Self-Launched Patagonia: Perito Moreno & El Chaltén Independent Adventure
6 days · Argentine Patagonia (El Calafate & El Chaltén)
G Adventures charges £1,450
No-markup version: ~£415 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 6-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "Glacier National Park—El Chaltén Independent Adventure" — the same two Patagonian hubs (El Calafate and El Chaltén), the same headline experiences (a full day at Los Glaciares National Park for the Perito Moreno Glacier, and the Mt Fitz Roy / Laguna de los Tres hike), but booked yourself. You'll stay in hostels and simple guesthouses instead of tour hotels, use the local Chalten Travel/Ves Patagonia buses instead of private vans, and book the glacier excursion and Laguna Torre hikes directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Patagonia is not a cheap destination (even backpacker rates are close to European prices in high season, Nov–Mar), but doing it independently typically saves 40–50% versus the packaged tour. Note: internal flights to/from El Calafate (FTE) are extra on the original tour too. All costs are rough estimates for a solo traveller in shoulder/high season, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive El Calafate — settle in and scope the town
El Calafate
Fly into El Calafate (FTE) from Buenos Aires (Aerolíneas Argentinas or Flybondi, book early — budget ~£90–140 return). Skip the included airport transfer and take a remís/taxi from the airport into town (~15–20 min, ARS equivalent of ~£8–10) or check whether your hostel offers a shared shuttle. Check into a hostel dorm or private room in central El Calafate, then spend the afternoon walking the main strip (Av. del Libertador) to compare glacier excursion prices at the agencies (Hielo & Aventura, Always Glaciers, Patagonia Dreams) — the standard Perito Moreno day trip runs ~ARS 45,000–60,000 (£30–45) plus the national park entry fee (~ARS 45,000 / ~£30 for foreigners, payable by card online or at the gate). Stock up on snacks and cash. Evening: lamb stew (cordero al asador) or a cheap milanesa at a local parrilla.
🚌Taxi/remís from FTE airport to town (~£8–10); walking around town
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, El Calafate (~£18–25/night)
- →Compare Perito Moreno excursion operators on Av. del Libertador
- →Buy national park entry ticket online in advance
- →Evening stroll along Lago Argentino waterfront
Full day: Los Glaciares National Park & Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate / Los Glaciares National Park
An early pickup (~7:30–8am) on a shared coach excursion to Los Glaciares National Park, ~80km west of town. The day is mostly self-guided on arrival: walk the network of boardwalks (miradores) facing the north face of Perito Moreno for a couple of hours and wait for the thunderous calving. Optionally add the 1-hour boat trip to the glacier's south face — book direct at the kiosk at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras (~£55–65, cheaper than the ~USD80 the tour operator quotes) or pre-book via GetYourGuide. Bring a packed lunch (park cafés are pricey) and plenty of layers. Return to El Calafate around 5–6pm. Alternatively, if you're confident on gravel roads you can hire a car for the day (~£55–70, split between travellers) and drive yourself for maximum flexibility.
🚌Shared coach excursion pickup/drop-off (~£35–45 pp, often payable in ARS cash); optional boat ~£55–65
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, El Calafate (~£18–25/night)
- →Perito Moreno Glacier boardwalks (self-guided)
- →Optional boat trip to the glacier's south face
- →Glaciology talk at the park interpretation centre
Bus to El Chaltén — gateway to Fitz Roy
El Chaltén
Take the morning bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén with Chalten Travel or Ves Patagonia (~3 hours, ~ARS 40,000–50,000 / ~£25–32 one way; book a day or two ahead in high season — buses fill). The route crosses the steppe with views of Lago Viedma and the Fitz Roy massif on arrival. On landing, pick up a free trail map at the visitor centre (Centro de Informes, near the park entrance), check the weather forecast, and sort your national park entry (El Chaltén side of Los Glaciares NP now charges an entry fee, ~ARS 45,000 / ~£30, valid several days — verify current rules). Afternoon: an easy warm-up walk on the Mirador de los Cóndores and Mirador de las Águilas loop (2–3 hrs, no permit needed) for sunset views over the village and valley. El Chaltén is small, walkable and full of trekking hostels.
🚌Chalten Travel / Ves Patagonia bus El Calafate → El Chaltén (~£25–32)
🛏Hostel dorm or simple hospedaje, El Chaltén (~£20–28/night)
- →Mirador de los Cóndores & Mirador de las Águilas loop walk
- →Visit Centro de Informes for trail conditions
- →Gear check — rental shops in town hire poles, crampons in shoulder season
Laguna de los Tres — the Mt Fitz Roy trek
El Chaltén / Laguna de los Tres
The big one. Set off from the trailhead at the north edge of El Chaltén around 7am for the Laguna de los Tres hike — ~20–22km round trip, 8–10 hours, with the famous final hour a steep rocky climb to the turquoise laguna beneath Fitz Roy. The trail is well marked and free to hike independently; no guide needed if you're reasonably fit and check the forecast (wind and cloud can scrub the summit views). Pack lunch, 2–3L water (refill at Río Blanco), layers, gloves and a warm hat — Patagonian weather turns fast. Alternative finish: continue 1.5 hrs beyond to Laguna de los Tres' neighbour Laguna Sucia for a quieter view. Back in El Chaltén by late afternoon; refuel with a big pasta dinner and a well-earned beer.
🚌Walking from town trailhead (no transport needed)
🛏Hostel dorm or simple hospedaje, El Chaltén (~£20–28/night)
- →Laguna de los Tres / Mt Fitz Roy day hike (free, self-guided)
- →Optional side trip to Laguna Sucia
Laguna Torre & Cerro Torre, or Lake Viedma boat trip
El Chaltén
Choose your second full day based on legs and weather. Option A (most popular, free): the Laguna Torre hike to the base of Cerro Torre — ~18km round trip, 6–7 hrs, gentler than Fitz Roy, taking in the Mirador Maestri viewpoint over the lake and the spiky granite towers. Option B: a boat trip across Lago del Desierto or the Viedma Glacier boat trip (the operator's optional at ~ARS 1,050,000+ / ~£70–80 — book direct in town with Chaltén Travel or Patagonia Adventure, or via Klook/GetYourGuide). Option C: rest day — a slow morning at a café, a short walk to Chorrillo del Salto waterfall (7km, easy) and a hot shower before the bus back tomorrow. In shoulder season (Oct/Nov, Mar/Apr) many travellers add crampons for the icy final sections; hire in town (~£8–12/day).
🚌Walking; optional shuttle to Lago del Desierto trailhead (~£5–8)
🛏Hostel dorm or simple hospedaje, El Chaltén (~£20–28/night)
- →Laguna Torre & Cerro Torre hike (free)
- →Optional Viedma Glacier or Lago del Desierto boat trip (~£70–80)
- →Chorrillo del Salto waterfall walk
Bus back to El Calafate — trip ends
El Chaltén → El Calafate
Catch the morning bus back to El Calafate (~3 hrs, ~£25–32) and head straight to the airport for your onward flight, or stash your bag at the hostel and grab a last lunch in town if you're flying later. If you have time before your flight, the Glaciarium museum on the edge of town (~£10) or a walk along the Laguna Nimez nature reserve (~£6) are pleasant fillers. Trip ends on arrival in El Calafate — book your internal flight back to Buenos Aires (or onward to Ushuaia / Puerto Natales) in advance.
🚌Chalten Travel / Ves Patagonia bus El Chaltén → El Calafate (~£25–32); taxi to airport (~£8–10)
🛏None (onward travel) — optional extra night in El Calafate ~£18–25
- →Optional Glaciarium museum visit
- →Laguna Nimez nature reserve walk
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£415 | £1,450 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,035 per person (71%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£415
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Patagonia: Perito Moreno & El Chaltén Independent Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £415 per person for 6 days in Argentine Patagonia (El Calafate & El Chaltén). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,450 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £415 — a saving of roughly £1,035 (71%) per person.
How long is the Argentine Patagonia (El Calafate & El Chaltén) trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Argentine Patagonia (El Calafate & El Chaltén).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Argentine Patagonia (El Calafate & El Chaltén), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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