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El Calafate & El Chaltén: Los Glaciares National Park Private Tour

El Calafate & El Chaltén: Los Glaciares National Park Private Tour

Argentina
7 Days

Overview

Los Glaciares National Park concentrates two completely distinct Patagonian experiences within 220 kilometers of each other: El Chaltén at the base of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, where three of Patagonia's most rewarding day hikes start steps from the village, and El Calafate, where the Perito Moreno Glacier's 70-meter ice wall and the remote Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers on Lago Argentino require boat navigation to reach their most dramatic vantage points. This 7-day private Los Glaciares itinerary covers all of it — three full trekking days in El Chaltén (Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, and the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado 360° panorama), plus two days of glacier experiences in El Calafate including the Todo Glaciares navigation — with private transfers, a dedicated local guide on every trail, and boutique properties in both towns.

  • Three El Chaltén Trails, Each Genuinely Different: Laguna de los Tres delivers the closest view of Fitz Roy's north face (22 km, 960m elevation). Laguna Torre follows the river to Cerro Torre's granite spire above floating icebergs (21 km, 600m). Loma del Pliegue Tumbado opens the only 360° panorama covering both massifs simultaneously (21 km, 1,200m) — the most demanding and least crowded of the three.

  • Upsala & Spegazzini Navigation: The Todo Glaciares boat from Puerto Punta Bandera navigates past floating icebergs to Spegazzini's 120-meter ice wall and Upsala's retreating front — perspectives that no walkway or road can replicate, arranged through our team based in El Calafate.

  • Perito Moreno at Optimal Timing: The glacier's calving activity is most audible and photogenic in the morning — the walkways visit is timed around that window rather than following standard tour departure schedules.

  • Private Guides & Transfers Throughout: Dedicated local guides accompany every hike, while private transfers between destinations ensure a smooth and comfortable journey across Los Glaciares National Park.

  • Fully Customizable: This private El Calafate and El Chaltén itinerary connects naturally to Torres del Paine across the border, Ushuaia to the south, or Buenos Aires for a complete Argentina circuit.

Trip Highlights

The signature moments that make this journey unforgettable.

  • Hike to Laguna de los Tres beneath Fitz Roy's north face, El Chaltén's signature trail

  • Trek to Laguna Torre, with views of Cerro Torre's granite spire and the floating icebergs of Glaciar Grande

  • Ascend Loma del Pliegue Tumbado for a 360-degree panorama over Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Lake Viedma, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field simultaneously

  • Walk Perito Moreno's elevated walkways alongside calving events from the 70-meter ice wall

  • Navigate to Spegazzini and Upsala Glaciers through Lake Argentino's floating icebergs — both reachable only by boat

Itinerary

Day 1

A private transfer from El Calafate Airport (FTE) across the Patagonian steppe to El Chaltén, Argentina's trekking capital, with Fitz Roy visible on the horizon for the final stretch of the drive. An evening guide briefing covers weather conditions and departure timing for the days ahead.

Day 2

22 km round trip | 960m elevation gain | 8–9 hours | Challenging

El Chaltén's essential trail. The route departs from the Río Eléctrico trailhead, climbing through lenga and ñire forest past the Piedras Blancas hanging glacier viewpoint before the final ascent to the glacial lagoon at 3,054 meters, directly below Fitz Roy's north face. Your guide manages departure timing against the wind forecast — the afternoon wind off the ice field determines how the upper section feels.

Day 3

21 km round trip | 600m elevation gain | 6.5–8 hours | Moderate

A gentler day than the previous, heading west through the Fitz Roy River canyon to the moraine above Laguna Torre, where Cerro Torre's granite spire and the icebergs of Glaciar Grande are the view.

Day 4

20–22 km round trip | 1,100m elevation gain | 7–8 hours | Moderate–Challenging

A sustained ascent through open steppe and alpine terrain to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado — one of the few viewpoints where Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Lake Viedma, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are visible simultaneously. The summit is fully exposed to wind; a windproof layer is essential. After descending, a private transfer to El Calafate for the evening.

Day 5

A boat crossing of Lake Argentino's Rico Arm to the glacier's southern shore, followed by a hike to the ice edge where crampons go on. Approximately 90 minutes of guided travel on Perito Moreno's surface past blue meltwater lagoons, seracs, and crevasses. After returning to the shore, the 4.7-kilometer elevated walkway system delivers the 70-meter ice face from multiple angles, with calving events audible throughout — two completely different physical relationships with the same glacier in one day.

Day 6

A full-day navigation through Lake Argentino's floating icebergs to Upsala Glacier — one of the largest in South America — and Spegazzini Glacier, whose ice face rises over 130 meters and is reachable only by water. The north arm of the lake is broader and more remote than the Perito Moreno sector; the scale only registers once the boat is moving through it.

Day 7

A private transfer to El Calafate Airport (FTE) for your domestic flight to Buenos Aires and onward international connections.

Southwind Experience

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  • Transportation throughout the trip

  • Accommodation

  • Expert local guides

  • Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip

  • International or domestic flights

  • Personal expenses and optional activities

To start this journey, travelers will need to fly into El Calafate Airport (FTE), located just outside El Calafate City. This airport receives domestic flights from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery – AEP) and international connections via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

  • Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to El Calafate (FTE).

  • Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from El Calafate (FTE) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) for onward international connections.

What our travelers say

S

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southwind from the planning stages to delivery of the trip in Patagonia were faultless and I really love the little reminders sent for each separate stage and really appreciated the added bits around passport checking and border crossing paperwork. The whole team was super friendly, and for our trip with Fernando he was great company and knew where to stop for refreshments and a view! We would strongly recommend southwind, they go the extra mile on service and have a permanent smile. Thank you guys you were faultless.

S

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great experience with Southwind. They organized a tour for us to visit Monte Leon from El Calafate. Fernando & Laura organized the logistics and were very helpful. Martin accompanied us on the tour and doubled up as driver and tour guide, which was beyond our expectations. We saw a lot of wildlife en route, as well as in the park with Martin’s help. I highly recommend Southwind for your Patagonia experience.

F

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The agency proved to be extremely professional. During the long transfer, in an impeccably clean and perfectly maintained vehicle, Mr. Fernando was very attentive to ensure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this agency for organizing your trips to South America. Only 5 stars because I can't give more!

J

Joanna Green

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maria and her team looked after us so well. I would recommend them in a flash. It was 20 years since I had been to El Calafate so I didn't know what to expect. It had changed so much! Maria was helpful, honest, well priced and a pleasure to work with. You could not ask for more. We had the best time thanks to Maria and her organisation. Fernando was our driver to a tour and a delight. Punctual, knowledgeable and all round wonderful. Gracias!!

R

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

M

Martin Bride

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

E

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

P

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muy buena la atención tanto por WhatsApp como en las excursiones. Puntuales en las búsquedas en el hotel... De las excursiones que llevo hechas (todas excelentes) la atención, la coordinación y el conocimiento de los guías es muy bueno. Un excelente servicio, lo recomiendo!

A

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

How to Customize This Itinerary

This itinerary is a foundation, not a fixed template — we shape it around what draws you to Patagonia in the first place.

  • Cross into Torres del Paine, Chile, for the W Trek's three main circuits.

  • Continue to Ushuaia for the Beagle Channel navigation and Tierra del Fuego National Park.

  • Extend in El Chaltén for the Cagliero Glacier ice trek or the Viedma Glacier navigation from Lago del Desierto.

  • Add Bariloche's Lake District for scenic lake navigation and boutique mountain lodges.

Every adjustment is shaped around what the trip means to you, then re-engineered with the same private logistics as the original route.

Let's plan your adventure!

Customize your adventure!

Share your trip plans, and we'll tailor it to your needs and budget. Our local experts are ready to craft the perfect journey for you.

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