How to plan a trip to El Calafate and El Chaltén?
Combining a trip to El Calafate and El Chaltén allows you to experience two distinct landscapes of Argentine Patagonia. One is the glaciers of Los Glaciares National Park . The other is the mountain trails, with Mount Fitz Roy as their centerpiece. Both destinations are located in the province of Santa Cruz, about 220 km apart.
It's best to plan each visit separately. That way you don't spend the whole trip on the road, even if you enjoy the view and have some mate!
Here's a guide to help you combine the schedules of both destinations.
El Calafate is the most convenient base for visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier, exploring its walkways, or sailing on Lake Argentino. The town of El Calafate also offers other attractions, such as the round bay, which provides panoramic views of the lake and its surroundings.
El Chaltén is the starting point for trails leading to mountain viewpoints and lagoons. Fun fact: the Tehuelche people called Fitz Roy "Chaltén," meaning "smoking mountain," because clouds often obscure its summit.
The key is deciding how many days you have and what experiences excite you. If you want to walk on ice, you'll need almost a full day for the minitrekking . If you prefer the mountains, set aside entire days for the trails of El Chaltén.
How many days do you need to visit both destinations?
With five days you can see the main sights of both destinations. With six days or more, you have time for a longer hike. You can also wait for better weather. Here's a summary:
- 3 days: a tight itinerary, ideal if you prioritize the Perito Moreno Glacier and a short hike in El Chaltén. It's not enough time to comfortably complete the main excursions in either destination.
- 5 days: a better distributed option to visit Perito Moreno, do the mini-trekking and dedicate a day to a hike in El Chaltén.
- 6 days or more: the most convenient option if you want to combine mini-trekking with a longer hike. This could be Laguna de los Tres or Laguna Torre. It also gives you more flexibility if the weather changes.
Keep in mind that arrival and departure days often shorten your available time. If you have a flight, check transfer schedules and avoid strenuous walking right before you travel.
Logistics: How to get from El Calafate to El Chaltén
The trip from El Calafate to El Chaltén is about 220 km and takes approximately three hours by car. The route combines Provincial Route 11, National Route 40, and Provincial Route 23.
Fitz Roy appears on the horizon, and the landscapes of the mountain range accompany the journey. The trip offers a first glimpse of how special this region is.
If you're arriving from Río Gallegos , the capital of Santa Cruz province, you can continue by road to El Calafate. Another option is to fly to El Calafate Airport and arrange your transfer from there.
There are three ways to do it:
| Transport | Characteristics | Useful information |
| By bus | Regular services connect both areas and are convenient if you're traveling without a car. | If you want to make the most of your afternoon in El Chaltén, choose a tour that gives you time to settle in. For more details about the route and schedules, see the El Chaltén one-day tour guide from El Calafate. |
| By private transfer | You travel at your own pace without depending on regular transport schedules, and it's more comfortable. | Here you can check the private transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén . |
| By car | It gives you the freedom to change schedules and stop wherever you want. | Consider the cost of rent, fuel, and where to park it. |
If you want to extend your trip to Torres del Paine in Chile, the Self Drive package could be a good starting point. It includes El Calafate, El Chaltén, and Torres del Paine. However, this route takes more days than the itineraries in this guide.
You also need to check the border requirements. And verify the conditions for crossing with a rental car.
El Calafate: how to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier is the main attraction of El Calafate and it's advisable to book it in advance. It's located about 80 km from the town, within Los Glaciares National Park .
The traditional visit to Perito Moreno involves walking along the walkways. Find balconies at different levels to view the glacier's face, see it from various angles, and appreciate the blue hues of the Patagonian ice up close.
And if you're feeling even more adventurous, take the minitrekking excursion on the Perito Moreno Glacier. Add round-trip transportation to your itinerary and enjoy a hassle-free excursion. Book in advance to secure your spot.
Enhance your experience with the Safari Azul boat trip, ideal if you want to get up close to the ice face from the water. You'll feel the immensity of the glacier. And even more so if you witness a calving event! It's perfect if you want to explore the landscape without strenuous physical activity.
If you're looking for a bit more adventure, explore the Perito Moreno Glacier with a kayaking experience. The activity includes all necessary equipment and the accompaniment of expert guides.
Is the Minitrekking in Perito Moreno worth it?
The answer is a resounding yes: the minitrekking tour on the Perito Moreno Glacier is for those seeking something more active than the walkways. It combines transportation to the park with a 20-minute boat trip on the Brazo Rico arm of the glacier. It includes a guided hike and time to explore the walkways. You'll also walk on the ice and see blue formations, small meltwater lagoons, crevasses, and caves. The tour concludes with a whisky toast using ice from the glacier itself.
Allow about ten hours with transfers from El Calafate ; without transfers, about eight. The walk on the ice lasts around two hours. Therefore, it's best to set aside a full day for this tour .
Please note! Before booking, check the minimum and maximum age requirements, health and mobility restrictions, and included services. Entrance to Perito Moreno National Park, port fees, meals, and other expenses are not included.
El Chaltén: which hikes to choose depending on your time
In El Chaltén, almost everything revolves around the trails, and the length and difficulty of each one are key factors to consider when planning your trip. If you want to see everything the destination has to offer, check out the best excursions and things to do in El Chaltén.
Laguna de los Tres and Fitz Roy
Laguna de los Tres is one of the most popular routes in El Chaltén. It's between 20 and 25 km round trip, depending on the starting point and the water source, and usually takes between eight and nine hours. At the end of the trail, you'll find a challenging climb, but the reward is the best view of the turquoise lagoon with Fitz Roy in the background.
Tip: Book the Full Day Trip to El Chalten with Trekking to Laguna De Los Tres. Includes transfers and a specialized guide.
For a unique stay, try glamping with a trek to Laguna de los Tres. This includes accommodation in domes and full board. It also includes a self-guided hike of approximately 20 km (12 miles) and about seven hours. The hike starts from the complex itself.
Please note! This option lasts three days in El Chaltén , so it's not compatible with the three-day itinerary we suggest below. It's better suited to five- or six-day trips.
Laguna Torre
The hike to Laguna Torre is about 20 km round trip and takes between six and eight hours, with views of Cerro Torre. If you want to visit both lagoons, it's best to dedicate a full day to each one.
Shorter options
If you have little time or prefer something more peaceful, the Chorrillo del Salto and the Mirador de los Cóndores allow you to explore the surroundings.
That way, you don't need to take up the whole day.
Before you set out, check the trail conditions. Consult the forecast and frequently asked questions for Los Glaciares National Park .
Bring water, food, warm clothing, and appropriate footwear. And…be aware! The estimated duration does not guarantee that you will be able to complete the route if conditions change.
3, 5 and 6 day itineraries to combine El Calafate and El Chaltén
The best itinerary depends on your excursions and your arrival and departure times. We recommend using these as a starting point and adjusting them to the transportation options available on your dates.
3-day itinerary: a brief visit
- Day 1: El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Walkways or minitrekking; if you choose mini-trekking, don't schedule another excursion that day.
- Day 2: Transfer to El Chaltén. Travel in the morning if the schedule allows and, once you've settled in, take a short walk, such as to the Condor viewpoint.
- Day 3: Hike and return. Choose a trail you can complete before the transfer. Check the return times beforehand so you don't have to rush your hike.
5-day itinerary: a more relaxed visit
- Day 1: Arrival in El Calafate. Settle in and organize your visit to the park.
- Day 2: mini-trekking or walkways. Book the full day, taking into account transfers and schedules.
- Day 3: Transfer to El Chaltén. Travel with plenty of time and, if you have energy left, take a short hike. For glamping, the meeting point is between 2 pm and 5 pm.
- Day 4: Mountain trail. Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, or another route suited to your experience, without adding other demanding hikes. With glamping, the hike departs at 9:00 AM from the complex.
- Day 5: Return. Coordinate your transfer with your flight and allow three hours for travel. Check-out at the domes is until 10:00 AM.
6-day schedule: more time for walking
- Day 1: Arrival in El Calafate.
- Day 2: Perito Moreno, with minitrekking or walkways .
- Day 3: Transfer to El Chaltén and a short walk, if time allows.
- Day 4: Laguna de los Tres , if conditions are favorable.
- Day 5: Laguna Torre or another option depending on the weather. If you stayed in the domes, check-out is until 10:00 AM and you will need other accommodation that night.
- Day 6: Return. With an early flight, allow three hours for travel.
With more time, you don't have to choose between El Chaltén's two most famous hikes. If the forecast isn't good, you can change the order of the excursions.
Checklist: What to consider before booking
📅 Season: The Perito Moreno Glacier mini-trek operates from July to May, according to the tour's website. However, if you want to go hiking in El Chaltén, the best season is from October to April. During these months, the days are longer and the weather is generally better. It's advisable to book tours and accommodations in advance during this peak season.
🚌 Transfer times: be sure to confirm departures between both areas, especially if you are connecting with a flight or an excursion.
💸 Budget: Compare the total cost of excursions, transfers, tickets, meals and accommodation; the published price does not always include them.
Organize your tour of Patagonia
Combining El Calafate and El Chaltén is simpler when you first decide what experiences you want and then arrange your transportation and hotel. And most importantly: don't miss out on these wonders of Argentine Patagonia.
By: Agustina Panzani, Content Creator for BestArgentina.com
Published by BestArgentina.tours on 11/11/2026