Patagonia Hiking: Fitz Roy & Perito Moreno Glacier

Arrive at any time into Argentina's capital. From the airport, make your way into the city and find your hotel. With no fixed plans for the day, the time is yours to get a first read on the city's distinct neighborhoods, from the colorful houses of La Boca to the historic, cobbled streets of San Telmo.

An early start for a morning flight south to El Calafate, the main entry point for southern Patagonia. Upon landing, a three-hour overland transfer follows, heading north to the small mountain town of El Chaltén. This is the operational base for the coming days, sitting at the foot of the Fitz Roy massif inside Los Glaciares National Park. If time and energy permit, a short warm-up hike on a local trail offers a first look at the terrain.

Today's objective is the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, a full-day, 19km trek on one of the park's less-trafficked trails. Unlike the valley-bottom routes, this path climbs steadily onto an exposed ridge. The reward for the ascent is a complete panoramic view that takes in the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre massifs, Lago Viedma, and the surrounding peaks. The trail gains elevation consistently, so finding a sustainable pace early is key to managing the full distance.

This is the classic, strenuous day hike to Laguna de los Tres, the lake at the base of Cerro Fitz Roy. The 24km route takes most of a day—plan for around 10 hours moving time—and involves a significant 1,040m of elevation gain. The trail begins in forested terrain before breaking out into exposed alpine country.

The final section is the crux: a steep, 400m climb on loose rock and scree to reach the laguna's basin. On a clear day, the view of the granite spires rising directly from the turquoise water is the definitive image of the region. Trekking poles are a significant asset, especially for the descent.

A final morning in El Chaltén offers time for a shorter, self-guided hike. Options include the trail towards Laguna Torre for a view of Cerro Torre's dramatic spire, a quick walk to the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall, or a climb to the Condor Mirador for a wide-angle perspective of the town and valley. In the afternoon, the route reverses with a three-hour overland journey south to El Calafate (a 152-kilometre transfer), a larger town that serves as the base for exploring the region's glaciers.

The day is dedicated to the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world's few advancing glaciers. A drive into the southern sector of Los Glaciares National Park leads to a network of metal walkways and viewing platforms. These allow for varied perspectives on the glacier's 55-meter-high face as it terminates in Lago Argentino. Spend time watching and listening for major calving events, when massive sections of ice crash into the water. An optional boat tour on the lake provides a different, water-level view of the ice wall's scale.

A free day based in El Calafate to choose your own objective. For a low-key day, a walk to the Laguna Nimez Ecological Reserve on the edge of town offers excellent birdwatching. Otherwise, use the time to arrange a full-day excursion, such as a boat trip navigating among the icebergs of Lago Argentino to see other glaciers like Upsala, or a visit to a traditional Patagonian estancia (ranch) to see gaucho culture firsthand.

The Patagonian portion of the trip concludes with a transfer to the airport for the three-to-three-and-a-half-hour flight back to Buenos Aires. After settling back into a hotel in the city, the evening is free. It's a final opportunity to find a neighborhood parrilla for a classic Argentine steak dinner or track down a local milonga for a last glass of malbec and the sounds of tango before heading home.

The route finishes this morning in Buenos Aires. There are no activities planned, leaving you free to pack out and make your way to the airport for your onward flight. Depart at any time.