Standard
$1,080per person
Tent at Poincenot and hostel beds in El Chaltén, shared guide
Choose StandardGlacier Lookout Trek
Six days from El Calafate to El Chaltén, with a walk to the lookout over the Fitz Roy range and a guided glacier day on the Viedma ice.
What you will walk
- Laguna de los Tres, with Fitz Roy rising above the lake
- A guided walk on the Viedma glacier ice
- Camps at Poincenot and a bed in El Chaltén on the other nights
- The wind-shaped forest and lake shores of the park
- A village of climbers, guides and bakeries at the end of each day
El Chaltén is a small trekking village below the granite towers of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. The walks start from the village and the camp at Poincenot, and the trail climbs through forest to lakes and viewpoints. The trek is hard because of the steep sections and the wind, not because of the route itself.
The trip includes a walk to the lake under Fitz Roy and a guided day on the Viedma glacier, which needs crampons and an ice axe. The team uses the local guides who work in the park, and the walks are chosen with them each day based on the weather. The nights are spent in a tent at Poincenot and in a bed in El Chaltén.
The best months are November to March, when the days are long and the camps are open. The Poincenot camp closes in the cooler months, so the trip is not run from April to October. Pack a warm layer, waterproofs and a hat for the wind, whatever the forecast says.
Day by day, up and over
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Bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén
A morning bus through the steppe to El Chaltén. Collect your gear and check the forecast for the week.
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Walk to Poincenot camp
A path through lenga forest along the river to the camp at the foot of the Fitz Roy range. Pitch the tent before the wind picks up.
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Laguna de los Tres
The steep climb to the lake under Fitz Roy is the hardest walk of the trip. Start early, because the wind and cloud build in the afternoon.
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Mirador to the Viedma lookout
Walk back to El Chaltén and continue to the lookout over the Viedma glacier and the lake. The views of the ice are wide and quiet.
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Guided glacier day
Take a boat and walk onto the ice with crampons and a guide. The guide sets the route through the crevasses and seracs.
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Return to El Calafate
A morning bus back to El Calafate. Allow time to rest and check the onward flight times.
Choose how you stay
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Most chosen Comfort
$1,320per person
Refugio beds and hotel rooms, shared guide
Choose Comfort -
Private
$2,250per person
Private guide for the group, flexible route and timing
Choose Private
Included
- Five nights of accommodation: a tent at Poincenot and beds in El Chaltén
- Breakfast and dinner on all trek nights, and lunch on the walking days
- Licensed trekking guide and glacier guide
- Crampons and ice axe for the glacier day
- Boat and transfer to the glacier
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Los Glaciares park entry fee and the bus fare
- Travel insurance with rescue cover
- Drinks and snacks not listed
Pick your departure
| Departs | Seats left | Status | Price | Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 seats left | Open | $1,080 | Request Sat 6 Mar 2027 | |
| Only 2 left | Few left | $1,080 | Request Sat 13 Mar 2027 | |
| 7 seats left | Open | $1,080 | Request Sat 13 Nov 2027 | |
| On request | On request | $1,080 | Ask Sat 20 Nov 2027 | |
| Full | Full | $1,080 | Waitlist Sat 27 Nov 2027 |
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What travellers say
5.0
Based on 1 review
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Laguna de los Tres on a clear morning
We were lucky with a clear morning for the walk up to the lagoon, and Lucia had us there before the wind picked up. She explained the granite towers as we climbed and stopped at the right places for photos without making it a race. The glacier day on the ice field was the highlight for me, with crampons fitted properly and a short, sensible route. The trek felt well organised from the first pickup to the last transfer.
Read moreShow less
Carlos Mendes
Before you book
Still have a question?
Ask a planner. A person reads every message and replies within one working day.
Is the weather a problem?
Patagonian wind is strong and the weather can change in an hour. The guide adjusts the walks to the forecast, and sometimes swaps the lake walk for a lower route.
Do I need crampons experience?
No. The guide teaches the basics before the glacier day. You need to be comfortable walking on uneven ground and to follow instructions closely.
Can I sleep in a bed instead of a tent?
The comfort tier includes refugio beds and hotel rooms in El Chaltén, and the walk days are the same.
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