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Things to do in El Chalten

5 Incredibly Exciting Things to Do in El Chalten, Argentina

Home » DESTINATIONS » 5 Incredibly Exciting Things to Do in El Chalten, Argentina

Last Modified: January 29, 2023 //  by Anda //  22 Comments

Located in Argentinian Patagonia, in northern sector of Los Glaciares National Park, the mountain town of El Chalten was founded in the early 1980s as an outpost of Argentina, to anticipate Chile’s claim for that area. Although it started as a frontier town, El Chalten soon became the “trekking capital of the world.”

hiking, one of the best things to do in El Chalten
View of the Smoking Mountain in El Chalten

Its great location next to two of the most impressive peaks in Patagonia – Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre– attracts mountaineers from all over the world. Since hiking is one of the best things to do in El Chalten, the town mainly catered to trekkers and backpackers so far. However, as more and more main stream tourist are flooding Argentinian Patagonia every year, El Chalten began expanding madly.

5 Best Things to Do in El Chalten

There are quite a few things to do in El Chaltén, most of them related to outdoor activities. You can choose from hiking, rafting, and horse back riding to glacier visiting and lake cruising. 

   1. Hike one of the world famous trails

Hiking is without a doubt the main attraction and one of the best things to do in El Chalten. There are several world famous treks that start in in town. Some of these hikes are quite easy and can be attempted even by families with small children. Others are longer and more difficult and are great for more seasoned hikers.

One of the easiest hikes in El Chalten is Salto El Chorrillo, a beautiful waterfall located just a short walk from the town center. The hike only takes a little over an hour (round trip) and is a nice place place to photograph or for a picnic. Because it’s proximity to town, Salto El Chorrillo is almost always crowded.

Hiking the Salto El Chorrillo, one of the best things to do in El Chalten
Hiking the Salto El Chorrillo, one of the best things to do in El Chalten

Another beautiful and easy hike from El Chalten is the Miradores Los Condores and Las Aguilar. This hike is also a short walk from the town and it’s a great place to enjoy incredible views of El Chalten and the mountains around it. It’s a nice trail if you are not up for a more difficult hike.

If you are looking for longer but moderate hikes, there are quite a few options. One is to Mirador Piedras Blancas which offers a fantastic view of the Piedras Blancas Glacier across the valley. Or you can try the hike to Laguna Capri from where you can enjoy great views of the the Fitz Roy and the surrounding peaks.

View of Mirador Piedras Blancas in El Chalten
Mirador Piedras Blancas

The most popular hike from El Chalten is definitely the Fitz Roy trek. Hiking to Laguna de Los Tres and the base of Mt. Fitz Roy is the very reason hikers and backpackers from all over the world flock to El Chalten.

The hike can be done in a day if the weather is good. Some trekkers choose to split it in two days and spend the night along the route, as the last mile to the top is quite steep and difficult to do.  

Things to do in El Chalten: hiking to Laguna de Los Tres
Hiking to Laguna de Los Tres

   2. Take a boat trip to Viedma Glacier

If you love the outdoors but hiking is not for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other things to do in El Chalten. Just a few kilometers south of town lies the beautiful Lago Viedma.

Named after the Spanish explorer Antonio de Viedma, who in 1783 reached its shores, this blue glacial lake is fed primarily by the Viedma Glacier at its western end. 

taking the boat on Viedma Lake in El Chalten
Taking to boat on Lago Viedma near El Chalten
View of Viedma Glacier from the boat
View of the Viedma Glacier from the boat

This ride will take you across Lake Viedma, passing by Mount Huemul before approaching the Viedma Glacier. The boats leave from the picturesque Bahía Túnel harbor, located in a natural protected bay, a few hundred meters away from the delta formed by the Túnel River.

   3. Visit Lago del Desierto

One of the best things to do in El Chalten (besides hiking) is visiting the beautiful Lago del Desierto. This is one of the less visited but most beautiful lakes in Argentinian Patagonia.

The road to Lago del Desierto goes through an amazingly scenic area, following Rio de las Vueltas, and passing by spectacular waterfalls, pristine meadows and dense Lenga forests. The Fitz Roy peaks are in sight all along the way.

Lago del Desierto a few km from El Chalten
Boats on Lago del Desierto

Despite its name (that suggests a desert area) there is a lot of vegetation around Lago del Desierto. As far as the eye can see, there are acres and acres of beautiful forests.

In fall, when the green turns to various shades of reds, orange and yellows, this area becomes a photographer’s paradise!

Crossing a bridge at Lago del Desierto a few km away El Chalten
Crossing the bridge on the other side of Lago del Desierto

Besides enjoying the scenery, you can also take a boat out onto the blue-green waters of the lake. Catamarans leave from the pier and journey across the lake, making trips that last about 45 minutes.

   4. Enjoy some amazing craft beer

I am not a beer drinker, but my husband is and he says that the beer in El Chalten’s is the best that he had ever tried. As it appears, the quality of the beer is due not only to the ingredients they use, but also to the Andean water they have here. The beer is not filtered and therefore the flavor is quite intense. 

   5. Eat traditional Patagonian lamb

While most of Argentina is famous for its beef, Argentinian Patagonia is famous for its lamb. It may be difficult to find lamb on the menu in other parts of the country, but in El Chalten’s restaurants lamb is a staple.

The lamb is prepared in a traditional way, roasted over an open fire. When it’s served the lamb is crispy on the outside and soft and succulent on the inside. The bones almost fall of by themselves as soon as you touch it. 

Eating Patagonia roasted lamb in El Chalten
Traditional Patagonia roasted lamb

If you liked this post and want to see Patagonia, please check out my other posts about visiting Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

How to Get to El Chalten

Most travelers arrive to El Chaltén from El Calafate, which has daily flights from Ushuaia and Buenos Aires. There are quite a few nice hotels in El Calafate, so many people choose stay here when visiting the Argentinean Patagonia because it’s cheaper.

To get to El Chalten from El Calafate you’ll need to take the bus or rent a car. The road is completely paved and poses no difficulties. 

Crossing point between Chile and Argentina on the road to El Chalten
Crossing point between Chile and Argentina on the road to El Chalten

You can also arrive to El Chalten from Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, via RN40. There are busses that travel on this route, or you can rent a car.

The road from Torres del Paine is 403 km long and it takes about 5.5 hours, plus the time that you spend for border crossing. This route is obviously longer and it only makes sense for those who plan to visit Chilean Patagonia as well.

Where to Eat in El Chaltén

Despite its remoteness, El Chaltén has surprisingly good dining options. From small eateries with casual dining areas to very sophisticated and expensive restaurants with an eclectic global menu, you can find almost everything here.

Just be advised that no credit cards are being accepted at the restaurants in El Chaltén, so be prepared to carry cash with you. The good news is that they all accept foreign denominations, like US Dollars, or Euros.

Lodging in El Chalten

There are quite a few lodging options in El Chalten, from modest and inexpensive hostels to high end hotels.

If you are looking for a decent place at an affordable price, I would recommend Hotel Poincenot, or Hosteria Sendero, a small bed-and-breakfast where we stayed.

Bed and Breakfast in El Chalten
Bed-and-Breakfast in El Chalten

If you are not on a budget, you can choose bigger hotels like Chaltén Suites Hotel, or Destino Sur.

Chalten Suites Hotel
Chalten Suites Hotel

For those interested in staying closer to the hiking trails there are some good options too, like Hosteria El Pilar, a 3-star guesthouse located right at the trail head of Laguna de Los Tres.

Category: Argentina, DESTINATIONS, South AmericaTag: Destination Guides, Patagonia

About Anda

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jyoti basu

    January 7, 2020 at 10:51 pm

    I love taking photos and I’m glad there are posts like these, it’s so useful. Thanks for sharing this information and keep updating us.

    Reply
  2. Jitaditya

    May 3, 2019 at 1:15 am

    Loved these expansive views! I have always fantasized Patagonia because it sounds remote and epic. But to be honest, I never knew much about it!

    Reply
  3. Suruchi Mittal

    May 2, 2019 at 3:05 am

    El Chaten is so beautiful and looks like a paradise. Trek to Mirador Piedras Blancas surely offers a fantastic view of the Piedras Blancas Glacier across the valley and it is so damn gorgeous. The boat trip to Vietma Glacier, Visit to Lago del Desierto all too are equally exciting options and the colors in your images are breathtaking.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 2, 2019 at 4:38 pm

      Thank you, Suruchi.

      Reply
  4. Medha Verma

    May 2, 2019 at 1:24 am

    I have never heard of El Chalten but as you say it’s quite a remote place which was mostly popular for hikers and backpackers and has only just begun to be visited by mainstream travellers, I guess it was a hidden gem and has been discovered now! I would love to do the Salto El Chorrillo hike to the waterfall and even the Mirador Piedras Blancas with the view of the glacier; easy to moderate is how I would define my level. The Fitz Roy trek looks the best but I am not sure it is something I’d be able to do!

    Reply
  5. Nicole LaBarge

    April 27, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    That lamb on the spit looks divine. There is so much to do in El Chalten. I need to go to the glaciers there.

    Reply
  6. Shem Hooda

    June 1, 2018 at 11:29 am

    I’ve only just touched the Argentine border but your post is making me want to get back there ASAP! I didn’t realize the hiking capital of the world existed in El Chalten. The hubs and I loveeee hiking so this seems like an amazing guide to follow whenever we go. Love the ease of navigating your post and other ones on your site!

    Reply
  7. Francesca Murray

    May 31, 2018 at 6:05 pm

    Wow, I didn’t realize El Chalten was the trekking capital of the world! I haven’t been to Argentina yet but hiking isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. It’s usually tango and steaks! The nature looks absolutely stunning, especially Lago del Desierto

    Reply
  8. Vibeke

    May 31, 2018 at 4:32 am

    The pictures look amazing, I have heard a lot about El Chalten, but not been yet. It is on my bucket list for sure. I love how detailed this guide is and the tips are so useful. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  9. Deeptha

    May 31, 2018 at 4:24 am

    Never heard of El Chalten prior to reading your post, Anda. Just shows that there is so much to explore in this world. I love the landscape of El Chalten and the fact that they have hiking trails. The views of the glacier are also stunning. It looks like a complete outdoor destination with lakes, glaciers, hiking trails, waterfalls, forests and craft beer 🙂

    Reply
  10. Ambuj Saxena

    May 31, 2018 at 12:11 am

    El Chalten looks alluring and amazing place to do some adventure activities. The waterfall looks amazing too! I would love to pay a visit to this place! Thanks for a new addition to my bucket list

    Reply
  11. Elaine Masters

    May 29, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    That is a part of the world I knew nothing about but it’s absolutely gorgeous. Love all the varieties of activities and I’m so impressed by your hiking skills. The colors of the glaciers and that foliage are like magnets. Thanks for enlightening me about this part of the world.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 30, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      Patagonia is great visiting even if you are not a hiker, Elaine. Hope you’ll get to see it someday.

      Reply
  12. prabhu

    May 27, 2018 at 10:39 pm

    This summer we all planning to go there for holiday, your post is quite helpful to guide us clearly. and it seems you enjoyed your trip a lot. Thanks for sharing good travel experience.

    Reply
  13. Lydia

    May 23, 2018 at 10:13 am

    This is one exceptional town, Anda! El Chalten sounds like a great hiking destination and I guess it deserves a place on my bucket list. When would it be the best time of the year to explore El Chalten?

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      May 25, 2018 at 3:53 pm

      El Chanten is indeed worth visiting, Lydia. As for the best time of the year, except for winter when it is closed down, El Chalten is beautiful no matter when you go.

      Reply
  14. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    May 20, 2018 at 10:29 am

    Those views are incredible. It’s great to hear there are other options besides hiking but that there are also easier and shorter hiking trails. How neat it would be so that lamb cooking like that. My husband is a big fan of the outdoors, meat, lamb and beer. So, these are great incentives for a trip there. We’d love to visit someday soon.

    Reply
  15. Jessica

    May 20, 2018 at 10:29 am

    Wow, how gorgeous! I’ve always wanted to go to Argentina. In fact, I almost moved there a couple years ago. Hopefully I can make it soon, these hikes look incredible!

    Reply
  16. jill

    May 18, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    All your photos of this area are stunning! It makes me want to visit right now!

    Reply
  17. Jessica Norah

    May 18, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    That waterfall looks beautiful, and the hikes in that area sound great. I love lamb and beef so I think I’d easy find some good meals in Argentina 😉

    Reply
  18. Claire

    May 15, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    I am so excited about going to Patagonia, I hope to make it there next year! I’ve heard amazing things about the whole of Patagonia, and El Chaltén. I’m surprised there are so many good places to eat here, but very pleased – I’d love to try the lamb! And how amazing is the view from Mirador Piedras Blancas??!

    Reply
  19. Rhonda Albom

    May 15, 2018 at 4:08 am

    The town sounds like a good staging area for all the hikes and treks. I like the blue ice of the glaciers in the photos.

    Reply

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