1 Week Argentinian Patagonia Itinerary
We are assuming you are in Buenos Aires on April 1 and leaving on April 7
Our 1 Week Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 ✈️ Fly into El Calafate FTE from Buenos Aires EZE or AEP
Day 2 Visit Perito Moreno Glacier and spend the day here
Day 3- transfer to Chalten
Day 4 - 6 Hiking in El Chalten ( 3 full days to guarantee weather window)
Day 7 Transfer to FTE airport and Fly out
Full Detailed Itinerary
Flights: To get to El Chalten and El Calafete you need to fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafete. We always use google flights to search and then book directly with the airline once you find your flight.
Unfortunately, roundtrip flights on this route from April 1-7 are about $450usd. If you can change dates, then there are cheaper roundtrip flights for as low as $200 depending on your baggage. To get the best flights we always search for our international flights, and then link it with dates to domestic flights, and then choose based on the cheapest flights. If your dates are fixed then you have to choose what is available on those days.
Day 1- April 1, 2026
The best way to get to Argentinian Patagonia is to fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafete. Since you did not have much time we suggest skipping Buenos Aires depending on your flight and arrival time.
El Calafete has a great walking street with a lot of cool restaurants and cafes. There is also a big grocery store for snacks and more budget food options. I have put some accommodation options in the main itinerary that are hostel and budget hotels. This is going to be a chill day, as you will be going to the glacier on day 2.
Day 2- April 2, 2026
Wake up early the next day and go to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. There is a ticket booth to enter the park that charges $29USD pp. At the time they accepted debit but as a rule. Like the majority of Patagonia always have cash just in case.
This park is incredible and the included walking trails around the glacier are amazing. The boardwalk is about 5kms. There is also a phenomenal boat ride here that is totally worth $40 and it takes you right up close to the glacier. You can book the boat on arrival. There is a little kiosk by the parking lot, you can’t miss it.
If you want to, you can also kayak or trek on the glacier. These activities are about $300-$500, so totally up to you if you want to add that in. You would need to book in advance and I have put reputable companies in the main itinerary or you can go on GetYourGuide or Viator.
How to Get There.
If you have a car, you can just drive. If you don’t then book a shuttle for about $50usd round trip or a tour for $80usd. You can book the shuttle on BusBud, Bookaway and the tour on Viator or even GetYourGuide. The main difference is that the tour picks you up from your hotel and gives you some information about the area. The tour does give you a lot of free time, so don’t worry, you will not be in a tour group the whole time.
Day 3- April 3- Arrive in El Chalten
We suggest taking one of the late morning buses to El Chalten. It is a pleasant and easy 2.5 hour drive or bus. Round trip Bus tickets can be booked in advance with BusBud. This should get you to El Chalten for a late lunch and hotel check in and give you the afternoon and evening to get situated. I gave some restaurant reccs in the itinerary.
Day 4- April 4 Fitz Roy
Since this is top of your list, I would do it on the best weather day. Look at the weather from April 4-6 and pick the best day. If weather is similar everyday, I would do it on April 4! The Fitz Roy hike is actually called Laguna De Los Tres and it is a 23km trail. Many people do it for sunrise, and it is gorgeous. If you do it for sunrise leave no later than 2:30am this time of year. We did not do it for sunrise and we got there an hour after and the lighting was perfect for pictures, so totally up to you. Do not leave any later than 8am, we left at 5am. You will see all the details in the itinerary if you click on Laguna de Los Tres. On this hike make sure to stop at the secret waterfall and the Fitz Roy Viewpoint. They are in the main itinerary too. Fitz Roy Viewpoint is on the way, and the waterfall is a very short 200m detour off trail.
Day 5- April 5, 2026
You will most likely be tired from a 20km plus hike day, so use this day to explore and enjoy El Chalten. We have given ideas of what to do that is not strenuous in the itinerary. There are waterfalls and viewpoints that are really beautiful. There are some small hikes like Mirador Aguilas and Mirador Condor just as you enter town that are a good way to stretch the legs.
Day 6- April 6 Torres Lagoon
This is the other big hike in the area, and it brings you to Torres Lagoon. This lake is famous for Icebergs and rugged mountains in the distance. This hike is 20km but there is not a lot of elevation gain, so it is not as hard as Laguna de los Tres. I will put some alternate options below.
Alternate:
If you don’t want to do Torres Lagoon you can go to Lago Del Desierto area north of EL Chalten. We particularly enjoyed the Huemul Glacier hike as well as the Vespignani glacier lookout. You can sign up for a tour in town, there are companies everywhere, just book a day or two before. The hikes are far easier and Vespignani in particular gets you very close to an incredible glacier.
Day 7 April 7, 2026
You will need to get yourself back to the airport in El Calafete. There are many direct buses from El Chalten to the airport. Make sure to book in advance as it is very popular to go straight to the airport.
Transport:
You can either rent a car or take public transportation for this area. A car is always more convenient but the public transport is pretty good in Argentina. Car rentals are about $80 a day. You do not need a car at all in El Chalten, as the main hikes and places to see start from the town.
If you decide to not rent a car, there are flat rate taxis from the airport into town and Uber works pretty well at surprisingly good rates.
To get to El Chalten there are frequent double decker buses that cover the 2.5 hr trip. These buses leave first from the bus station in El Calafate, head to the airport and then from there drive north to El Chalten.
Calafate is also fairly walkable although the bus station is a bit out of the way.
In El Calafate, you will need to take a bus or book a tour to see Perito Moreno Glacier. This glacier is incredible and should not be skipped.
Where Is Argentinian Patagonia
Patagonia is a vast region located in the southern ranges of South America. Stretching from the central plains and mountains of Argentina and Chile all the way to Ushuaia “the southernmost tip of South America. It is one of the most amazing place I have ever visited and should be on everyone’s bucket list. Being from Canada I am not easily “wowed” by hiking but Patagonia definitely wowed me. The landscapes are mesmerizing and the area legitimately has some of the best hiking in the world. Below I am going to show you how to best spend 1 week in Argentine Patagonia.
The region referred to as Patagonia spans across both Argentina and Chile. Most people when they think of Patagonia are referring to the Chilean national park of Torres Del Paine. This area is just a small part of the greater area. There are actually many other parks in Chile and Argentina. I think Los Glaciares national park in Argentina was one of my favourite destinations I have ever been to.
What to expect from Argentinian Patagonia
Argentinian Patagonia is a broader area with more varied terrain than its Chilean neighbor. Around the town of Calafate you have epic plains leading to a massive lake and the most impressive glacier we have ever seen. Further north in the hiking mecca of El Chalten are pointy peaks with dramatic lakes and waterfalls. The famous Patagonia logo is based on the view of these peaks. There is also a very famous hike to a lake lookout below the mountain called Laguna De Los Tres.
Lago Torres one of the many fabulous views in El Chalten. Expect Lots of This!
New Park Fees At El Chalten
Officially El Chalten has started instituting a day pass fee system for trekking in Glaciares National Park around El Chalten. They have set up 3 entrance gates, on the main trial out of town, Rio Electrico and by Los Condores viewpoint.
The passes do not sell out but you are supposed to have them.
1 day pass 34k Arg Peso. If you choose this option your second day is %50 off and must be used within 72 hours of the first entry.
3 day flex ticket 90k Arg Peso or
7 day flex ticket 158k Arg Peso.
you can buy your passes here - https://www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/ambiente/parquesnacionales/tarifas#3dias
