Patagonia Hiking: Fitz Roy & Perito Moreno Glacier

Arrival in Buenos Aires

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.

South to Patagonia's Trekking Capital

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.

DIY Reality Check: The journey from Buenos Aires to your El Chaltén hotel is a full-day, two-part logistical puzzle. First, you must book a flight to El Calafate (FTE), the nearest airport, some 200 kilometers away. Upon landing, the second challenge begins: securing a spot on one of the public buses or private shuttles for the three-hour overland transfer. Bus services from the airport run on a fixed, limited schedule, with as few as three or four departures per day. During peak season, it is highly recommended to book these bus tickets in advance, forcing you to gamble on your flight arriving on time. A flight delay could mean missing your connection and waiting hours for the next available bus, if any seats remain. A coordinated trip handles the flight booking and guarantees a private vehicle is waiting upon your arrival, eliminating the risk and logistical effort of stitching the two journeys together.

The 360° View from Pliegue Tumbado

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.