EL CALAFATE AND EL CHALTÉN SELF GUIDED TOUR

Today, you’ll travel to the El Calafate bus station, where you’ll take a comfortable public bus to El Chaltén, a charming village nestled 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 isolated roads, wide pampas, and the northern shore of Lake Viedma, enjoying unique landscapes. Upon arrival, you’ll explore the picturesque village on foot as you head to your hotel, where you’ll check in and prepare for an unforgettable experience in the coming days.

After a night in El Chaltén, you’ll begin your hike with a short transfer to El Pilar, located 17 km from the village. The trail will take you through spectacular landscapes, offering views of Cerro Fitz Roy and several glaciers, such as Marconi and Eléctrico. As you walk, you’ll pass through lenga forests and enjoy stunning views of the Cordón de Los Cóndores.

The trail is easy and flat, with gentle ascents. You’ll reach the first viewpoint, where you can admire the famous peaks, such as Saint Exupéry and Poincenot. Continuing on, you’ll arrive at the Poincenot campsite, surrounded by birds, and then head to the Río Blanco campsite. From there, you’ll ascend to Laguna de los Tres, where you’ll be rewarded with a unique view of Fitz Roy before returning to El Chaltén.

From the hotel, you’ll take the Laguna Torre trail, and after a gentle ascent, you’ll enter a lenga forest. The path begins to gain elevation alongside the Fitz Roy River, leading you to a viewpoint of the river’s canyon and the Margarita waterfall, offering spectacular views of Monte Solo, the Adela mountain range, and Monte Torre. After about an hour of hiking, you’ll reach the Monte Torre viewpoint, where you can enjoy the views and take a short break.

Next, you’ll walk for about 2 hours through lenga forests and glacier moraines, reaching Laguna Torre. This is an ideal spot for birdwatching, where you might spot a Magellanic woodpecker, as well as massive icebergs floating, having calved from the Torre Glacier. You can also cross the Fitz Roy River using a zip line and visit the Agostini campsite, which was once a base camp for climbers. After a break and lunch, you’ll return 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 magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier, located in the southern arm of Lake Argentino. The excursion begins at Bahía Bajo de las Sombras, where you will embark on a 20-minute boat ride across the Brazo Rico, enjoying stunning views of the glacier and the icebergs.

Upon disembarking, you’ll walk for 30 minutes through the forest to a shelter, where specialized guides will provide a safety briefing before starting the trek. Then, with crampons on, you’ll hike for 2 hours on the glacier, exploring its streams, lagoons, and ice formations. The guides will explain the flora, fauna, and the glacier’s calving phenomenon. After lunch, you’ll cross back by boat and enjoy panoramic views from the balconies before returning to El Calafate for the night.

After a nutritious breakfast, reminiscing about 4 wonderful days filled with beautiful landscapes and adventure, a private transfer will pick you up and take you to the bus station to catch the bus to Puerto Natales.

If you have a flight departing from El Calafate Airport, after checking out of your hotel, you will be dropped off at the airport.