El Chaltén
Patagonia, Argentina
El Chaltén Hiking Tours
We have outlined four different exploration zones, each with its own set of unique geographic, cultural and biosphere characteristics.
All exploration have been designed in order to gradually unveil the territory’s essence. Each day, one of our guides will gladly help you choose the right exploration for your interests and provide further information on each zone.
Our explorations, always led by a bilingual guide from our Guide School, take place in English or Spanish for groups of maximum eight travelers.
The explorations at El Chaltén are as varied as the surroundings we are about to know. The area’s geography has towering mountains and different landscapes open to be discovered through treks, overland trips, ice hikes, and even rock climbing, depending on the preferences and skills of each traveler.
The Los Glaciares National Park, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, will be one of the places to be explored. Other attractions to be discovered are the Southern Patagonia Mountain Range, Mount Fitz-Roy, the towering heights of the area, and the surroundings of the Los Huemules Natural Reserve, in addition to the Patagonia forest and its rich wildlife.
The explorations can cover a full day or half a day, in groups of no more than eight travelers accompanied by a bilingual guide trained in our own Guide School. We recommend a minimum of four nights to be able to deeply discover the Argentinean Patagonia, although we assure you that once you begin exploring you will feel that you need more time. Six nights are also a good option to really immerse oneself in the forests, mountains, and glaciers of Argentinean Patagonia.
LAGO DEL DESIERTO
The Lago del Desierto is a unique enclave of wildlife and natural wonders. Hikes in this region pass through numerous ecosystems and offer awe-inspiring views of the Huemul and Vespigniani glaciers. You’ll admire ancient forests, the emerald waters of the Huemul Lagoon, and waterfalls fueled by glaciers. Panoramic views of the region’s unique waterways, valleys and snow-capped mountains await around every twist and turn.
Our El Chaltén day hikes in/at the Lago del Desierto vary in difficulty for different levels of hikers. Our expert guides help ensure you take in the maximum amount of scenery and wildlife while staying within your physical limits. From hiking through rainforests to the foot of a glacier, our El Chaltén hiking tours around Lago del Desierto never disappoint in terms of rugged natural beauty and unbridled adventure. At the end of each journey, we’ll hop in our van and return to the lodge in time for a delicious and well-deserved meal.
Distance: 4.7 miles round trip
Elevation: 1,388-foot gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.77 miles round trip
Elevation: 1,296-foot gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.3 miles round trip
Elevation: 2,385-foot gain
Difficulty: Advanced
PARQUE NACIONAL LOS GLACIARES
Many of the best hikes in El Chaltén are in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. The park protects glaciers and other spectacular natural wonders that date back hundreds and thousands of years. Our Patagonia hikes in El Chaltén within the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares give guests a look back into life during the ice age. It is currently the third-largest ice field on Earth. This park in Patagonia is so special it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. At Explora, our expert guides are proud to take our guests on unforgettable explorations into the park’s wilderness.
The Laguna de los Tres trek is widely known as a spectacular hike in El Chaltén. If you only have one day in the area, we recommend embarking on this exploration with our knowledgeable and passionate guides. Along the journey, you’ll pass emerald lagoons, towering glaciers and campgrounds used by some of the world’s most famous climbers. Cool, clear streams, lush forests and the awe-inspiring Laguna de los Tres await.
The Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is home to numerous legendary treks, in addition to the Laguna de los Tres exploration. There are easy half-day explorations with breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains and intense, full-day journeys to mountain peaks. Whichever hike you choose, traveling with our guides is the best way to explore this region. We’ll discuss your hiking experience and bucket-list desires before setting out on some of the world’s most memorable explorations.
Distance: 12.6 miles round trip
Elevation: 3,251-foot gain
Difficulty: Advanced
Distance: 4 miles round trip
Elevation: 846-foot gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10.7 miles round trip
Elevation: 1,673-foot gain
Difficulty: Advanced
Distance: 1.7 miles round trip
Elevation: 509-foot gain
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.1 miles round trip
Elevation: 889-foot gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.2 miles round trip
Elevation: 1,578-foot gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 942-foot gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 1,680 foot gain
Difficulty: Moderate
LOS HUEMULES CONSERVATION RESERVE
The Los Huemules Conservation Reserve is another historic protected area to hike in El Chaltén. More than 150 years ago, the pristine valleys, canyons and prairies of the reserve were used by farmers to feed their cattle during the summer months. Amazingly, this practice still takes place today. The area is rich in natural resources, wildlife and unhindered beauty. We find it one of the most peaceful locales for hiking in Argentina. You’ll likely feel the same when you hike past cattle sipping from a natural lagoon or the simple beauty of autumn’s changing colors.
El Chaltén hikes in Los Huemules journey alongside blue-green lagoons, monumental glaciers, babbling creeks and harmonious grasslands. Many explorers admire this conservation reserve for its abundance of wildlife, including owls and numerous other bird species. Several lagoons dot the reserve, their turquoise waters creating a unique contrast against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains. Many of the natural features found in the Los Huemules Conservation Reserve cannot be found anywhere else in Patagonia. Venture into this region with our knowledgeable guides to learn more about its iconic landmarks and rich history. It’s a truly unique experience.
Distance: 2.3 miles round trip
Elevation: 518-foot gain
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
Elevation: 495-foot gain
Difficulty: Easy
- El Filo —
Distance: 4.2 miles round trip
Elevation: 1,883-foot gain
Difficulty: Advanced
Distance: 2.3 miles round trip
Elevation: 518-foot gain
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3 miles round trip
Elevation: 669-foot gain
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 8.3 miles round trip
Elevation: 1,745-foot gain
Difficulty: Advanced
Distance: 6.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 679-foot gain
Difficulty: Moderate
