1985 on the Northern edge of Los Glaciers National Park following a border dispute with Chile, and has grown slowly with a permanent population of around 2,000, which almost doubles in Summer. Declared Argentina’s trekking capital, the area combines mountains, lakes, woodlands and glaciers and is blessed with spectacular scenery.

The story unfolded that in 1970 an Italian climber called Cesare Maestri made his second attempt to climb Cerro Torre and on his way up he carried a petrol driven compressed air drill and placed 400 bolts into the mountain. Many purist climbers believed that Maestri had ruined the mountain, taking away the challenge of scaling it naturally.

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This viewpoint was also held by the two Americans and after climbing the mountain using a different route they descended on the Compressor Route and painstakingly removed 125 bolts and carried them off the mountain. Many argued that these actions would prevent lesser climbers from reaching the summit of Cerro Torre whilst others praised them for returning the mountain to its virgin state. It was certainly a bold course of action by the American climbers and demonstrated the power of their beliefs! All we really wanted as we left the mountain was a glass of wine and a large pizza so the thought of having to face the police for our convictions was certainly too much for us!!

Climbers from all corners of the globe come here to climb the world-famous peaks and in particular the highest and most iconic Cerro Fitz Roy at 3,441 metres high. The village also offers a range of activities such as hiking, camping, mountain biking and horse riding. The village is nearly 5 hours drive from its nearest neighbour and this remoteness has meant El Chalten has looked from within for creativity and locals have used their entrepreneurial nature to fill their village with excellent amenities like artesan boutiques, bakeries, restaurants, a micro-brewery and a wine tasting shop.

The first activity is walking in mountain ground. If you don’t like walking you better not go, there is a high probability to get bored. Only those who enjoy the wonders of nature and visiting remote places are welcome in El Chalten.

The National Trekking Capital of Argentina and the star of this South American adventure, that’s what describes best El Chalten. It is one of the top destinations for trekkers, the starting point, the path and place to reach that is beautiful from each point of view.

El Chalten is the destination to see the amazing Fitz Roy hill which is the icon of the Glaciers National Park. Is a small village where trekkers from all over the world join to experience one the best and more assorted circuits in the world. Keen trekkers flock to the area to make the most of the spectacular mountain scenery and the world-class hiking and camping. This is the destination with the first of two hikes, Laguna de Los Tres is the most famous trek due to its proximity to Mt Fitz Roy. Trekking from El Chalten in a fairly straight path, take in spectacular views of the lagoon and De los Tres Glacier; this trek is the quintessential excursion into this area and a perfect way to spend the day. Led by an experienced local tour guide or self hiking, there is no better way to learn about local wild and plant life and the history of the surrounding mountains. The other option is Laguna Los Torres which also offers incredible scenery and rewarding trekking – and there’s ample opportunity to be awestruck by the sheer might of the jagged Mt Fitz Roy.

El Chalten is also the great opportunity to put on your crampons and walk over the Viedma Glacier, a great circuit which is less concurred than the Perito Moreno Glacier.

All of this circuits can be done with or without a guide. The choice is yours. You can also ask for a Self Guided Hike provided by kallpa. We provide the gps, maps and tips and you only have to walk and enjoy the ride.

It is the place to get disconnected from daily news, work or city life. There is no Cellphone Signal. There are no banks. There is only one ATM, and you can also find public phones, and internet access but not much internet speed connection.

The weather changes all the time. You must always carry a rain proof windstopper, gloves, cap, sun glasses and sun protection.

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As you see, there are a lot of alternatives to get to know El Chalten and Glaciares National Park. If you need further assistance about this Journey to El Chalten you can contact your personal Kallpa Executive or simply leave a message in our contact form. We’ll be happy to assist you!.