Patagonia Bariloche ElChalten
5
Day Itinerary •
Argentina
Five days across Patagonia covering Bariloche and El Chalten gives you the full extraordinary depth of the finest natural landscape in the Americas, from two full days exploring the extraordinary lake district of Bariloche including the remarkable Circuito Chico and the extraordinary Cruce de Lagos crossing into Chile and back, to three full trekking days in El Chalten with the Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre and the extraordinary Huemul Circuit. This extended route covers Patagonia completely. Two Bariloche days including the Circuito Chico, Cerro Campanario, the extraordinary Cerro Catedral ski resort trekking, and the remarkable Puerto Blest boat excursion, then three remarkable El Chalten days with the extraordinary Laguna de los Tres Fitz Roy base hike, Laguna Torre and Cerro Torre glacier, and the remarkable Sendero del Bosque and Rio de las Vueltas valley walk.
Best Time To Visit
November to March, Patagonian summer
Getting There
Fly into Bariloche (BRC) and El Calafate (FTE)
Getting Around
Hired car in Bariloche, walking in El Chalten, bus to El Calafate
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Challenging, multiple full-day treks in mountain terrain
DAY 1
BARILOCHE
MORNING
CIRCUITO CHICO AND LLAO LLAO HOTEL
The extraordinary Circuito Chico lake drive, the finest in Patagonia, looping through remarkable forested shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi to the extraordinary Llao Llao Hotel perched on a remarkable forested peninsula between two lakes. The hotel, the finest in Patagonia and built in the extraordinary 1930s alpine lodge style by architect Alejandro Bustillo, is open for breakfast and lunch to non-guests. The extraordinary view of the snowfields of Monte Tronador from the Llao Llao terrace is remarkable. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
CERRO CAMPANARIO SUMMIT VIEW
The extraordinary Cerro Campanario chairlift reaching the summit at 1,049 metres for the most famous view in Patagonia, with the remarkable six-lake panorama spread between extraordinary forested Andean peaks in every direction. The remarkable view of Lago Nahuel Huapi, Lago Moreno, Lago Escondido, Lago Gutierrez, Lago Mascardi and the extraordinary distant steppe is the finest single viewpoint in the Argentine lake district. Entry approx 4,000 ARS. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PUERTO PANUELO AND BOSQUE DE ARRAYANES
The extraordinary Puerto Panuelo boat launch for the afternoon excursion through the remarkable narrow channel to the extraordinary Bosque de Arrayanes on the Quetrihue Peninsula, the only forest of its kind in the world with ancient arrayán myrtle trees whose remarkable cinnamon-coloured bark and gnarled forms create an extraordinary and otherworldly forest. The boat journey through the extraordinary Patagonian lakes is remarkable. Entry approx 3,000 ARS.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Colonia Suiza 25km from Bariloche on the Circuito Chico, a remarkable Swiss immigrant village founded in 1897 that preserves extraordinary alpine traditions, hosts the finest artisan food market in the Argentine lake district on Sundays. The extraordinary curanto earth oven feast, a remarkable cooking tradition brought from the Chilean island of Chiloe, is the finest food experience near Bariloche.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Bariloche Good breakfast before the Circuito Chico. | Lunch: Llao Llao Hotel, terrace Outstanding lunch at the finest hotel in Patagonia. Extraordinary lake views and Patagonian lamb. | Dinner: Cassis, Bariloche The finest restaurant in Bariloche. Extraordinary Patagonian wild boar and lamb. Book ahead.
DAY 2
BARILOCHE
MORNING
CERRO CATEDRAL TREK ABOVE THE TREELINE
The extraordinary Cerro Catedral, the largest ski resort in South America at 2,405 metres, offers the finest summer trekking in the Bariloche area from the ski station base. The remarkable chairlift carries trekkers to 1,800 metres from where the extraordinary Refugio Lynch and the remarkable Laguna Ilon are accessible on foot. The extraordinary panoramic view of the Patagonian Andes from the ridge above Catedral is the finest elevated view from Bariloche. 20 min drive back
MIDDAY
PUERTO BLEST AND CASCADA DE LOS CANTAROS
The extraordinary Puerto Blest boat excursion from Puerto Panuelo crossing the full width of Lago Nahuel Huapi to the remarkable Puerto Blest fjord-like arm at the Chilean border, the most extraordinary lake journey accessible from Bariloche. The remarkable Cascada de los Cantaros waterfall at Puerto Blest descends 300 metres through extraordinary temperate rainforest. The extraordinary turquoise colour of the lake in the fjord arm is unlike the main lake.
AFTERNOON
BARILOCHE CHOCOLATE CULTURE AND DEPARTURE
The extraordinary Bariloche chocolate tradition, where over 50 chocolate shops line the remarkable Centro Civico and the extraordinary Mitre pedestrian street, making this the chocolate capital of Argentina. The remarkable Swiss and German immigrant confectioners who settled in Bariloche in the early 20th century brought extraordinary European chocolate-making traditions that evolved into the remarkable Bariloche chocolate culture. Then fly to El Calafate for the drive to El Chalten.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Isla Victoria in Lago Nahuel Huapi, reached by boat from Puerto Panuelo, has an extraordinary temperate rainforest with remarkable ancient coihue trees and the most extraordinary concentration of giant arrayán myrtle forest in the lake district. The island also has remarkable petrified tree stumps from an ancient forest buried by volcanic ash. Day tours from Bariloche approx 60 USD.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Bariloche Good breakfast before the Cerro Catedral drive. | Lunch: Puerto Blest restaurant Simple outstanding lunch at the extraordinary fjord landing. Fresh Patagonian trout from the lake. | Dinner: El Muro, El Chalten Outstanding El Chalten restaurant. Extraordinary Patagonian lamb and remarkable craft beer.
DAY 3
EL CHALTEN
MORNING
LAGUNA DE LOS TRES, THE FINEST HIKE IN SOUTH AMERICA
The extraordinary 20km return trek through remarkable Patagonian lenga beech forest to the turquoise Laguna de los Tres at 1,800 metres, the most extraordinary day hike in Argentina. The final steep scramble emerges onto a remarkable rocky shore where the extraordinary vertical granite walls of Fitz Roy, Poincenot and Aguja Saint-Exupery rise 3,000 metres directly above. The finest mountain view in the Americas on a clear day. Start before 7am.
MIDDAY
LAGUNA SUCIA FROM LAGUNA DE LOS TRES
The extraordinary Laguna Sucia 200 metres below Laguna de los Tres, a remarkable glacial lake of extraordinary dark colour fed by the dirty glacial meltwater from the Fitz Roy glacier above, in remarkable contrast to the extraordinary clear turquoise of Laguna de los Tres directly above it. The two lakes visible simultaneously from the connecting ridge, one extraordinary turquoise and one remarkable dark grey-green, are among the finest geological contrasts in the southern Andes. 30 min walk back to trail
AFTERNOON
EL CHALTEN ARRIVAL AND FIRST EVENING
The extraordinary return walk to El Chalten through the remarkable beech forest in the late afternoon light. The extraordinary craft beer breweries of El Chalten open from 4pm and serve the finest Patagonian ales in the south. The remarkable Cerveceria Chaltenia dark lager and the extraordinary Patagonico amber are the finest craft beers in the Argentine south. The remarkable El Chalten village at dusk with Fitz Roy glowing red above is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary secret viewpoint 300 metres beyond Laguna de los Tres on an unmarked path gives a higher perspective directly above the extraordinary turquoise lake with Fitz Roy immediately overhead. Almost no hikers make this final scramble. The extraordinary exposure and the remarkable direct view up the vertical granite face of Fitz Roy is the finest viewpoint in El Chalten.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast at 6am Full breakfast before the trail. Bring 3 litres water, snacks and warm layers. | Lunch: Packed lunch at Laguna de los Tres The finest picnic location on earth. Eat with Fitz Roy directly above the extraordinary turquoise lake. | Dinner: La Tapera, El Chalten The finest restaurant in El Chalten. Extraordinary Patagonian lamb asado and local wild mushrooms.
DAY 4
EL CHALTEN
MORNING
LAGUNA TORRE AND GLACIAR TORRE
The extraordinary 18km return trail to Laguna Torre through remarkable Patagonian forest to the extraordinary ice-choked glacial lake at the base of Cerro Torre. The extraordinary Glaciar Torre calves ice directly into the remarkable lake, creating a floating field of turquoise ice. The vertical needle of Cerro Torre at 3,128 metres above the extraordinary glacier is one of the finest mountain views on earth. The remarkable wind on the exposed mirador above the lake is extraordinary.
MIDDAY
BOSQUE MAGICO AND RIO BLANCO
The extraordinary Bosque Magico at the start of the Laguna Torre trail, a remarkable ancient forest of twisted lenga beech trees covered in extraordinary grey-green lichens that give the forest an otherworldly atmosphere unlike any other in Patagonia. The remarkable Rio Blanco glacier-fed torrent crossing the trail at several points is extraordinary in its milky turquoise colour. The finest short forest walk in El Chalten. 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
MIRADOR DEL TORRE AND EVENING LIGHT ON CERRO TORRE
The extraordinary elevated Mirador del Torre viewpoint above Laguna Torre, giving the finest overall view of the complete Cerro Torre group: Torre, Egger, Standhart and Bifida simultaneously above the extraordinary glacier. The remarkable Patagonian wind on the exposed ridge is part of the extraordinary experience. The sunset light on Cerro Torre's extraordinary needle turning red and gold is the finest evening sight in El Chalten.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Condor viewpoint on the ridge above the Laguna Torre trail, reached by a side path 10 minutes above the main mirador, gives a remarkable bird's-eye view directly down into the extraordinary ice field of Glaciar Torre. Andean condors are regularly spotted riding the thermals above the extraordinary cirque. The finest hidden viewpoint in El Chalten.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before trail Good breakfast before the Laguna Torre departure. | Lunch: Packed lunch by the glacier Eat beside the extraordinary floating ice of Laguna Torre. The finest lunch spot on Day 4. | Dinner: Cerveceria El Chalten Outstanding craft beer restaurant. Extraordinary Patagonian lamb empanadas and dark ales.
DAY 5
SOUTHERN FAREWELL
MORNING
SENDERO DEL BOSQUE AND RIO DE LAS VUELTAS VALLEY
The extraordinary Sendero del Bosque forest walk north of El Chalten along the remarkable Rio de las Vueltas valley, a 6km one-way trail through extraordinary lenga beech forest with remarkable views of the Fitz Roy group from a completely different angle to the main trails. The remarkable guanaco herds frequently graze in the valley below the trail. The extraordinary morning light on the Fitz Roy group from the north is entirely different from the standard southern views. 3 hours drive
MIDDAY
DRIVE TO EL CALAFATE ACROSS THE PATAGONIAN STEPPE
The extraordinary drive south from El Chalten across the remarkable Patagonian steppe to El Calafate, 220km of extraordinary flat grassland dotted with remarkable guanaco herds, flocks of extraordinary rheas and the occasional lonely estancia. The extraordinary sight of the Fitz Roy group receding behind as the steppe opens out ahead is the finest farewell to El Chalten. The remarkable Lago Viedma alongside the road is extraordinary. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
GLACIAR PERITO MORENO, EL CALAFATE OPTION
The extraordinary Glaciar Perito Moreno 80km from El Calafate, the most accessible glacier in the world and one of the finest natural spectacles in the southern hemisphere, where a 5-km-wide, 60-metre-tall wall of blue ice advances at 2 metres per day into the extraordinary Brazo Rico arm of Lago Argentino. The remarkable catwalks above and beside the glacier give extraordinary close-range views of the ice face and the remarkable calving events.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Laguna de los Cisnes hidden in the beech forest 3km north of El Chalten is an extraordinary small glacial lake almost entirely unknown to visitors, surrounded by remarkable ancient lenga beech trees. Black-necked swans nest here in the extraordinary calm water. The remarkable reflection of Fitz Roy in the lake on clear days is the finest hidden viewpoint in El Chalten.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before final walk Good breakfast before the Sendero del Bosque departure. | Lunch: Roadside stop on the steppe Simple lunch at a remarkable estancia roadhouse on the extraordinary Patagonian highway. | Dinner: La Tablita, El Calafate The finest parrilla in El Calafate. Extraordinary Patagonian lamb asado before the flight home.
Where To Stay
Bariloche, Nights 1 to 2 Llao Llao Hotel or Hotel Edelweiss. Approx 150 to 600 USD per night. El Chalten, Nights 3 to 4 Hosteria El Pilar or Aguas Arriba Lodge. Approx 80 to 300 USD per night. Budget La Balconada (Bariloche) or Rancho Grande (El Chalten). Approx 20 to 70 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. All El Chalten trails are free. Register at the park office on arrival in the village.
2. Start the Laguna de los Tres hike before 7am. The extraordinary summit clears of cloud in the morning.
3. Patagonian weather is extreme. Always carry full rain gear, warm layers and windproof jacket.
4. Book El Chalten accommodation 6 months ahead for January and February. The village fills completely.
5. The Llao Llao Hotel is open for lunch and afternoon tea to non-guests. The lake view is extraordinary.
6. Perito Moreno glacier is 80km from El Calafate. Allow 3 hours. The calving is extraordinary.
Total Budget
60 to 740 USD/day