Day hiking from El Chaltén
El Chaltén is the gateway to the Fitz Roy Massif in Los Glaciares – and some world class day hikes leading straight from your hotel to the mountains and glaciers.
Discover MoreDeep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
Deep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
The wild landscapes of Los Glaciares offer the traveller so much more than just world class hiking. This is a region with a host of multisports adventure activities on offer, with gorgeous rivers and lakes to paddle by kayak, remote forest and pampa trails to explore on horseback or on a mountain bike, sheer rock faces to climb around the Fitz Roy massif.
You can get a whole new perspective on the landscapes of Los Glaciares when you take to the water. Kayaking is available in many locations throughout the park, to get you paddling through some breathtaking scenery.
Without a doubt, one of the most spectacular places you can go kayaking is at Perito Moreno glacier. Take to water here to paddle close to the ice cliffs of one of Patagonia’s most iconic sights, though at a safe enough distance not to be troubled by the building-sized icebergs that calve into the lake on a daily basis.
Closer to El Chaltén, there is kayaking available on La Leona and Santa Cruz rivers, both of which take through some wild country surrounded by splendid mountain vistas.
Kayaking on La Leona river
Patagonia is the land of the gaucho, so exploring the region on horseback isn’t just a way of discovering some fantastic windswept landscapes with a local guide but it can also connect you with its deep cultural roots.
Although it’s possible to do day rides around El Chaltén, in our experience the best way to discover Los Glaciares from the saddle is via one of its many estancias, or traditional ranches.
Horse riding from an estancia has you exploring with gaucho guides, learning how local saddles and riding traditions differ from North America and Europe, then head out into vast emptiness to discover the pampa, the mountains and the lakes.
Horseriding near Nibepo Aike estancia
At the end of the long day, you return to the ranch to watch sheep or cattle being rounded up and take a glass of wine as you watch the sun setting from your veranda. This is the real Wild West experience, Patagonia-style. Our favourite estancias with the best riding experiences and authentic atmosphere are Estancia Condor and Estancia Nibepo Aike.
If you're looking from an even more immersive experience, our Riding to Hidden Glaciers offers four whole days of wilderness riding, staying each night in simple gaucho outposts along the way.
Remote riding trails in Los Glaciares
El Chaltén is one of the spiritual homes of South American rock climbing, and tackling the granite peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre is a big draw for climbers the world over.
Climbing routes available for everyone from beginners wanting a taste to those all the way up to those born to flex on a sheer rock wall. For first timers looking to get an idea of what all the fuss is about, we can arrange expert guides who can run you through a climbing school to learn the basics.
If you’re a more experienced climber, we can arrange ascents of any of the multiple level, high-quality routes in the area – all the way up to tackling peaks like Gorra Blanca.
Climbing Cerro Mojon Rojo near El Chaltén
Get a whole new perspective on the landscapes of Los Glaciares by taking to the water. Kayaking is available in many locations throughout the park, to get you paddling through some breathtaking scenery.
Without a doubt, one of the most spectacular places you can go kayaking is at Perito Moreno glacier. Take to water here to paddle close to the ice cliffs of one of Patagonia’s most iconic sights, though at a safe enough distance not to be troubled by the building-sized icebergs that calve into the lake on a daily basis.
Closer to El Chaltén, there is kayaking available on the La Leona and Santa Cruz rivers, taking through some wild country surrounded by splendid mountain vistas.
Kayaking on La Leona river
Rafting is also available on the Vuelta River near El Chaltén, where you can shoot Class III rapids with Mount FitzRoy as your backdrop.
Alternatively packrafting takes you out to a remote spot near Lago Del Desierto, carrying inflatable kayaks in the shape of compact (and very light) backpacks. From here, you float and paddle your way all the way back to El Chaltén. It’s a unique and very accessible experience as the walk lets you reach areas where you wouldn’t normally be able to put into the water, while the lightness of the kayaks lets you gently skim over the rapids on the river.
Rafting on the Vuelta River near El Chaltén
There are no dedicated mountain biking trails in Los Glaciares but it's still possible toenjoy some stunning mountain views of Los Glaciares on two wheels.
The main gravel bike route is just north of El Chaltén near Lago del Desierto. Supported by a vehicle, the bike trail puts you in the centre of some fabulous mountain scenery, biking through forests, rolling meadows and to sparkling waterfalls.
Many estancias also offer mountain biking, allowing you to get really remote on some trails that lead out into Los Glaciares’s true wilderness.
Biking at Lago del Desierto
We can mix and match any activity to build the perfect itinerary for you, or take a look at Swoop’s Los Glaciares Multisport Adventure that bundles together El Chaltén's best day hikes with a taste of our favourite kayaking, climbing and mountain biking experiences.
El Chaltén is the gateway to the Fitz Roy Massif in Los Glaciares – and some world class day hikes leading straight from your hotel to the mountains and glaciers.
Discover MoreLos Glaciares offers extraordinary multi-trekking adventures, sleeping under the stars to explore Mount Fitz Roy, hanging glaciers and hidden valleys.
Discover MorePerito Moreno glacier is one of Argentina’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, to be experienced by boat, kayak or even by hiking with crampons across its frozen surface.
Discover MoreSat at the base of Mount Fitz Roy in Los Glaciares, the town of El Chaltén is one of the world’s greatest destinations for spectacular mountain day hikes and rock climbing.
Discover MoreMulti-Sport Activities in Los Glaciares trips scored 4.6/5 from 9 reviews
Our trips cater for all levels of experience, whether you are a complete beginner or a hardened veteran. Let us know what experience you have and we can tailor the activities to suit you best.
All technical equipment is provided for the different activities. All you need to bring is suitable clothing and footwear.
If you have your own technical gear which you would prefer to use then this is absolutely fine. There are also gear shops in both El Chaltén and El Calafate where you can buy new gear.
with all necessary camping equipment. You will need to bring your own clothing and suitable footwear.
Yes – these activities are designed to fit together into a trip that gives you the broadest possible experience of what Los Glaciares has to offer. We can tailor the different activities together along with any of the day hiking options, to put together a unique trip that's just for you.
To make the most of a multi-sport experience, we recommend a minimum of three nights . Ideally you will have at least five nights to combine them with time on the hiking trail.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.
1-888-970-4571Impartial advice and a bespoke service to make your trip perfect.
We are former guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts & adventurers.
Swoop is proud to be B Corp Certified as we know sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
We’ll make sure you have the adventure of a lifetime.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Privacy policy