If you’re dreaming of breathtaking landscapes, epic hikes, and cozy mountain vibes, El Chaltén in Argentina is the place for you. Nestled deep within the Patagonia region in South America, this little town is known as the trekking capital of Argentina. And trust me, it doesn’t disappoint. So, grab your hiking boots, and let’s dive into this 3 days in El Chalten adventure!
3 Days in El Chalten
During these 3 days, you will embark upon a (ahem…) life-changing experience that you will remember for the rest of your days.
Day 1 – Mt FitzRoy hike (Laguna de los Tres)
The best way to tackle the strenuous but mind-blowing treks of El Chaltén is to do the Mt. FitzRoy (aka. Laguna de los Tres) hike on day 1. That way, you complete the most important hike right away and can decide how to spend the next 2 days based on how you feel.
Also, the iconic Laguna de los Tres hike is a must-do in El Chaltén. Start from your hotel as early as possible and hit the trailhead before sunrise to make the most of your day.
The hike to the base of Mt. Fitz Roy is around 12 kilometers (around 24 km in total) and offers some of the most breathtaking views you can imagine. The trail starts with a gentle ascent through lush lenga forests and quickly opens up to stunning vistas of the mountains. With every turn, we were treated to postcard-perfect scenery—seriously, my camera was working overtime!
During the ascent, we chatted with fellow hikers and helped click photos for them. There were plenty of rest and fueling stops, almost always with a breathtaking viewpoint. Talk about a beautiful view while enjoying snacks and gazing at the towering peaks in front of us.
However, there are some challenges that you should be aware of in addition to the length and elevation gain of this hike. On the last 2 km, there is a moraine that is straight-up rocks of uneven height, bed, and stability. So, you have to be careful about where you place your foot, and what technique you use.
With that being said, once you reach Laguna de los Tres, all your weariness melts away. The sight of the blue waters with the iconic mountains as a backdrop is absolutely magical! Eat your lunch, take your time clicking hundreds of photos, and rest up.
Start your way downhill close to noon or early afternoon. Doing so helps to avoid even bigger crowds that accumulate as the day progresses. Take your time coming downhill and protect your knees by using trekking poles.
Celebrate conquering the mighty hike over a delicious dinner at Restaurante Ahonikenk Chalten Fonda Patagonia. Meat lovers, try the Patagonian lamb — it’s divine!
5 Tips about trekking to the base of Mt. FitzRoy
- Most hotels start their breakfast service only after 6 am. However, since you ideally should reach the trailhead before or at sunrise to avoid the crowds, simply notify your hotel that you would like a packed breakfast. They will have it ready for you to pick up at your desired time. By the way, you can request a packed lunch at most hotels too.
- Bring plenty of food. It will be a long and tiring day.
- Carry enough water to last at least a few hours. On the way, you will find freshwater streams that you can use to refill. The water is perfectly fine and safe. If in doubt, look to guides with groups that direct their patrons to fill up at certain water sources.
- Be ready to encounter horse flies that will buzz all around your head and seriously annoy you all the way up the moraine, particularly when it is hot. This was honestly the most annoyed I’ve felt during my Patagonia trip! Therefore, bring bug repellent or a mosquito head net.
- Don’t forget hiking poles. Your knees will thank you later.
Day 2 – Drive or Take a bus to Glacier Huemul, and other spots to stop at on the way
On Day 2 in El Chalten, take it easy and opt for a drive up to Glacier Huemul, the location of multiple different glaciers.
If you have a car, drive north all the way to almost the border of Chile. There, you will find a picture-perfect lake named Lago del Desierto (marked Rio Canadon de los Toros in Google Maps). You can also take an El Chalten day tour to reach the location.
Check out the pretty Glacier Huemul that flows close to this lake. We hiked a short trail in this region, but there are plenty of options if you want a longer one.
The lake also has other activities such as kayaking and boat rides to take in the views of the tranquil blue waters with towering mountains. There is also a camping site – Camping Lago del Desierto.
After spending some time at the lake, and grabbing lunch at the campsite (they have a restaurant), drive back down while making a few pit stops. My favorites were Salto del Anillo, Estancia Los Huemules, Puente sobre el Río Eléctrico (you can walk around this place, and cool your feet in the stream. We flew our drone here as it is just outside the national park), and Chorrillo del Salto.
Chorrillo del Salto is an easily accessible waterfall. In fact, it is about 0.3 miles from the designated parking area and is a great way to soak in your feet or take a dip after a long day. You can also walk or bike from the town to this waterfall, as we saw plenty of people doing.
Day 3 – Cerro Torre hike or drive down to Bahia Tunnel
For your last day, you have a decision to make: tackle the Cerro Torre hike or take a scenic drive down to Bahía Tunel.
Because my knees were completely mutinous after the long hikes in Chile and Argentina Patagonia, we decided to skip the Cerro Torre hike.
Cerro Torre is the second most popular hike in El Chalten. So, if that is something you want to do, follow similar timings as you would for Mt. FitzRoy, such as starting early. Note that it is a shorter hike at 11 miles round trip, and takes about 5-6 hours in total. So, you can still complete this hike in the earlier part of the day, and rest up in the afternoon.
An alternate option is to drive south toward the secluded Bahia Tunnel. Originally a busy fishing pier that had boat tours going to Viedma Glacier, these activities have now been suspended as the glacier has retracted.
Today, you can find a variety of bird species that have set up shop in the abandoned ruins. You can set up a picnic lunch. Since this area is only accessed by car, you will not find a lot of people here making it a perfect area to kick back and take it easy.
If you are a drone pilot, you will find this location delightful. Do a 360 view of this spot, and you can catch unbelievable vistas of the FitzRoy mountain range.
Later this evening, drive down to El Calafate to continue on your Argentina Patagonia sojourn or take a flight to Buenos Aires to get home.
Have more days? Add these to your El Chalten itinerary
Do you have a couple more days to add to your El Chalten adventures? Lucky you! There are plenty of things to do in this Patagonian paradise.
Visit an estancia
A visit to Patagonia is arguably incomplete without a visit to an estancia (South American ranch). You can opt for a day trip to one, or stay at one for the entire duration of your El Chalten visit. We stayed at the working estancia, Estancia La Quinta, and got to observe daily life at a ranch there and say hello to some adorable calves.
Try horseback riding
A visit to an estancia is the best way to try horseback riding. But, even if you don’t stay over or visit one, you can still try this activity independently. There are plenty of tour operators, such as this one in Estancia Bonanza, that offer horseback riding in the Patagonian steppe for a few hours.
Visit El Calafate
If you are teetering on whether to add El Calafate to your itinerary, let me tell you that it is a must-visit. You should spend at least one full day at the Perito Moreno glacier. There are many once-in-a-lifetime experiences to try there, such as going for a mini trek on the glacier!
Experience Patagonian laidback luxury at Aguas Arriba Lodge
Wanna rest up, rejuvenate, and reinvigorate in laidback luxury in El Chalten? Consider adding a day or two and staying at Aguas Arriba Lodge located at the edge of Lago del Desierto. Not only do they have insane views that will heal your body and soul, but they also have private trails that you can explore by yourself or with a private guide.
How many days in El Chalten?
Between 3 to 4 days is the ideal amount of time to spend in El Chalten. El Chalten is a village, catering to the hiking crowd. Therefore, it has a small-town, rural vibe that we love. Spending about 4 days allows you to explore the sights and wonders that this place has to offer at a moderate speed.
If you’re debating between how long to split between El Calafate and El Chalten, my recommendation is to spend 3 days in El Calafate, and 3-4 days in El Chalten, if you are a hiking enthusiast. If you only want to do the highlights of El Chalten, but spend more time exploring the glaciers in El Calafate, switch the numbers.
Best places to stay in El Chalten
Here are my top recommendations on the best places to stay in El Chalten.
Budget Hotels
Rancho Grande Hostel y Restaurante – This is a hostel where you can pick private or shared rooms. You can also pick a room with a shared, or private bathroom. The cost is fairly reasonable considering El Chalten is not an inexpensive destination.
Fitz Roy Hostería de Montaña – Featuring a garden and a bar, this is a unique hotel with container-style rooms. It is also conveniently located close to the trailheads.
Mid Range Hotels
Estancia La Quinta – This is where we stayed. I would highly recommend this place if you rent a car. It is located just outside the city, but the location and wonderful views more than makeup for it.
Chalten Suites Hotel – This is a solid hotel in a good location with scenic views.
Luxury Hotels
Destino Sur Hotel & Spa de Montaña – This is a 4-star hotel located in the El Chalten town. It is close to the Laguna de los Tres (Base of Mt. FitzRoy) hike.
Aguas Arriba Lodge – Located about an hour away from the town, this is the perfect spot if you want to go off-the-beaten-path, and enjoy some seclusion.
