Excursions from Explora El Chaltén

We start with a drive from the lodge to the south shore of Lago del Desierto. From there, we'll cross the historic lake, accompanied by fantastic views of Vespigniani Glacier. After landing on the northernmost tip of the lake we'll start our trek on a rugged track through the forest in order to reach some of the most unexplored parts of this area.

When we reach the southern edge of the lake well finish our trek. Our driver will be waiting to take us back to the lodge.

Full-day , 7hrs 20 mins | Trek: 13.1km | Difficulty: Advanced

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We'll start by driving from the lodge to the southern end of Lago del Desierto. From there, we'll walk for about 30mins to the Vespigniani Nature Reserve, where we can then trek through the forest. This is perhaps the least-known area of El Chaltén.

On the return journey, we'll see the valley surrounded by forested mountains and Mt Fitz Roy in the background.

Full-day, 5hrs 20mins | Trek: 1.9km | Difficulty: Easy

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We'll start by driving from the lodge to the southern end of Lago del Desierto. From there, we'll cross this historical lake while enjoying the view of Vespigniani Glacier. When we reach the northernmost tip of the lake, we'll disembark and take a rugged track through the forest, reaching some of the most unexplored parts of this area.

Our trek will finish when we reach the southern edge of the lake, from where we'll take a van back to the lodge.

Full-day, 8hrs 20mins | Trek: 6.93km | Difficulty: Advanced

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Following Río Las Vueltas through ancient forests, we'll head to the northern area of El Chaltén. We'll walk along the edge of Lago del Desierto Lake, a watershed adjacent to forests and the foothills of the Andes Mountain Range, from where we can enjoy views to two glaciers: Vespigniani and Huemul.

We'll return along the same track to reach the van that will take us back to the lodge.

Full-day, 4hrs 20mins | Trek: 7.6km | Difficulty: Moderate

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We'll leave Explora by van, driving along the winding roads and past beautiful waterfalls that are formed due to the geography of the Río de las Vueltas valley. We'll head into the deepest and most humid forests of the Lago del Desierto Provincial Reserve to reach the lake.

Once here, we'll stop at a panoramic spot where we'll have time to take in the fantastic views before we return along the same route to the lodge.

Half-day, 4hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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El Chaltén is one of the best places in the world for rock climbing, so we offer our guests the chance to experience this. We provide a rock climbing briefing that covers the main places to climb in El Chaltén, history, how to control your body, and the importance of trusting partners.

Depending on experience, we offer climbing routes for beginners and others that are more demanding, always caring for the traveller’s safety and taking into account their previous experience.

Please not that climbing excursions are subject to availability have an additional cost. Reserve at the lodge.

Half-day, 3hrs | Difficulty: Easy/moderate

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The Southern Ice Field is considered to be one of the world’s most remote and inhospitable places. Walking over this enormous plateau of ice and snow is one of the most transformative experiences for an explorer. If conditions permit, we will spend six days among the forests, rocky slopes, lagoons, and vast expanses of ice and snow whilst all the time surrounded by stunning mountains. This is a demanding 90km expedition hike in an area of unpredictably changeable weather.

Please not that this expedition combines Explora services with services provided by third parties, meaning it must be reserved in advance and can carry an additional charge. It is only for hikers with prior experience.

6 days, 71.6km | Difficulty: Expert

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We'll hike from the lodge, bordering the Río Diablo valley. The first day will be spent among Patagonian forests until we reach the edge of Laguna Diablo. The first night will be spent at Refugio Cagliero.

We'll spend the next day hiking up rock cliffs towards the Southern Ice Fields. It will be a day of contrasts between the valley, the lagoons, and this enormous expanse of ice. Tonight we'll camp.

The following day, we'll enjoy the magnificent views this region offers, contemplating the mountains as we descend over ice and snow, until we reach the rock of the Río Eléctrico valley. From here we'll cross the river using a zip-line and then hike to the forest where our van will be waiting to transfer us back to the lodge.

Please not that this expedition combines Explora services with services provided by third parties, meaning it must be reserved in advance and can carry an additional charge. It is only for hikers with prior experience.

3 days, 38.3km | Difficulty: Expert

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We'll start this trek by taking a slightly rugged track from the lodge to Laguna Azul. Our path through a landscape of rivers, mountains, and lagoons leads us to the stunning sight the north face of Mount Fitz Roy. We continue trekking to Laguna Diablo, followed by a trail to reach a lookout with a fantastic view to Glaciar Cagliero. Here we finish our full-day exploration of the Los Huemules Nature Reserve.

Full-day, 8hrs | Trek: 17km | Difficulty: Advanced

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We'll start this trek by walking on a trail surrounded by forests, with a view to the north face of Mount Fitz Roy. The route follows the Río Diablo, where we'll be able to see torrent ducks. As we ascend, we'll have magnificent views of Glaciar Cagliero and Laguna del Diablo.

There are two options to return: Walk down to a spot where you can be picked up by a van and transferred back to the lodge, or hike back to the lodge.

Full-day, 7hrs | Trek: 13.4km | Difficulty: Advanced

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This trek provides us with an overhead view of the north face of Mount Fitz Roy. We'll trek along the side of one of the hills bordering the Río Diablo to reach an ecosystem particular to this altitude. There are shrub-like forests, rocks, and sand fields.

We'll also get some stunning views of the glaciers, mountains, and valleys of the Río Diablo and Río Las Vueltas.

Full-day, 4hrs 30mins | Trek: 6.7km | Difficulty: Advanced

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On this trek we'll learn more about the birds of this region. We'll leave the lodge by van and head to Laguna Cóndor. From here we'll walk to a viewpoint to gaze over the landscape and observe the various types of birds that make their home here. There is plenty to learn about them and their behaviour.

Then we'll continue our trek through a forest of old lengas which are home to more birds. We'll return by van to the lodge.

Half-day, 3hrs 25mins | Trek: 3.8km | Difficulty: Easy

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An ancient lenga tree forest greets us on this trek where birds take the main stage in several spots along the way. The route then ascends through rock cliffs and offers us unique views and perspectives of the Río Las Vueltas valley.

Half-day, 3hrs 25mins | Trek: 3.8km | Difficulty: Easy

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We'll start our trek from the lodge and follow a path into a forest of lenga and ñirre (Southern beech) trees with native birds for company. The sounds of Río Eléctrico will accompany us for the whole trek as we take in the contrasting and beautiful views offered by the valley’s glaciers and hills.

Full-day, 4hrs 30mins | Trek: 10.4km | Difficulty: Moderate

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We'll start the trek from the lodge on a path through a lenga and ñire forest. Here we can observe different types of birds and huemul deer tracks. We'll hike all the way up to Laguna Azul where we'll be able to see various water birds.

Easy-day, 3hrs 30mins | Trek: 4.9km | Difficulty: Easy

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We'll start the trek from the lodge on a path through a lenga and ñire forest. Here we can observe different types of birds and huemul deer tracks. We'll hike all the way up to Laguna Azul where we'll be able to see various water birds.

Easy-day, 3hrs | Trek: 7km | Difficulty: Easy

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A brief trek from the lodge will lead us to the entrance of the Los Huemules Reserve forest. Along the way are lenga and ñires trees, lagoons, as well as the delightful company of a vareity of native birds.

Easy-day, 2hrs 30mins | Trek: 5.1km | Difficulty: Easy

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A brief trek from the lodge will lead us to the entrance of the Los Huemules Reserve forest. Along the way are lenga and ñires trees, lagoons, as well as the delightful company of a vareity of native birds.

Half-day, 2hrs | Trek: 5.1km | Difficulty: Easy

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This is an ideal trek for travelers who'd like to have a different experience and perspective of Patagonia. Surrounded by mountains, we will trek along Río Eléctrico through a forest while enjoying fantastic views of Glaciar Marconi. We'll then ascend a steep slope, leaving the forest behind and approaching the impressive mountains. The north side of Mount Fitz Roy is visible from a lookout that at the highest point of this trek.

Note that this trek is subject to availability upon check-in at the lodge.

Full-day, 12hrs | Trek: 22km | Difficulty: Advanced

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This is one of the most popular hikes in this region, following trails in the Los Glaciares National Park. We'll start by hiking through beautiful forests and valleys and then cross a river and begin the final ascent to Laguna de Los Tres. From here we'll have time to take in the majesty of Mount Fitz Roy at its fullest.

Full-day, 9hrs 15mins | Trek: 20.3km | Difficulty: Advanced

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The ascent to Cerro Madsen, in the Fitz Roy area, is a perfect challenge for beginners in the mountains, or for those who want to make their first summit in Patagonia and treat themselves to one of the most spectacular views in the world.

Note that this trek is subject to availability upon check-in at the lodge.

Full-day, 11hrs | Trek: 21.7km | Difficulty: Expert

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We'll start this excursion by taking a van from the lodge to the northern area of the Los Glaciares National Park. From there we start our trek, entering the forest and enjoying closer views of Glaciar Piedras Blancas while learning about its history, formation, and dynamics.

Half-day, 3hrs 30mins | Trek: 8.9km | Difficulty: Moderate

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We leave the lodge by van and drive along Río Las Vueltas, enjoying different perspectives of the valley. We'll also be treated to some spectacular wide views of the Andes Mountains and will stop at different points along the way to enjoy these views. Before returning to the lodge, we'll stop to take some time to explore El Chaltén town.

Half-day, 5hrs 20mins | Difficulty: Easy

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On this excursions, we'll trek to the Los Glaciares National Park on a trail through forests with some fantastic views to the glaciers in the area. We'll also get a great view of the Andes Mountain Range, with Mount Fitz Roy taking center stage. Our trek will finish at the town of El Chaltén from where we take the van back to the lodge.

Full-day, 7hrs | Trek: 15.4km | Difficulty: Moderate

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To start this excursion we'll travel by van from the lodge to the northernmost tip of the Los Glaciares National Park. From there, we'll start to cross the Río Blanco valley before hiking up to the Laguna de Los Tres, enjoying a fantastic view of Mount Fitz Roy. We'll then trek along the valley to Laguna Torre. Our trek will finish at El Chaltén town from where we return to the lodge by van.

Full-day, 10hrs 15mins | Trek: 29.7km | Difficulty: Expert

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We'll start this excursion by taking a van from the lodge to the Los Glaciares National Park. From here we'll cross the forests to get a great view of the Andes Mountain Range. On clear days, we can see Mount Fitz Roy and the Agujas Mermoz and Poincenot in all their majesty. Our destination on the trek is a lookout point from where we'll have superb views of Mount Fitz Roy and a unique perspective on all the mountains around it.

Full-day, 5hrs 20mins | Trek: 8.5km | Difficulty: Moderate

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This excursion is a trip back in time. We'll enjoy a guided visit to the house of pioneer Andreas Madsen, a Danish man who arrived in 1901 to work with Perito Pascasio Moreno and who built the first houses in El Chaltén. You will learn about their history, the challenges faced by Madsen and his family and their everyday life in an estancia over a century ago.

Half-day, 4hrs | Trek: 3.9km | Difficulty: Easy

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Our trek starts on one of the trailheads leaving El Chaltén. From here we'll hike up a trail to a valley with shrub-like vegetation to Laguna Torre. When we reach our destination, we'll be rewarded with fantastic views of Cerro Torre.

Full-day, 8hrs 20mins | Trek: 17.3km | Difficulty: Advanced

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This is one of the most popular hikes in region. We start from a trailhead in the Los Glaciares National Park and take an ascending trail lined by bushes that provides fantastic views to Cerro Torre. On this hike we can observe the marks of a retreating glacier and the impressive Andes Mountain Range. We'll also have plenty of time to photograph the Patagonia landscapes and wildlife.

Full-day, 4hrs 20mins | Trek: 6.5km | Difficulty: Moderate

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This trek starts in El Chaltén and ascends to a breath-taking lookout point back out across the town and further afield to the Andes Mountain Range. Large condors follow our route.

Half-day, 3hrs 20mins | Trek: 2.67km | Difficulty: Easy

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From El Chaltén we head up to the Los Glaciares National Park, with wide views to the Andes Mountain Range, Lago Viedma and the surrounding mountain ranges. Shrublands and different species of birds can be sighted during this trek.

Half-day, 4hrs 20mins | Trek: 5.1km | Difficulty: Moderate

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We begin our trek in the south area of the Los Glaciares National Park, following a trail through different valleys and evenutally ascending with a broad view to Cerro Torre, Laguna Viedma and the Río Las Vueltas valley. This is the perfect excursion for taking time to sit quietly and contemplate the mountains.

Full-day, 8hrs 20mins | Trek: 21km | Difficulty: Advanced

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On our journey to the Perito Moreno Glacier, we'll learn more about its history, the Patagonian steppe, the area’s nature, the dynamics of glaciers and the features that make this place so special. Why is it balanced? How does it compare with other glaciers? These are some of the questions that will be answered as we approach the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier.

Note that this excursion combines Explora services with services provided by third parties, so it must be confirmed with our reservations team at least 30 days before your stay and it incurs an additional cost. This excursion must be done on the day of your check-out and must include a night's stay in El Calafate, the cost of which must be covered by each traveler.

Full-day, 6hrs | Difficulty: Easy

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