El Chaltén hiking guide 2026: park fee, trails, weather, what to bring

01When to come

The season runs from October to April. You can walk in winter too, with different gear. Tap a month to see what it is like.

Average high and low in town (colder up high)Hours of daylightDays with gusts over 60 km/h

October

The season begins. Lots of wind, snow still up high.

Temperature: 2° / 9°
Daylight: 13.6 h
Strong-gust days: ≈ 10

Climate: 2016–2025 average from the ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus), computed by us for the town. For today’s forecast, see Wind & weather.

02The park fee

The El Chaltén trails are inside Los Glaciares National Park and there is an entrance fee. These are the rates since 1/6/2026, per person, in Argentine pesos.

	One day	3 days	7 days
Foreign visitors	$ 50,000	$ 100,000	$ 175,500
Argentine nationals	$ 25,000	$ 50,000	$ 87,500
Santa Cruz residents	$ 8,000	$ 16,000	$ 28,000
Students (Argentine ID)	$ 15,000	—	—

Second day half price if you return within 72 hours of your first entry.
No cash. At the booths you pay by QR or card. You can also buy online at the National Parks web shop.
Bring ID or passport: you need it to buy and to enter.
Free for: children up to 6, retirees with Argentine ID, El Chaltén residents, people with disabilities, Malvinas veterans and guides.
Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre both charge: both are inside the National Park.
Where it is checked: at three gates: Base Fitz Roy (end of Av. San Martín), Río Eléctrico (toward Piedras Blancas and Laguna de los Tres) and Los Cóndores.

03The trails

The Park’s official figures, one way from town. For Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre we have the trail measured stretch by stretch.

Trail	km	Hours	Climb
Laguna de los Tres →The last stretch is very steep.	10	5:00	750 m
Laguna Torre →	10	3:30	250 m
Laguna Capri	4	1:45	350 m
Mirador Fitz Roy	4	1:30	350 m
Mirador del Torre	3	1:15	250 m
Mirador Maestri	12	4:30	300 m
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado	10	4:00	1000 m
Laguna ToroRemote area: registration required.	16	7:00	500 m
Mirador de los Cóndores	1	0:45	100 m
Mirador de las Águilas	2	1:00	100 m
Chorrillo del Salto	3	0:40	—

Add about 20 minutes from the Visitor Centre to the start of each trail.

04Water, toilets and camps

On our own tracks: where the camps (and dry toilets) are, where the viewpoints are and where each trail ends.

Laguna de los Tres · 18.3 km end to endSee the trek →

Laguna Torre · 8.3 km one waySee the trek →

Camp with dry toiletViewpoint

Water

The Park says the river and stream water is pure, and you refill on the way. Still, leave with a full bottle. No soap near the water.

Toilets

There are only dry toilets at the Laguna Capri, Poincenot and De Agostini camps. None elsewhere on the trail: go before you leave.

Camps

Capri, Poincenot and De Agostini are booked and paid per night with the Park Friends Association, up to the day before and non-refundable. No fires: gas stoves only. No showers, no signal. Laguna Toro is a remote area, with mandatory registration at the Visitor Centre.

Laguna Capritrail Fitz Roy · 4 km from town
Poincenottrail Fitz Roy · 8 km from town
De Agostinitrail Torre · 9 km from town

05What to bring

Our list for a day in the mountains. Tick what you have: it stays saved in this browser.

The lake with ice, at the foot of Fitz Roy

06Wildlife and rules

If you see a huemul

It is a protected Natural Monument and endangered. Keep your distance, no sudden moves, don’t touch it, and tell a ranger.

If you see a puma

Don’t run and don’t turn your back. If it acts aggressively, raise your arms and shout. Then tell a ranger.

What you will surely see

Lenga and ñire forest, condors, the Magellanic woodpecker, red foxes. In autumn watch out for the yellowjacket, a wasp that does not belong here.

Park rules

No fires. Stoves only at camps and viewpoints.
No pets.
No drones.
No bikes on the trails.
Don’t feed the animals.
All rubbish comes back with you, including yerba and peel.
Stay on the marked trail, and be back before dark.
In winter, don’t walk on frozen lakes.

07Getting here

Plane: The nearest airport is El Calafate (FTE), 213 km away.
Bus: Caltur, Chaltén Travel and Taqsa run several times a day from El Calafate. About 3 hours.
On arrival: The Visitor Centre at the entrance to town is open every day: 9am–5pm from September to April and 10am–6pm from May to August. They will tell you how the trails are.
Money and signal: There is a single ATM, at Banco Santa Cruz, with a low withdrawal limit. Bring cash from Buenos Aires or El Calafate. There is 4G in town; on the trails there is almost none.

For food, a bed and what to do on a rainy day: El Chaltén, our way →

08Do you need a guide?

The Park doesn’t require one on day trails. We recommend it, and we tell you why straight: 8–9 hour days, weather that gives no warning, no signal, and a VHF radio in the guide’s pack.

Our answer→

09Questions

How much is the entrance to the El Chaltén trails?

Since 1/6/2026, a day pass costs ARS 50,000 for foreign visitors, ARS 25,000 for Argentines and ARS 8,000 for Santa Cruz residents. The second day is 50% off if you return within 72 hours. At the booths you pay by QR code or card; no cash.

Can you hike Laguna de los Tres without a guide?

Yes, the Park does not require a guide on day trails. It is 8–9 hours with a very steep last stretch; we recommend a guide, especially if the forecast is doubtful or it is your first time in the mountains.

How long does Laguna de los Tres take?

According to the Park, it is 10 km and about 5 hours one way from town, with 750 m of climbing. There and back is a full day: allow 8 to 10 hours.

How long does Laguna Torre take?

It is 10 km and about 3½ hours one way from town, with 250 m of climbing according to the Park. There and back, 7 to 8 hours with stops.

Is there water on the trails?

The Park says river and stream water is pure. Bring a bottle to refill on the way, and keep soap and toilet stops well away from water.

Are there toilets on the trails?

There are dry toilets at the Laguna Capri, Poincenot and De Agostini camps. There are none elsewhere.

When is the best time to hike in El Chaltén?

The season runs October to April: November to February has 14–16 hours of daylight; March and April bring less wind and autumn colours. In winter (May to September) you walk with crampons and poles, which are required.

Can you camp on the trails?

Yes, at Laguna Capri, Poincenot and De Agostini, booked in advance and paid per night (run by the Park’s Friends Association). No fires: gas stoves only.

Do you need to register for the Huemul Circuit?

Yes. It is a remote area and registering with the Park is mandatory. With us, our guides carry the tents, food, stoves and radio; you bring your personal technical gear, and we send you the list when you book.

Hiking in El Chaltén