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A full-day trek from El Calafate to El Chaltén that offers a choice: a strenuous 3 km ascent to the turquoise Laguna de los Tres beneath Fitz Roy, or a gentler circuit to Laguna Capri. Expect long travel, dramatic granite scenery, and rapidly changing weather.
A full-day trek from El Calafate to El Chaltén that offers a choice: a strenuous 3 km ascent to the turquoise Laguna de los Tres beneath Fitz Roy, or a gentler circuit to Laguna Capri. Expect long travel, dramatic granite scenery, and rapidly changing weather.
The bus rumbles out onto Route 40 before dawn, the Patagonian steppe sliding by like a low-lying sea. Peaks appear on the horizon and Fitz Roy’s granite teeth sharpen as you close the distance; by mid-morning you step across the Electric River Bridge and the air turns colder and thinner, charged with glacier melt and wind.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Patagonia Dreams · El Chaltén, Santa Cruz
The bus rumbles out onto Route 40 before dawn, the Patagonian steppe sliding by like a low-lying sea. Peaks appear on the horizon and Fitz Roy’s granite teeth sharpen as you close the distance; by mid-morning you step across the Electric River Bridge and the air turns colder and thinner, charged with glacier melt and wind.
This full-day trek threads through Los Glaciares National Park, created to protect the vast icefields and their downstream valleys. The terrain shifts quickly: wind-polished steppe gives way to lenga forest, then to moraine and exposed granite carved by millennia of ice. The two options—Laguna Capri or the tougher Laguna de los Tres—both reveal the park’s geology in miniature: turquoise lakes held in basins hollowed by glaciers, serrated ridgelines that channel sudden storms, and moraines that trace past ice extents.
Culturally, the route passes historic Estancia La Leona and the long human history of the Tehuelche people whose seasonal routes followed these valleys.
Practical guidance: expect a 220 km roundtrip from El Calafate with a 6.3 km approach to Mirador Piedras Blancas, then either a gentle route to Laguna Capri or a demanding 3 km gain of ~430 m to Laguna de los Tres. The full operation runs ~14–16 hours door-to-door with a midday lunch on the trail. Bring layered waterproof clothing, sturdy boots, 2–3 L water, sun protection, and extra food. Weather can flip in minutes—start early, keep a steady pace on the final steep switchbacks, and choose Laguna Capri if conditions or fitness make the summit circuit unsafe.
challenging.
14–16 hours (including 220 km transfer).
High level of cardiovascular fitness and leg strength for sustained uphill sections; hikers should be comfortable with long day hikes and steep terrain.
From the Electric River Bridge the demanding option adds approximately 3 km with ~430 m of elevation gain from Poincenot Base Camp to the lagoon viewpoint.
Children under 10 and travelers over 55 are not accepted on this particular tour; the hike also requires high fitness and is not recommended for those with heart or spinal conditions.
Guides can redirect the group to Laguna Capri, return early along the trail, or shelter at Poincenot Base Camp depending on conditions and group ability.
Yes, round-trip transfers from central El Calafate hotels are included and the full day usually starts around 06:00 with arrival back late evening.
Los Glaciares National Park protects icefields and peaks that have guided explorers and ranching routes for over a century; the area also holds significance for Tehuelche use of the valleys.
Stay on designated trails, pack out all waste, and avoid approaching wildlife; glaciers in the park are sensitive indicators of climate change, so minimize your footprint.
Patagonia Dreams operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The bus rumbles out onto Route 40 before dawn, the Patagonian steppe sliding by like a low-lying sea. Peaks appear on the horizon and Fitz Roy’s granite teeth sharpen as you close the distance; by mid-morning you step across the Electric River Bridge and the air turns colder and thinner, charged with glacier melt and wind.
The bus rumbles out onto Route 40 before dawn, the Patagonian steppe sliding by like a low-lying sea. Peaks appear on the horizon and Fitz Roy’s granite teeth sharpen as you close the distance; by mid-morning you step across the Electric River Bridge and the air turns colder and thinner, charged with glacier melt and wind.
This full-day trek threads through Los Glaciares National Park, created to protect the vast icefields and their downstream valleys. The terrain shifts quickly: wind-polished steppe gives way to lenga forest, then to moraine and exposed granite carved by millennia of ice. The two options—Laguna Capri or the tougher Laguna de los Tres—both reveal the park’s geology in miniature: turquoise lakes held in basins hollowed by glaciers, serrated ridgelines that channel sudden storms, and moraines that trace past ice extents.
Culturally, the route passes historic Estancia La Leona and the long human history of the Tehuelche people whose seasonal routes followed these valleys.
Practical guidance: expect a 220 km roundtrip from El Calafate with a 6.3 km approach to Mirador Piedras Blancas, then either a gentle route to Laguna Capri or a demanding 3 km gain of ~430 m to Laguna de los Tres. The full operation runs ~14–16 hours door-to-door with a midday lunch on the trail. Bring layered waterproof clothing, sturdy boots, 2–3 L water, sun protection, and extra food. Weather can flip in minutes—start early, keep a steady pace on the final steep switchbacks, and choose Laguna Capri if conditions or fitness make the summit circuit unsafe.