Patagonia Argentina is, for many, a dream come true. Or at least that’s how it was for me, even so, I only had a 5 days itinerary, but it was five amazing days of my life. In this limited time, you need to do some travel planning before going. If not, you will waste time on site. Trust me on this one!

5 Days in Patagonia Argentina

A Great Budget Itinerary

First things first, what are your major priorities when going? What do you have to see to get that perfect feeling of being in Patagonia, Argentina?

Highlights in Patagonia Argentina

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El Chalten

Hike to Mt. Fitz Roy Including:

Glaciar Piedras Blancas

Laguna Los Tres

Laguna Capri

Mirador Fitz Roy

Hike on the Cerro Torre trail to Laguna Torre

El Calafate

See the enormous Perito Moreno Glacier

Eat ice cream

Go horseback riding

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Day 1 Arriving at El Chalten

Arriving at the airport of El Calafate, head down and find your transport that will transport you to the true core of Patagonia Argentina, which is the small village of El Chalten surrounded by rocky mountains and jaw-dropping landscape. El Chalten is a paradise for any mountain lovers, hikers, and climbers. The small town is small, but the richness of the excellent wines, craft beers, and Argentinean Parrillas is outstanding. If you want fancy groceries, then forget about it.

From Airport to El Chaltén

The trip from the airport to El Chalten takes around three hours, depending on the roads and the weather conditions. I would recommend doing it in daylight because the scenery is wicked and need to be fully appreciated. Be sure to make a stop at the lovely café halfway on the road trip.

Pre-Arrange Transport

Pro Tips. Pre-book your bus before going, no point wasting time finding a bus that has a seat for you or, even worst, does not have a seat. The same goes for the hostel. Remember to bring cash because El Chalten only has one ATM, often runs out of money in the peak season (October-April).

Book your Stay in El Chaltén

I stayed at Patagonia Hostel – Nothing fancy but cozy and easygoing vibe with young people and mountain lovers. Another important fact is that they have HOT showers! Or a more luxury staty at El Chaltén Suites Hotel

Arrive in El Chaltén

By the afternoon, arriving at El Chalten, talk to your favorite person – the front desk receptionist, about the weather for the next day. If it is good, then prepare yourself for hiking to the beginning of Monte Fitz Roy.

If you are hiking, don’t get drunk, just tiny tipsy. A glass of Malbec never hurts! Go early to bed and get a good night of sleep. You are waking up early tomorrow, around 06:30!

Book Transfer to Hosteria Pilar

Remember to book a transfer to Hosteria Pilar. That’s the best way to start your hike to Fitz Roy. Then you will not walk back, but always see something new. Beginning the hike with Piedras Blancas glacier’s views, before a steep ascent to the lake, returning to El Chalten past the beautiful Laguna Capri.

Day 2 Hike Monte Fitz Roy 3 359 MAMSL

Today the mountain dream is coming true, and you are finally going to see the stunning Fitz Roy Mountain with your own eyes. And most likely, euphoria will hit you several times during the hike because the beauty is pure, deep, and extremely satisfying.

Wake Up Early 07:00 in Patagonia, Argentina

Waking up early and have some breakfast! After breakfast, get on your transport to Hosteria Pilar. Start the hike with a group of eight people, less crowded, and complete silence. Following the river and through some spectacular old forest and then after an hour, you are rewarded with a scenic view of the Piedras Blancas glacier.

The Hike to Fitz Roy 3 359 MAMSL

After around three hours of hiking in the forest, you will be arriving at the camping area and crossing the river (fill up your water bottle at the river), and then comes more fun. That means attacking the final and steepest part of the hike, a 400 meters ascent straight. Then when you are up, you will understand. Arriving at the Laguna de Los Tres, take a well-deserved break and enjoy this magnificent view with peaks everywhere and the tallest of them all, Fitz Roy. The return to El Chalten is past the beautiful Laguna Capri, and the last kilometers will be painful, run Forest, run!

Stop at La Cervecería Chaltén

Arriving back to the town, grab that tasty cold beer. You deserve it after 8-10 hours of hiking in the mountains! Before you lay-down and die completely, get some empanadas at Che Empanadas. Then have a shower and a power nap.

Parilla for Dinner in Patagonia, Argentina

Parilla time! You deserve meat after this long day of hiking. Eat that half-cow and drink that bottle of Malbec, because tomorrow your legs will hate you.

Day 3 Exploring El Chaltén

Good Morning, how are your legs feeling? Well, let’s take it slow today. Let’s start with going to the local bakery down the road and get some medialunas and coffee. Then find your Argentinean friend, and demand that you walk around in the town and go on a small dirt road, where you have no idea about it.

Rest Your Legs Day

My Argentinean friend Sebastian and I were in El Chalten on May 1, which meant that many shops were already closed for the season. Why don’t we go tree hunting? Sebastian would not understand the concept but is taking pictures of any tree with beautiful, intense colors like red, orange, and yellow. Patagonia is gorgeous in fall! We were both in pain after yesterday’s trekking to Fitz Roy. We decided to take it slow, and we did with just eating and drinking good Argentinean food and, of course, talking a great part about life.

If your legs are excellent and all good to go, definitely take advantage of the good weather and go hiking! You had to see according to the weather reports coming in and decided if it will be good to go.

 

Day 4 Laguna Torre & Travel to Calafate

Are you ready? The legs are feeling better, and you are ready for a six-hour hike to Laguna Torre. Following Río Fitz Roy and arriving later at the foot of Cerro Torre, where you will see a spectacular blue colors glacial lake that will make perfect photos for Instagram, the Laguna Torre is an easy-going hike with beautiful scenery and will not cost much doing.

Bus to El Calafate from El Chaltén

In the afternoon, catch a bus to El Calafate and enjoy a couple of hours relaxing on the bus. Watch the sunset go down over the pampas. I stayed at America Del Sur Calafate Hostel, and when I arrived at 21:00, they had just started their Parilla. It was an excellent dinner deal, including a glass of wine and a big steak.

Ameria Del Sur Calafate Hostel

When checking in America Del Sur Calafate Hostel, see the possibilities to book a tour. It’s easy and not that hazel with the price. It’s more or less the same. If not, you walk in the morning to the bus station (12 minutes walk) and ride from there to the national park. Remember Cash is king in Argentina!

Day 5 Enormous Perito Moreno Glacier

Waking up early and get ready for exploring the coolest glacier you have seen, Perito Moreno! First, you will be driving around for an hour or so before arriving at Perito Moreno Glacier. Remember to bring cash for the park fee entrance.

Arriving at Perito Moreno Glacier, start walking and exploring. Get lost and get around, take pictures from all different angles and views. Get on the boat if you want. I first wanted to go on the boat, but then I changed my opinion and went on another hike, which was cool. How close do you want to get to the glacier is up to you! For me, it was just fine walking around and talking with the cute guys taking pictures of all the tourists, including me, at some point.

Explore El Calafate

In the afternoon, returning to El Calafate, go for lunch and then walk around and find the best ice cream shop in El Calafate. Then go back to the hostel for a mini siesta.

After siesta, go to the hostel bar, grab two or maybe three beers from the local beer-brand Patagonia. Discuss the beer with a German girl, agree on going out for the night and eat some good food. Bring in the crew from all over the world, and hit the restaurant. Laugh, eat and talk and enjoy your last night in Patagonia before catching a too early-flight back to Buenos Aires, the most relaxed capital in the world, where the entire energy is vibing awesomeness.

 

Overall Experience about Hiking Patagonia Argentina

Hiking in Patagonia, Argentina, is easily done when you get there. All the tracks are more or less well-marked as they have proper signs that are easy to understand and walk after. Furthermore, the trails are for Norwegian girl heaven on earth. The trails are smooth, not rocky, and they were not moody either.

Fitz Roy Hike

The trails to Fitz Roy were comfortable. The only rough part was the last 400 meters, which was quite covered in ice, making it a bit more difficult. In other words, do not rush the hike, take your time, and it will be fine. I think anyone with a standard physics can make the trip. Yes, it is long, and the last kilometers can be painful, but with a fantastic view.

Laguna Torre Hike

The trails to Laguna Torre with the view of Cerro Torre was easy; I think even my grandma could do that hike reasonably easy. Furthermore, to be said, we did walk past this 75 years old guy hiking both Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre without problems. He had walking sticks and was perfectly happy walking at his speed, and that’s the best about the mountains. They are there for everyone. Be honest about your physics. Maybe you walk 5 kilometers and turn around, and the scenery will still be stunning.

Patagonia Argentina

For anyone considering traveling to Patagonia Argentina, I would say go! Patagonia Argentina was one of my best travel decisions, even do it was at the very end of the season. The best part of traveling at the end of the season is, of course, fewer people, stronger colors on the threes. The downside of going at the end of the season is that things are more closed down, and it can be cold, it can be windy, and the weather can be severe. If you are lucky like me, you will have a fantastic experience in El Chalten and El Calafate, the most important cornerstones of Patagonia Argentina.

25 Inspiring Photos of Patagonia in Argentina

The Budget for Patagonia Argentina

The one thing that is expensive for going on a trip to Patagonia Argentina is to get there! Especially if you are in a short time because you will have to fly, which is not cheap and needs to be taken care of before going. Start checking for flights when you know you are going to Patagonia. The other option is to go by bus some cheaper, but then again time-consuming; this depends on time and budget preferences.

Airport Transfer Cost

From the Airport of El Calafate to El Chalten, the transport was around 1600 ARS – 40 US dollars. It is a long ride. Three nights at Patagonia Hostel was 40 US dollars. The transportation to Hosteria Pilar was 5 US dollars. The hiking and the beautiful scenery were for FREE! Dinner around 12 US dollars and that includes, of course, wine.

From El Caltén to El Calafate by Bus

From El Chaltén to El Calafate, the ticket was around 20 US dollars. The car ride with a tour company to Perito Moreno Glacier was around 15 US dollars. The stay at America Del Sur hostel was 21 US dollars for two nights. Overall this is like a midrange budget for a backpacker. If you have 40 US dollars a day, more or less will be fine, of course, some more on travel days.

Are you going to Patagonia, Argentina?