Enjoy a day trip to the Argentinian National Capital of Trekking, El Chaltén, a young village in Patagonia, at the foot of the incredible Fitz Roy mountain. Hike along trails past blue lakes and the Andes Mountains, in a natural scenery like never seen.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- Covid-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 10 - 15 hours
- Check availability to see starting times.
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, Italian
- Pickup included
- Your hotel in El Calafte. Pickup is not possible from hostels or AirBnB accommodation.
- Private group available
Experience
Highlights
- Hike along nature trails starting from El Calafate, the National Capital of Trekking
- Marvel at the natural beauty from the famous Route 40
- Surprise yourself with the breathtaking views at Cerro Fitz Roy
Full description
Immerse yourself in Argentina’s dramatic landscapes and take in panoramic views of mountains, glaciers, and lakes. See the nature that played a major role in Darwin’s and Fitz Roy’s research and discover Argentina’s youngest village, El Chaltén, founded in 1985.
Start your full-day tour with a pickup from your hotel in El Calafate. Take the legendary Route 40, which runs alongside Lake Argentino with its blueish-white glaciers. Cross the Santa Cruz River and hear about Charles Darwin’s and Robert Fitz Roy’s expeditions. Continue to La Leona River, and stop at La Leona Roadhouse, where you can learn the history of Route 40 over a coffee and homemade cake. Walk along the edge of Lake Viedma and see the breathtaking peaks of the Andes mountain range, including Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
After your 3-hour journey, arrive at El Chatén, located in the Southern Andes in a valley where the rivers De las Vueltas and Fitz Roy meet. Admire the young village’s surroundings within the Los Glaciares National Park. Then, decide to either to hike along self-guided trails or remain in the town and enjoy some free time.
If you choose to hike a trail, the tour guide will provide you with a map, a lunchbox and advise you on the different trail options to best suit your fitness level. Throughout the year, you can enjoy two short trails to Chorrillo del Salto and Mirador de los Cóndores. From October to April, you can also choose a trail that will take you to Capri Lagoon. If you prefer to stay in El Chaltén, you can enjoy a relaxing period of free time and explore the town.
At 5 PM, start your journey back to El Calafate, arriving around 7:30-8 PM. Enjoy a convenient drop-off at your hotel after a full day of discovering Argentina’s nature.
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in centrally located hotels in El Calafate
- Packed lunch with a bottle of water 500ml (from October to April)
- Lunch at a restaurant with main course (from May to September)
- Bilingual guide in Spanish/English
- Maps with distances and times
- Drinks with restaurant lunch (from May to September)
- Pickup in residential or other types of lodgings
- Personal expenses
- Optional gratuities
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
Covid-19 precautions
Safety measures in place
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- Customers must keep distance in vehicles
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Traveler requirements
- Customers are required to bring and wear masks
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Important information
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Not allowed
- Pets
- Luggage or large bags
Know before you go
- This tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.
- Hiking trails are not accompanied by the tour guide. Your guide will help you to choose the best self-guided trail from El Chatén and give you maps with distances and times.