Argentina

Los Glaciares & Fitz Roy Trip - 6 Day

Hike and adventure to Argentina's most treasured locations

Los Glaciares & Fitz Roy Trip - 6 Day

Hike and adventure to Argentina's most treasured locations

Hike to the most coveted sites in Los Glaciers National Park. From the massive Puerto Moreno Glacier to the iconic Fitz Roy mountain in El Chalten, you get a high dose of Argentinian region of Patagonia.

​STARTING / FINISHING POINTS

The trip starts every day from El Calafate or Puerto Natales. The trip finishes in Calafate City with a transport to the airport.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Visit Calafate and Chalten
  • Ice Trek on Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Optional Finish in Punta Arenas
  • Explore Los Glaciares NP
  • Superb Trek to Laguna Los Tres
  • Challenging Hike to Lago Torre
  • Best Views of Mount Fitz Roy

BRIEF ITINERARY

  • Day 1: Arrive in Calafate, transfer to Chalten
  • Day 2: Full day Trek to Lago Torre
  • Day 3: Full day Trek to Laguna los Tres
  • Day 4: Full day trek Pliegue tumbado
  • Day 5: Ice trek on Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Day 6: Depart from Calafate

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Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: THE PATAGONIAN ADVENTURE STARTS

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina

Today you will be transferred from El Calafate to El Chalten (3 hours)

Once you arrive at the bus station in El Calafate you will be taken in shared service to El Chalten (no guide). 

El Chalten is the top rated trekking destination, the Argentinean capital of trekking. Located at the foot of the Fitz Roy Mountain, surrounded by glaciers, lakes, rivers and forest, it is still a hidden gem of our south. The charming little village, that is also the starting point for most paths, is a paradise for walkers and trekkers alike.

Arrival in El Chalten, you will have the rest of the day to relax or explore the areas around the town. You can explore the surroundings, have a stroll around a waterfall, or just relax in the local brewery.

Overnight: Pudu Lodge (3 stars), El Chalten ( upgrades avaiable on requet)

Duration: 5 hours (Puerto Natales - El Calafate) + 3 hours (El Calafate - El Chalten)

Included: Bus ticket Puerto Natales-El Calafate + transfer El Calafate-El Chalten

Not included: transportation to the bus station in Puerto Natales, meals

Note:

  • Pick up can either be from the El Calafate airport, hotels in El Calafate, or we can add a transfer from Puerto Natales (+$50). If you are starting in Puerto Natales, you will depart from the bus terminal around 7am for your journey to El Calfate.
  • The following excursions around El Chaltén might vary in order

DAY 2: HIKE TO LAGUNA TORRE

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina

Today we do a full day hike along the Cerro Torre trail to Laguna Torre, a stunning mountain lake with the majestic Mount Torre in the background. We set off after breakfast walking eastwards following the trail through beech forests towards Fitz Roy river. We continue towards Base Camp de Agostini and then do a short hike to Laguna Torre, admiring the western view of Cerro Torre and the Adela range. Icebergs can be seen peacefully floating on Laguna Torre as the wind pushes them towards the coast. We stop at various points to appreciate the magnificent view and enjoy a picnic. Later, we return to Chalten following the same trail. Upon your return, you are free to enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Chalten’s cozy restaurants before heading back to your hotel from the previous night.

Length: 6/7 hours

Grade of difficulty: Easy / Moderate

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Box

Shared service with English speaking guide

  • Overnight Pudu Lodge (3 stars), El Chalten

DAY 3: LAGUNA LOS TRES

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina

Today we trek to Laguna Los Tres, with a great view of Mount Fitz Roy - the landmark of Los Glaciares National Park! We begin our hike by heading towards Laguna Capri, passing its northern corner. Then we follow the Fitz Roy Trail up to Blanco river, passing the mountaineering camp Poicenot. Finally, a short steep trail takes us to Laguna de Los Tres where we witness one of the park’s most marvelous natural scenes - the turquoise-blue of the lagoon framed by Fitz Roy’s spires and glaciers. Here is the perfect time to enjoy a picnic and soak up the scenery while relaxing in such a memorable place. When everyone’s ready we hike back to Laguna Capri and continue along the trail back to El Chalten.


Duration: 9 hours

Difficulty: medium / difficult

Slope: 2,300ft (700m) from El Chaltén

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Box

Shared service with English speaking guide

  • Overnight Pudu Lodge (3 stars), El Chalten

DAY 4: PLIEGUE TUMBADO TREK & EL CALAFATE

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina

After an hour or so of walking a slight incline and forging our path through some enchanting woods of lenga beeches and ñire trees, we will stumble upon an open space called the Pampa de las Carretas, providing us with panoramic, stunning views of Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the Huemul glacier. The path will then curve back into the leafy forest, where we will no doubt be lucky enough to spot many native bird species. As the forest thins, we will find ourselves in a bleaker, more mountainous landscape, with the path leading us to the Pliegue Tumbado viewpoint. During this stretch, we’ll have no trouble finding marine fossils, such as ammonites and belemnites, which are over 100 million years old. This viewpoint will give us a spectacular view of almost the entire area: the Fitz Roy River Canyon, Cerro Torre and the glacier, the Madre and Hija Lagoons, Mount Fitz Roy and even the Cóndor Lagoon. Casting your eyes out from a different angle, you’ll glimpse Lake Viedma and the Túnel River Valley,  as well as the Paso del Viento, the entrance point to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. 

Length: 7/8 hours

Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Box

Shared service with English speaking guide


We will then return to Chalten to gather luggage and  transfer to El Calafate, following the same pampas-lined roads which welcomed your arrival. 

7PM: Evening shared shuttle from El Chalten to El Calafate.

In the evening, you will be picked up from your accommodation in town and dropped off at your accommodation in El Calafate. As you will be arriving in El Calafate at around 10 pm, we recommend you have an early dinner before leaving.


  • Overnight Hostería Sierra Nevada (3 stars), El Calafate

DAY 5: GLACIER PERITO MORENO

Calafate, Argentina

The tour begins with the pick-up from your hotel in El Calafate. In our comfortable buses, we will provide information through audio guides about the area, the glacier and the tour.

Once at “Bajo de las Sombras” port (Ruta 11, km 70.9) you board on a boat to cross the Lago Rico and arrive at the opposite shore after approximately a 20-minute navigation in front of the southern wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Once you disembark, you will be greeted by mountain guides, who will lead you to a shelter with bathroom facilities. From there, you will begin a brief walk along the shore of the lake, which includes a talk on glaciology in general and the Perito Moreno Glacier in particular. Upon reaching the edge of the glacier, the guides will form subgroups of a maximum 20 people each, and will fit you with crampons and helmets. Once on the ice, you will receive a brief safety talk, and will begin the walk.

Always with the help of our mountain guides, you’ll enjoy this natural ice paradise. The trekking difficulty is moderate, the route on the glacier lasts approximately one and a half hours, and in its course, you will be able to appreciate a variety of typical formations of a glacier like cracks, sumps, seracs, lagoons, etc.

At the end of the walk, you’ll return to the shelter along a walkway crossing the lush Patagonian Andean forest. Shortly afterwards, you’ll board the boat to return to the port and see the glacier walls.

This tour includes a one-hour guided visit to the walkways of the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is 7 km from the port. There, you’ll enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the glacier and walk along some of the self-guided paths.


Note: excursion allowed only for passengers from 10 years old to 65 years old. No exceptions. 

If a passenger exceeds this age then an alternative excursion to the Glacier will be arranged.

National Park Los Glaciares entrance not included- $20

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Box

  • Overnight Hostería Sierra Nevada (3 stars), El Calafate
[+] UPGRADE

Alternatively, you can choose to do the "Big Ice" glacier hike also on Glacier Perito Moreno (additional costs apply - age limit 18 to 50 years old).

Trek to the heart of Perito Moreno Glacier, crossing ice crevasses and exploring ice caves along the way! The excursion begins with a boat ride across the lagoon, departing from “Bajo de las Sombras” port. During the navigation, we admire the imposing ice wall of the glacier that we will soon walk on. After disembarking, we hike for 1.5 hours across the moraine to reach the access point of the glacier. As soon as we put on our crampons, we are ready for the big ice hike. With our knowledgeable bilingual guides, we will trek deep into the glacier, full of creaks, cracks, and caves. Our physical efforts will be rewarded by the glacier revealing all its splendor as we get closer and closer to its heart, where we have lunch surrounded by the deep blue of the million-year-old ice. After the hike, which lasts about 3.5 hours, we head back the same way and cruise on the lake for 20 minutes, during which we get within a hairbreadth of the southern wall of the glacier. Please see the price section for additional costs.

DAY 6: ADIOS

Calafate, Argentina

Today marks the end of our memorable trip. After having breakfast, a transfer will take you to the airport.

- IF YOU ARE TAKING THE EXTENSION TO FINISH IN PUNTA ARENAS -
DAY 6: HEADING TO PUNTA ARENAS

Punta Arenas, Chile

Once we’re ready, an early transfer will take us to the Calafate bus terminal. There we board the public bus going to Puerto Natales, arriving around midday. A representative will be waiting to take us to the office.  When we're ready we board the next public bus going to Punta Arenas city, where a representative will be waiting to arrange the transfer to the hotel.

  • Overnight Hotel La Plaza (3 stars), Punta Arenas
DAY 7: AIRPORT PUNTA ARENAS

Punta Arenas, Chile

You have breakfast and will be driven to the airport.

Trekking Chart

Additional Trip Info

  • 3 stars hotels: 3 nights in El Chalten, 2 nights in Calafate City
  • All transportation in semi-private vans
  • 1 bilingual escorting guide during Chalten excursions
  • 1 bilingual escorting guide during Perito Moreno ice-trekking excursion
  • Crampons during Perito Moreno ice-trekking excursion
  • Meals (B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, D: dinner):
  • Day 1: L
  • Day 2: B, BL
  • Day 3: B, BL
  • Day 4: B, BL
  • Day 5: B, BL
  • Day 6: B
Not Included
  • Travel Insurance - We recommend  World Nomads, or Global Rescue (it’s mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
  • Flight tickets
  • Voluntary tipping to guides and staff
  • Items of personal nature
  • Optional Finish in Punta Arenas
  • Park fee $20usd (500 pesos)

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