Excursions in El Chaltén: a complete guide to choosing yours
This is the complete guide to choosing your excursion in El Chaltén. Here is the complete catalog: guided treks to the classic trails of Los Glaciares National Park, such as the Trekking to Laguna de los Tres facing Fitz Roy and the Trekking to Laguna Torre; the voyages to Viedma Glacier and to Desert Lake; adventure activities such as Ice Trek on the Cagliero Glacier and the rafting on the Río de las Vueltas; and horseback riding and field experiences in Bonanza Ranch. Compare duration, difficulty, and type of activity, and choose the one that best suits your trip.
Are you planning a trip and don't know where to start? Check out our guide to What to do in El Chaltén, with recommendations based on the number of days you have and the time of year.
Excursions without physical exertion
El Chaltén is famous as a trekking destination, but it's not all about nine-hour hikes. If you prefer to explore the surroundings without physical exertion, these are the most popular options: navigation to the Viedma Glacier, which can be enjoyed from the boat with a short, optional trek; the Desert Lake with the Vespignani Glacier, where you can choose between three trails of varying difficulty, including one of 800 meters with no elevation gain; the Half-day trek to Laguna Capri; and the Horseback riding with lunch or dinner at El Establo. Write to us and we'll create an itinerary based on what you're looking for.
Full list of excursions
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Category
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Duration
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Activity
Transfer El Calafate ⇄ El Chaltén
Connection between El Calafate and El Chaltén in three hours, with door-to-door transfer from hotel to hotel or regular bus with reception at destination.
Via Ferrata and zip line at Estancia Bonanza
600-meter via ferrata circuit with a 200-meter vertical drop and a final descent by zip line, with panoramic views of the Fitz Roy surroundings.
Rock climbing and abseiling in the Vizcacha Canyon
Top rope rock climbing and rappelling in the Cañadón de La Vizcacha, with certified guides, full equipment and two levels available.
Mountain biking with lunch or dinner
An hour and a half of mountain biking through Estancia Bonanza followed by Patagonian lamb on the grill at El Establo, with the option of lunch or dinner.
Classic mountain bike at Estancia Bonanza
Two hours of mountain biking along natural trails and rural roads of Estancia Bonanza, among forests and streams, with guide and transfer included.
Full-day horseback riding tour to Laguna Lita
Full day horseback riding to Laguna Lita: four hours of riding, 20 km route and country lunch by the lagoon.
Horseback riding with lunch or dinner at El Establo
One and a half hour horseback ride with a view of Fitz Roy and Patagonian lamb on the spit at El Establo, with the option of lunch or dinner.
Classic horseback riding at Estancia Bonanza
Two hours on horseback through forests of ñire trees, streams and mountain landscapes in the Río de las Vueltas Valley, with local guides and transportation included.
Kayaking on the River of Turns
Half a day of kayaking on the calm waters of the Río de las Vueltas, with 12 km of paddling in front of Fitz Roy and a country brunch halfway through the trip.
Rafting on the Río de las Vueltas
16 km descent down the Río de las Vueltas, with stretches of calm waters in front of Fitz Roy and class III and III+ rapids in the canyon.
Desert Lake + Huemul Glacier
Transfer to Lago del Desierto and two-hour self-guided trek to the Huemul Glacier viewpoint, overlooking the glacier and its lagoon.
Desert Lake + Vespignani Glacier
Navigation across Desert Lake to the Vespignani Glacier Reserve, with two hours of self-guided trails in front of the glacier and views of Fitz Roy.
Ice Trek Cagliero Glacier
The only ice trek in El Chaltén: Patagonian forest, via ferrata and crampon hike on the Cagliero Glacier, in the Los Huemules Reserve.
Trekking Laguna Capri (half day)
Half-day guided trek through Patagonian forest to Laguna Capri, with views of the Fitz Roy massif. Ideal as a first hike in El Chaltén.
Trekking Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Guided trek up to one of the great viewpoints of El Chaltén, with a 360-degree panoramic view of Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the glaciers.
Trekking Laguna Torre with a guide
Guided trek from El Chaltén to the lagoon at the foot of Cerro Torre, with views of the Glaciar Grande and icebergs floating in the water.
Trekking to Laguna de los Tres with a guide
Full-day guided trek to the Mount Fitz Roy viewpoint, with transfer to the Electric River, Piedras Blancas Glacier and return on foot via Laguna Capri.
Viedma Adventure — sailing to the Viedma Glacier
Navigation on Lake Viedma, short trekking on the Cape Horn Peninsula and approach to the front of the largest glacier in Argentina.
El Chaltén is the national trekking capital and the starting point for exploring the northern sector of Los Glaciares National Park. Unlike other destinations in Patagonia, here the most iconic trails begin on foot right from the town: there's no need to hire long transfers to reach the viewpoints of Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre.
Our catalog covers the various ways to explore the area. Guided treks with guides authorized by the National Park are available for those who want to experience the classic trails with accompaniment and context. Boat trips on Lake Viedma and Lake del Desierto offer close-up views of the glaciers without requiring physical exertion. Adventure activities include the destination's only ice trek on the Cagliero Glacier, rafting, and kayaking on the Río de las Vueltas. And at Estancia Bonanza, you can enjoy rural experiences such as horseback riding, mountain biking, climbing, via ferrata, and Patagonian cuisine.
Each information sheet includes a detailed itinerary, what's included and what's not, a technical sheet with duration and difficulty levels, activity requirements, and recommendations on what to bring. If you have any questions about which activity best suits your trip, your fitness level, or the number of days you have available, write to us and we'll advise you.
We also operate in El Calafate, three hours from El Chaltén. If you're combining both destinations, we can help you organize your trip. transfer between both and excursions to the Perito Moreno Glacier from Calafate Tours, so that the entire itinerary can be resolved with a single point of contact.