El Chalten Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
El Chalten which includes tranquil scenes, a sunset and desert views
Framed by snow-capped mountains, majestic glaciers and deep-blue lakes, this village is Argentina’s trekking capital and a gateway to Parque Nacional de Los Glaciares.

Rustic El Chaltén is a paradise of stunning natural landscapes perched on the edge of Parque Nacional de Los Glaciares. Established in 1985 to prevent territorial claims from Chile, today the village is famous for being the trekking capital of Argentina. El Chaltén is the place to walk on giant ice fields, gaze in awe at Andean peaks, hike mountain trails and explore placid glacial lakes.

A great way to discover El Chaltén’s attractions is on foot. You’ll find treks ranging from 2 hours to 7 days, suitable for varied levels of fitness. Trail maps are available from the village’s Centro de Informes (Information Center) and Oficina de Turismo (Tourist Office).

Walk to the Mirador de los Cóndores lookout for panoramic views of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two striking Andean peaks. Follow a short trail to Cascada Chorrillo del Salto, a 65-foot (20-meter) tall waterfall. Hike through scenic backcountry to blue-tinted lakes such as Laguna Capri and Laguna Torre. Traverse an enchanting forest on your way to Huemul Glacier.

Avid hikers can join multi-day hikes to the 11,168-foot (3,405-meter) tall Mount Fitz Roy and 10,174-foot (3,102-meter) tall) Cerro Torre. Alternatively, join mountaineering excursions to towering ice-encrusted mountain crests.

Visit Viedma Glacier via a boat cruise on the tranquil lake water of Lago Viedma or kayak on the Río de las Vueltas. Other activities in El Chaltén include horseback riding, mountain biking and wildlife spotting. Keep watch for condors, eagles, llamas and the elusive puma.

Reach El Chaltén by catching a bus from El Calafate, which is 3-hour flight from Buenos Aires. Stay overnight at camping grounds, budget hostels and alpine-style lodges. Due to adverse weather conditions, the majority of the village’s tourism services shut down in winter. Beyond El Chaltén, you can visit the southern section of Parque Nacional de Los Glaciares and witness enormous chunks of ice breaking free from Perito Moreno Glacier and crashing into Lago Argentino.

Hostel Rancho Grande
Hostel Rancho Grande
2 out of 5
Av. San Martin 724, El Chalten, Santa Cruz
The price is NZ$150 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
NZ$150
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hostel in El Chalten. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Laguna Capri and Capilla de los Escaladores ...
9/10 Wonderful! (67 reviews)
Excellent hostel
"Great hostel and restaurant at a reasonable price!"

Reviewed on 25 Dec. 2023

Hostel Rancho Grande
Los Cerros del Chalten Boutique Hotel
Los Cerros del Chalten Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
Las Loicas 01, El Chalten, Santa Cruz
The price is NZ$392 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
NZ$392
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in El Chalten. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (82 reviews)
Best service
"Absolutely amazing service. Everyone was incredibly friendly and accommodating and went out of their way to help us during our stay. The views from the room and the breakfast area were out of this world and the beds were very very comfortable. Would highly recommend this hotel!"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Los Cerros del Chalten Boutique Hotel
Destino Sur Hotel & Spa de Montaña
Destino Sur Hotel & Spa de Montaña
3.5 out of 5
Lionel Terray 370, El Chalten, Santa Cruz
The price is NZ$367 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
NZ$367
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in El Chalten. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Laguna Capri and Capilla de los Escaladores ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (196 reviews)
Great Place in El Chalten
"This hotel was great! From the minute we walked in, our room was ready before normal check-in, and the staff was friendly and courteous."

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Destino Sur Hotel & Spa de Montaña
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Andino Aparts - El Chalten
Andino Aparts - El Chalten
2.5 out of 5
Llao Llao 45, El Chalten, Santa Cruz
Stay at this aparthotel in El Chalten. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and in-room childcare. Popular attractions Laguna Capri and Capilla de los Escaladores ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (65 reviews)
"Extremely nice and helpful staff - cannot say enough positive things about them!"

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2024

Andino Aparts - El Chalten
Chalten Camp - Glamping With A View
Chalten Camp - Glamping With A View
2 out of 5
Camino Cementerio S/N, El Chalten, Santa Cruz
Stay at this campground in El Chalten. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Capilla de los Escaladores and Laguna Capri are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"I did not realize how far I needed to drive along the river from the town but knew the reason as soon as I saw Fitz Roy view in front of the lodge. Staffs are very helpful and manage taxi and other accommodation we requested very well. Food was the best we had in Patagonia, using fresh ingredients ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2022

Chalten Camp - Glamping With A View
Cerro Electrico Upcycled Eco Stay
Cerro Electrico Upcycled Eco Stay
3 out of 5
Km 15 Ruta Provincial 41, El Chalten, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3-star cabin in El Chalten. Enjoy free parking, free grocery shopping service, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Salto El Chorrillo Waterfall ...
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
views!!!!
"The view is perfect. very quiet and relaxing. great home base for many hikes if you have transportation."

Reviewed on 4 Jan. 2024

Cerro Electrico Upcycled Eco Stay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

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Reviews of El Chalten

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
" "5 - Excellent 77.77777777777777%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 22.22222222222222%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Feb 2020

Have a massage and try the wine bar other end of town cool atmosphere and great platters

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 May 2019

It's a great place to visit for hiking and natural. You can see the changes in the small town which will probably keep growing with tourism, for maybe not the better. The environment there is fragile. So it would be ashame to see it change.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Mar 2019

Amazing little town, great place to base from and experience patagonia. Would return here, instead of doing the w trek!!