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<\/p>\nEl Chalt\u00e9n is a small village in the south of Argentina, within the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and the Santa Cruz Province. It is in the Patagonia region of the nation, close to El Calafete and the Chilean border. El Chalt\u00e9n is otherwise known as the hiking capital of the world, with some of the best mountain hikes in the region.<\/p>\n
The village of El Chalt\u00e9n is small, with only a few restaurants, bars and accommodation options. Still, it’s the perfect base for a weekend or week of hiking – making it a bucket list and must-visit destination for anyone who loves hiking.<\/p>\n
Despite its size, El Chalt\u00e9n offers many hiking options, including full-day and hour-long hikes, the majority of which are self-guided with fully marked trails allowing you to hike and explore at your own pace. There are also great places to eat and enjoy a drink or two.<\/p>\n
If you are thinking about making El Chalt\u00e9n your next hiking destination or simply planning a weekend or week-long trip, check out our ultimate guide to El Chalt\u00e9n.<\/p>\n
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Accommodation options in El Chalt\u00e9n are limited. There are just a small number of luxury hotels, with most places catering to budget travellers in hostels and apartments. Despite the very basic facilities provided in El Chalt\u00e9n, the hotels and apartments still charge high prices due to their prime location for hiking.<\/p>\n
While plenty of options are available, booking in advance is recommended, especially when travelling during the peak season between December and February. Hotel options tend to come complete with breakfast, and they are very knowledgeable about the area’s hikes and tours. Most hotels also have the option to order and prepay for takeaway lunch options for you to take on your hike.<\/p>\n
These are ten of the top-rated hotels in El Chalt\u00e9n. We’ve organized them by luxury, mid-range and budget to help you choose the best hotel for your group.<\/p>\n
Luxury El Chalt\u00e9n Hotels<\/strong><\/p>\n Mid-Range El Chalt\u00e9n Hotels<\/strong><\/p>\n Budget El Chalt\u00e9n Hotels<\/strong><\/p>\n El Chalt\u00e9n, despite its small size, is the perfect base for exploring the region’s mountains. The town is best known for hiking, and due to its remote location, I would recommend only visiting if you plan to go hiking, as there aren’t many other activities to do or places to see outside of the main street.<\/p>\n Here are the top ten things to do in El Chalt\u00e9n, the hiker’s paradise.<\/p>\n The Mt Fitz Roy and Laguna de Los Tres trail is the most popular hike in the area and is why most people come to the village. There are two route options – one option starts and ends in the town on a busy out-and-back trail past Laguna Capri. The second requires a transfer to Hosteria El Pilar, and then the hike goes past Glacier Piedras Blancas before returning down the trail past Laguna Capri into town.<\/p>\n This is a 24km hike lasting around 7-10 hours, depending on your pace. It has flat areas, but watch out for the last kilometre, which ascends the mountain at a dramatic rate. The view from the top is worth it.<\/p>\n If you don’t want to do two long day hikes in a row or are looking for a more chilled day or afternoon, you can take a walk around the town; despite its small size, there are several shops filled to the brim with hiking gear, adventure sports equipment and souvenirs.<\/p>\n The Cerro Torre hike is a simple out-and-back trail, which is around 22km or takes approximately six to eight hours. It is mostly flat and passes waterfalls and viewpoints. Ask your hotel for a lunch box, take a break and admire the view while eating your sandwiches.<\/p>\n Glacier Huemul is ideal for a day or half-day trip outside the town. Located just one hour outside the village, you will find a small farm shop, and from there, you can pay the entrance fee and hike for around an hour to admire incredible views. <\/p>\n Lago del Desierto is just a 20-minute drive from Glacier Huemul, making it the perfect place to visit after your glacier hike. There is a lake with crystal clear water surrounded by mountains.<\/p>\n You can rent a mountain bike, and if you are feeling adventurous, you can ride back from Lago del Desierto to El Chalt\u00e9n. You can take a taxi to the starting point or go on an organised tour with a guide. The road is unpaved, so a mountain bike is the best option.<\/p>\n From El Chalten, you can take a horse riding tour around the area and admire the view along the way.<\/p>\n While not well known for kayaking, there are many options in Lago del Desierto and along the De las Vueltas River, with incredible views of the mountains, including Mount Fitz Roy.<\/p>\n El Calafate is located around 3.5 hours from El Chalt\u00e9n and is the main city in the area, with more amenities such as gas stations, supermarkets and more restaurant options. This city is a great place to add on before or after a trip to El Chalten. There are numerous day trip options and more things to do and see in the area, with glaciers, longer hiking options and a large lake to enjoy.<\/p>\n La Wafler\u00eda<\/a> is a great breakfast, brunch, or breakfast option with ample choices with omelettes, waffles, and other breakfast favourites. You can have a lazy morning eating brunch before enjoying an afternoon hike, or enjoy a brunch while you wait for the weather to clear up.<\/p>\n El Chalt\u00e9n offers some of the world’s best hikes, ranging from hour-long to nine-hour-long treks, with options in between. The trails lead to waterfalls, lagoons, and other natural wonders, all clearly marked and easy to follow. No guide is necessary, as you can obtain a map from a local outdoor shop or ask your hotel to print one for you.<\/p>\n The hikes around the area vary in difficulty, with some of the longer hikes requiring a higher level of fitness than others. Depending on the area and mountain range, the longer hikes will often have steep endings or high elevations.<\/p>\n It is advisable to wear layers during the hikes, as temperatures vary depending on the time of day and elevation. Many of the hikes have basic bathroom facilities and are free to enter. For the longer hikes, it is best to set off early and plan to return before nightfall, as no lights or people are patrolling individual hikes. Also, sunrise is a great time to start your hike or provide you with great views.<\/p>\n Here are ten great options, all varying in length and difficulty. All of the hikes listed and signposted do not require a guide.<\/p>\n El Chalt\u00e9n offers a variety of enjoyable tours for exploring the area, taking to the water and visiting natural wonders. Here are some great options if you would like to hike with a guide:<\/p>\n\n
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<\/p>\nTop Things To Do In El Chalt\u00e9n, Argentina<\/h2>\n
1) Take on the Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna de Los Tres hiking trail<\/span><\/h3>\n
2) Spend the morning walking around town before taking on a short hike<\/span><\/h3>\n
3) Hike on the Cerro Torre trail<\/span><\/h3>\n
4) Hike to Glacier Huemul<\/span><\/h3>\n
5) Admire the beauty of Lago del Desierto<\/span><\/h3>\n
6) Go mountain biking from Lago del Desierto back to El Chalt\u00e9n<\/span><\/h3>\n
7) Take a horse riding adventure<\/span><\/h3>\n
8) Go kayaking at Lago del Desierto<\/span><\/h3>\n
9) Take a day trip to El Calafate<\/span><\/h3>\n
10) Spend the morning relaxing over brunch<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nBest Hikes To Take In El Chalt\u00e9n<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nBest Tours To Take In El Chalt\u00e9n<\/h2>\n
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