El Chalten

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Billy Zeballos/Argentina Travel
El Chalten which includes tranquil scenes, desert views and a sunset
Photo provided by Jan  Zakelj/Argentina Travel
Photo provided by Jan  Zakelj/Argentina Travel
Photo provided by Daniel Semper/Argentina Travel
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.

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 €243 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
€243
includes taxes & fees
17 Mar - 18 Mar
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. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (155 reviews)
"The staff are very attentive. The hotel is new by the looks so it’s clean and well maintained. Breakfast is great. Nice restaurant and bar. I’d go back for sure."

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2025

Los Cerros del Chalten Boutique Hotel
Fitz Roy Hosteria de Montaña
Fitz Roy Hosteria de Montaña
3 out of 5
Av. San Martin 520, El Chalten, Santa Cruz
The price is €58 per night from 4 Mar to 5 Mar
€58
includes taxes & fees
4 Mar - 5 Mar
Stay at this 3-star hotel in El Chalten. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (84 reviews)
"The hotel is in the center of town, close to Everything. The staff is super helpful, including being able to give excellent advice for hiking options. The breakfast is amazing, buffet style, including meats, cheeses, vegetables, a fresh fruit salad, deserts, coffee teas, everything! The rooms are ..."

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2025

Fitz Roy Hosteria de Montaña
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 €250 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
€250
includes taxes & fees
19 Feb - 20 Feb
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! (215 reviews)
"We loved the hotel’s location, it’s close to some of the more popular trails and a lots of restaurants, also their breakfast is very good!"

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2025

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 daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (82 reviews)
"We love this place. The room is large with kitchen. It has all things needed for simple cooking. Beds are comfortable. The hotel is right at the beginning of Laguna Torre trailhead."

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2025

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 daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Capilla de los Escaladores and Laguna ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
"We had an excellent stay at Camp Chalten, the hospitality we experienced was unlike anything we have ever experienced before. It was truly luxurious camping with turndown service every night and some of the best food we have ever had We had several mishaps related to our car breakdown and weather, ..."

Reviewed on 4 May 2024

Chalten Camp - Glamping With A View
Natives.
Natives.
El Chalten
Stay at this cabin in El Chalten. Popular attractions Capilla de los Escaladores and Laguna Capri are located nearby.
Séjour de 3 jours
"Très bon rapport qualité/prix au regard des prix pratiqués à El Chalten. Situation centrale dans le village mais environnement proche dégradé par les travaux du voisinage (Cela dit il y a de nombreux chantiers en cours à El Chalten)"

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2025

Natives.
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

Things to do

Reviews of El Chalten

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We used Lengas for door to door transfers El Chalten-El Calafate town and airport. Excellent on time service with new Ford Transit size buses

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely little town. Most of the places were shut as it was end of the season .