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Budget & Solo Travel Friendly 5-Day Itinerary

El Chalten is the Patagonia homebase you’ve been dreaming of. It’s a town where hiking boots are the standard dress code and every trail leads to something breathtaking.

El Chalten makes the best of Patagonia reachable for every solo traveler and budget-conscious hiker. I’ve included my top meal recommendations, but if you’re watching your pesos, you can easily save by utilizing hostel kitchens. From epic summits to the best post-hike happy hours, here is your complete 5-day guide to El Chalten.

Day 1 — Arrival & First Look Around

Depending on where you’re traveling from, you’ll likely reach El Chaltén in the afternoon or around dinner time. No matter when you arrive, there’s plenty to see and do in town before you gear up for your big hiking days!

Walk Around the Charming Town

• Once you’ve dropped your bags, head out to the main street. Stop by La Nieve Café y Viandas, a cozy spot with great coffee and a plenty of treats to chose from. It’s the perfect place to shake off the travel day with a quick snack.

• Wander through the local souvenir shops to pick up a postcard or a new sticker for your water bottle. There are several shops along the main road, and it’s easy to get lost browsing all the fun trinkets! Afterward, make your way toward the bus station to snap a photo at the iconic El Chaltén sign—a must-have memory for your trip.

• Before heading back to your accommodation, stop by a grocery store to stock up on hiking snacks. There are three main stores in town and prices are fairly consistent between each shop and accept cards.

• TIP: If you’re staying in a hostel, the kitchen is another great place to meet people; you’ll likely find someone to join you on tomorrow’s hike while you’re prepping your snacks!

Grab Dinner at Parrilla La Oveja Negra

• Parrilla La Oveja Negra is easily one of the most popular spots in town. The atmosphere is authentic, the portions are huge, and the food is so delicious you’ll be tempted to make it your nightly dinner spot. This is the perfect place to find a hearty meal before four days of hiking!

Day 2 — Conquering the Famous Fitz Roy

The Laguna de los Tres hike—better known as the iconic Fitz Roy trek—is likely the main reason you traveled to El Chaltén. There’s no better way to kick off your first full day than by ticking this world-famous bucket list item off your list. Wrap up the day with happy hour and a delicious dinner at B. Fitz Resto Bar.

Laguna de los Tres Hike AKA Fitz Roy Hike

• The most popular and iconic thing to do in El Chaltén is the Laguna de los Tres hike. It is a challenging 20+ kilometer round trip hike, but it’s well worth it. From the top, you catch the iconic view of Cerro Fitz Roy reflected in the lagoon at its base. Many people head up for sunrise to see the peaks glow.

• You have two options for this hike. The first is to start four hours before sunrise to make it up in time for first light. Depending on the time of year you’re traveling, your wakeup call will be between 1 AM and 3 AM. You’ll want to arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise to secure a good spot and watch the towers wake up. Your second option is to start in the morning and skip the sunrise. No matter what time of day you go, it is absolutely magical.

• The hike is rated moderate. The first kilometer is steep, the middle section is mainly flat, and the final kilometer is a uphill scramble. The trail is well-maintained and marked that it is very easy to follow. You can also find the route map on AllTrails.

• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
  • Entrance fee: There’s a 45,000 ARS entrance fee for Los Glaciares National Park which can be paid at the ranger station. Multi-day passes (available for 3 or 7 days) are also available and offer better value for your money.
  • You can avoid this fee by starting your hike before sunrise.
  • Bring layers for the top! It gets cold very quick.

Celebratory Breakfast & Coffee

• Before you collapse from the hike, head to La Esquina Chaltén for breakfast. The portions are huge, and you get a big bang for your buck!

• Another great option is La Nana, the best spot for waffles and coffee; they have plenty of other delicious items to choose from. As you head out of the national park, you will pass a few waffle places on the way back into town, but La Nana is the best!

Rest and Relax!

• No matter what time you started your hike you will want to rest!

Happy Hour + Dinner at at B. Fitz Resto Bar

• How can you hike 20+ kilometers and not want a beer? It’s a must! Head to B. Fitz Resto Bar for happy hour and good vibes—you won’t regret it. Stick around for dinner, too—their menu has it all.

• If you’re feeling up for some bar hopping, other great spots are Fresco Bar and Cerveceria Patagonia.

Day 3 — Trekking Loma del Pliegue Tumbado

My best advice for hiking in Patagonia? Power through the soreness and knock out the big trails right off the bat. Trust me, you’ll want to prioritize Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, which offers some of the most stunning views in the park. After reward yourself with a pint and pasta at Maffia!

Breakfast Stop at La Nieve Café y Viandas

• You’ll want to get a solid start on your day before heading to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. If you’ve budgeted for breakfast and coffee, head to La Nieve Café y Viandas. It’s a charming spot with breakfast and lunch options, plus plenty of treats to choose from. The service is quick, the coffee is the best in town, and the price is right!

Loma del Pliegue Tumbado Hike

• Loma del Pliegue Tumbado is another 20-kilometer hike with a steep incline and takes about seven hours roundtrip. The views at the end are absolutely amazing—you can see Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the Torre Glacier all at once. The trailhead starts at the Ceferino Fonzo Visitors’ Centre (National Park Office). The trail is well marked and easy to follow. It’s best to start hiking in the morning and pack a lunch for a picnic at the top!

• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
  • Entrance Fee: There’s a 45,000 ARS entrance fee, which can be paid at the rangers station. If you already have a 3 or 7 day pass, make sure to bring it with you.
  • Download the route on AllTrails ahead of time.
  • Bring layers! It gets windy at the top.

Grab a Pint at La Cerveceria Chalten

• Happy hour is a must in El Chalten. Head to La Cerveceria Chalten— a charming microbrewery that offers beer flights, the best way to reward yourself after a 20km trek!

Dinner at Maffia

• For the best post-hike feast, head to Maffia. Their reputation for authentic, fresh-made pasta makes it one of the most popular spots in town. Plus, the portions are huge and you truly get the bang for your buck!

Day 4 — Rest Day Lookouts

Your legs probably need a break after two big hiking days, but you’re not going to want to stay inside when the views are this good. Start with a slow morning in town, then take a hike up to Mirador de los Cóndores & Águilas. You’ll get those epic views of Fitz Roy and the valley, but you’ll still have plenty of energy left for a beer later.

Breakfast at BRUNCH

• After two days of hiking, a slow morning and rest day is called for! The perfect place for a nice breakfast is BRUNCH. The quaint cafe has great coffee, a full breakfast menu, and assortment of treats.

Rest Day Hike to Mirador de los Cóndores & Águilas

• Mirador de Los Condores is an easy 2-3 mile roundtrip hike starting at the National Park Ceferino Fonzo Visitors’ Centre. This trail offers amazing 360 views! You have the option to keep going to Mirador Las Águilas for more epic views.

• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
  • Entrance Fee: The entrance fee is 45,000 ARS per day, which can be paid at the rangers station. If you already have a ticket from previous hikes, make sure to bring it with you.
  • There are signs everywhere, but downloading the hike beforehand on AllTrails is always a good idea.
  • Many tour buses stop here, so it’s best to go before noon!

Optional: Chorillo del Salto Hike

• If you have the legs for another small hike, head to Chorillo del Salto to find a waterfall. The hike starts in the same place as Laguna de los Tres and follows the road towards the Lago del Desierto. The hike is 6km roundtrip and should take around 2 hours.

Happy Hour at Fresco bar

• Fresco Bar is a fun pub in town with a great happy hour vibes! It’s a nice atmosphere to chill, play cards, or even read a book!

Dinner at Mathilda Resto bar

• Mathilda Resto bar is another popular dinner option in El Chalten. They have a full menu with good prices and huge portions as always!

• If you’re looking for fun head to B. Fitz Resto Bar and see where the night takes you!

Day 5 — The Final View at Laguna Torre

Don’t leave El Chalten without doing one last long, easy hike to take it all in. Laguna Torre Hike is the perfect way to soak in those last mountain views without absolutely destroying your legs. Then, for your final send-off, grab a Patagonian beer and hit Parrilla La Oveja Negra one last time.

Start your Morning off with Breakfast at PAISA High Mountain Coffee

• PAISA High Mountain Coffee is a nice coffee shop with an assortment of breakfast options to fill you up before hiking!

The Laguna Cerro Torre Hike 

• The Laguna Cerro Torre hike is the perfect hike to wrap up your El Chalten adventure! The hike is long, but not very difficult and gives amazing views. The hike is pretty much flat for the full 20 kilometers and it takes about 5 hours to complete. The trail markings aren’t consistent, so I recommend downloading the AllTrails map before you head out.

• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
  • The trailhead is located at the end of Los Charitos Street, there is a sign that says “Senda a Laguna Torre”. Here is the pin on Google Maps.
  • There is no entrance fee!
  • Pack a lunch at enjoy by the river or the lake!

Happy Hour at La Zorra Taproom

• La Zorra Taproom is a fun little pub with a variety of beers on tap and cocktails to chose from. It’s popular amongst travelers and a great place to grab one last Patagonia beer!

Final Dinner at Parrilla La Oveja Negra

• Head back to Parrilla La Oveja Negra for one last meal in El Chalten! Honestly, you can’t go wrong here—it’s the perfect send-off meal.

• If you want to continue your night by brewery hopping here are some great options:
  • Cerveceria Patagonia
  • B. Fitz Resto Bar
  • Fresco Bar

How to Get to El Chalten

Plane

• The easiest way to get to El Chalten is to fly to El Calafate International Airport (FTE) located 200km away and requiring a bus or rental car to reach El Chalten. From the airport, it’s easy to pick up a rental car or get a bus to El Chalten.

• No need to go to the bus terminal, the bus comes directly to the airport. The bus runs roughly 8 trips per day. You can book your bus ticket in advance on BusBud to make sure you get a seat. Alternatively, you can book at the airport after arrival. The prices don’t differ.

Bus

• For those with more time than budget, you can take a bus from Bariloche or El Bolsón. The journey is 25+ hours, so prepare for a long trip. Be sure to book ahead of time on BusBud for the best rates.

• If you’re crossing the border from Chile, you will need to catch a bus from Puerto Natales to the El Calafate Bus Terminal, followed by another bus from there to El Chalten. The bus will go to El Calafate Bus Terminal. You can check bus schedules and book your seat on BusBud.

Rental Car

• If you have more of a budget you can hire a rental car for your Patagonia trip. Although you don’t need a car to get around El Chalten.

Transportation in El Chalten

• El Chalten is completely walkable. You won’t need to worry about cars or buses once you arrive in the town.

Accommodation

Location doesn’t matter too much in El Chalten since the town is small and walkable. Things to consider when choosing accommodation is if they have hot water and wifi. If you’re looking to stay at a hostel consider the social vibe and kitchen situation. I’ve linked the best options below!

Solo / Budget Traveler Options:

• Patagonia Hostel
• Rancho Grande Hostel
• Familia de Campo

Other Budgets:

• For other accommodation options that match your ideal budget, browse through the listings on Booking.com or Airbnb.com to find the perfect place.

Tips from a Solo Traveler

1. Everywhere takes card but most places over discounts if you pay in cash. Plan ahead and take cash before landing in El Calafate because the ATM options are very limited.

2. AllTrails will be your best friend. If you don’t have the app, download it and get one week free.

3. There is more nightlife and pub culture that I thought there would be! You will find many travelers at the pub after a long day of hiking. The vibes are good and wholesome and it’s a great way to make friends.

4. Wi-Fi is available throughout town and is generally reliable. However, it’s a good idea to download your maps in advance just in case!

5. El Chalten is pricey compared to other destinations in Argentina, however it is worth every single penny. If you’re worried about blowing you budget, chose a hostel with a kitchen, make your own meals, sneak into the park before they open to avoid the entrance fee, and remember that money comes back but experiences don’t! It’s okay to splurge on a meal and a few beers— Patagonia is the place to spend a few extra dollars!

You’re Ready to Explore!

Have the best time and make sure you do one thing that makes you say “I love my life” each day! 

– G