EL CHALTEN | Everything You Need to Know
El Chalten is the hiking mecca of Argentina. Find out everything you need to know about getting here, hiking here, what to do, and where to stay.
El Chalten is a picturesque town in Argentina Patagonia, snuggled in near the start of the trailhead to the famous Mount Fitzroy, among several other incredible hikes. If you love nature and hiking, then this is the ideal spot for your bucket list Patagonia adventure. The main things to do in Glaciares National Park are hiking and trekking.
I spent 4 nights in El Chalten (3.5 days of hiking) and was able to accomplish all of the hikes I came here to do, plus a few extra. I even left a few for my next visit! The hiking possibilities in El Chalten Patagonia are endless. Because it’s a hiking mecca, I met amazing people from all over the world, and you will too!
In this guide to El Chalten, I’ll fill you in on everything you need to know from where to stay, where to hike, where to eat and drink, and how to deal with the entrance fees to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.
Short on time?
- Best Hikes in El Chalten: Laguna de los Tres (to Mount Fitzroy), Laguna Torre
- Where to stay in El Calafate: Patagonia Tiny House
- Great Happy Hour: Roots Patagonia
Tips for Hiking in El Chalten
- The entrance fee to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is $45 for one day.
- If you want to go 2 days in a row, you can get 50% off for your second day.
- A 3-day pass is $90, and a 7-day pass is $157 (For foreigners).
- You can purchase your Glacier National Park pass here.
- Click here to compare 1/3/7-day and yearly pass prices for all national parks in Argentina. A yearly pass for ALL national parks in Argentina is $225.
- There are two toll booths in El Chalten where they check passes: here and here.
- People are inside the toll booths from 7 am to 6 pm.
- If you go before 7 am, or after 6 pm, nobody checks your ticket. You can just enter.
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Where is El Chalten located?
El Chalten Argentina is located in the southwest corner of the Santa Cruz province in the Patagonia region of Argentina, near the border with Chile. It is on the northwest side of Lago Viedma in the Glaciares National Park. It is the base for several amazing hikes in the area.
The El Chalten Elevation
El Chalten is 397m (1302 feet) above sea level.
El Chalten Argentina map
The El Chalten map below shows great places to eat, get coffee, and happy hour beers. The town is not big and is concentrated mainly on one main street.
How to get to El Chalten
El Chalten is a small town in Patagonia Argentina about 3.5 hours north of El Calafate. It may be small, but it is easy to reach because of its popularity and increased El Chalten tourism. If you’re looking for how to get to El Chalten from Buenos Aires, the quickest way is to fly to El Calafate. A bus will take more than 30 hours.
Plane
The closest airport to El Chalten is in El Calafate (3 hours south). The El Calafate Airport is called Aeropuerto Internacional Comandante Armando Tola de El Calafate (FTE). The three main airlines that fly to El Calafate are Flybondi, JetSmart, and Aerolineas Argentinas. The most affordable flights leave from Buenos Aires.
Remember that all 3 of these airlines are unreliable and flights can be canceled anytime due to strikes or not-full flights. Make sure you have ample time in case your flight gets canceled so you don’t miss any secondary flights.
How to Reach El Chalten from the El Calafate Airport
There are three main ways to reach El Calafate Ciudad (city) from the Calafate airport: Taxi, bus, and car rental.
Taxi to El Chalten from the El Calafate airport
Didi and Uber do not operate in El Calafate or El Chalten.
A taxi from El Calafate to El Chalten usually costs around 260,000 pesos ($260) for up to 4 people. If you are fewer people you can potentially negotiate.
If you would like to arrange a price and a pick-up in advance, you can contact Gregorio. His Whatsapp number is: +54-9-2966-72-4160.
Direct Bus to El Chalten from the El Calafate airport
You can take a bus directly from the El Calafate airport to El Chalten. Look for the schedule on Unibus. The price is 38,000 pesos ($38) one way. It is the same bus that leaves from the town center and makes a stop at the FTE airport.
Rental Car in El Calafate
One of the best ways of traveling around here is by car rental. There are so many great road trips in Argentina. Having a rental car allows you to have the freedom to do what you want, go where you want, and at the times you choose. A lot of people choose to rent a car in El Calafate and drive to El Chalten.
You should book as far in advance as possible, especially during the high season, because prices can really increase. I have had positive experiences with both Discover Cars and RentalCars.com.
Bus
You can reach El Chalten by bus. The most common bus route in the area is between El Chalten and El Calafate.
If you plan to take a bus to Ushuaia from El Chalten, you need to make two stops along the way in El Calafate and Rio Gallegos. It will take a few days to bus between El Chalten and Ushuaia.
El Chalten to El Calafate (and back)
The bus ride between El Chalten and El Calafate is easy. It only takes 3.25 hours. You can find the bus schedules on BusBud or Unibus. You can purchase the tickets online or at the bus terminals. I suggest buying online in advance if you are traveling during the high season (January-February). Reserve seats 1, 2, 3, or 4 to get the best views.
In December 2024, the price was 38,000 pesos ($38).
You can also take a bus directly from the El Calafate airport to El Chalten. It is the same bus that leaves from the town center in El Calafate and stops at the airport.
El Calafate bus terminal: C. 510 87, Z9405 El Calafate, Santa Cruz
El Chalten bus terminal: M488+GQ El Chaltén, Santa Cruz Province
To/From Bariloche
Less common is the bus between El Chalten and Bariloche, but people still choose to take this route. It takes 25-27 hours and costs 258,000 pesos ($258). You can find the bus schedules on BusBud or Unibus. If you are planning to travel between these two cities, I suggest looking up flights instead.
El Chalten to Bariloche
There is only one bus per day (no buses on Tuesdays) from El Chalten to Bariloche and it takes 25 hours.
Bariloche to El Chalten
There is only one bus per day (no buses on Thursdays) and it takes 27 hours.
Money in El Chalten
Every place in El Chalten accepts credit cards. I didn’t use cash one single time while I was in El Chalten, except to pay tips (they won’t add a tip to the credit card bill). That said, there is a Western Union along the main street next to the Hostel Pioneros del Valle.
El Chalten Things to Do
If you’re looking for things to do in El Chalten, you might be disappointed if those things aren’t hiking. El Chalten is small, and people mostly use it as a base to do the hikes in the area. Therefore, there are not a ton of things to do outside of nature activities. The top things to do in El Chalten are hike, eat, drink, and repeat.
1. Feria Artesenal
There is an artisan tent (dome) just next to the bus terminal at the start of town. Inside you can find many handmade crafts from local artisans.
2. Enjoy a coffee in a cozy cafe
There are a few great little cafes to enjoy a cafe con leche or breakfast while you’re in El Chalten. Here are a couple I recommend:
- La Nieve Cafe y Viendas (great juices, coffee, and breakfast options)
- The bakery next to La Nieve (delicious and fresh)
- BANNETON Panadería (great cafe & bakery options)
3. Have a beer after your hike
One of the best things to do after a long hike is to have a fresh craft beer. Luckily El Chalten has lots to offer. The happy hour specials are actually cheaper than buying beer at the supermarket here. Here are a few places I enjoyed having a beer in El Chalten:
- Roots Patagonia (Happy hour beers for 3,500 ($3.50)
- Fresco Bar (Happy hour beers for 4,000 ($4.00)
4. Eat dinner out
I’ll be honest, eating out is not an affordable endeavor here. The supermarkets are also more expensive than El Calafate or other places in Patagonia. Cooking in your accommodation will still save you money though. But if you want to splurge or try the local flavors, here are a few I recommend:
- Rancho Grande (restaurant is open 24 hours, breakfast starts at 1:30 am)
- La Oveja Negra
- Chica Ramen
5. Go hiking in El Chalten
Hiking and trekking in El Chalten is the most well-known within all of Patagonia in Argentina. It’s the reason people come. I’ll go into detail further below about the hikes, but here are the most famous ones:
Trailheads that start in the northern Fitzroy Parking lot
There is a toll booth at this entrance. Go before 7 am (or after 6 pm) for free entry.
- Laguna de los Tres (to Mount Fitzroy) and Laguna Capri on the way
- Chorrillo del Salto
Trailheads that start at the southern Centro de Visitantes
There is a toll booth at this entrance. Go before 7 am (or after 6 pm) for free entry.
- Mirador de los Cóndores y Águilas
- Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Trailheads in the west of town
There is no tollbooth at this trailhead. Entrance is free.
- Laguna Torre (to Cerro Torre) with Mirador Cerro Torre on the way
Trailheads in the east of town
There is no tollbooth at this trailhead. Entrance is free.
El Chalten Hikes
The main reason to come to El Chalten is for the hiking, which is glorious. While hiking around Bariloche is pretty epic the hikes around El Chalten are out of this world.
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Easier Hikes
The hikes listed below are great if you’re feeling tired and want an easier day. They are also a good option for hikes that you can do on the day you arrive. They don’t take a lot of planning and can easily be done within a couple of hours.
El Paredon – Las Vueltas
El Paredon – Las Vueltas on AllTrails
This hike is a great first hike to do in El Chalten because it allows you to see the town from above. You just need to cross the bridge over the river. You can choose to go either left or right, as it is a large loop. If you go left, the terrain is more open to the elements. If you go right, you’ll be walking through a forest with more cloud cover.
Nobody checks for a park entrance fee here, and it is totally free to do. AllTrails says it takes 3 hours but it only took me 2.5 hours, including stopping a lot for photos.
Chorrillo del Salto
Chorrillo del Salto on AllTrails
This is one of the easiest hikes. It is more of a walk than a hike and takes less than one hour to reach the waterfall. It is big and powerful. There are bathrooms there but they are disgusting so I recommend against using them.
The trail to get to the waterfall technically begins at the toll booth at the Fitzroy parking lot, but it crisscrosses the main road many times. Therefore, you can avoid the toll booth by taking the main road (ruta 23) to the right, and then joining up with the trail once it connects.
Mirador Cerro Torre
Mirador Cerro Torre on AllTrails
The Mirador Cerro Torre is a lookout point along the Laguna Torre trail. If you don’t want to do the full trek to reach the Laguna, this is a decent alternative. However, I think you can get better views if you keep a little bit further. You can also pass by the Mirador Cascada Margarita on the way. I didn’t see any waterfalls though when I passed it.
There is no toll booth at the entrance to this trailhead, which is just a 2-minute walk from the giant staircase on the edge of town. It takes about one hour to reach the Mirador Cerro Torre.
Mirador Los Cóndores
Mirador Los Cóndores on AllTrails
The trail to Mirador los Cóndores is quick and easy but has a fairly steep and steady incline. But it only took me 20 minutes to reach the lookout point from the base. From this lookout, you can see Fitzroy in the distance, the town of El Chalten down below, and the giant rock face (Paredón Trail) to the right.
You will need to pass through a toll booth to get to this hike. The guards are only at the toll booth from 7 am – 6 pm, so if you enter before or after this time, you won’t need to pay the entrance fee. This is the same trailhead where the Mirador las Águilas and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado begin. The Mirador los Cóndores is #1 on the map above.
Mirador Las Águilas
Mirador Las Águilas on AllTrails
If you want to extend your hike after reaching the Mirador de los Cóndores, you can add this loop to reach the Mirador las Águilas. It took me 25 minutes to reach the Mirador las Águilas from the Mirador de los Cóndores. From the peak of the Mirador las Águilas, you can see a great view of Lago Viedma.
You will need to pass through a toll booth to get to this hike. The guards are only at the toll booth from 7 am – 6 pm, so if you enter outside of this schedule, you won’t need to pay the entrance fee. This is the same trailhead where the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado and Mirador de los Cóndores begin. Mirador los Águilas is #3 on the map above.
Laguna Capri
If you want a short trek, you can take the Laguna de los Tres trail to Laguna Capri. But you can also pass by this lake along the way to Fitzroy. It took me about 1.5 hours to reach Laguna Capri from the trailhead. I arrived early in the morning and there were not many people around. Then I continued to Fitzroy.
Along the Laguna de los Tres trail to Mount Fitzroy, you can stop at Laguna Capri on the way up, and the Mirador Fitzroy on the way down (or vice versa), since they are on opposite sides of a small loop.
You need to pass by the toll booth in the Fitzroy parking lot to reach this trail. The guards are in the toll booth from 7 am – 6 pm, so if you enter early in the morning, or later in the evening, you won’t need to pay the entrance fee.
Mirador Fitzroy
Mirador Fitzroy goes along the Laguna de los Tres Trail
The Mirador Fitzroy is not far from Laguna Capri, as they are both along the Laguna de los Tres trail, which splits into two routes and creates a small loop. Laguna Capri is on the left side and the Mirador Fitzroy is on the right. I stopped at the Laguna Capri on my way up, and the Mirador Fitzroy on my way down, so I could see both points.
If you don’t want to go all the way to the Laguna de los Tres at the base of Cerro Fitzroy, then this is a great alternative. There is a small hill with several boulders and from up there, you can get great views of Fitzroy behind you. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach this point from the trailhead at the Fitzroy parking lot.
You need to pass by the toll booth in the Fitzroy parking lot to reach this trail. The guards are in the toll booth from 7 am – 6 pm, so if you enter early in the morning, or later in the evening, you won’t need to pay the entrance fee.
More Challenging Hikes
These hikes are much longer and will take several hours to complete. You will probably only want to do one of them per day, unless you are a crazy person. I met a few people in El Chalten who did both Laguna Torre and Laguna de los Tres on the same day, which was really intense.
Laguna Torre
This trail is less popular than Laguna de los Tres, which makes it a little more enjoyable because there are fewer crowds. I started the ascent at 5:30 in the morning and reached the lake by 8 am. I was the only person at the lake and it was very peaceful. When I began my descent around 10 am, I passed by many people going up.
I highly suggest going early to beat the crowds, but also to go before it gets too hot during the high season. I did this hike in late December, and it started to get very hot and sunny around 10 am, and I got pretty tired on the way down. If you have two days in El Chalten, this hike is a must-do.
The hike is a total of 18km out and back, but the majority of the hike is along flat trails, so you can go pretty fast. There are a few steeper ascents and large boulders in the first section of the hike, but other than that, you’re walking through forests, rock fields, and shrubs along flat trails.
This trail is free. You do not need to pass by a toll booth if you start at the trailhead near the top of the stairs.
Mirador Maestri
The Mirador Maestri is an add-on to the Laguna Torre trail. Once you reach the lake, simply follow the trail up to the right. It goes along the ridge and brings you to a point above the glacier. From there you can see the small icebergs and chunks of ice. You can even hear ruptures of ice from inside the glacier.
In the image above, you can see the Laguna Torre. The trail ends just after #3, once you arrive at the lake. You can continue on to #4 at the Mirador Maestri.
It took me 45 minutes to reach the Mirador Maestri from the base of the lake. If you have the time, I think adding this additional piece of the trail is worth it.
Laguna De Los Tres
Laguna de los Tres on AllTrails
If you have just one day in El Chalten, this is the hike you need to do. It is the trail that takes you to Fitzroy Mountain with the Los Tres Lagoon in front. The quintessential Patagonia photo! That said, it is obvious that everyone wants to do this trail because it gets very crowded in the afternoons. The hike took me 7.5 hours with 2 hours up top.
On the way up you can see Laguna Capri and on the way down you can stop by the Mirador Fitzroy, or vice versa, since they are on opposite sides of a loop. If you want to extend this hike, you can also head to Laguna Sucia and/or Laguna Piedras Blancas. The above image on the right shows the two additional hikes to each laguna.
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado on AllTrails
This hike begins in the south of town, at the same trailhead as the Mirador de los Cóndores and the Mirador de Águilas. It should take about 7-8 hours total. The guards are in the tollbooth from 7 am to 6 pm, so if you go early or late you’ll be able to avoid paying the entrance fee.
Getting Around El Chalten
El Chalten is a very small town, much smaller than El Calafate. Most of the roads are paved though there are a few dirt roads.
It is incredibly easy to walk around El Chalten. Everything is within walking distance. The majority of the hikes in the area have trailheads easily reachable from town. If you want to start a hike at a location further out, you can ask your accommodation about getting a shuttle or a taxi there.
Best Time To Visit El Chalten
The best time to visit El Chalten is in the summer hands down. I was there in late December and had 4 glorious days of sunshine in a row. The day I left it was rainy, so I had great timing. But in the summer months (December to February), you will more likely have sunny days for hiking.
If you don’t mind the cold, then the shoulder seasons will be less crowded. But the El Chalten temperature will be much lower and a bit chilly during the day.
The El Chalten climate in winter (July and August) is very cold. If you decide to come in the winter months, you should come prepared with spikes and lots of layers. There will be fewer crowds but with good reason.
Day Trips from El Chalten
If you want a break from hiking, then there are a few day trips you can do.
Visit Perito Moreno
If you are spending the bulk of your time in the Santa Cruz province in El Chalten, then you should absolutely take a day to visit the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. The bus takes 3 hours to reach El Calafate, and another 1.5 hours to reach the glacier, so it could be a lot of planning.
If you’re going for a day trip from El Chalten, then I suggest joining a tour to make the logistics a little simpler. I did this trip to Perito Moreno from El Calafate.
Go rafting
If you want to get off the trails and into the water, going rafting could be a great alternative, especially in the summer months. Try taking this tour to the Rio de las Vueltas, outside of El Chalten.
Travel Insurance for Traveling in Argentina
It is definitely a good idea to get travel insurance when you go to Argentina. You never know what could happen. For my physical health, I use SafetyWing.
I use SafetyWing, which is great travel medical insurance created by nomads for nomads. You can sign up for as many days as you need, and cancel whenever you want. They have particularly good prices, especially for those under 40 years old. Check them out here.
Where to Stay in El Chalten
Here are my suggestions for where to stay and hotels in El Chalten. El Chalten is small so everything is easily walkable. I stayed in a hostel near the bus station and it was only a 15-20 minute walk to the Fitzroy trailhead. The best places to stay in El Chalten are near or along the main road.
Housing and hotels in El Chalten tend to be the most expensive in all of Patagonia. Because of this, you’ll find people of all ages staying in hostels, which is what I did. If you want a private room, try to book as far ahead as you possibly can. Things fill up fast.
Rancho Grande Hostel
This is a fantastic hostel to stay in if you’re looking for something on a budget. They have dorm rooms and private rooms. They also have a 24-hour restaurant that starts serving breakfast at 1:30 in the morning for anyone looking for an early start. It’s also located directly on the main street just a few minutes from the Fitzroy trailhead.
BOOK NOW to stay in this centrally located hostel.
Patagonia Tiny House
This is the perfect location for one person or a couple. The space is small and cozy but has everything you need. The location is perfect. It books up very quickly though, so you should try to book in advance as far as possible.
Hurry up and BOOK NOW to stay in the tiny house, it fills up fast
Los Cerros del Chaltén Boutique Hotel
This beautiful boutique hotel is near the center of El Chalten. Everything is within walking distance. Breakfast is included each morning. You can get incredible views of Fitzroy and the surrounding natural area from your windows. Reservations go fast!
BOOK NOW to stay in this luxurious boutique hotel in El Chalten
Guide to El Chalten FAQs
Here are a few more questions answered for you about coming to El Chalten.
Is El Chalten in Argentina or Chile?
El Chalten is in Argentina. It is easy to mix up the two sides of Patagonia, but El Chalten is definitely on the Argentine side.
How many days do I need in El Chalten?
This really depends on how much hiking you want to do. If you only have one day in El Chalten, it’s still worth a visit. I stayed for 3.5 days and found it to be the perfect length. But if I stayed longer, there would still be more to see and do. I met several people who stayed for an entire week.
Is El Chalten expensive?
Yes! El Chalten is one of the most expensive towns in Patagonia, especially when it comes to accommodation. If you are traveling in a pair or a group, it will be more affordable to share housing. But if you’re a solo traveler, it is very expensive. Because of this, I stayed in a hostel which I don’t normally do.
Where do tourists stay in El Chalten?
Tourists usually stay around the center of town, either close to the main road and hiking trails or close to the bus terminal. But El Chalten is so small that everything is close and easily walkable no matter where you choose to stay.
Is El Chalten walkable?
El Chalten is extremely walkable. It’s a small town and you have easy access to supermarkets and restaurants by foot within just a few minutes. The majority of the trailheads also start just outside of town.
Is El Chalten worth a visit?
El Chalten is definitely worth a visit, as long as you can afford it. It is not a place for budget travelers. But the nature is stunning and you can fall in love with the scenery everywhere you look.
What is El Chalten famous for?
El Chalten is most famous for being the starting point for the hike to Fitzroy Mountain (Laguna de los Tres trail). You can see the mountain peak jutting out from most places around El Chalten.
Is it safe to go to El Chalten?
Yes, El Chalten is very safe. The majority of people coming here are tourists just like you. I never once felt unsafe or threatened during my time in El Chalten.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in El Chalten
I had been wanting to visit El Chalten for years to do the most famous hike to Laguna de los Tres and see Mount Fitzroy from the base. It was truly incredible and worth the wait. El Chalten is beautiful and expensive, but you’ll also meet super cool people from all over the world, see some of the most amazing nature, and have the best time.
I hope this guide to El Chalten gives you a good idea of what you can do in El Chalten, where you can stay, and the general vibe of the place. Yes, it’s expensive, but money comes and goes. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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