Patagonia Bariloche ElChalten
3
Day Itinerary •
Argentina
Three days across Patagonia covering Bariloche and El Chalten delivers the two finest landscapes in the Argentine south, from the extraordinary Swiss-Alpine lakeland of San Carlos de Bariloche on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi to the most extraordinary trekking destination on earth at El Chalten, where the jagged granite towers of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre rise 3,000 metres from the extraordinary Patagonian steppe. This focused route covers the essential Patagonian experience. The extraordinary Circuito Chico lake drive from Bariloche, the remarkable Cerro Catedral ski and trekking area, the extraordinary Laguna de los Tres hike to the base of Fitz Roy, the remarkable Laguna Torre with Cerro Torre reflected in the ice-choked glacial lake, and the finest lamb asado and Patagonian dark craft beer in the extraordinary southern Andes.
Best Time To Visit
November to March, Patagonian summer for the finest hiking
Getting There
Fly into Bariloche (BRC) and El Calafate (FTE) or charter
Getting Around
Hired car in Bariloche, walking in El Chalten
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 180 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Challenging, Laguna de los Tres hike is 20km and strenuous
DAY 1
BARILOCHE
MORNING
CERRO CAMPANARIO CHAIRLIFT AND LAKE VIEWS
The extraordinary Cerro Campanario chairlift 25km from Bariloche, reaching the summit at 1,049 metres for the most famous view in Patagonia, with the extraordinary Nahuel Huapi lake stretching in every direction between the remarkable forested Andean peaks. The Lonely Planet named this the most extraordinary viewpoint in the world in 2011. The remarkable panorama of six lakes simultaneously visible from the summit is unlike any other view in the Argentine south. Entry approx 4,000 ARS. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CIRCUITO CHICO AND VILLA LA ANGOSTURA
The extraordinary Circuito Chico, the finest lake drive in Patagonia, a 60km loop through the remarkable forested shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi passing the extraordinary Llao Llao Hotel perched on a peninsula between two lakes, the remarkable Punto Panoramico viewpoint and the extraordinary Villa La Angostura village on the lake. The extraordinary Llao Llao, the finest hotel in Patagonia, is an extraordinary 1930s alpine lodge with remarkable lake views. 1.5 hours flight
AFTERNOON
EL CHALTEN ARRIVAL AND FIRST VIEWS OF FITZ ROY
The extraordinary arrival at El Chalten, the trekking capital of Argentina, a remarkable small mountain village of 1,000 permanent residents at the base of the extraordinary Fitz Roy massif. The remarkable mirador viewpoint above the village at the end of the Sendero al Fitz Roy gives the finest first view of the extraordinary jagged granite towers of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre rising 3,000 metres from the extraordinary Patagonian steppe.
š HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bosque de Arrayanes in Villa La Angostura on the Circuito Chico, a unique forest of ancient arrayƔn myrtle trees with remarkable cinnamon-coloured bark found nowhere else on earth in such concentration, is accessible by boat or foot. Walt Disney allegedly based the remarkable forest scenes in Bambi on this extraordinary grove. Entry approx 1,500 ARS.
š½ WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Bariloche Good breakfast before the Cerro Campanario drive. | Lunch: Circuito Chico restaurant Simple lunch at one of the extraordinary lakeside restaurants along the Circuito Chico. | Dinner: El Muro, El Chalten Outstanding El Chalten restaurant. Extraordinary Patagonian lamb and local craft beer.
DAY 2
EL CHALTEN
MORNING
LAGUNA DE LOS TRES, FITZ ROY BASE
The most extraordinary day hike in Argentina and one of the finest in the world, a 20km return trail through extraordinary Patagonian lenga beech forest to the turquoise Laguna de los Tres at the base of the Fitz Roy massif at 1,800 metres. The final 400-metre scramble up a steep scree slope emerges onto a remarkable rocky lake shore where the extraordinary vertical granite walls of Fitz Roy, Poincenot and Aguja Saint-Exupery rise directly above. The finest mountain view in South America.
MIDDAY
LAGUNA CAPRI ALTERNATIVE ROUTE
For those who prefer a less strenuous option, the extraordinary Laguna Capri trail at 4km return gives the finest near-distance view of Fitz Roy reflected in the beautiful glacial lake at 1,300 metres. The extraordinary mirrored reflection of the remarkable granite towers in the extraordinary turquoise water is the most photographed image in El Chalten. The remarkable beech forest around the lake is extraordinary in autumn gold. 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
EL CHALTEN VILLAGE AND CRAFT BEER
The extraordinary El Chalten main street, where the remarkable concentration of trekking equipment shops, outstanding craft beer breweries and the finest Patagonian lamb restaurants in Argentina serve a remarkable community of climbers and trekkers from around the world. The extraordinary Cerveceria Chaltenia craft brewery produces the finest dark Patagonian ales in the south. The remarkable sunset on Fitz Roy's towers turning extraordinary shades of red and gold at dusk is unforgettable.
š HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary secret viewpoint above Laguna de los Tres, reached by continuing 300 metres beyond the main lake shore on an unmarked path, gives an even higher view directly above the extraordinary turquoise lake with Fitz Roy immediately overhead. Almost no hikers make this final scramble. The extraordinary exposure and the remarkable view directly up the granite face is the finest in El Chalten.
š½ WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before trail Early breakfast at 6am before the Laguna de los Tres departure. Bring 3 litres of water and high-energy food. | Lunch: Packed lunch on the trail Eat at Laguna de los Tres if the weather holds. The finest lunch location in South America. | Dinner: La Tapera, El Chalten The finest restaurant in El Chalten. Extraordinary Patagonian lamb and local mushroom risotto.
DAY 3
LAGUNA TORRE
MORNING
LAGUNA TORRE AND CERRO TORRE GLACIER
The extraordinary Laguna Torre trail, 18km return from El Chalten, through remarkable Patagonian forest to the extraordinary ice-choked glacial lake at the base of Cerro Torre, the most technically difficult mountain in the Andes at 3,128 metres. The extraordinary Glaciar Torre calves ice directly into the remarkable lake, creating a floating field of turquoise ice blocks. The vertical granite needle of Cerro Torre above the extraordinary ice is one of the finest mountain views on earth.
MIDDAY
MIRADOR LAGUNA TORRE
The extraordinary elevated mirador above Laguna Torre giving the finest overall view of the complete Cerro Torre group, with the remarkable Torre, Egger, Standhart and Bifida peaks visible simultaneously above the extraordinary glacier. The remarkable wind that characterises El Chalten reaches its finest ferocity on the exposed mirador ridge. The extraordinary sound and force of the Patagonian wind on the ridge is part of the remarkable experience. 2 hours flight or drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO EL CALAFATE OR BARILOCHE
The extraordinary return journey from El Chalten, either by the remarkable 3-hour drive across the extraordinary Patagonian steppe to El Calafate for a connecting flight, or by charter flight directly. The extraordinary drive across the steppe gives remarkable views of the Andes receding, enormous rhea herds, guanaco grazing on the remarkable flat grassland and the extraordinary unbroken horizon of Patagonia stretching to infinity.
š HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bosque Magico at the start of the Laguna Torre trail in El Chalten is a remarkable ancient forest of twisted lenga beech trees covered in extraordinary grey-green lichens, giving the forest an extraordinary fairytale atmosphere unlike any other in Patagonia. Walk through it at dawn before the main trail fills with trekkers for the finest experience of Patagonian forest light.
š½ WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before trail Good breakfast before the Laguna Torre departure. Bring water and snacks. | Lunch: Packed lunch by the glacier Eat beside the extraordinary Glaciar Torre with the floating ice of the remarkable lake around you. | Dinner: El Calafate or airport Dinner in El Calafate before the connecting flight, or at the Bariloche airport hotel.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
š HIDDEN GEM
š½ WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
š HIDDEN GEM
š½ WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Bariloche, Night 1 Llao Llao Hotel or Hotel Edelweiss. Lake views. Approx 150 to 500 USD per night. El Chalten, Night 2 Hosteria El Pilar or Aguas Arriba Lodge. Mountain views. Approx 80 to 300 USD per night. Budget La Balconada Hostel (Bariloche) or Rancho Grande (El Chalten). Approx 20 to 60 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. El Chalten trails are free and require no permits. Register at the park office on arrival.
2. The Laguna de los Tres hike is 20km and 700m elevation gain. Start before 7am.
3. Patagonian weather changes in minutes. Carry rain gear, warm layers and windproof jacket always.
4. The Fitz Roy towers only clear of cloud for a few hours per day. Early morning is most reliable.
5. Book El Chalten accommodation months ahead for December to February. The village fills completely.
6. The extraordinary Circuito Chico in Bariloche is best by hired car. Allow a full day.
Total Budget
60 to 630 USD/day