El Chaltén is a tiny mountain village in the South Patagonian travel circuit of
Argentina. It was founded in 1985 and quickly became a popular base camp for
climbers who tried to conquer the summit of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
There is no need to be a skilled hiker to enjoy Patagonia’s unmarred beauty: primeval forests packed with southern beech trees, snowmelt lagoons, rushing rivers, and jagged zeniths topped with outsized glaciers and floating condors.
From beginners to moderate, there are several scenic trails to enjoy the area and the UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park
The closest airport is El Calafate international airport “Comandante Armando Tola”
(FTE), 200km away. Here Aerolineas Argentinas operate flights connecting with
Buenos Aires, Bariloche and Ushuaia.
Flights from Buenos Aires to El Calafate take 3hs 15min, Bariloche to El Calafate 1h 45 min and from Ushuaia to El Calafate, 1h 20min.
Getting to Chalten Camp from El Calafate airport is a 3hr 15min private transfer
along a scenic paved road, across the Patagonian steppe, passing lakes and rivers.
The last 15 min to the Camp are on a gravel road crossing the bridge of the Río de las Vueltas (red line in the map)
Chalten Camp is nested within the native southern beech forest, between Río de las
Vueltas and a massive granite wall, beyond the crowds and lights. Far enough to feel
pristine nature and close enough to the trails and town. You can also find us on
Google Maps –Link for Google Maps–
FULL BOARD RATE INCLUDES
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
In/out transfers from El Calafate/Airport or El Chaltén town
Alcoholic drinks (we have a wine & cocktail list available to pair the menu)
Experiences around El Chaltén or any guided experience.
Note that because of the nature of the property we don’t have a on-site laundry
EXPERIENCES AROUND THE CAMP
SELF GUIDED / RELAXATION AREAS (INCLUDED IN RATE)
STAY IN TOUCH
Communication in Patagonia sometimes becomes really hard, even more in El Chaltén, For this reason we ask you to give us a WhatsApp contact that you’ll have during your trip.
Please add our WhatsApp numbers: Front Desk and Reservation Department. (in business hours, Mon to Fri 9 to 6 pm.) We always re-check the details of your arrival at least 48 in advance.
The lay-out of the camp has been carefully designed to maximize the privacy of guests. The domes are 15/20 meters apart from each other. This ensures that all the domes have privacy and can enjoy the views of the forest and the Fitz Roy. All the domes are joined by wooden walkways
Nearby the main domes, there is a fire pit, the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and stories under the clear southern sky. Meters away, conveniently located under the beech trees, two picnic tables await to offer great views and the ideal place to have lunch in a calm shiny day. There are also several hammocks around the camp to enjoy a nap, a book o just the landscape.
There are 09 double domes and 3 triple domes, all of them built on raised structures within the native forest. A dome is a strong tent, build in a geodesic iron structure, covered with a canvas and insulated with a special material.
Each unit has 27 m2, housing a bedroom and a private bathroom. Equipped with a wooden stove, 220 volt electricity, queen size bed, generous blankets and cozy decoration.
The 8 Premium category domes have panoramic “windows” facing the Fitz Roy.
The 4 Deluxe category domes have panoramic “windows” to the surrounding forest.
Note that:
The two 80 square meter domes houses a comfortable living room as well as the dining room. With it’s large windows they are the ideal location to relax and unwind, enjoying convivial conversations, reading a book or having a drink next to the fireplace with stunning views of the mountains and the famous Fitz Roy. Here there are 220/110 Volt sockets to charge devices and a dispenser to refill personal water bottles. The main domes are the only spot in the camp with wifi connection.
An array of trials and breathtaking panoramic views create a perfect day in the Los Glaciares National Park.
An easy 30-minute walk from the camp takes to the trailhead in El Chaltén, where are two head trails to Laguna Torre ; both paths merge within 5 minutes walk.
The trail enters the valley of the Fitz Roy river and follows up alongside the stream to its source. Halfway through the path, reach to “Mirador del Torre” a natural viewpoint with magnificent panoramic views of the Adela range, Cerro Torre and the satellite granite needles. Continue and cross the De Agostini base camp towards the frontal moraine, which ascends until reaching its crest after walking for 15 minutes. From there it is possible to go down to the Laguna Torre, or to continue along the same ridge for another 2 km to the Maestri viewpoint. This lagoon tends to group numerous icebergs on its shore which has fallen off from the front face of the Grande Glacier.
Self-guided or guided with extra cost
Duration : 8/9 hs | Level: Medium
Round trip distance: 15 miles| Elevation: 800 feet
Season: Oct to April.
An array of trials and breathtaking panoramic views create a perfect day in National Park los Glaciares. An easy 30-minute walk from the camp takes to the trailhead that begins at the end of Avenida San Martín. During the first hour of trekking the path ascends steeply up to a natural viewpoint of the valley. As the ñires become more numerous along the way, approximately an hour and a half later reach, a well-marked natural rocky viewpoint with a sign that allows you to interpret the whole unforgettable landscape. The path continues to finally arrive to Poincenot Base Camp. From here, and after crossing the Río Blanco and its homonymous campsite, the path ascends steeply for approximately 400 metres until arriving to Laguna de los Tres, which will require more than an hour of effort. The trail finishes at the ridge of the old frontal moraine of Glaciar De Los Tres with an extraordinary view to the granite wall of Mount Fitz Roy and the surrounding peaks. Going down the moraine, and skirting the lagoon to its natural draining point, find a path heading towards another breathtaking viewpoint: the desolate Laguna Sucia and its hanging glaciers.
Self-guided or guided with extra cost
Duration : 9/10 hs | Level: Medium +
Round trip distance: 18 miles| Elevation: 2300 feet
Season: Oct to April.
It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or and experienced angler, a fishing day in El Chaltén will be long lasting memory. These lakes and rivers have been home to Brown and Rainbow trouts for several decades and a place of spawning for the majestic Chinook salmon (with specimens that can weigh up to 25 kg). The previous day at noon, have a briefing with you fishing guide to check
fishing permits, equipment and other last minutes doubts. All the gear is provided by the guide so, you can choose to fish with fly or spinning rod. After breakfast, around eight, your guide will drive towards Lago del Desierto. The gravel route travels throughout the valley offering great fishing spot in the Río de Las Vueltas, with deep wells and strong currents. At lunch time stop by the Lago del Desierto where a delicious barbecue awaits. Return to the fishing in the lake or take a second chance in the river at the way back to the camp. Recommended personal gear: Warm clothes, two pairs of socks, waterproof jacket, hat and sunglasses.
Inclusions: Transfers | Equipment (dry suit, rods, etc) | snacks | Lunch and soft drinks.
Exclusion: Fishing permits | Alcoholic drinks.
Extra cost to be paid to the guide
Duration: 10 hs (6/8 hs fishing)
Season: November to April (Chinook Feb &March).