Best 5-Day Patagonia Hiking Itinerary: El Chaltén and El Calafate

We kicked off our Patagonian adventure with an early morning flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, leaving behind the urban chaos for the promise of towering peaks and open skies. After landing, we picked up our rental car and hit the road for El Chaltén, a scenic drive just under three hours that felt like entering another world.

We lucked out with perfect weather — blue skies, warm sun and not a cloud in sight. The legendary Patagonian winds gave us a break, and the landscape didn’t hold back. Endless plains rolled out before us, framed by snow-capped mountains in the distance. Along the way, we spotted rheas (those quirky flightless birds that look like mini emus), guanacos grazing freely and even a few wild horses. Patagonia was already putting on a show.

We arrived in El Chaltén just in time for dinner. Though we hadn’t yet found our bearings, our two teens were beyond hungry, so we went with a sure thing: pub food. We stumbled upon Roots, a cozy little spot that served up fresh, homemade empanadas that hit the spot. Simple, tasty and full of local flavor.

Pro tip: Keep your camera close during the drive — trust me. I made my husband pull over at least a dozen times because the scenery is ridiculously photogenic.

After dinner, we wandered El Chaltén’s charming main street. It felt safe, peaceful and full of fellow hikers gearing up for adventures. The air smelled like smoked meats and campfire, and the energy was quietly electric, like everyone there was holding a shared secret about how special this place is.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give anyone visiting El Chaltén, it’s this: stay flexible. The weather changes quickly in Patagonia, and if you're hoping to hike the iconic Laguna de los Tres trail — the hike that takes you to the base of the majestic Mount Fitz Roy — you'll want to save that adventure for a day with clear skies.

That’s exactly what we did.

On our second and third days, we let the forecast guide us. One morning looked especially promising — crisp, blue skies, so we geared up early and hit the trailhead for Laguna de los Tres, which is conveniently located right from town.

This hike is no walk in the park — it’s a serious undertaking: 15 miles (24 km) round trip, with a steep and strenuous final ascent. It typically takes 7–8 hours to complete, but it’s absolutely manageable if you start early, take your time and come prepared. The trail is well-marked and doesn’t require a guide — just good hiking boots, layers, water, snacks and maybe a hiking pole or two.

Pro tip: If you pass the park entrance before 7 am, you might just avoid the ranger and save the ~$45 USD entrance fee (we did!).

The final hour of the climb is the most challenging — steep, rocky and exposed — but the reward is beyond words. The moment you crest the ridge and see Laguna de los Tres shimmering beneath the dramatic spires of Mount Fitz Roy is unforgettable. The glacier-fed lake, the sharp granite peaks, the silence of the wild — it’s the kind of view that stops you in your tracks. Even our teens were speechless (which doesn’t happen often!)

Heads up: The wind at the top can be intense, so while the views are worth every step, we didn’t linger long before heading back down.

What if the weather’s not perfect?

No problem. El Chaltén has plenty of shorter, lower-elevation hikes that are just as magical and a lot easier on the legs:

Chorrillo del Salto – This is more of a scenic stroll than a hike. About 3 km (1.8 miles) round trip, it leads to a beautiful waterfall tucked into the forest. It’s a great warm-up or recovery day walk, especially for families.

Laguna Capri – This is the perfect middle-ground hike. About 3 hours round trip, with incredible views of Mount Fitz Roy if the skies are clear. It’s less crowded than Laguna de los Tres and makes for a lovely afternoon picnic spot.

After our big hiking days, we celebrated with an amazing dinner at Parrilla La Oveja Negra, one of El Chaltén’s most-loved spots. We shared grilled provolone (a cheesy dream!) and a perfectly cooked steak. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but after burning all those calories, it felt well earned. If you’re staying a few nights, The Asadores is another fantastic choice for traditional Patagonian BBQ — both places left us full and happy.

We began our final morning in El Chaltén with coffee and pastries at Mathilda. The cozy vibe and friendly service were exactly what we needed before hitting the road again. The staff were especially sweet with our teens, offering up extra dulce de leche-filled treats that made their morning.

Before leaving, we made a quick pit stop for gas — but here’s something important...

Pro tip: There’s only one gas station in El Chaltén, and it’s not always open. Plus, when it is, you’ll often find a line of cars waiting to fill up. We recommend topping up your tank a day in advance if possible — don’t wait until the last minute. Also worth noting, there are no gas stations on the route between El Chaltén and El Calafate.

The drive back was just as stunning as the way in — wide open landscapes, dramatic skies and the feeling that Patagonia was saying a slow, windswept goodbye. Once we arrived in El Calafate, we checked into our hotel and headed to the Glaciarium – Patagonian Ice Museum, just a 15-minute drive from town. It’s a modern, interactive museum all about glaciers — great for both adults and kids. Entry was around 20,000- 30,000 pesos per adult, and you only need a couple of hours to explore. They’re open daily from 12 to 8 pm, and even offer free shuttle service (just check their website to confirm times).

Inside, you’ll also find an Ice Bar, where you can sip cocktails in parkas from glasses made of ice. If you're mainly after the Ice Bar experience, you can also try Yeti Ice Bar in town — it’s a bit pricier but comes with open bar access.

After the museum visit, we strolled down the main street of El Calafate, taking in the sights and window shopping at the local boutiques. While most of the shops are similar, offering the usual selection of souvenirs, it’s still fun to browse and soak in the small-town charm.

For dinner, we stopped at Mi Viejo restaurant, where we treated ourselves to some delicious lamb and shared a generous serving of crispy French fries. The meal was absolutely fantastic, but definitely on the pricier side. Just a heads up — nothing in Patagonia is exactly cheap, but it’s worth every penny for the experience and the quality of food.

We woke up early, grabbed a quick breakfast and hit the road to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of Patagonia’s most iconic natural wonders. The drive takes just over an hour from El Calafate, and the park opens at 7 am. Since we had purchased our tickets online, we avoided the wait and were among the first to arrive — a huge plus for enjoying the glacier in peace before the crowds.

This was, by far, our favorite activity in Patagonia — an absolute must-see. Perito Moreno is simply breathtaking: a 30 km-long ice field towering 70 meters above the water, constantly shifting and calving with thunderous cracks that echo through the valley. It’s one of the few glaciers in the world that’s still advancing, making the experience even more spectacular.

We had packed lunch and snacks, so we took our time exploring the network of walking circuits and viewing platforms. Each trail offers a new perspective — from close-up views of the ice wall to sweeping panoramas of the glacier and surrounding mountains. We spent hours just soaking it all in.

By mid-afternoon, we made our way back to El Calafate and enjoyed a relaxed meal at Cantina Piadina, a cozy little pub with a beautiful view of Lake Argentino. The food was great, and it was the perfect spot to reflect on the day. After dinner, we returned the rental car and headed to the airport for our evening flight back to Buenos Aires.