Full Day Laguna De los Tres

Visit one of the most wanted natural attractions in Southern Patagonia with this full-day guided excursion which begins and ends in El Calafate

Queries & booking

On Patagonia Adventures Leg. 19642

Queries
WhatsApp chat

Data sheet

Full day excursion from El Calafate.

Pick-up: 05:50 a.m. / Arrival at the hotel: 9:00 p.m./10:00 p.m.

Hike: 24 km (approximately 9 hours).

Difficulty: demanding.

Summary

The objective is to reach the famous Laguna De los Tres, the closest point to Mount Fitz Roy that a hiker can reach on foot on a National Park trail.

It is an activity of medium to high physical demand, aimed at those travelers who want to walk trails that cross native forests and mountain rivers, with unique views of the glaciers and hills of El Chaltén.

Keep in mind

It operates on on odd days, starting on October 1.

Season: October to April.

Minimum group: 5 people.

Minimum age: 10 years (minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

No prior experience is required.

Review the necessary personal equipment described below.

Trekking area

Useto enlarge the map.

Itinerary

The excursion begins at 05:30 am., when the company's minibus picks you up from your accommodation in El Calafate. When all the passengers are already on board, the vehicle heads towards El Chaltén, where you will arrive in about three hours, traveling a good part of National Route 40.

Mount Fitz Roy seen from Route 40

Halfway along this beautiful scenic route that crosses the immensity of the Patagonian steppe, you will already be able to appreciate the southern Andes where the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy stands out above the rest of the granite needles that surround it.

Last kilometer to El Chaltén

Once in El Chaltén, at approximately 08:15 am, a short stop is made for those who wish to go to the bathroom before setting off.

The trail head is located at Río Eléctrico Portal, about 20 km from El Chaltén. There, the food is delivered to each walker, and the group begins the walk at approximately 09:15 am.

Road to El Pilar

In the first section of the route (6.3 km that are completed in an hour and a half of walking) the road gaines height until it reaches the Piedras Blancas Viewpoint.

Glaciar Piedras Blancas Viewpoint

After the Piedras Blancas Glacier Viewpoint, the path descends slowly to the Meeting Point near the Poincenot Base Camp, where the group arrives at approximately 11:30 am.

Arriving at Poincenot basecamp

Those who hesitate to continue with the second section, much more demanding than the first, will continue the journey with one of the two guides as GROUP 2 until the beautiful Laguna Capri, another of the unmissable attractions of El Chaltén. There you have lunch before continuing the descent to El Chaltén.

GROUP 1 continues the journey with one of the guides through the Poincenot Base Camp area, crosses the bridge over the Blanco River, and from there begins to gain altitude rapidly. In total, about 430 meters of unevenness are ascended for almost 3 km until reaching the culminating point: Laguna de los Tres.

Path to Laguna De los Tres

As you go up, you begin to discover more and more panoramic views and the sensation of getting closer to the mountains, which, due to their imposingness, seem to be very close.

The last meters of the ascent

After the effort, approximately at 1:30 pm the group reaches a moraine ridge from where the Fitz Roy massif can be seen in all its splendor and at its feet the Lagoon and the De los Tres Glacier.

To get to the Lagoon itself, you descend a few meters and once there, and if the weather allows it, it will surely be the perfect time for lunch enjoying an unforgettable view and moment.

From this natural viewpoint, which rises more than 250 meters above Laguna Sucia, you will appreciate an impressive landscape of rock and ice, with hanging glaciers crowned by granite needles.

After exploring the area and taking many photos, GROUP 1 says goodbye to this magical place and begins the descent to El Chaltén.

Once you reach the Meeting Point in the Poincenot Camp area (where GROUP 2 eventually split up), the way back goes through Laguna Capri.

Laguna Capri

At approximately 7:00 p.m. the minibus leaves to the city of El Calafate, where the service ends, leaving passengers at each hotel at approximately 10:00 p.m..

GROUP 1 estimated schedules

They may vary according to the day's operations

05:30 hs Pick Up Hotel. Transfer 220 Km El Chaltén.
08:15 hs Arrival to El Chaltén.
09:15 hs Río Eléctrico: head of trail.
11:30 hs Poincenot Camp.
13:30 hs Laguna de Los Tres.
17:00 hs Laguna Capri.
19:00 hs Transfer to El Calafate.
21.30 hs aprox. Arrival to El Calafate/Hotel.

GROUP 2 estimated schedules

They may vary according to the day's operations

05:30 hs Pick Up Hotel. Transfer 220 Km El Chaltén.
08:15 hs Arrival to El Chaltén.
09:15 hs Río Electrico: head of trail.
11:30 hs Poincenot Camp.
12:30 hs Laguna Capri.
18:00 hs El Chaltén.
19:00 hs Transfer to El Calafate.
21.30 hs aprox. Arrival to El Calafate/Hotel.

Requirements and physical conditions

This is a moderately to highly demanding physical activity. For safety reasons, this excursion is not recommended for:

Pregnant people.

People with heart problems.

People with significant overweight.

People with knee problems or joint injuries.

People who have recently undergone surgery.

If you suffer from asthma, hypertension or diabetes, it is essential to bring the corresponding medication and notify the guide or coordinator beforehand..

Terrain conditions and safety

From the Río Blanco onwards, the terrain conditions are those of high mountains. In case of very adverse weather conditions, the Trekking Guide will decide whether to continue towards Laguna de los Tres or if the group returns via Laguna Capri, prioritizing the safety of the group.