Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén
Overview
Have you been dreaming of Patagonia? The Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén tour is the perfect way to dive right into the best of the Argentinian side, exploring on foot and by water to find all those legendary scenes you’ve been dreaming of.
Begin in El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, heading straight into the mountains to discover the pale blue ice of the massive Perito Moreno Glacier. Watch the ice cleave off from the glacier, splashing into the cool blue waters surrounding it. Hike to the undisputed best sights of Patagonia, discovering the towering summits of Mount Fitz Roy from the shores of Laguna de los Tres and the spires of Mount Torre and its satellite peaks from Laguna Torre. Paddle in a kayak over the surface of Lago Desierto, and listen to the eerie silence of the petrified forest. On the Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén tour, you’ll be snapping more photos than you can count, confronted in all directions with the beauty of Patagonia.
Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén Overview
Have you been dreaming of Patagonia? The Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén tour is the perfect way to dive right into the best of the Argentinian side, exploring on foot and by water to find all those legendary scenes you’ve been dreaming of.
Begin in El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, heading straight into the mountains to discover the pale blue ice of the massive Perito Moreno Glacier. Watch the ice cleave off from the glacier, splashing into the cool blue waters surrounding it. Hike to the undisputed best sights of Patagonia, discovering the towering summits of Mount Fitz Roy from the shores of Laguna de los Tres and the spires of Mount Torre and its satellite peaks from Laguna Torre. Paddle in a kayak over the surface of Lago Desierto, and listen to the eerie silence of the petrified forest. On the Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén tour, you’ll be snapping more photos than you can count, confronted in all directions with the beauty of Patagonia.
Get up close to Mount Fitz Roy, the most iconic peak in Patagonia and an unforgettably beautiful mountain.
Kayak along the sparkling waters of Lago del Desierto, where a hanging glacier and mountains surround you.
See Mount Torre, the Aldea Range, and Mount Solo from the shores of Laguna Torre on a self-guided hike.
Snap photos of the most iconic glaciers in Patagonia, ice cracking off and creating massive waves in the glacial water.
Trip map for Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén
Barbara C.
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We went through 10Adventures not familiar with them at all, and it was the best decision we ever made!
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Just an amazing experience. Absolutely lifechanging!
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It was a fantastic trip and Nadine was extremely responsive to all of our questions.
Itinerary for Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén
El Calafate
Welcome to El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park! If you’ve got time after travelling, you can go birdwatching at Laguna Nimes or visit the ice museum, perhaps with a drink at the ice bar included.
Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion
Start today with one of the park’s most-visited sites, the Perito Moreno Glacier. Drive to the port where you’ll take a boat to the glacier, giving you a unique view of its icy blue sheer sides. Keep an eye on the sky for condors and eagles!
Continue along the Canal de Los Témpanos to the northern face of the glacier. Pass Bahia Toro, a unique black sand beach, where you can disembark from the boat to enjoy a walk around this amazing area. A thundering waterfall is your endpoint, and here your guide will tell you all about the glacier you just saw. Grab a hot drink at the nearby cafe and spend some time adventuring on your own before departing the Perito Moreno area.
Hike to Piedra del Fraile and Pollone Glacier
After breakfast and a cup of hot coffee, you’ll be off to a trailhead in the petrified forest. Walk while you learn about the geology of this unique area where dinosaurs roamed 70 million years ago.
After lunch, it’s onwards to El Chaltén, with the afternoon free to do as you please.
Laguna de los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy
This morning, depart for the Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint for a beautiful start to your day. You’ll hike up to Laguna de los Tres. This is the closest you can get to Mount Fitz Roy without any technical climbing, and the view of the distinct jagged peaks atop the impossibly blue lake is truly one of the best in Patagonia.
Descend via Laguna Capri, another pretty spot. Celebrate your hike tonight at a local restaurant.
Kayaking at Lago del Desierto
This morning, you’ll be transferred to Lago del Desierto, a gorgeous drive to an even better location. Your kayaking instructor will teach you the basics once you arrive, and then you’re free to take to the water to explore the hanging glacier and admire the surrounding mountains.
Hike to Laguna Torre
Enjoy some time to explore freely today as you hike to Laguna Torre without a guide (but with plenty of preparation from one!). You’ll pass a collection of small lakes along this relatively flat path, then drop into a glacial valley that leads to Laguna Torre. Geologists and photographers alike love this valley for its perfect U shape.
Admire the stellar sight of Laguna Torre framed by Mount Torre, one of the most difficult mountains to conquer in the world due in part to its permanent ice mushroom cap formed by strong, cold winds.
After lunch, you’ll head back to El Chaltén through the Fitz Roy Valley.
Trek to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Your final adventure in Patagonia is another self-guided expedition, but this one starts right outside the front door of your hotel. Hike out along a lesser-walked trail that culminates in a 260-degree viewpoint of Fitz Roy, Viedma Lake, and the Patagonian steppe. Keep an eye out for marine fossils on the trail back.
Tour Concludes
Your 8 days in Patagonia are sure to be days you never forget. To complete the tour, you’ll grab a bus to El Calafate and depart from the local airport. Safe travels!
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
Dates and prices for Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén
This guided hiking tour in Argentine Patagonia is run as a private tour for your group and the price depends on the number of participants and the class of accommodation you prefer.
Prices below are per person.
2-Star Hotels
- Guided groups of 2: from $2,235USD per person*
- Guided groups of 3+: on request*
4-Star Hotels
- Guided groups of 2: from $2,630USD per person*
- Guided groups of 3+: on request*
*-Please note that the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the size of your group.
What’s included for Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén
Meals
7 breakfasts and 1 lunch are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transfers according to the itinerary are included. Public bus tickets as needed are included. Luggage transfers between hotels are included.
Also Included
- Guide services
- Some entrance fees
- Kayaking excursion
Not Included
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
- Visas if required
- Anything not mentioned as included
- Some entrance fees
Optional Extras
- Optional activities or excursions
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Equipment hire if needed
Accommodation for Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén
This tour is based in hotels. The hotels are 1-4-star depending on which class of accommodation you book.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you would prefer a single room where available, you can pay a supplement. Single occupancy may not be available in all locations. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Frequently asked questions for Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén
How hard is the Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén tour?
We rate this tour as a 4/5. While you don’t need any technical climbing skills, you should be comfortable with two days of hiking up to 8+ hours over 22km on mountainous terrain and a full day of kayaking. The conditions in Patagonia tend to be unpredictable, so you should be comfortable being out in strong wind, rain, or hot sun.
Do I need a visa to travel to Argentina?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén tour?
7 breakfasts and 1 lunch are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to El Calafate to start this tour?
You can fly into El Calafate Airport (FTE). Transfers in El Calafate are not included, but you can take a taxi to your hotel.
What should I bring?
You should bring a 30-litre backpack, warm hat, fleece jacket, waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, a buff or scarf, hiking boots, sunglasses, trekking poles, lip balm (it’s dry in Patagonia), sunscreen, water bottle, headlamp, and warm gloves. Any equipment you don’t own can be rented locally if needed.
Is Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén tour in English?
Yes, your guide will be English-speaking.
Where does the Los Glaciares from El Calafate to El Chaltén tour end?
The tour ends in El Calafate. The bus you will take back into town will drop you off at the airport around 10:30/11 AM local time.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Argentina?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Argentina?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Argentina for this tour?
The best time to visit Argentina for this tour is between December and February when the weather is at its warmest, but you should still be prepared for variable conditions and wind.
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