Each evening during your stay at the El Chaltén lodge, select from 30+ explorations for the next day, to get you out exploring in small groups with a bilingual guide. Activities range from easy to moderate, advanced and expert, and self-guided options also exist. Choose off-the-beaten-path adventures, from four different zones, including hiking, high mountain ascents, climbing, overland travel, overnight excursions, or a combination. Below is a sample of how you might spend your days.
Featured Hiking Explorations
Mirador Fitz Roy
This moderate, full-day, 5.2-mile hike in the Los Glaciares National Park zone takes about 5.5. hours. Take a van from the lodge to the Los Glaciares National Park. Cross the forests to get a great view of the Los Andes Mountain Range’s massifs. On clear days, watch Mount Fitz Roy and the Agujas Mermoz and Poincenot in all their glory. Finally, reach the viewpoint to Mount Fitz Roy, with a unique perspective of this rock formation and all the mountains around it.
Lago del Desierto
This advanced, full-day, 8.1-mile hike in the Desert Lake zone takes about 7.5 hours. Take a van from the lodge to the south shore of the Desierto Lake. From there, cross this historical lake while enjoying the view of the Vespigniani Glacier. Land on the northernmost tip of the lake and take a rugged track through the forest, reaching some of the most unexplored parts of this area. Reach the southern edge of the lake and finalize the exploration taking a van back to the lodge.
Featured High Mountain Explorations
Paso del Cuadrado
This advanced, full-day, 13.7-mile high-mountain experience in the Los Glaciares National Park zone takes about 12 hours, is subject to availability, and is an ideal exploration for travelers wishing to have a different experience and perspective of the Patagonia. Surrounded by mountains, hike along the Eléctrico River through a Patagonia forest while enjoying a view to the Marconi Glacier. Then hike up a steep slope, leaving the forest behind and approaching the impressive mountains that seem to grow in height upon approach. The north side of Mount Fitz Roy is waiting from a lookout that is the highest point of this exploration.
Cerro Madsen
This expert, full-day, 13.5-mile high-mountain experience in the Los Glaciares National Park zone takes about 11 hours and is subject to availability. The ascent to Cerro Madsen, in the Fitz Roy area, is a perfect challenge for beginners in the mountains or for those who want to make their first summit in Patagonia and treat themselves to one of the most wonderful views in the world.
Featured Climbing Explorations
Conexión vertical
This easy, half-day climbing tutorial experience in the Los Huemules Conservation Reserve zone takes about 2.5 hours and is subject to availability. El Chaltén is one of the best places in the world for rock climbing, so start by learning more about the sport and local hot spots. Take in a rock climbing briefing that covers the main places to climb in El Chaltén, history, how to control your body and the importance of trusting partners.
La Roca
This moderate, half-day climbing experience in the Los Huemules Conservation Reserve zone takes about 3 hours and is subject to availability. El Chaltén is known worldwide for rock climbing. Many of the world’s top climbers have gone up the Fitz Roy, Torre, and La Guilloumet mounts, among others. For those with the appropriate experience, take on beginner climbing routes and others that are more demanding, always being mindful of safety.
Featured Overland Explorations
Río Arriba
This easy, half-day overland exploration in the Desert Lake zone takes about 4 hours. Leave the lodge by van, going through the different curves and beautiful waterfalls that are formed thanks to the geography of the Río de las Vueltas valley, to go into the deepest and most humid forests of the Lago del Desierto Provincial Reserve. Stop for a panoramic vista and after reaching the lake, return along the route to the lodge, stopping at a small waterfall to enjoy lunch.
Colonos
This easy, half-day, 2.4-mile overland exploration in the Los Glaciares National Park zone takes about 4 hours. This exploration is a trip in time, including a guided visit to the house of pioneer Andreas Madsen, a Danish man who arrived in 1901 to work with Perito Pascasio Moreno and built the first houses in El Chaltén. Learn about their history, the challenges faced by Madsen and his family, and everyday life in an estancia over a century ago.
