5 day Patagonia trekking holiday: El Chalten Trek in Argentina

Go beyond the typical experience of El Chaltén with our 5-day trekking itinerary that allows you to hike the most beautiful trails

 

Experience the must-see highlights of Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre on a 5 day Patagonia trekking holiday. But also go off the beaten path to explore two less-visited but truly magnificent viewpoints: the Agachonas Pass with its panoramic view over the entire area including both mountain ranges, and the Paso del Viento (Windy Pass) with its unforgettable view of the South Patagonian Icefield – the Third-largest icecap in the world. Both of these require zip-lining across Patagonian rivers for an additional adrenaline boost to help you up the mountains!

Highlights/Attractions‌ ‌of El Chalten Trek in Argentina

-Climb to the Laguna de Los Tres for an incomparable view of Cerro Fitz Roy and Laguna Sucia (Dirty Lake)
-Camp in a typical Patagonian Lenga forest near Laguna Torre and enjoy an unforgettable sunset across the Torre lake and mountain chain
-Cross the Río Fitz Roy by zipline for a unique, panoramic view of the Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy mountain ranges from the Agachonas Pass and the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
-Cross the Río Túnel by zipline and climb to the Paso del Viento for an unforgettable view of the South Patagonia Icefield – the third-largest icecap in the world

Price Includes

  • Bilingual trekking guide (English/Spanish)
  • Transport to the start of the El Chalten Trek in Argentina and all necessary hiking permissions
  • Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat)
  • Technical equipment to cross the Río Fitz Roy (harness, carabiners, safety equipment)
  • All food during the 5 day Patagonia trekking holiday (4 breakfasts, 5 boxed lunches, 4 dinners)
  • VHF communication

Price Excludes

  1. Transfer from and to El Calafate to El Chaltén
  2. Accommodation in El Calafate and El Chaltén
  3. Personal travel insurance
  4. Tips
  5. Food outside of what is stated in the included section
  6. Porters
  7. Personal equipment

What to expect

Itinerary for 5 day Patagonia trekking holiday:

Day 1: Laguna de Los Tres - Fitz Roy

We leave El Chaltén by car and follow the Río de las Vueltas to our starting point 17 km away. From there, we hike along a beautiful trail through the lenga forest, following the Río Blanco (White River) towards the Poincenot campsite. Along the way, we will stop to learn a little about the flora and fauna that is characteristic of the Patagonian Andean forest and also visit the beautiful Piedras Blancas (White Rocks) viewpoint.

Here we will see the Piedras Blancas glacier and its associated glacial features, including the erratic boulders and lateral moraines left behind as the glacier retreated over the last few decades. We will have many different views of the Fitz Roy mountain chain as we make our way towards our final objective for the day - the magnificent Laguna de Los Tres. This unforgettable location has the best view of Cerro Fitz Roy - and one of the most impressive vistas in all of Patagonia.

Distance: 11km +650/-400m
Duration: 6/7 hours
Level of physical exertion: moderate
Included: 1 night of organized camping at Poincenot campground with a boxed lunch and dinner provided

Day 2: Laguna Torre - Cerro Torre

After breakfast, we leave Cerro Fitz Roy behind us and head off towards a lovely valley with rolling hills and the Lagunas Madre e Hija (Mother and Daughter lagoons). We will have plenty of time to stop and take photos and, if we are very lucky, we may even spot the small group of Cauquenes that is sometimes found in the area. The trail leads us through forests of Lenga and Ñires and across a large moraine before arriving at our destination - Laguna Torre (Tower Lake).

Here, we will stop and have lunch while taking in the spectacular views of the Torres mountain chain and Glacier Grande (Big Glacier). If the weather conditions allow, we will then hike towards the viewpoint Maestri for the closest view of Glacier Grande. This viewpoint is named after the controversial Italian climber, Cesare Maestri, who designed his strategies for climbing one of the most difficult mountains in the world from this location.

Once we are ready, we will descend a little to our home for the night at the Torres campsite and settle in for the evening. If the sunset looks promising - we will return to the lake to watch.

Distance: 8 km -400m
Duration: 7/8 hours
Level of physical exertion: easy
Included: 1 night of organized camping at Torre campground with breakfast, a boxed lunch and dinner provided

Day 3: Río Fitz Roy Zipline - Paso de Agachonas

We will rise early for an intense but incredible last day of hiking. Early on, we will get the adrenaline flowing by crossing the raging Río Fitz Roy by zip line. This will, undoubtedly, wake you up if you are still struggling to shrug off sleep! Once safely to the other side, we will follow the trail across another moraine and enter a forest. Note how the trees get smaller as we ascend. Our steep climb to the Paso de las Agachonas is well worth the effort though, as the view across to Cerro Torre and Glacier Grande is spectacular.

The challenging Patagonian wind will almost certainly find us here to deliver a taste of the strength and chill-factor for which it is famous. However, while we brave the elements, we will be able to see the entirety of the Fitz Roy and Torres mountain ranges, the Paso del Viento (Windy Pass), and, if the weather permits, some of the snow-capped peaks of mountains in the South Patagonian Icefield. This is one of the least visited viewpoints in the park so you will have unique photographs to showcase your adventures with us.

From this point, we will descend towards the Río Túnel valley and Laguna Toro (Bull Lake)

Distance: 13 km +850/-700m
Duration: 9 hours
Level of physical exertion: moderate
Included: 1 night of organized camping at Agreste campground with breakfast, a boxed lunch and dinner provided

Day 4: Río Túnel Zipline y Paso del Viento

Our goal for the day is to reach the Paso del Viento (Windy Pass) with its indescribable view of the world’s second-largest icecap - the South Patagonia Icefield.

Near the start of our hike, we will cross the Río Túnel on a zip line before beginning our climb through this area of medium-tall and high mountains. We will trek through a beautiful rock canyon, hike up a glacial moraine, and cross the upper Túnel glacier. The ascent will be gradual but intense, with unstable footing and headwinds that can sometimes make progress more difficult (it’s not called the Windy Pass for nothing!) But rest assured, the view once we reach the top is unforgettable! From here we have unparalleled views of the South Patagonia icecap stretched out before us, and the Viedma Glacier spilling down off of it.
Once we are ready, we will descend via the same route to our campsite of the night before for a well-earned meal and good nights sleep.

Distance: 16.4km +780/-780m
Duration: 9 hours
Level of physical exertion: moderate to intense
Included: 1 night of organized camping at Agreste campground with breakfast, a boxed lunch and dinner provided

Day 5: Río Túnel Valley - Pliegue del Tumbado - El Chaltén

Our final day of trekking will follow one of the least frequented trails in the area. At first, we will follow the valley of the Río Túnel and then slowly ascend in the direction of the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. As we make our way back to El Chaltén, we will have beautiful views of Lake Viedma, and every gap between the trees of the forest will reward us with new angles towards Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
We will arrive back in town during the afternoon where it will be time for a hot, luxurious shower after your El Chalten Trek in Argentina!

Distance: 16.5km +400/-600m
Duration: 6 hours
Level of physical exertion: moderate
Included: Breakfast and boxed lunch provided

 

5 day Patagonia trekking holiday: El Chalten Trek in Argentina: From $1,600 to $2,370 for 5 days

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$1,600 to 2,370 5 days
 
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