Things to Know Before Visiting El Chalten in Patagonia

Being the National Capital of Trekking in Argentina, a trip to El Chalten is naturally on most outdoor enthusiasts’ bucket list. Before you book your trip and pack your bags though, there are a few things you should know about visiting El Chalten.

We’ve grouped these into a few different categories such as how to get to El Chalten, what to consider when booking your accommodation and what to expect from its dining scene and other amenities. Of course, we also have a dedicated section on hiking in El Chalten. We’ve included a lot of tips that would’ve been very helpful to us when we were booking our own trip. So, we hope that this guide will be a great aid for you as you plan your own unforgettable trip to El Chalten, or the wider Patagonia region.

If you’d like to see any of our hikes, make sure to watch our Los Glaciares National Park video, which we shared on our YouTube channel Kitti and Jon. For more videos from the country, check out our Argentina playlist.

Where Exactly is El Chalten in Argentina?

El Chalten is located in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina in the Southern Andes. The small town sits within the stunning Los Glaciares National Park, which is also the largest national park in the country. It’s located at the base of the impressive Mount Fitz Roy (or Cerro Chalten) and other iconic peaks, such as Cerro Torre. The word “Chalten” means “Smoky Mountain” because Fitz Roy looks like it’s smoking when clouds gather around the top. Francisco Moreno named Cerro Chalten as Mount Fitz Roy in 1877 in honour of Robert FitzRoy.

The town itself was founded in 1985 due to a geopolitical decision after a dispute between Chile and Argentina. In 2015, El Chalten was declared Argentina’s “National Capital of Trekking”.

Ways to Get to El Chalten

1. First Travel to El Calafate

The closest big city to El Chalten is El Calafate, located about 215km to the south of the town. The city is served by El Calafate International Airport (FTE). You can take a direct flight there after spending a few days in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital. There are also seasonal domestic flights from San Carlos de Bariloche, Ushuaia and Trelew, as well as from Santiago, Chile. The main airlines offering flights are Aerolinas Argentinas, Flybondi and JetSmart.

Alternatively, you can also take a long-haul bus if you have the time. The main downside of taking the bus is the journey duration, which can be over 24 hours. This is actually an average long-haul bus travel time in Argentina, due to the size of the country. We took a bus from Bariloche to El Chalten and it ended up being over 33 hours due to a long diversion.

In terms of cost, if you want the most comfortable seats, you’ll need to spend a little bit more. In the end, a flight ticket is probably going to cost less than a bus ticket, and you’ll get to your destination much faster.

Having said that, an international route that’s probably worth doing on a bus is from Puerto Natales in Chile to El Calafate. This is a popular way to cross the border after visiting Torres del Paine National Park. The bus journey time is only around 6 hours, which was way more pleasant than the 33-hour one. Make sure to secure your bus ticket early in the high season.

2. Take the Bus from El Calafate to El Chalten

The driving distance between El Calafate and El Chalten is around 2.5 hours. There are regular buses between the two locations and we highly recommend getting the bus if you want to save some money. Most hiking trails are accessible on foot from the town, so you really don’t need to have a hire car as you probably won’t get too much use out of it during your stay.

Again, we recommend booking your bus as early as you can because seats do fill up quickly in the high season. This bus route is actually very scenic, so try to secure a spot in the front seat on the top floor, or at least on the left side! Trust us; you won’t regret it.

3. Drive to El Chalten from El Calafate

Of course, as we mentioned the drive between El Calafate and El Chalten was one of the most scenic roads we drove along in Argentina. So we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to enjoy it in a private vehicle instead of a packed bus. Hire your car in El Calafate using Discover Cars, where you can find the best rates as they compare local, national and international companies.

Just bear in mind that you probably won’t really use your car in El Chalten over the next few days, as all the hiking trails are accessible on foot from your accommodation.

We actually rented a car for an extra day when we stayed in El Calafate and drove back to El Chalten on one of them. It was a good way to drive the route in our own time without needing to pay for a car rental for our hiking days in El Chalten.

Things to Know About Accommodations in El Chalten

4. The Location of Your Accommodation Will Be Important

As usual, we did our research before visiting El Chalten. However, none of the sources mentioned (or warned us) about how important the location of your accommodation is. You’re probably wondering what we’re on about. Well, let us explain.

As we said earlier (and in many other guides too) El Chalten is a small mountain village and everything is accessible on foot. So, you really don’t need a car. Having said that, it’s important to highlight that El Chalten is also a LONG town. The length from the south end (around the main bus terminal) to the north end (the trailhead to Fitz Roy and other hikes) is nearly 2km.

It may seem like nothing at first, but if you stay somewhere close to the southern part of town, you’ll need to add an extra 3-4km to most of your hiking trails. The Fitz Roy hike is already a 22 km roundtrip. Let’s be honest, who wants to walk an extra 4km through town on a hike like that if you can avoid it? So, our tip is to try to book your hotel closer to the trailhead. You’ll thank yourself (and us) at the end of your hikes!

Book Your Stay in El Chalten Early

For such a small town, there are actually many hotels and hostels dotted around. However, El Chalten is very popular, so we recommend booking your stay as early as possible if you’re visiting in the high tourist season. Especially if you want to secure a hotel closer to the trailhead.

You also have to expect higher prices per night than in El Calafate. This is because El Chaten is much smaller and more remote, so there are naturally less options and a lot of demand.

Best Hostel Picks for Budget Travelers:

• Rancho Grande Hostel ($) – This hostel is a great budget option that also offers private rooms. They have a restaurant and are located close to the Fitz Roy trailhead. Book it on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
• Hostel Pioneros del Valle ($) – This is another popular hostel with lovely communal areas. It even has laundry facilities and is also quite close to the Fitz Roy trailhead.
• Rancho Aparte Hostel ($) – Another hostel with great communal areas and kitchen facilities very close to the Fitz Roy trailhead.

Mid-Range Hotel Options in El Chalten:

• Posada y Cabañas El Barranco ($$) – This mid-range hotel offers private rooms with bathrooms and includes breakfast, which is always a bonus.
• Fitz Roy Hostería de Montaña ($$) – This is another fantastic mid-range option with breakfast included and still pretty close to the Fitz Roy trailhead.
• Hostel del Lago ($$) – It also offers private rooms and cabins with private bathrooms. They have breakfast included and a shared kitchen, although it’s further from the Fitz Roy trailhead.

Luxury Stays in El Chalten:

• Destino Sur Hotel & Spa de Montaña ($$$) – This hotel offers great luxury to their guests, including spa facilities and mountain views. It’s also close to the Fitz Roy trailhead and you can book in for a massage after your hike.
• Los Cerros del Chaltén Boutique Hotel ($$$) – This hotel offers spacious rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Breakfast is included and it also has a restaurant serving delicious Argentine dishes.
• Chalten Suites Hotel ($$$) – This beautiful hotel offers a comfortable stay with lovely rooms and bathrooms. You can enjoy your breakfast from their well-positioned dining area with views of the mountains.

Your Room May Not Have WIFI

Depending on the hotel or hostel you book, you may or may not have WIFI in your bedroom. Don’t worry though, you’ll be able to use WIFI in the communal areas. Cafes and restaurants will also have complimentary WIFI available. Although, bear in mind that it may not be the fastest connection. It was good enough for basic things, such as messaging and emails.

The signal within the town was generally okay, but you’re in the mountains, so having spotty signal is totally normal.

Pre-book Your Campsites Along the Trails

Unfortunately, camping along the trails isn’t free any longer and requires reservation because spaces are limited. If you wish to camp along any of the popular hiking trails, then we suggest pre-booking your desired campsite. The current cost for camping is $20,000ARS per person and not per tent! You can reserve your camping spot on this website: https://amigospnlosglaciares.org/campamentos/

Below are the most popular campsites with their corresponding hiking trails:

• Poincenot Campsite (most popular one for Laguna de los Tres due to its close proximity)
• Laguna Capri Campsite (located next to Laguna Capri on the Fitz Roy trail)
• Agostini Campground (most popular one for Laguna Torre due to its close proximity)

In the peak season, you’ll want to arrive to your campsite at a reasonable time to secure a decent spot. You’ll also have to have all your camping gear with you. If you’re just doing a dedicated Patagonia trip, then we suggest bringing your own equipment. Otherwise, you can rent a tent and other necessities in El Chalten.

Things to Know About Hiking in El Chalten

Hiking in El Chalten is NOT Free (Entry Fee to Los Glaciares National Park)

Although hiking in El Chalten used to be free, since 2024 all national parks across Argentina require an entry pass. This, of course, includes Los Glaciares National Park. Currently, the entry fee for foreign visitors to Los Glaciares National Park is $45,000 ARS per day. To save some pennies, there are options for a 3-day or 7-day flexipass. In addition, you can also buy an annual pass for $225,000ARS, which grants you access to all national parks for the year. This may work out cheaper if you’re spending a few months backpacking through Argentina.

You can purchase your entry pass via the official website, as well as see up-to-date prices and discounts.

Should You Hike in El Chalten Independently or with a Guide?

You can totally hike in El Chalten on your own. The most popular trails are well signposted and are generally easy to follow. There are also always people on the trail – especially in the high season – so you’ll never feel alone in case you need any assistance.

That said, if you’re not a confident hiker, or just want to enjoy the trail with like-minded others, then consider joining a group hike. Guides can help you along the way and also point out some interesting flora and fauna. Below are a few options to consider:

• This Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres full day guided hike starts from the El Pilar trailhead, north of El Chalten, and passes the Piedras Blancas glacier before returning to El Chalten town centre via Laguna Capri.
• This Laguna Torre full day guided hike follows the traditional hiking route from El Chalten, stopping at Mirador del Cerro Torre before carrying on to the shores of the lake.

Mount Fitz Roy Isn’t the Only Hiking Trail

Despite the fact that the Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres trail comes up every time you search for hiking in El Chalten, it isn’t the only beautiful hiking trail available. After all, El Chalten is the Trekking Capital of Argentina for a reason. There are many other – lesser known – trails criss-crossing this area.

Now, we appreciate that most visitors won’t have a long time to spare in El Chalten and may only be able to do 1 or 2 trails. Even if you can squeeze in some extra days, completing a 20+km-long hike every day can be tiring. We spent 5 days in El Chalten and managed to do two long hikes (20+km) and 2 short ones (under 10km).

Here are some longer but just as breathtaking hiking options in addition to the unmissable Mount Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres trail:

• Laguna Torre (an 18 km moderate out-and-back trail).
• Mirador del Glaciar Piedras Blancas (a 21 km moderate to hard out-and back trail. Could be combined with Laguna de los Tres).
• Laguna Sucia (a 22km hard out-and-back trail).
• Loma del Pliegue Tumbado (a 19km hard out-and-back trail).
• Huemul Circuit (a 64km hard multi-day trek).

El Chalten Has Some Easier and Shorter Hiking Trails Too

Following on from the above, you don’t need to have mountaineer-level experience to enjoy hiking in El Chalten. In fact, there are many shorter and less intense trails that offer incredible views without having to walk 10+ hours in a day. So, if you’re a novice hiker, here are some trail options for you:

• Mirador Fitz Roy (10km out-and-back, or a slight loop if combined with Laguna Capri)
• Laguna Capri (10km out-and back, or a slight loop if combined with Mirador Fitz Roy)
• Mirador de los Condores (2.6km out-and-back)
• Mirador de las Aguilas (5.5km loop if combined with Los Condores Viewpoint)
• Chorrillo Del Salto Waterfall (6.5km out-and-back)
• Mirador del Cerro Torre (6km out-and back)

The Hikes Aren’t High Altitude

Probably the most surprising part of hiking in El Chalten is the fact that the hikes aren’t high altitude ones. That is, of course, if you’re not planning on rock climbing up any of the peaks like Fitz Roy. After spending quite a few months trekking in the high altitude parts of the Andes, such as Ecuador, Peru and even in the Atacama Desert in Chile, it was a welcome change to not have to hike with less oxygen.

Whilst there are some significant elevation gains, such as over 1,000m along the Laguna de los Tres trail, in theory you won’t need to worry about getting altitude sick. Of course, we still suggest you drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and fuel your body properly by bringing nutritious snacks. We also drink electrolytes, or rehydration drinks, before and after demanding treks.

Best Time to Hike in El Chalten

Overall, the best time of the year to hike in El Chalten is between November and March. This is essentially late spring, summer and early autumn in Argentina.

• December – February (Summer): During the summer months, you’ll have warmer temperatures and high chances of clear, dry days, with plenty of daylight to complete longer trails. Whilst there will be less precipitation, strong winds and gusts are pretty common. The summer is also the high tourist season in Patagonia, so expect the trails to be more crowded.
• March – April (Autumn) and October – November (Spring): Spring and autumn offer less crowds but still pretty good chances for warmer days and longer daylight hours. You can also experience the blooming wildflowers or the colourful fall foliage. To maximise your chances for good weather conditions, come in mid-to-late spring or early-to-mid autumn.
• June – August (Winter): Winter is the least popular season to visit El Chalten, with many businesses closed for the season. The weather conditions will be harsh, with low temperatures making many of the trails inaccessible. Unless you’re an experienced mountaineer with the right gear we don’t recommend visiting El Chalten in winter.

In terms of time of day, we suggest starting your hike earlier for the longer day treks. Always check the weather forecast before you set off and be prepared, as conditions can change quickly.

Things to Know About Dining and Other Amenities in El Chalten

You May Need to Pre-Book the Restaurant

There are many restaurants you can have dinner or lunch at in El Chalten. We found many places where we could just turn up without a reservation. However, some of the popular places do fill up quickly. So, if you wish to eat at a particular restaurant, then it’s always a good idea to reserve a table in advance. Otherwise you may have a long wait, which isn’t ideal after a long day of hiking. For example, we really wanted to try Locro at La Cervecería Chaltén, but couldn’t manage to get a table. In terms of prices for a meal, expect to pay around 20-25USD or more for a main dish. Some of our favourite restaurants were:

• Restaurante Ahonikenk (delicious and generous portions. Their lentil stew was amazing).
• La Cervecería Chaltén (would’ve loved to try Locro from here).
• La Lomiteria (delicious and filling sandwiches and burgers. More like fast-food than a sit-down style eatery).
• Maffia (really good Italian food such as pastas and pizzas).

There were also many bakeries with delicious pastries and empanadas that served pretty good coffee too. Some our favourites were:

• La Nieve Café (good coffee, empanadas and pastries).
• La Waflería (really delicious savoury or sweet waffles and hot chocolates).
• Coffee Station (nice coffees, teas and breakfasts).
• Que Rika (nice empanadas and pastries).

Many Places Have Happy Hours

The great thing we noticed was that many of these places offered happy hours on drinks between 3PM and 8PM. This was ideally timed, as most hikers would return during these hours. Since we always had a long walk through town, it was a nice way to just sit down for a bit and enjoy a cold post-hike beer, the sunshine and some free WIFI before heading back to our hotel room.

The Supermarkets Are Great For Budget Travelers

There are a few supermarkets in El Chalten where you can pick up some essentials including snacks, drinks and lunch ingredients. Whilst the products obviously have higher price tags, if you’re on a tight budget and have access to a kitchen, then you could easily make some cheap meals and sandwiches for lunch. In the afternoons, expect longer queues at the cashiers, as everyone seemed to be shopping around the same time.

Some Hotels and Restaurants Offer Packed Lunches

If you book somewhere without access to kitchen facilities, it can be slightly less convenient to get ingredients for a packed lunch that you can make up to consume on the trails. Luckily, we noticed that some places sold packed lunches, which usually included a sandwich and some snacks. Of course, expect to pay higher prices for this convenience.

You Can Use Cards to Pay but Have Some Cash With You Too

We could pay pretty much everywhere with our cards. We always use our Wise multi-currency card where we can hold and spend money in many currencies. Whilst they don’t have Argentine pesos at the time of writing this guide, they offer competitive exchange rates and transaction fees.

Having said that, we always recommend having some cash on you just in case. For example, some restaurants offer a discount if you pay with cash, so it’s worth having some on you.

We suggest getting some cash from a Western Union Bank in El Calafate before traveling to El Chalten. Alternatively, if you bring crisp US Dollar notes, you can also exchange them to Argentine pesos. However, we do not suggest using ATMs to get cash out in Argentina due to the extremely high transaction fees.

Final Thoughts on Things to Know Before Visiting El Chalten

We hope that this guide answered all the questions you may have had whilst planning your unforgettable Patagonia itinerary. We absolutely loved our time in El Chalten, but definitely could’ve done with some of this information prior to booking our trip to make our stay a little smoother.

If you’ve used our guide for your trip, we would appreciate you letting us know about anything that may have changed since our visit. This will help us to keep this guide up-to-date so fellow travelers can also use it. If you found this blog post useful and want to show your support, you can buy us a coffee here.