Argentine Patagonia is one of the most wildly beautiful places on Earth. Despite its extreme weather and remote location, the area is surprisingly accessible and welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
I spent two weeks exploring El Chalten and El Calafate and loved every moment of it. With its rugged mountains, breathtaking glaciers and glacial lakes, it was some of the most spectacular scenery I’ve ever seen.
In this post, I’ve shared an El Calafate and El Chalten itinerary for your Patagonia adventure including how long to spend there, the best time of year to visit and the ultimate Argentina Patagonia itinerary. This itinerary can be adapted to suit the amount of time you have. Personally, I’d dedicate at least a week to exploring the two destinations, but you can see the highlights in less.
How many days to spend in El Calafate?
El Calafate is the gateway to Argentine Patagonia and is surrounded by several natural wonders, and the famous Perito Moreno Glacier is what draws most people to the area.
Many visitors opt to spend just one day in El Calafate to see the Perito Moreno Glacier before moving on, but I’d suggest spending at least two or even three days there. The area has some brilliant things to do, including visiting La Leona Petrified Forest and exploring the town of El Calafate itself, which has some great hidden gems.
You can also use El Calafate as a base for doing a day trip to El Chalten (although I’d personally suggest spending some time in El Chalten).
How many days to spend in El Chalten?
El Chalten is Argentina’s hiking capital, so it goes without saying that the main activity is hiking or admiring Mount Fitz Roy from afar.
If you have no intention of hiking and simply want to see Fitz Roy, you can visit El Chalten as a day trip from El Calafate. If you want to split the driving over two days, you can also opt to spend a night there which will give you enough time to explore the town and tackle one of the hikes.
For those who want to take on several of the epic hikes in El Chalten, I suggest spending at least three days there. This will give you time to hike a couple of the iconic trails and give you a buffer for bad weather (which Patagonia is renowned for).
Best time of year to visit Argentine Patagonia
The best time of year to visit Patagonia is between December and March which is also the high season. These summer months provide the best hiking opportunities in Patagonia. While it can be very windy during this period, the weather tends to be on the calmer side and the hiking trails are all accessible.
Many of the trails are covered in snow and ice during the winter, making hiking potentially dangerous. Many tour operators, restaurants, and accommodations also close for the winter, especially in El Chalten.
If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, consider visiting in November or March/April.
El Calafate vs El Chalten
If you’re very limited on time and don’t have time to visit both El Chalten and El Calafate, which do you choose? Well, El Calafate can be used as a base for a day trip to El Chalten, so that’s one thing to consider. However, I personally preferred El Chalten.
The small town of El Chalten is surrounded by some of the most magnificent scenery I’ve ever seen in my life. It has a real ski-town feel to it but for hiking instead. It’s where you’ll get to see the iconic Mount Fitz Roy and tackle several world-class hiking trails.
El Calafate is a little bigger and busier, but it’s well worth visiting if you have the time. The main reason to visit El Calafate is to see the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the best things to do in all of Patagonia. Even with a car, you’ll struggle to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier on a day trip from El Chalten.
If you can, try and dedicate at least half a day in El Calafate to see the glacier. You can do shorter tours or use a shuttle service. Alternatively, you can pay for a taxi.
Do you need a car?
You don’t need to hire a car for El Calafate and El Chalten. It’s very easy to get around without one. Several coach companies run regular buses between El Calafate airport, the town centre, and El Chalten.
Granted, having a car means you’ll be able to explore the area without having to join organised tours. It also means you’ll be able to travel further afield and get off the beaten path. However, most of the main attractions are easily accessible without a car either via walking, organised tours, or a coach.
In El Chalten, all of the hikes are within walking distance from the main town. I don’t feel like I missed out by not having a car at all. My only grievance was not being able to stop for photos on the scenic drive from El Calafate to El Chalten, but it wouldn’t have been worth the cost of renting a car.
If you decide to rent a car, I recommend using Rental Cars to find the best deal.
El Calafate Itinerary (1 – 3 days)
Let’s start this El Calafate and El Chalten itinerary with the bigger of the two, El Calafate. The airport is located in El Calafate, and if you’re flying in, this will be where you begin your Argentine Patagonia trip. During the peak season, there are regular flights from Buenos Aires, Bariloche, and Ushuaia.
El Calafate airport is also where you can pick up your rental car (if you are hiring one) or take the bus or shuttle bus to El Chalten/El Calafate town centre.
If you’re travelling from Chile, such as Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, you can book your bus through Bus Bud. Regular buses run between the destinations.
You can do this itinerary in reverse and begin in El Chalten instead. It doesn’t make much difference.
Day 1: Land and explore El Calafate
Once you’ve settled in, spend the rest of the day exploring El Calafate. The main town is lined with cute shops and restaurants as well as breweries. There are also lots of tour agencies offering last-minute discounts on nearby attractions. If you haven’t booked your activities in advance, it’s worth seeing what last-minute deals you can get.
Day 2: The Perito Moreno Glacier
Spend your first full day in El Calafate by ticking off a major bucket list activity – visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier, the main attraction in the area. There are several ways to explore this wonder of nature, including an organised tour, shuttle bus or DIY.
There are also several activities at the glacier including trekking, kayaking and a boat cruise.
Here’s a quick overview of how to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier.
The easiest way: join an organised tour
The easiest way to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier is to join an organised day tour. Several tour operators offer these tours, including larger coach tours and smaller group tours. Most tours pick you up from your hotel, making it convenient and hassle-free.
There are plenty of tour options to choose from, including ones that include a guided tour or ones that simply drop you off and pick you up. You can also add a boat tour which gets you closer to the glacier.
Note: Most of the tours exclude the entry fee to Los Glaciares National Park, you’ll need to pay this on arrival.
The cheapest way: get a bus or shuttle bus
The cheapest way to visit Perito Moreno is to take a bus from the El Calafate bus terminal or your hotel. This simply picks you up and takes you to the glacier, returning later in the day to take you home.
The regular buses only operate during the peak season and you can book via Bus Bud. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus which is slightly more expensive but will pick you up from your hotel.
The price ranges between $30 USD – $60 USD return depending on which option you go for.
The way with the most freedom: take a taxi (or drive yourself)
Arguably, the best way to visit the glacier is to drive yourself or take a taxi. This gives you complete freedom to go at your own pace and on your own schedule. It also means you can try and avoid the crowds by arriving early in the morning or after the coaches have left.
The cost of a taxi to the Perito Moreno Glacier is around $100 USD each way (February 2024). You’ll need to pay the entry fee to the park on top of this. It’s expensive, but if there’s a group of you to split the cost, it won’t be much difference to an organised tour or even the bus.
Other activities at the glacier
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you could consider trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier or even kayaking.
If you opt for kayaking, this tour includes all of your transport and a chance to explore the walkways. While the activity isn’t exactly cheap, it’s certainly an unforgettable experience.
Day 3: La Leona Petrified Forest
The next day, get off the beaten path and visit a lesser-known area of Argentine Patagonia. Visiting La Leona Petrified Forest was one of the best things I did on my solo trip to Argentina. This area is unlike anywhere else I visited in Argentina.
La Leona is about an hour’s drive from El Calafate. This barren area has a lunar-like landscape and is filled with petrified trees and dinosaur fossils. Scientists are constantly discovering new fossils in the area, so it’s a really cool place to explore.
Due to the area being on private land, you can only visit La Leona as part of an organised tour from El Calafate (or drive yourself halfway there).
The full-day tour involves hiking through the barren landscape, learning about the fossils and petrified trees and also includes lunch. It was a really fun day trip, and I’m so happy I decided to include it on my Argentina itinerary.
You can book the exact tour I did to La Leona Petrified Forest here.
Day 4: Other things to do in El Calafate
If you have some extra days in El Calafate, consider one of the following activities.
Visit the nature reserve
Take a stroll to Reserva Laguna Nimez which is next to Lago Argentino. It’s home to a variety of bird species, including flamingoes. Yes, you can see flamingoes in El Calafate! There is a boardwalk around the lagoon which takes one to two hours to complete. In February 2024, it cost me around $11 USD to enter, but the money goes back into protecting the wildlife.
Spend a day admiring glaciers
The Perito Moreno Glacier isn’t the only glacier accessible from El Calafate. As the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, several glaciers can be explored on a day trip from El Calafate.
One of the best ways to do this is to join a full-day boat cruise. These trips take you to see other glaciers, such as Upsala and Spegazzini. These glaciers are much less visited than the famous Perito Moreno but are equally as impressive.
Visit the Glaciarium
The El Calafate Glaciarium is a great spot for those who want to learn more about the area’s glaciers, including how they’re formed and why they’re so impressive. A free shuttle operates from El Calafate.
Wander the market and try some beer
El Calafate is home to a variety of artisanal markets, breweries and souvenir shops. Build some time into your itinerary to explore the town itself and try some of the local delicacies.
Visit Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine is another famous National Park in South America. In all honesty, the park warrants way more than a day trip (some people spend over a week exploring the area), but if you only have a day, consider a day trip from El Calafate.
It takes around four hours to reach Torres del Paine, and there’s also a border crossing involved, so it’s a very full-on day. However, the area is known to have some of the most beautiful scenery in South America. A day trip is a great taster of what Chilean Patagonia has to offer.
El Chalten Itinerary (2 – 7 days)
Next on this El Calafate and El Chalten itinerary is the trip to El Chalten. The small mountain town is about a 3-hour drive from El Calafate. Regular buses connect the two destinations. If you have a car, the road is paved, and it’s a relatively easy drive.
The road to El Chalten is known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world (on a clear day at least). If you get the bus, try and sit on the left-hand side to get the best views. Unfortunately, the buses don’t stop for photos.
Day 1: Arrive in El Chalten and explore the town
Once you arrive in El Chalten, settle into your accommodation and explore the town. There are plenty of cafes, shops and bars to keep you entertained.
If you arrive earlier in the day, you may have time to do a short hike, such as the Chorrillo del Salto trek or Mirador de Los Condores.
In the evening, check out one of the many great places to eat in El Chalten.
Days 2-6: Hit the many hiking trails
El Chalten is known for its many hikes, so spend the next few days hitting as many of the hiking trails as you can. You’ll want good weather to get the most from the hikes, so it’s a good idea to buffer in a couple of extra days to give you some flexibility to move your itinerary.
I’ve already written all about the many hikes in El Chalten, but here’s a quick overview to help you decide which ones to do:
- Laguna de Los Tres / Mount Fitz Roy: This full-day hike is arguably one of South America’s best hikes. The challenging yet rewarding trail gets you up close and personal with Mount Fitz Roy.
- Laguna Torre: This is another full-day hike but slightly easier than Mount Fitz Roy. The trail weaves its way through forests and valleys to reach the beautiful Laguna Torre.
- Loma del Pliegue Tumbado: An incredible day hike with panoramic views of Mount Fitz Roy. It is a little bit less known and a great way to escape the crowds.
Shorter hikes include Mirador de Los Condores, Laguna Capri, Mirador del Cerro Torre and Chorillo del Salto. Mirador de Los Condores is one of the easiest hikes in El Chalten and has a stunning lookout point with incredible views of Mount Fitz Roy.
Where to stay in El Calafate and El Chalten?
Both El Calafate and El Chalten have plenty of accommodation options ranging from hostels to luxurious glamping.
Hostels
I stayed at hostels in both El Chalten and El Calafate. There’s a great range of options, but I can’t say they are the most affordable (especially in El Chalten). Unfortunately, this area of Argentina is very expensive, so expect to pay at least $25 USD per night even for a dorm room.
In El Chalten, I’d recommend Rancho Grande or the Refugio Chalten Hostel (where I stayed).
Hostels in El Calafate are a little more affordable. I stayed in Hostel 64 and LOVED it. The beds come with curtains, there’s a huge locker and breakfast is included. Folk Hostel and Americal del Sur are other popular options in the town.
Hotels
There are many hotels to choose from in El Chalten and El Calafate, ranging from budget guest houses to luxury hotel suites with stunning views. I always use Booking.com to find my accommodation worldwide.
Estancias
Estancias are a popular accommodation choice in Argentina and the Patagonia region is one of the best places to experience one. These farm stays give a taste of traditional rural life and often include meals and activities such as horseback riding.
Some of the famous Estancias in the area include Estancia Cristina and Estancia Bonanza. You normally need your own rental car in order to stay at an Estancia. This is due to their location away from the main towns.
Camping and glamping
For a unique glamping experience in El Chalten, consider the Patagonia Eco Domes. These luxury domes offer incredible views of Mt Fitz Roy (although they don’t come cheap).
There are also budget campsites in both El Chalten and El Calafate.
Tips for visiting El Calafate and El Chalten
Here are a few tips for your trip to Argentina Patagonia.
- Book in advance. If you’re visiting during peak season (December to February), you’ll likely find you need to book your accommodation and tours in advance. It’s not uncommon for popular tours and accommodation options to sell out well in advance.
- Carry cash. While credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in Argentina, you’ll need to carry at least some cash with you in Patagonia. Many hostels and even some hotels will charge a hefty fee for card transactions. I recommend using Western Union to withdraw cash in Argentina.
- Have some buffer days. The weather in Patagonia can be very extreme and may impact your plans, especially if you’re going hiking. Build in a couple of buffer days for poor weather if you can.
- Pack for all weather. The weather in Patagonia is very unpredictable and can change at the last minute. During my week in El Chalten, I experienced all four seasons including snow, sun, wind and rain. Try to pack for all weather so you’re not caught off guard. Check out my Patagonia packing guide.
- Prepare for higher prices. It’s no secret that Argentina isn’t the cheapest destination, and prices in Patagonia can be extortionate. Make sure you have enough budget for your trip to Argentine Patagonia. Things such as buses, hostels, and even basic supermarket food are all very expensive.
Did you find this El Calafate and El Chalten itinerary useful? Share on social media below or save for later.
