Full-Day Chaltén on Your Own – with a packed lunch

Until just a few years ago, access to El Chaltén—at the foot of the legendary Mount Fitz Roy—was reserved for climbers and expedition members, but it remains one of the most beautiful and eagerly anticipated sights for travelers visiting Southern Patagonia. To reach El Chaltén from El Calafate, you travel 220 km along the legendary Route 40 and then Route 23, enjoying these adventurous roads through the Patagonian steppe, skirting the La Leona River that connects Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma, and with the mountain range and the Viedma Glacier always in view, you’ll arrive at this magnificent tourist town where you’ll enjoy a fascinating experience.

Early in the morning, the tour begins with a stop at hotels in El Calafate before heading out onto the legendary Route 40. This route runs along the shores of Lake Argentino, crosses the Santa Cruz River and the La Leona River, and after 1 hour and 15 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Hotel de Campo La Leona—almost a museum of Route 40—where you can enjoy coffee with homemade cakes.
The journey continues along the shores of Lake Viedma, with the Andes Mountains in the background. Before reaching El Chaltén, we’ll stop at the Viedma Glacier Lookout, where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake and glacier of the same name, as well as the iconic Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre peaks. After a 3-hour drive, we’ll arrive at the mountain town of El Chaltén.
Once in town, the guide will hand out a packed lunch to each passenger and then point out the starting points of the self-guided trails that leave from El Chaltén and lead to the main viewpoints: Laguna Capri, Fitz Roy Viewpoint, Cerro Torre Viewpoint, Los Cóndores Viewpoint, Salto del Chorrillo, and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado (viewpoint overlooking Laguna and Cerro Torre). The guide will advise you on the different options based on your physical condition.
Toward the end of the afternoon, at the agreed-upon time, passengers must return to the meeting point for the trip back to El Calafate.

Some of the trails mentioned—such as Mirador Cerro Torre and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado—are very difficult to hike between May and September due to ground conditions, weather, and the available daylight hours. During the height of winter, hiking on these trails requires winter clothing and snow boots, even for the trail to Laguna Capri. National Park authorities may require trekking poles and crampons.

During the winter season, we spend approximately 5 hours in El Chaltén.
Stops at La Leona and the Viedma Glacier Viewpoint may be made on the return trip, at the guide's discretion.

Closed on December 25 and January 1.