FIRST IMPRESSIONS of El Chaltén 🇦🇷🚌 + Arriving in the TREKKING CAPITAL of Patagonia, Argentina ⛰️🥾🌦️

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We're off to El Chaltén! In this episode, we'll say goodbye to El Calafate where we got to witness countless glaciers including the world-famous Perito Moreno, and we'll continue to another popular destination in Patagonia. The town of El Chaltén is located inside Los Glaciares National Park and it is the trekking capital of Argentina. You come to this destination to hike and enjoy the raw, natural beauty of the place. We made the journey from El Calafate to El Chaltén by bus (roughly 3.5 hours) and it was very scenic! Once we got settled in the hotel, we explored a bit of the town and also did an easy sunset hike to Mirador De Los Condores which is at the entrance of the town and offers really nice views of El Chalten. Stay tuned for the next few episodes for some epic trekking adventures!

#elchalten #patagonia #argentina

🚍 Chile to El Chaltén, Argentina: Arrival, Room Tour & First Sunset Hike | Patagonia Travel Guide

🌦️ Patagonian Weather: Unpredictable as Ever

Greetings from Patagonia! The day began in classic Patagonian style—temperatures dropping quickly, chilly winds swirling, and every hint of summer warmth disappearing. While we joked about missing the sunny comfort of Cafayate, we’re still thrilled to be here in the wilds of Patagonia, where the weather can shift dramatically from one day to the next. Our adventure today: journey from Chile to El Chaltén, Argentina, settle into our guesthouse, and squeeze in a sunset hike with epic mountain views.

🥯 Killing Time in Town: Brunch at Olivia’s Bagel Shop

After checking out of our Airbnb (shoutout to our hosts for letting us store our bags!), we wandered into town and found Olivia’s Bagel Shop—a cozy hangout popular with fellow travelers. The bagels, coffees, teas, and cakes were all delicious. We lingered over our meal, killing time before the next bus, and appreciated the café’s fast Wi-Fi—something we’d come to value as a rare commodity in southern Patagonia.

🚌 Bus to El Chaltén: Price, Route & Logistics

Our bus ride from El Calafate, Argentina, to El Chaltén was smooth and affordable. We traveled with Chaltén Travel, paying 1,000 pesos (about $16 USD) per person for a three-hour journey. There’s a halfway stop at Hotel La Leona, where you can stretch your legs, use the restroom (free with a purchase, or a small fee), and grab a snack. Arriving in El Chaltén, we appreciated how compact the town is—our guesthouse, Vertical Lodge, was just a short walk from the bus terminal.

🏡 Vertical Lodge Room Tour: Spacious Surprise

Our room at Vertical Lodge far exceeded expectations. Spacious, comfortable, and outfitted with a king-sized bed, a big bathroom (with a bidet, tub, and separate shower), a work desk for editing, and lovely views, it offered everything we needed for a week of trekking. For $54 USD per night (breakfast included), the value was excellent. The photos online didn’t do justice to the size and comfort of the space. We were delighted to find plenty of storage, good towels, and a feeling of home away from home.

🌅 Patagonian Summer: Endless Daylight & Trekking Plans

One of the joys of traveling this far south in December is the endless daylight—sunrise around 5 a.m. and sunsets as late as 10:30 p.m. This means plenty of time for hiking, exploring, and squeezing in activities even after dinner. We planned to use these extra hours to tackle as many trails as possible, including the famous Fitz Roy hike, Laguna Capri, and several local miradors. Six nights in El Chaltén means we could take full advantage of the best weather windows.

🥾 Sunset Hike to Mirador de los Cóndores: Our First Lookout

Eager to make the most of our first evening, we set off for Mirador de los Cóndores, a short, steep hike just outside town. The trail takes about 45 minutes and rewards you with spectacular panoramic views of El Chaltén and the surrounding mountain ranges, all glowing in the late Patagonian light. The town itself is a splash of color, with bright houses nestled in a dramatic valley—a true frontier feel compared to more developed places like El Calafate.

🛏️ Settling In & Looking Ahead: Trekking Goals

After dropping off groceries and organizing gear, we settled in for the night, tired but thrilled with our first impressions of El Chaltén. The extended daylight helped us plan our adventures—an early breakfast (served from 6:30 a.m. at the lodge), then a full day of hiking to make the most of the best weather forecasted for tomorrow. We took care of practicalities—charging batteries, hand-washing laundry—and headed to bed while the sun was still up, dreaming of the iconic Fitz Roy and the treks ahead.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS of El Chaltén 🇦🇷🚌 + Arriving in the TREKKING CAPITAL of Patagonia, Argentina ⛰️🥾🌦️

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