Hiking the Highlights of El Chaltén Itinerary

Day 1 Trek to Piedra del Fraile and Glacier Pollone

You may want to arrive the day before your tour, as Day 1 wastes no time in getting started! Begin with a transfer from El Chaltén to Rio Electrico and start your first hike through the Electrico Valley. Walk through a lovely lenga forest to Piedra del Fraile, which will be your overnight home, but you’ll continue on to the Pollone Glacier before returning.

The glacier is a spectacle of rock and ice, and the glacial views are complemented by views of Fitz Roy, the Marconi Glacier, and the Electrico Lake. Enjoy a quick break at a hidden lake before heading back to Piedra for the evening.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Piedra del Fraile
Distance: 6 hours, 15km, 500m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 2 Laguna de los Tres and Fitz Roy

Wake up early for a wonderful day, beginning a hike to Laguna de los Tres. This gorgeous lake is at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy, one of the (if not the) most recognizable sights in Patagonia. You’ll be able to appreciate the Piedras Blancas Glacier along the way. At the lake, savour the closest view you can get of the mountain and its satellite peaks without any technical skill.

After lunch under the shadow of the mountain, hike to the Poincenot campground, a favourite of hikers and climbers from all around.
Overnight Location: Campground in Los Glaciares National Park
Distance: 7-8 hours, 15km, 700m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Laguna Torre and Cerro Torre

Rise early enough to snap a sunrise photo of Fitz Roy (well worth losing a little sleep!) before packing up and beginning your hike. Today, you’ll hike along the Madre & Hija trail, lined by pretty lakes. Drop into the glacial valley that leads to Laguna Torre, a favourite for geologists and photographers alike for its perfect U-shape. Laguna Torre and its glacier sit underneath the wonderful Cerro Torre, another peak that defines the landscape of Patagonia.

Appreciate this unforgettable view for as long as you can before hiking to the Prestadores campground to enjoy dinner and a warm sleeping bag.
Overnight Location: Campground in Los Glaciares National Park
Distance: 3-4 hours, 6km, 200m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Sky-High Views of Los Glaciares

It’s off on foot early this morning, crossing a river on a Tyrolean rope using a harness. It’s an exciting start to the day! You’ll hike a steady uphill through the forest to a pass on Mount Pliegue Tumbado, where one of the best views in Los Glaciares can be found. You’ll gaze over Cerro Torre, Mount Fitz Roy, countless lakes, and wide forests and plains. This birds-eye view of the park is so good, you won’t want to descend to Laguna Toro base camp.
Overnight Location: Campground in Los Glaciares National Park
Distance: 8 hours, 14km, 750m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Hike to Paso del Viento

In the morning, hike past moraines, pastures, rocky plateaus, and glaciers. You’ll keep a steady uphill climb going all the way to Paso del Viento, where a stunning view of the Southern Patagonian icefield awaits.

Eat lunch at the pass, then once your camera roll is nearly full, it’s down to Laguna Toro to set up camp, eat dinner, and rest up.
Overnight Location: Campground in Los Glaciares National Park
Distance: 8-9 hours, 15km, 850m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Final Trek and Departure

Packing up and trekking back to El Chaltén this morning, you can leave satisfied having experienced the best that Los Glaciares has to offer. Pass by the scenic Lake Viedma, stopping for lunch with a mountain view.

The tour concludes once you arrive triumphantly in El Chaltén. Safe travels home!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 6-7 hours, 15km, 250m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch