Los Glaciares National Park & Fitz Roy Trek

Best Hikes of Patagonia
Trip Length: 6 Days
Group Size: 1-15
Difficulty
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Do you fancy exploring the gems of Argentine Patagonia? Wander through the astonishing Los Glaciares National Park, home to Mount Fitz Roy and The Perito Moreno Glacier.

Join the ranks of those who have marveled at some of Patagonia’s most astounding treasures on this trip, bringing you face to face with the epic Perito Moreno Glacier, and the towering heights of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

PAT090_Patagonia_Rio Blanco

 

Highlights

Highlights

  • Visit Calafate and Chalten.
  • Ice Trek on Perito Moreno Glacier.
  • Optional Finish in Punta Arenas.
  • Explore Los Glaciares National Park.
  • Superb Trek to Laguna Los Tres.
  • Challenging Hike to Lago Torre.
  • Best Views of Mount Fitz Roy.

Itinerary

Day 1: The Patagonian Adventure Starts

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Waking up early, we’ll kick off with a drive to the Cerro Castillo border with Argentina. Then, after passing through customs, we will continue to El Calafate, a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park, bathed in dramatic scenery and natural beauty. If there are fellow travelers starting the trip in Calafate, we’ll meet them in town.
In Calafate, a local guide will meet us and give us a trip briefing as we tuck into lunch. Next, we will continue with a semi-private transfer to El Chalten, a tiny outpost beside Los Glaciares National Park, and at the foot of the impressive Mount Fitz Roy. The drive will take us across isolated dirt roads, through the pampas and along the northern end of Viedma lake. Once we’ve checked into our hotel in El Chalten, it’s time to get some rest and prepare for the upcoming days.

N.B. The following excursions around El Chaltén might vary in order
For more details about trekking distances and walking time see our Trekking Chart.

Overnight Hosteria Senderos 3*, El Chaltén.

Day 2: Hike to Laguna Torre

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Today we do a full day hike along the Cerro Torre trail to Laguna Torre, a stunning mountain lake with the majestic Mount Torre in the background. We set off after breakfast walking eastwards following the trail through beech forests towards Fitz Roy river. We continue towards Base Camp de Agostini and then do a short hike to Laguna Torre, admiring the western view of Cerro Torre and the Adela range. Icebergs can be seen peacefully floating on Laguna Torre as the wind pushes them towards the coast. We stop at various points to appreciate the magnificent view and enjoy a picnic. Later, we return to Chalten following the same trail. Upon our return, we are free to enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Chalten’s cozy restaurants before heading back to our hotel from the previous night.

Overnight Hosteria Senderos 3*, El Chalten.

Day 3: Laguna Los Tres

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Today we trek to Laguna Los Tres, with a great view of Mount Fitz Roy - the landmark of Los Glaciares National Park! We begin our hike by heading towards Laguna Capri, passing its northern corner. Then we follow the Fitz Roy Trail up to Blanco river, passing the mountaineering camp Poicenot. Finally, a short steep trail takes us to Laguna de Los Tres where we witness one of the park’s most marvelous natural scenes - the turquoise-blue of the lagoon framed by Fitz Roy’s spires and glaciers. Here is the perfect time to enjoy our picnic and soak up the scenery while relaxing in such a memorable place. When everyone’s ready we hike back to Laguna Capri and continue along the trail back to tiny Chalten to spend the final night in our hotel here.

Overnight Hosteria Senderos 3*, El Chalten.

Day 4: Pliegue Tumbado Trek & El Calafate

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

After an hour or so of walking a slight incline and forging our path through some enchanting woods of lenga beeches and ñire trees, we will stumble upon an open space called the Pampa de las Carretas, providing us with panoramic, stunning views of Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the Huemul glacier. The path will then curve back into the leafy forest, where we will no doubt be lucky enough to spot many native bird species. As the forest thins, we will find ourselves in a bleaker, more mountainous landscape, with the path leading us to the Pliegue Tumbado viewpoint. During this stretch, we’ll have no trouble finding marine fossils, such as ammonites and belemnites, which are over 100 million years old. This viewpoint will give us a spectacular view of almost the entire area: the Fitz Roy River Canyon, Cerro Torre and the glacier, the Madre and Hija Lagoons, Mount Fitz Roy and even the Cóndor Lagoon. Casting your eyes out from a different angle, you’ll glimpse Lake Viedma and the Túnel River Valley, as well as the Paso del Viento, the entrance point to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. We will then return to Chalten to gather our luggage and begin our semiprivate journey back to El Calafate, following the same pampas-lined roads which welcomed us upon our arrival. Once we get back to El Calafate, you can check out a nice place for dinner before heading back to the hotel.

Overnight Hotel Kosten Aike 3*, El Calafate.

Day 5: Glacier Perito Moreno

El Calafate, Argentina

We enjoy an early breakfast and board the minibus heading to Perito Moreno glacier. After a couple of hours, we reach Los Glaciares National Park and continue driving to Bajo de las Sombras bay sector where we board the boat that sails approximately twenty minutes on Lago Rico to reach the southern wall of the glacier. On the otherside, the guide gives us a short talk about the formation of glaciers with other interesting details about local geology. From this point, we do a short walk to the edge of the glacier where we’re given the crampons to be fitted to our shoes. Now we start the ice trekking adventure! As we walk ahead we have spectacular views of the glacier and its surroundings. Our trek finishes at a little ice bar serving whiskey on freshly chopped millenary ice from the glacier.

After enjoying our box lunch, we continue to the footbridges with multiple viewpoints of the glacier’s incredible north side with its mighty cracking walls. Here we’re free to enjoy the surroundings at our leisure. After the thrilling encounter with the glacier, we drive back to Calafate for the final night in our hotel here.

Alternatively, you can choose to do the "Big Ice" glacier hike also on Glacier Perito Moreno (additional costs apply - age limit 18 to 50 years old).

Overnight Hotel Kosten Aike 3*, El Calafate.

Day 6: Adiós

El Calafate, Argentina

Today marks the end of our memorable trip... Adios Patagonia, hopefully, we’ll meet again! After having breakfast, a transfer will take us to the airport and we’re free to continue traveling on our own or to take another extension with Cascada.

*Alternatively, you can end your trip in Punta Arenas (additional costs apply).

Accommodation

Hostería Senderos (Nights 1-3) or similar

Inside Los Glaciares National Park, at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy, this 3* classic Patagonian inn in El Chaltén offers warm, professional service.

Hotel Kosten Aike (Nights 4-5) or similar

Nestled in a charming cabin-style building, this serene hotel is situated in a quaint mountain town within the Lago Argentino department. Just a leisurely 9-minute stroll away, you'll discover the breathtaking beauty of the picturesque Lake Argentino.

Included

Included

  • 3 stars hotels: 3 nights in El Chalten, 2 nights in Calafate City.
  • All transportation in semi-private vans
  • Park Fees.
  • 1 bilingual escorting guide during Chalten excursions.
  • 1 bilingual escorting guide during Perito Moreno ice-trekking excursion.
  • Crampons during Perito Moreno ice-trekking excursion.
  • Meals:
    • Day 1: Lunch or box lunch.
    • Day 2: Breakfast and box lunch.
    • Day 3: Breakfast and box lunch.
    • Day 4: Breakfast and box lunch.
    • Day 5: Breakfast and box lunch.
    • Day 6: Breakfast.

Not included

  • Flight tickets.
  • Insurance. (it’s mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
  • Voluntary tipping to guides and staff.
  • Items of personal nature.
  • Optional Finish in Punta Arenas.
  • Optional ice trekking in Viedma Glacier.

Facts

Departures

Regular departures every Thursday and Sunday*

*In case you need to start your trip any other day, be aware that an extra charge applies to regular departures.

Optional

Optional Supplement for ice trek "Big Ice".

Optional extension to finish in Punta Arenas 3* hotel.

Ask for solo traveler departures and prices.

Starting / finishing point

The trip starts every day either in Ecocamp Patagonia, Torres del Paines at 9:30 am or at Calafate City at 1:30 pm. The trip finishes at Calafate Airport at 10 am. For those taking the extension to finish in Punta Arenas, the trip finishes at Punta Arenas Airport on day 7. For domestic flights, you have to be at the airport 1 hour before the flight leaves.

Physical demands

This is the right trip for energetic people who like to be active, have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. To enjoy this trek it’s essential to be in shape before you arrive. It’s not wise to regard this trek as a means of getting into shape or losing excess weight. Start a program of conditioning well before departure.

Note: Due to operational insurance issues, the age limit for doing the ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier (day 5) is 65 years old. If a passenger exceeds this age then an alternative excursion to the Glacier will be arranged. In case you change ice trek offered on day 5 for "Big Ice" trek, please note that age limit is 18 to 50 years old.

Age: Walk best fits for age between 18 and 50 years.

Restrictions: Due to the degree of effort and difficulty that this excursion presents, it is NOT allowed for: pregnant women, people with overweight, disabilities, or health problems.

Group size guiding staff

8-12 travelers is the most typical group size plus guiding staff. The maximum is 14 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:6

Transport

In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people. When we have only 2 to 4 people we use smaller vehicles, usually 4x4, driven by the tour guide. On the regular departure trips, you‘ll share the vehicle with other EcoCamp guests joining other tours. On the private departure, the vehicle will be for your use exclusively, although transfers for private groups may be combined owing to our environmental policy compelling our operators to keep to the lowest possible environmental impact and thus avoid driving the same way at the same time with two half-empty vehicles.

Weather

The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Ice field influence make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to March) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºC max, 2ºC min).

Children policy

Youngsters who are 13 years of age or older are welcome and are considered adults.

Children between 10 and 12 may be accepted in this program if the child’s legal guardian sends a formal letter stating that the child is prepared for such an intense trekking trip and authorizes us to hire a private guide in the case that the child cannot perform well during the trek.

Children under 10 years of age cannot participate in this trip.
This trip doesn’t offer a special discount for children.

What you need to bring

We’ll send you a complete pre-trip info brochure once you book, including things you need to bring in detail. Meanwhile take a look at some general items to have in mind: day backpack (20-30lt), duffel bag (70 liters), waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sunscreen, hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear.

Itinerary modifications

We reserve the right to change the itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide, based on safety and/or operational considerations.

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We are a Chilean owned adventure tour operator, based in Santiago de Chile, operating adventure tours in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Our base prices are in Chilean Pesos (CLP), but we charge prices in USD based on the exchange rate valid on the day of payment.

Destinations | Chile

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