Los Glaciares National Park

Few national parks can be more perfectly named than Los Glaciares. It’s home to a jaw-dropping 356 glaciers, with many of them easily accessible to visitors.

Perito Moreno glacier is Patagonia’s most famous glacier – and for a very good reason. Though it’s named for Argentina’s most famous explorer, Francisco Moreno, you don’t need to be an explorer yourself to enjoy it. It can be quickly reached by road from El Calafate, and its vast cliffs and almost unfathomable length (nearly 19 miles/30km) can be explored in a variety of ways.

From boat trips and ice hiking with crampons on its back to simply gazing on its beauty from a viewing balcony, Perito Moreno is not to be missed.

The peaks of the Fitz Roy Massif are what makes Los Glaciares National Park world famous hiking and trekking destination.

The instantly recognisable granite peaks of Mount Fitz Roy dominate the north of the park. Originally called Chaltén ('peak of fire') by the indigenous Tehuelche people, that name is now given to the town that sits below the mountains, offering instant access to a superb network of hiking trails.

Iconic day hikes from El Chaltén like Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre take you straight to the feet of the greatest peaks, throwing in a few extra glaciers and pretty mountain lakes for good measure, while the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado hike pulls the focus back to reveal stunning panoramas of the entire range.

Multi-day treks offer the chance for much deeper exploration of Los Glaciares.

The classic Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre hikes from El Chaltén are easily combined into an overnight camping trek – perhaps even adding in the e Loma del Pliegue Tumbado hike for an essential experience.

The most celebrated route here is the Huemul Circuit trek with four days over dramatic mountain passes and along glaciers to take you to the wildest corners of the park.

The southern part of Los Glaciares is less visited by hikers, but offers the chance explore the wilderness past frontier estancia to places so remote you’ll need a boat to get home.

If Patagonia is a place for adventure, then nowhere is better than the South Patagonian Ice Field – the third largest ice field in the world. Those mentally and physically ready to be tested however should grab an ice axe, crampons and snowshoes and prepare for a true expedition.

By climbing the Marconi Pass, intrepid explorers can get a taste of these frozen expanses by camping out on the ice field itself. Expeditions here typically take eight days. The conditions on the ice field are unpredictable such that two extra days need to be built into the itinerary just to account for the ever-changing weather. Those ready to brave the elements will be rewarded with a truly unforgettable adventure. 

El Chaltén is the chilled-out mountain town that sits in the shadow of Mount FitzRoy, and on a clear day the peak completely dominates its skyline. Since the 1980s it's been a mecca for hikers, mountaineers and rock climbers alike.

The town is small but perfectly formed, with a great cafe, restaurant and bar scene to enjoy after some hard days hiking, as well as plenty of outdoor gear shops where you can top up on kit.

Everyone you meet in El Chaltén seems to be either about to head on a trek or has just come back from one. Its supremely relaxed vibe means that it's an easy place to lose yourself in for a few days – or even longer.

Los Glaciares is a place to experience Patagonia's traditional frontier culture and history like nowhere else.

Estancias dot the landscape here – historic ranches often dating back more than a century, and very often first settled in areas so remote that even the native Tehuelche never lived there.

Visiting or staying on an estancia offers an insight into the life of the gaucho, Patagonia's iconic cowboys, who still live and work in the saddle ranching cattle and sheep. You needn't rough it while you so, but they offer the opportunity to connect with a rich cultural heritage in a landscape where the skies, plains an mountains seem to stretch on forever.

Most people chose to base themselves in and around El Chaltén, where you can walk straight out your hotel and onto a hiking trail, the return in the evening for a hot shower and to explore the town’s great foodie scene. There’s a good selection of accommodation for all price brackets.

El Calafate also has a wide selection of hotels that are perfect for ease of access to Perito Moreno. 

You can get away from everything to stay on an estancia, or traditional Argentinian ranch, connecting with traditional frontier culture in some of the remotest properties in Patagonia.

If you prefer a bit of pampering, Los Glaciares has some excellent luxury lodges, near both El Chaltén and El Calafate.

Spring The start of the visitor season. Receding snow reopens the trails. Mornings and nights are still chilly, but there are far fewer hikers on the trails.

Summer Long days of over 17 hours of daylight, with typically fine weather but with strong winds. This is peak season, so booking accommodation in advance is essential.

Autumn A time of glorious Fall colours. One of the best time to visit due to generally clearer skies and fewer visitors, but later in the season there's always a chance of snow.

Winter Snow closes most of the trails and many hotels shut completely. Perito Moreno remains accessible throughout the entire year.