El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif holidays
El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif holidays at a glance
This is walking country. El Chaltén sits at the northern end of Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the shadow of the Fitz Roy massif, a cluster of sheer granite towers that rise to around 3,400m. It’s a young settlement, founded only in 1985, and it has grown into Argentina’s trekking capital, a small, low-key town of cosy inns, smart lodges and lively little eateries where trails start straight from the streets.
The great appeal is the hiking. Trails climb through dark beech forest to gem-clear lagoons and lonely, wind-scoured steppe, with the ice-capped peaks looming above. The classic is the day hike to Laguna de los Tres, which ends at a glacial lake right beneath Fitz Roy itself. If you’re lucky with the notoriously changeable Patagonian weather and the clouds lift off the summit, it can be one of those views that stays with you.
The peaks themselves have long drawn climbers. The Tehuelche called the mountain Chaltén, or ‘smoking mountain’, for the clouds that so often wreathe its summit. Fitz Roy took its current name in 1877, after the captain of HMS Beagle. You don’t need to climb to enjoy it, though. A scenic three hour drive from El Calafate, El Chaltén pairs naturally with the Perito Moreno glacier for a fuller taste of southern Patagonia.
Not every walk here is a full-day trek. Shorter, well-marked trails lead to viewpoints, waterfalls and forest lakes within easy reach of town, so there’s plenty for non-experienced hikers or gentler days. North of El Chaltén, the fjord-like Lago del Desierto is ringed by forest and glaciers, and a boat trip across it is a fine way to rest tired legs while still soaking up the scenery.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Give it three nights so you’re not rushing the walks and the weather has time to turn in your favour. You don’t need to be a serious hiker to love it here.
When to visit El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif
The main trekking season runs roughly October to April, when the trails are open and the days are long. Seasons run opposite to the UK, and the Patagonian weather is famously changeable whatever the month, so build in time for the clouds to lift.
The peak summer months enjoy the sunniest, clearest weather and pleasant temperatures. Rainfall is limited, though there may be strong winds at this time. Most visitors arrive during these months so it is advisable to book hotels well in advance and be aware that hiking paths may be busy.
During the autumn months you’ll see the leaves turn rich gold and reds, perfect for photographers and keen hikers. Temperatures begin to cool off but many days will be sunny and, with any luck, clear enough to enjoy breathtaking views of the Fitz Roy massif.
In winter the temperatures drop considerably and nights are often below freezing. Many facilities will be closed, and some hiking trails become inaccessible due to snowfall. However, with few visitors and magnificent frozen landscapes, this is an atmospheric time to visit Patagonia at its most wild.
In spring the landscapes burst into life with colourful blooms and thriving wildlife to spot. Temperatures begin to warm up and days grow longer. With fewer visitors, this is a peaceful and picturesque time to hike and take in the scenery.
Top Things to do in El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif
This is a region for getting out on the trails, whatever your pace. Here’s what we recommend.
Set out into the wilderness from well-situated El Chaltén and get immersed in the spectacular landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park.
Get out into Patagonia’s remote wild landscapes with a boat trip on the Lago del Desierto.
Take three days to explore a compact national park boasting stunning scenery and the famous Fitz Roy massif.
Accommodation in El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif
Accommodation in and around El Chaltén runs from rustic, cosy inns to increasingly smart lodges, and we hand-pick each one for location and character. In town, you’re within walking distance of the trailheads, the restaurants and a well-earned craft beer, while a handful of lodges and estancias sit out towards the mountains for a quieter setting and open views. Staying in El Chaltén itself lets you make the most of long days on the trail.
Simple estancia-style hotel within Los Glaciares National Park – a quirkier and more typically Patagonian alternative to the conventional hotels in town.
This sparkling top-end Explora lodge offers superb wilderness experiences nestled below the jagged peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, deep within Los Glaciares National Park.
Friendly, charming inn with a corrugated iron exterior that evokes old Patagonian farms of the 1920s, offering a warm and cosy retreat after a trek.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif
Explore our fantastic range of holidays in El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif in Patagonia, Argentina. Book now with Journey Latin America.
Group El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Nandu: Peaks and plains of Patagonia
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Chilean Lake District (north) · Chilean Lake District (south) · Torres del Paine National Park · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif · Tierra del Fuego · Buenos Aires
20 days from £5,526
Tailor-Made El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Active Argentina: Walking in Patagonia
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Argentinian lake district · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif · Tierra del Fuego
15 days from £4,800
Active Patagonia: Classic treks in Argentina and Chile
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Torres del Paine National Park · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif · Buenos Aires
14 days from £5,030
Self-drive Argentina: Patagonia, lake district and Perito Moreno
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Argentinian lake district · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park
16 days from £4,500
Value Argentina: Explore Patagonia
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Argentinian lake district · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park · El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif
13 days from £3,250
FAQs about visiting El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif
El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif?
The best months for hiking are Mar-Apr, when autumn foliage is stunning. Many hikers also visit in summer – Dec-Jan – along with non-trekkers so it can be very busy at that time. Days are long and mild then but it can be windy, as in spring (Sep-Oct). In the winter months Jun-Aug it is very cold and access routes can be blocked by snow, and facilities closed.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in El Chalten?
The main language spoken in El Chalten is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in El Chalten and Fitz Roy Massif?
The Argentine Peso is the main currency used in El Chalten. Argentina is more cash-orientated than the UK and some other Latin American countries.
- What is the time difference between El Chalten and the UK?
The time difference between El Chalten and the UK is GMT -3 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, but this is announced ad hoc on a year-on-year basis.
- What places combine well with El Chalten and Fitz Roy Massif?
El Calafate in the southern sector of the park, to visit the Perito Moreno glacier, 215 km (3-4hs); Tierra del Fuego for visit to Lapataia National Park and Beagle Channel (flight from El Calafate 1.5hrs); via El Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, 425 km, (7hrs scenic drive).
- How do I get to El Chalten and Fitz Roy Massif?
Daily flights from Buenos Aires take 3.5hrs to El Calafate, thence it is 3hrs by road to El Chaltén; from Ushuaia the flight to El Calafate is 1.5hrs.
- Do I need to be an experienced hiker?
Not at all. The trails range from short, gentle walks of an hour or so to full-day treks like Laguna de los Tres, so there’s something for every level. If you’d rather take it easy, there’s still plenty to enjoy, from town lookouts to a boat trip on Lago del Desierto.
- How many days do I need in El Chaltén?
We’d suggest at least two or three nights so you can tackle a couple of walks and allow for the changeable weather. It combines naturally with El Calafate and the Perito Moreno glacier, which most travellers do as part of a wider Patagonia trip.
- What’s the difference between El Chaltén and El Calafate?
Both lie within Los Glaciares National Park but offer different experiences. El Chaltén, covered on this page, is Argentina’s trekking capital, the base for the Fitz Roy trails. El Calafate, three hours south, is the gateway to the Perito Moreno glacier, ice walks and Lago Argentino cruises. Most people pair them, and we can link the two into a single Patagonia trip.
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