r/ElChalten

▲ 3 r/ElChalten+1 crossposts

El Calafate- best way to use our time

I'd appreciate your thoughts. Family of 5 (50 yr old parents, 17,17, 21 sons) traveling in Jan.

Have the crazy early flight from EZE to FTE landing around 7:30 am. The plan is to rent a car (currently have Renault Duster reserved). and hotel reserved in El Chalten for 4 nights, then 2 nights in El Calafate before flying to Ushuaia.

1 Arrive FTE, drive to El Chalten

2 El Chalten

3 El Chalten

4 El Chalten

5 Check out, drive back to El Calafate

6 El Calafate-- Estancia Cristina with horseback riding

7 Check out, 7:30pm flight to Ushuaia

The problem is this only gives us one completely full day in El Calafate-- One of my boys really wants to do a mini trek Ice Hike. Can you guys see anywhere to put this? Otherwise I think we will just do Safari cruise at Perito Moreno? Is there anything else fun/ more adventurous we should try? I personally just don't see a glacier being particularly interesting...So I think I will get my fill of cold glacier boat ride on the Estancia Cristina day. But I'm trying to make everyone happy!

I understand that the drive between El Chalten and El Calafate is about 3 hrs and the Glacier is on the other side...making the drive even longer. Is it worth really pushing it maybe on Day 1 or 5-- to do it?

reddit.com
u/Typical-Attitude-102 — 4 days ago
▲ 2 r/ElChalten+1 crossposts

Help!! I’m camping there soon!

I’m going to el Chalten in December and planning on camping and keep seeing these type of posts on this specific camping location. Does anyone know where this actually is?
I only saw campsites that look terrible and have horrible reviews not to include they had no nature view. I also considered people just setting up their tent, recording their video and not actually sleeping the night but I was wondering if anyone had any extra information on this or any campsites worth staying while down there.

u/hiking-horse-2780 — 5 days ago

Free Astrophotography outing in El Chaltén

Hey everyone! I’m hosting two astrophotography outings tomorrow and Friday night, completely free of charge. I have space for up to 15 people each night.

The plan is to drive out into the estepa, away from the town lights, to photograph the Milky Way. If we’re lucky, we might also capture the aurora australis!

There’s a geomagnetic storm forecast, with Kp 5 activity possible late Thursday night. I’m not sure whether it will continue into Friday night, so we’ll keep an eye on conditions. An aurora would be a bonus!

We’ll arrange a pickup location in El Chaltén and leave at 9:30 p.m., returning around 12:30–3 a.m., depending on conditions. If an aurora is active, we’ll stay until the whole group is happy to head back.

Bring warm layers, your camera and a tripod if you have one.

If you’d like to join, comment or send me a DM with your preferred night and how many people are coming!

reddit.com
u/ConnectPatagonia — 8 days ago
▲ 3 r/ElChalten+1 crossposts

O-Circuit in Feb/Mar 2027! Somebody want to split costs?

Hi, I'm looking to do the O-Circuit at the end of february / beginning of march. Most of the "Campsites on ground" from Las Torres are booked so I have to go with "Semi-equipped", which is $220 per person/ per night (WTH?!). A shared tent would be $240 total (120$ per person). Does anyone want to join and split costs?

Also why is it so extremely expensive? A campsite on ground would be $90 per night at Las Torres. Vertice have them starting from $11

reddit.com
u/mandojsm — 8 days ago

NO crampons needed for Laguna de los tres.(NEEDED for Loma del Pliegue Tumbado)

I have been told by a few different people (including a guide) that as of yesterday. Crampons are only needed if you are very inexperienced or unstable. It's more like soft snow the last 10 minutes. With the current forecast I can only see on the 13th they may be needed for sunrise.

If you plan to get to the actual summit of Loma del Pliegue Tumbado not the mirador below the summit, then you need to have micro spikes still.

Hit me up if you need anything. I should have my rental shop open in the next 2 weeks or so. I have been delivering gear all over the town for the last 2 months. Hoping to have my shop done ASAP.

https://connectpatagonia.com/gear-rental-in-el-chalten/

u/ConnectPatagonia — 7 days ago

El Calafate bus station tariff - cash or card?

Has anyone recently taken the bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales and paid the $4000ARP bus station tariff by card? The bus company is saying it's cash only but I've seen some people say they were able to pay by card in previous years. I'm trying to determine if I really need to get Argentinian pesos just for that trip. Thanks!

reddit.com
u/Naive-Peanut-6358 — 7 days ago

Travel advice El Calafate/El Chalten

I was hoping for advice on bus timings in conjunction with flights for my upcoming trip to El Chalten via El Calafate this November.

Does anyone have a recommended buffer time between landing in El Calafate and booking a bus to El Chalten. Is 55 minutes enough? Or is it best to allow for a bit more time?

I will also be flying back from El Calafate to Buenos Aires at 19:30 pm and plan to catch the bus from El Chalten earlier that day. How much buffer time is recommended? Would aiming to arrive at the airport 5 hours before be enough? Or are bus delays common?

Thanks!

reddit.com
u/xaratco — 9 days ago
▲ 1 r/ElChalten+1 crossposts

Hello Patagonia lovers. Did any of you take an organized excursion from Calafate to Torres del Paine? It is like 15 hrs and mostly you are on the bus/vehicle... Any experience? Recommendation? And second question: any travel insurance recommended for american citizens? Medical and transportation...

reddit.com
u/Glittering_Pea126 — 10 days ago
▲ 1 r/ElChalten+1 crossposts

Navimag

Ik neem de Navimag van PN naar PM op 5-11-26
Klopt het dat de ferry op het stuk open oceaan echt wild gaat ‘schommelen’ en dat dan een uurtje of 12?
Deze vraag stel ik mede omdat ‘El Nino’ ook nog eens kan gaan opspelen rond deze periode.
Graag hoor ik ervaringen van mensen die deze vaart eerder hebben gedaan.

reddit.com
u/Difficult-Disk-9455 — 14 days ago