Immersed in untouched nature, all your senses come alive.
Walk along trails through magical forests,
and at every viewpoint stop to take in mountains and glaciers you'll never forget.
Your body recharges with energy and pure mountain air.
You're in El Chaltén, where your spirit is renewed forever.
The latest image from the National Park camera, facing Mount Fitz Roy. In Patagonia the weather can change several times a day.
Check the forecast, the wind and what to pack before heading out on the trails.
Weather in El ChalténExplore the categories most sought after by visitors to El Chaltén, and contact each provider directly, with no middlemen.
Explore every accommodation category with reliable information and book direct, with no middlemen.
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Let the local adventure specialists guide you through activities on land, water, or ice!
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Daily services all year round to El Calafate and its airport, plus connections across Patagonia.
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Minibuses, 4x4s and cars just for your group, no fixed schedules, to the airport, El Calafate and more.
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From bars to gourmet restaurants, there are options for every taste and budget.
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No need to pack it all: rent the gear and clothing you need for your activities.
View gear rentalEl Chaltén is Argentina's Trekking Capital. In this stunning natural setting you have many different options for walking, climbing, and going on excursions or outings. The excitement starts long before you arrive, as you catch your first distant glimpse of the mountains and glaciers that make this corner of Patagonia unique.
Most treks don't require previous hiking experience in the mountains. Every trail leads to a viewpoint with spectacular panoramic views!
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Local adventure specialists offer a range of activities that will take you to places you couldn't reach any other way.
See all excursionsMarked trails in the National Park that you can hike without a guide: from a 2-hour walk to a full day to Laguna De los Tres.
Discover what the mountain refuges are and where they are located.
You can rent or buy mountain gear in El Chaltén rental shops.
Local guides take you to places you could never reach otherwise, even with no previous technical experience. In El Chaltén, adventure happens on land, water, rock and ice.
It's an active-tourism destination, but accessible to everyone: nearly every activity takes place in mountain settings that are mostly protected areas. El Chaltén is Argentina's Trekking Capital, so it's especially loved by outdoor enthusiasts and anyone looking for places of extraordinary natural beauty. Since the village sits in a valley at the foot of the mountains, even those who don't hike get to experience one of the most beautiful places in the world, whether from town itself or on one of the many outings available.
El Chaltén is typically a summer destination (October to April), but you can visit any time of year: the National Park stays open year-round, buses run daily, and most self-guided treks can be done in any season. Peak season (October to April, busiest in January): mild weather, long days, and every self-guided and organized activity available. Austral winter (June to September): cold, short days, excursions don't operate and some trail sections may close due to snow or thaw; some accommodations, markets and stores stay open. May and September are shoulder months: good weather for self-guided treks, though most organized excursions don't run and some lodging and restaurants stay closed.
Between 3 and 10 days, depending on how much you enjoy the activities and your experience in the mountains. Beginner (3 to 4 days): enough for a few short or medium-length treks and a half-day or full-day excursion, plus time for restaurants and shops. Enthusiast (5 to 7 days): the most common profile — several trekking circuits, nights at campsites or refuges and the most popular excursions. Mountain lover (7 days or more): for those who live for trekking and will always find an excuse to come back.
El Chaltén has a cool, dry mountain climate with intermittent winds — in Patagonia it's common to experience all four seasons in a single day. Spring-summer (October to March): mild, between 10°C and 20°C, with peaks of up to 30°C and nights that can drop to 10°C or lower. Autumn (March-April): fewer daylight hours, below-freezing temperatures possible in April, the forest turning shades of red and ochre, wetter weather with intermittent rain. Winter (June to August): cold, short days, little wind, between 5°C and -5°C with lows of down to -15°C in the valleys. August-September: the windiest and rainiest months of the year, with daylight hours and clear days increasing toward the end of September.
No. You don't need any previous experience in trekking, mountaineering, horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, etc. Most activities take place on self-guided trails that are well marked and in good condition. For longer or more demanding treks it helps to be in good physical shape, and only ascents or expeditions actually require real climbing or trekking experience.
Yes, without a problem, with a few precautions depending on age. Babies: with a baby carrier you can do short or medium-length, low-difficulty treks. Preschoolers: they can join trails with no real difficulty, respecting their rest and hydration needs and never leaving them alone. School-age children: they can do almost every trek and excursion, with extra care around safety rules if they're not used to the mountains. Some excursions (like rafting or kayaking) have a minimum age.
This is a selection of the most frequently asked questions. For the full list of answers about your trip to El Chaltén, visit the frequently asked questions page.
Flights
Daily flights arrive at Comandante Armando Tola International Airport, 200 km from El Chaltén and 15 km from El Calafate.
Buses and regular shuttles
They come and go from El Calafate 365 days a year.
Private transfers and rent-a-car
From the airport or from El Calafate.
More on how to arrive