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Chalten – A charming mountain town [Easy day trip]

Recommended days

1 day

Price

USD 130or above

Located deep in Patagonia El ChalténKnown as the "Hiking Capital of Argentina," it boasts world-class iconic peaks—Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. For many Antarctic travelers, its towering granite ridges are natural sanctuaries as sacred as the Antarctic glaciers.

This trip is specially designed forWant to experience the essence of mountains in one day without extreme long-distance hiking?Our travel guide is designed for travelers. We'll take you from El Calafate, along the famous Highway 40 across the wilderness, to this charming town brimming with outdoor spirit. You'll stroll along easy trails, enjoying panoramic views of the Viedma Glacier, and visit secluded waterfalls and viewpoints against a backdrop of magnificent mountains.

Trip Highlights

Pilgrimage to a legendary peak: A distant view of FitzRoy, the inspiration for the outdoor brand Patagonia's logo.

Drive along scenic highways: Traverse some of Argentina's most beautiful roads, capturing images of wild camels and magnificent lakes along the way.

Hidden Waterfall Paradise: Explore the Chorillo del Salto waterfall nestled in the forest and feel the refreshing glacial air.

Mountain town charm: Stroll through the streets of Chalten and experience the unique Patagonian adventure atmosphere.

Chalten – A charming mountain town [Easy day trip]

Itinerary

Morning: The wilderness calls, the dawn sets off

Suggested number of days:

Hotel pick-up: Depart early in the morning from your hotel in downtown El Calafate for a scenic tour of approximately 440 kilometers round trip.

The Legend of Route 40: Drive along this wild highway that winds through South America, passing by La Leona, taking a break at a historic roadside inn, and enjoying the deep blue waters of Lake Argentino and Lake Videma.

Afternoon: Relaxing hike in the tranquil forest

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The Mirador de Los Cóndores (Golden Condor Viewpoint Hike): After arriving in Cárdenas, enjoy a leisurely hike of about one hour. From here, you can overlook the entire town and enjoy the best panoramic view of FitzRoy and Torre peaks (360 degrees). If you're lucky, you might even see golden eagles circling overhead.

Visiting the Salt Falls (Chorrillo del Salto): Venture deep into the forest trails to visit this beautiful waterfall, which is about 20 meters high. This is the best place to experience the local native plants and pure water.

Evening: Strolling through the town and returning home laden with souvenirs.

Suggested number of days:

Explore the town at your leisure: You'll have time to stroll through the charming town of Chalten. We recommend stopping at a local craft brewery or bakery to soak up the climbers' spirit.

Return trip: With a wonderful encounter with the Andes Mountains in mind, we returned to the El Calafate Hotel in the evening.

[Price excludes: National Park entrance fee (approximately ARS 45,000), meals, and gratuities]

Approximately 11 hours journey — Important Notes

Suggested number of days:

The weather is changeable: Chalten is known for its strong winds, and the mountain climate can be unpredictable. Please be sure to prepare a high-quality windproof and waterproof jacket.

Walking advice: Although this route is relatively easy, you should still wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes.

Travel reminder: The round trip is quite long, so we recommend that you prepare your playlists or books and enjoy the Patagonian wilderness outside your window.