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18 Best Things To Do In El Chaltén, Argentina

An intensely teal lake surrounded by jagged mountains covered with snow underneath a blue sky.

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Welcome to El Chaltén, the trekking capital of Argentina! El Chaltén is a small town on the northern edge of Los Glaciares National Park, surrounded by stunning mountains in every direction.

Most people come to El Chaltén to experience the rewarding hike to Laguna de los Tres, with its pristine view of Mount Fitz Roy. There are plenty more outdoorsy things to do in El Chaltén, including rafting trips, ice climbing, and estancia visits.

When I told my guides at Ecocamp Patagonia in Torres del Paine that we were heading El Chaltén, they would invariably sigh with happiness. “I love El Chaltén,” they’d say, dreamy smiles on their faces.

And as soon as I got there, I realized why. El Chaltén is a tiny, idyllic town set between mountains. It’s close to everything — the trails begin literally right in town, and you can hike from your accommodation without worrying about transportation to the trailhead!

And the hikes? They are SPECTACULAR. Some of the best in all of Patagonia. You can hike every day for a week and have a different experience each day.

I should also let you know that El Chaltén is a wild place. In this remote town, you should expect the weather to be varied, the wifi to be slow, and the phone signal to be non-existent. This is the place for a digital detox! (Though if you really need wifi, head to PAISA High Mountain Coffee. More on that below.)

So if you’re looking to unplug, spend your days hiking in the mountains of Patagonia, and your nights enjoying Argentine lamb and craft beer, you are going to love El Chaltén! Here are the best things to do in El Chaltén, Argentina, a mountain town you’ll never forget.

This post was published in February 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Riana Ang-Canning.

Laguna de los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy, via Shutterstock

Things to Do in El Chaltén, Argentina

Hike Laguna de los Tres trail to Mount Fitz Roy

If you’ve seen any one photo of El Chaltén, it’s from Laguna de los Tres. Hiking to this gorgeous viewpoint, with the teal lake set in front of Mount Fitz Roy, is the number one thing to do in El Chaltén and one of the most popular hikes in all of Patagonia.

Keep in mind, this is not a hike for beginners. This is a long hike, and the last part is a challenging uphill slog — but if you’re a fit and experienced…

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