TravelTips24 : South America : Argentina : Patagonia : El Chalten
El Chalten
El Chaltén is in the Patagonian region of southern Argentina. El Chalten was founded in the late 70ties/early 80ies as an outpost of Argentina to anticipate land claims of Chile for that area. It is still a small town that is best known for being the gateway to Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torres, two of the most rugged and impressive peaks in the Patagonian Andes. The growing number of hiking tourist lead to an increase in construction and in summer the town is full of tourists.
Travel to El Chalten & Visa Requirements
Daily buses take four-and-a-half hours to drive the 222 kilometers (138 miles) over an unpaved road from El Calafate.
Tours & Getting around El Chalten
Only by foot or car. Street are almost entirely not sealed and dusty streets are the norm.
El Chalten attractions and sightseeing
El Chalten city tours
Hiking
This area is a trekking mecca, with numerous trails leading to fantastic viewpoints and other natural wonders.
- Laguna de los Tres. This 25 kilometer (15 mile) round-trip hike can not be missed, offering some of the best views of Mt FitzRoy and ending at a beautiful lake, high above the surrounding countryside. The last few miles of this hike are extremely steep, and as a result many hikers attempt the trip as a two-day backpacking trek.
- Laguna Torre. A 19 kilometer (12 mile) return trip that leads to a lake at the base of the impressive Cerro Torre formation. Along with the Laguna de los Tres trek, this trail should not be missed. Backpackers can combine the two treks using connecting side-trails that create a loop.
- Beside hiking you can do a boat tour on the Lago Viedma. Ask your hostel or hotel when the boat leaves. It's a good choice after some hard hiking days to relax.
- In the centre of town you can also pay to go horse riding with a gaucho guide along some of the major walking trails. The horses here are very easy-going and well suited to beginner riders.
El Chalten souvenirs & shopping
Supermarket with everything hiker and camper might need. Opening hours depend on season but in general closes rather early so better check out upon arrival.
El Chalten Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive
The calafate berry ice cream (a bit like blueberry but milder) from the ice cream shop in the middle of the town is worth trying. There are also two small grocery stores that sell food and supplies.
There are a number of restaurants in town.
El Chalten nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs
What better after a long hike in the mountains then to enjoy a good beer. Home brews (rubia y negro) at the Cervezeria! Good food and friendly staff as well.
El Chalten cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging
- Rancho Grande Hostel, 02962-493005, [1]. HI-hostel.
- There are several free campingsites in the park
- Hosteria Koonek, Lionel Terray(415), ☎ 0054 02962-493304, [2]. (,Hosteria Koonek) edit
Cope
Take enough cash, there are no cashpoints in town.
Get out
This page was last edited at 14:39, on 3 October 2008 by Ryan Holliday. Based on work by Jeroen, Evan Prodromou and Steffen Sauder, Wikitravel user(s) Episteme and Ronald and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.
Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license