El Calafate & El Chaltén Self Guided

Today you’ll arrive at El Calafate bus station, where you can choose from several available departure times for the public bus to El Chaltén, a charming village at the foot of the imposing Cerro Fitz Roy and surrounded by the majestic Los Glaciares National Park.

During the journey, you’ll pass through remote roads, open pampas, and the northern shore of Lake Viedma, enjoying unique landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, you can explore the picturesque village on foot as you make your way to your hotel, where you can check in and prepare for an unforgettable experience in the days ahead.

After a night in El Chaltén, you’ll begin the hike with a short transfer to El Pilar, located 17 km from town. From there, the trail leads you through spectacular landscapes, with views of the imposing Mount Fitz Roy and glaciers such as Marconi and Eléctrico. The route continues through lenga forests and natural viewpoints overlooking the Cordón de Los Cóndores.

The trail is mostly flat and of moderate difficulty, with some gentle ascents. You’ll first reach a viewpoint with vistas of iconic peaks such as Saint Exupéry and Poincenot, before continuing on to Poincenot Camp and Río Blanco Camp. From there, you’ll undertake the final ascent to Laguna de los Tres, where one of the most iconic panoramas of Mount Fitz Roy awaits, before returning to El Chaltén.

From the hotel, you’ll set out on the trail to Laguna Torre. After a gentle ascent, you’ll enter a lenga forest before gradually gaining elevation along the Fitz Roy River. The path leads to a viewpoint over the river canyon and Margarita waterfall, with spectacular views of Mount Solo, the Adela range, and the imposing Cerro Torre. After about an hour of hiking, you’ll reach the Cerro Torre viewpoint, a perfect spot to rest and take in the scenery.

The trek then continues for about two more hours through lenga forests and ancient glacial moraines until you arrive at Laguna Torre, where massive icebergs float, calved from the Torre Glacier. This area is also excellent for birdwatching, including sightings of the Magellanic woodpecker. Here you’ll have the chance to visit the historic Agostini campsite, once a base camp for climbers, and even cross the Fitz Roy River by zipline. After a well-deserved break and lunch, you’ll hike back to El Chaltén to catch your public bus in the afternoon.

In the morning, your transfer will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier, located on the southern arm of Lake Argentino. The excursion begins at Bahía Bajo de las Sombras, where you’ll embark on a 20-minute boat ride through Brazo Rico, enjoying spectacular views of the glacier and its icebergs.

After disembarking, you’ll walk about 30 minutes through the forest to a refuge, where specialized guides will provide a safety briefing before beginning the ice trekking. Wearing crampons, you’ll hike for approximately 2 hours on the glacier, exploring its streams, lagoons, and ice formations, while learning about the local flora, fauna, and the fascinating phenomenon of glacier calving. After lunch, you’ll return by boat and enjoy the panoramic viewpoints once more, before heading back to El Calafate for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, a private transfer will pick you up and take you to the bus station or El Calafate airport. We say goodbye to this journey, taking with us new adventures and experiences that will stay with us forever.