Nestled in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, El Chaltén beckons adventurers with its rugged beauty, outdoor adventures and awe-inspiring hiking trails. Renowned as the hiking capital of Argentina, this small mountain village offers breathtaking landscapes that will have you falling in love with the mountains.
El Chaltén has a cozy ski village vibe with a community of adventurers, climbers, and hikers. Upon arrival, you can sense the unique atmosphere in the air.
Whether you’re planning to scale the mountainside to Laguna de los Tres to see the iconic peaks of Mount Fitz Roy tower above the laguna or taking on an adrenaline-fueled white-knuckle rafting ride down the Río de las Vueltas, everyone is there for the same thing: adventure.
We have compiled this comprehensive travel guide to help you prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime destination. Here, you’ll find everything from planning advice to helpful information for your stay and insider tips for making the most of your El Chaltén experience.
So pack your bags, lace up your boots, and get ready to discover El Chaltén's magic!
How to Get to El Chaltén
There is no airport in El Chaltén. The nearest airport is El Calafate International Airport, some 200 km away. You can arrange to reach El Chalten via four methods: tourist bus, private transfer, taxi, or rental car. There is no public transport available between the two destinations.
We have written an entire article on how to get from El Calafate to El Chaltén. In it, we break down all the options so you can make the right choice.
When Is the Best Time to Visit El Chaltén?
Patagonia is famous for its temperamental weather. On the same day, it's not unheard of to experience clear blue skies with a gentle breeze, strong winds, intermittent rains, and snowstorms. So, planning your trip around the ideal time will not guarantee perfect conditions.
The National Park is open to visitors all year round, but El Chaltén is ultimately a summer destination. In the winter months (June to September), the weather can get extremely cold (-5°C (23°F) to 5°C (41°F)), the days are shorter, most excursions do not operate, and some sections of the trails may be closed due to snow, or muddy conditions caused by thawing.
Considering this, the best time to visit El Chaltén is in the summer and shoulder months, between September and April.
High Season
December through February are the most popular months. At this time, expect accommodation costs to be higher and larger crowds on the trails. This coincides with the summer months when temperatures during the day will reach a comfortable 19°C (66°F), and you’re most likely to experience clear conditions. But keep in mind that some days, the thermometer can reach up to 30°C (86°F), which is not the best weather for full-day hikes.
Shoulder Seasons
Visiting during the spring (October to November) or autumn (March to April) seasons will give you cooler temperatures but, on the plus side, fewer tourists. The days will also be slightly shorter around this time. So it’s a matter of weighing up your options and choosing the best time that suits you.
How Long Should I Stay in El Chaltén?
Knowing how long you need on a hiking holiday, especially when visiting a place with so many different trails, can be pretty tricky. Whilst this may be dictated by how long you can get off work or other plans in Patagonia, here is a rough guide for your stay.
If you are a beginner hiking or someone who doesn’t spend much time in the mountains, you will need around 3-4 days. This will allow you to do some short or medium treks along with a half-day or full-day excursion. You’ll also want to allow some downtime to rest those weary legs and enjoy some of the bars and restaurants in the village.
Most visitors will fall into the enthusiast category. Those who want to complete most of the longer circuits, spend a night in one of the campsites, and maybe enjoy some other activities available in El Chaltén will need between 5-7 days.
The absolute mountain lovers can spend anything from 7 days to indefinite. I can promise you that you will fall in love with the mountains. So book a one-way ticket, grab your boots and say goodbye to your 9 till 5.
Best Hotels In El Chaltén
Do I Need to Be an Experienced Hiker to Enjoy El Chaltén?
Easy answer: no! Most of the trails are designed to be self-guided and have well-marked trails. Some of the more challenging hikes, such as Laguna de los Tres, can take a toll as there are some steep ascents but nothing that a reasonable level of fitness cannot overcome.
Most Popular Hikes in El Chaltén
El Chaltén is a hiker’s paradise, and you will have lots of hiking available. However, a few trails are the most popular and the ones most people who visit El Chaltén tend to stick to. These are the most signposted trails, are well-maintained and will most likely take up most of your visit.
Laguna de los Tres
By far one of the most popular hikes in El Chaltén. This challenging full-day hike takes you to Laguna de los Tres, where you will have breathtaking views of Mount Fitz Roy. This strenuous hike ends with a very steep incline to the lagoon, where you will see the iconic peaks of Patagonia and panoramic views of the landscape.
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 10.2 km (one way)
- Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (one way)
If you would rather hike with a guide you can book a full-day tour with Viator.com
Laguna Torre
The second most popular hike and collectively our favourite. It is a scenic hike that leads through different types of terrain that change the landscape as you progress—ending with the Laguna Torre, a glacier lake at the base of Cerro Torre. If you’re lucky, you can see massive icebergs floating in the lake, which makes for a dramatic scene. As you reach the lagoon, continue on the path to the right towards the Maestri Viewpoint for an even better view of the glacier.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 9 km (one-way, not including Maestri Viewpoint)
- Time: 4 hours
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado Viewpoint
Offering breathtaking views of Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the surrounding mountains. This hike gradually ascends through open landscapes, allowing you to appreciate the Patagonian flora and watch different bird species. This trail is usually less busy than the others, so it's an excellent option for those who want to admire the stunning scenery without being distracted by large crowds.
- Difficulty: Medium to hard
- Distance: 9 km
- Time: 3 hours 45 minutes (one way)
Chorrillo del Salto
A shorter and much easier option compared to some of the longer hikes, Chorrillo del Salto, is a perfect hike for a rest day if you really can’t sit still. It’s also an excellent trail to add to the end of a longer hike if you still have some juice in the legs. The path leads through a lush forest and ends at the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 3 km (one way)
- Time: 45 minutes (one way)
Laguna Carpi
The payoff of this hike offers stunning views of Mount Fitz Roy over the tranquil waters of Laguna Capri. If you’re lucky to come here on a calm day with a low sun, you can see Mount Fitz Roy perfectly reflected in the lagoon like a large mirror. Most of this hike follows the same trail leading to Laguna de los Tres. So, whilst you can do the hike independently, you can also pass it on your way to Laguna de los Tres.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 4 km (one way)
- Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (one way)
Accommodation Options In El Chaltén
El Chaltén is a tourist village, so there are many different types of accommodation. You will find hostels, hotels, apartments, cabins, lodges, glamping and more. But whilst there is a wide variety, they can book up fast, limiting your options. We found this out the hard way on several occasions. So, if you find somewhere you like, make a reservation as soon as possible.
On the plus side, El Chaltén is a relatively new village, and all the accommodations we saw were well-maintained and of good quality. So you’ll have a pleasant stay wherever you choose.
Here are a few of our favourite hostels and hotels, but for a more exhaustive list and more specialty places to stay, see our Complete Guide to the Best Places to Stay in El Chalten.
Best For Solo Travellers
Patagonia Travellers Hostel Located in the centre of town, Patagonia Travellers Hostel has easy access to everything. The staff are always on hand to help plan your day's hikes or catch up on your day's adventures. Half of the hostel is dedicated to dormitories, and the other half is private rooms. The on-site restaurant is open for breakfast each morning and dinner in the evening. For the price, it's hard to beat.
Check price and availability on Booking.com
Best For Couples
Chalten Suites Hotel Offers 5-star quality service and is known for its exceptional attention to detail. The staff is constantly praised in their reviews and stands out as exceptional to deal with. Large, comfortable rooms with private balconies and views of the mountains are available.
Check price and availability on Booking.com
Best For Groups
Eolia Cabins Only 50 metres from the main avenue, these charming cabins boast a spacious garden with views over the Rio de las Vueltas valley and the majestic Cordon del Bosque. Perfect for couples or small groups, the warm and inviting cabins comfortably accommodate 2 to 3 people. Convenient amenities include private parking and a well-equipped kitchen with an oven, gas stove, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, electric kettle, and ample dishes and utensils for self-catering.
Check price and availability on Booking.com
Looking for something different? See our Complete Guide On Accommodation In El Chaltén to discover more great places to stay.
Are There Any National Park Fees?
El Chaltén is a national park open to the public. Visitors do not pay entrance fees to access the trails and natural attractions.
Are There Other Things to Do Other Than Hiking?
El Chaltén is known for its incredible hiking, but this doesn’t mean that this is all there is to do there. Activities such as rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking, glacier trekking, and rock climbing are among the most popular things to do in El Chaltén.
These can be booked through many of the available travel agents in El Chaltén, but we recommend planning and booking these ahead of time as spaces are limited for some activities and can fill up quickly.
Here are a few recommended excursions you can book in advance.
Rafting in the de las Vueltas River Canyon // Take an adrenaline-fueled rafting adventure down the Rio de las Vueltas. Enjoy a calm ride, taking in all the surrounding scenery before reaching the first rapid, known as "Portage." After that, you’ll be hurled into a 10-kilometre-long succession of rapids that will surely get your blood rushing.
- Price: $90 per person
- Duration: 3 hours
- Check availability on Viator.com
Horseback riding en Estancia Bonanza // Enjoy the Patagonian landscape from a different perspective; take a 2-hour horseback ride through the remote areas of Estancia Bonanza. You will cross forests of ñires, lengas, streams, and mountain ranges. This tour has limited spaces, only riding twice daily with a maximum of 12 riders in each group.
- Price: $95 per person
- Duration: 2 hours
- Check availability on Viator.com
Cagliero Glacier Ice Trekking // Those who aren’t happy seeing the glaciers from a distance can trek across them. Starting with a hike through a forest and around Devil's Lagoon, you’ll eventually reach Cagliero Glacier, where you will strap your crampons and take on the glacier on foot.
- Price: $799 for 2 people
- Duration: 9 hours
- Check availability on Viator.com
Do I need to Acclimate for El Chaltén?
El Chaltén is located at a relatively low elevation of around 400 meters (1,312 feet) above sea level, so acclimating is generally unnecessary. However, many hikes in the surrounding areas, such as those leading to Laguna de los Tres, involve significant elevation gain, reaching altitudes above 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) at their highest points.
If you're travelling from a significantly lower elevation or planning to hike to higher elevations in the region, you must consider the potential effects of altitude sickness. Allow your body a couple of days to adjust, and consider your lower-elevation hikes at the beginning of your trip.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and take it slow. If you listen to your body and be mindful of how you are feeling, you shouldn’t experience any problems.
Must-Have Apps When Visiting El Chaltén
El Chaltén is a very remote village, and there is usually no cell signal and no great WIFI. So, it is advisable to ensure you have everything available offline before you get to El Chaltén.
Getting Around
For navigation around the village, it is best to use Google Maps or Maps.Me, and download offline maps before you get there. Although El Chaltén is a small village, you may need offline maps if you are venturing further.
Trail Tracking
AllTrails is our go-to app for tracking and finding hiking trails. You won’t necessarily need it for the main trails, such as Laguna de Los Tres and Cerro Torre, as these are very clearly signposted, but you will need it for the lesser-known trails. You can download each hike individually, and then GPS tracking will ensure you stay on the trail whilst offline.
Down Time
When you return from a day of hiking, you may want to spend some time relaxing and recharging those aching legs. If you’re anything like me, Netflix is the best way to do this. Whilst there is WIFI in most hotels and hostels, the internet is slow, and streaming a movie can be challenging. So make sure you have enough episodes downloaded of your latest binge so you can watch them offline.
Best Places to Eat Out in El Chaltén
As El Chaltén is a tourist village, there are many different options for eating out, including local cuisine, steak houses, pub food, and cafes. There is also a surprising amount of craft beer bars in the village, perfect for that post-hike drink.
The only people who may struggle slightly are those with restricted diets, such as vegans and vegetarians, as most places seem to cater more towards meat eaters.
Bourbon Smokehouse was one of my go-to places after a long day of trekking. They had great beers on tap and delicious pub-style food.
Parrilla La Oveja Negra served excellent wood-fired meats daily and a vast grilled vegetable plate. Their Bife de chorizo was one of the best I had in Argentina.
Affordable Stays In El Chaltén
Essential Tips For When Visiting El Chaltén
Groceries
There are several small supermarkets (known as supermercados) in El Chaltén that stock most of your daily groceries, including fruit, vegetables, deli meats, cheese and fresh meats. The main ones are Pachamama, Supermercado and Súpermercado lo de Lourdes. These are conveniently located at each end of the village, with one in the middle, so you’ll always have one nearby.
ATMS
It is advisable to take enough cash for your stay in El Chaltén. The only place to withdraw money in the village is Banco Santa Cruz. We never used these ATMs, but several people said they had issues withdrawing money. The ATMs also have relatively low withdrawal limits and pretty high fees.
There is no Western Union in El Chaltén.
Drinking Water
Can you drink the tap water in El Chaltén? YES! El Chaltén is surrounded by natural resources, which gives the town some of the freshest water *directly from the glaciers.
* I don’t know how direct it is, but it tastes pretty damn good.
Is Chaltén Safe?
El Chaltén is a peaceful and friendly town popular among hikers and nature enthusiasts. It is considered a safe place even for female solo travellers. The locals and other travellers are known to be respectful and considerate, making it a welcoming destination for everyone.
Read Next
As mentioned previously, El Chaltén is a tourist village, so it is not shy of a few accommodation options. There are far more available choices outside of your run-of-the-mill hotels and hostels. For a full breakdown of everything available and the best options in each category, see our Complete Guide to the Best Places to Stay In El Chaltén.
If there is anything else we have missed or if you have any comments, leave us a message below, and we will respond to you.