Planning An Argentina Hiking Tour

Are you planning a trip to Argentina? Traveling to Argentina can be an experience of a lifetime! Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, and the eighth-largest country on the planet. This beautiful country features everything from cosmopolitan cities to an epic wine region to some of the best hiking in the world. With so much to do and see, it’s easy to get lost in experiences.

That’s why a pre-planned travel package to Argentina can be helpful. Leave the details to the professionals – flights, logistics, lodging, and dining – and enjoy your vacation of a lifetime. Many small group tours combine a variety of activities to help travelers experience the best of Argentina. If you’re interested in seeing as much of the country’s stunning landscape as you can, consider signing up for a package that includes an Argentina hiking tour! This will allow you to appreciate the country’s beautiful landscapes in a truly unique way.

The Best Place To Hike In Argentina

Argentina has a variety of great places to hike. One of the most popular places to visit if you are interested in hiking travel packages to Argentina is El Chalten. This small city is known as the “trekking capital of Argentina” and is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. This park is home to one of the most famous hikes in Patagonia – the Mount Fitz Roy Trek. The Mount Fitz Roy Trek provides avid hikers with the best of everything – mountains, forests, lakes, and views of eye-catching landscapes. To hike Mount Fitz Roy is definitely a bucket list activity!

Mount Fitz Roy is the tallest mountain in the Argentine Patagonia and sits on the border between Chile and Argentina. It is one of the most technically difficult climbs for mountaineering, but – fortunately for hikers – is relatively easy to hike at its base. This popular trek, known as the Mount Fitz Roy Trek, can be accomplished in 2-3 days by anyone in good shape. However, there is also a day hike option for people who do not want to camp overnight on the trail.

Hiking Mount Fitz Roy

The hike to Mount Fitz Roy is one of the most popular hikes in Loc Glaciares National Park. If you are planning a trip to Argentina and want to incorporate ONE hike in your itinerary, here’s what you can expect:

• The trailhead – once you arrive in El Chalten, head toward the trailhead at the northern end of town. It’s an easy walk to the trailhead if you are on foot, but there is also a parking lot at the trailhead if you have a rental car.
• The first mile – the first mile of the Fitz Roy trek is uphill. The start of this trek is quite steep. Keep going! The trail levels out quickly and you will be rewarded with a nice view of the valley below.
• Miles 2 – 3.5 – Once you reach this point in the hike, you will come to a viewpoint where you can see Mount Fitz Roy for the first time! On a clear day, the mountain will look far away. After you take in the breathtaking sight, continue down the trail. For the next two miles you will be walking along a flat path.
• Miles 3.5 – 4 – This section of the hike takes place in the shady woods. The hiking here is easy, as the trail is flat. At the end of this section, you will come to an open area with another spectacular view of Mount Fitz Roy.
• Miles 4 – 4.5 – Once you exit the forest section of the hike, you will be walking along a path with shorter trees toward Fitz Roy Mountain. This allows you a good view of your surroundings, and the opportunity to catch glimpses of the mountain in the distance!
• Miles 4.5 – 5 – The trail will now take you across a flat and open area (without any shade) that allows you clear views of the scenery around you.
• Miles 5 – 5.5 – After what seems like forever in the blazing sun, you re-enter the woods. After a while, you will reach the camping site in Poincenot. This is a great place to take a break before you begin the final leg of your journey!
• 5 – 7 – Once you leave Poincenot, you will begin a steep climb up the trail. At this point, you will begin seeing warning signs about the strenuous nature of this climb. This last climb will have you gaining 1,312 feet of elevation on a loose gravel path. Just when you have had enough, however, you will reach your destination and be able to see the glacier-covered mountain looming large over Laguna de los Tres at its base.
• Once you’ve had your fill of this majestic scene, reverse your course and hike back down the mountain to El Chalten. The trip should be no more than 14 miles and take just a day to complete.

What Else Can You Do In El Chalten?

As we mentioned above, El Chalten is a great base camp for adventures in Los Glaciares National Park. Once you’ve had your fill of hiking the trails around El Chalten, consider taking a trip to the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is inside the national park. This glacier is one of the most important tourist attractions at Los Glaciares National Park and is a highlight of many travel packages to Argentina. You can view the glacier from the many hiking trails nearby, or you can go mini-trekking across the glacier’s surface with an experienced guide who will be able to explain the quirks that make this glacier one-of-a-kind.

If you are seeking even more adventure, consider adding on a day of horseback riding and white water rafting on the de las Vueltas River Canyon or a visit to the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall. You can even spend the night in a local Estancia and visit La Leona Petrified Forest to make the trip a memorable one. But no matter what experience you add to an Argentina hiking tour, odds are you will find enough adventure on the trail to make your trip a memorable one!