From El Calafate: Full-Day Tour to El Chaltén

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 Chatén, 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.