ARGENTINA. PATAGONIA.

In this blog post you will get to know a bit more about my trip to South America, specifically Patagonia, Argentina. You will find a potential itinerary as well as tips for your own future travels, and I will also share a lot of beautiful views from there!

So here it starts. Beginning of December, 2022. My first time traveling on a one way ticket. To South America. Without no clear plan in mind. The excitement oh gosh! I always get goosebumps getting on a plane. 

I traveled through Argentina together with a group of friends and my mom. Since we had limited time we planned our trip and split it into 3 parts. The reason we came to Argentina was to perform at a dance festival in La Plata, Buenos Aires with my Lithuanian folk dance group ‘Baltija’. We spent the first few days in Buenos Aires before heading to Patagonia. To this day one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in the world.

Patagonia Itinerary for 8 days:

  1. Fly to El Calafate, rent a car, and head to El Chalten.
  2. Hike: Laguna Torre
  3. Hike: Fitzroy, Laguna de Los Tres
  4. Hike: Loma del Pliegue
  5. Drive to El Calafate
  6. Perito Moreno
  7. Hike: 
  8. Boat ride: 

El Chalten is the perfect place to be in Patagonia because you have walking distance to a bunch of the most beautiful hikes including Fitzroy.

Hikes:

Laguna Torre

Time: around 5h  

Length: 17km

The hike starts just at the outskirts of El Chalten, you will be able to walk there directly from the town. It’s a fairly easy one – not that much incline and half of the hike goes through a beautiful forest and towards the end you reach this lake with a glacier! We did walk around to one side of the lake to get a closer look on the glacier! You will have to turn back and hike back the same way to return to El Chalten. We did this one first, it felt like an easy way to get into hiking before hitting Fitzroy the day after.

Fitzroy, Laguna Los Tres

Time: around 10-12h  

Length: 25km

Very beautiful and different landscapes throughout the hike! I would recommend walking sticks, although it’s not necessary. Do bring water and some food to keep the energy flow. And do make sure you leave early enough so it doesn’t get dark while you’re there. We did stop for over an hour by the Fitzroy mountain to enjoy the view so the total hiking time should be around 9-11h depending on how fast you walk.

     

Loma del Pliegue

Time: around 7h  

Length: 18km

Passes through various types of terrain and landscapes from forests to fields to mountains. The climb at the top was very tough! I challenged myself to go together with a couple of other people from my group. Going up was extremely steep, you can see some tiny people in the photos. We didn’t reach the very top. And going down was tough, I learnt something new – never put your feet sideways while walking down. You have stronger friction if you put your full foot facing forward. And take very slow steps and try to keep your back straight. Most importantly take it slow and have a partner to help you – we helped each other. 

 

hike near el calafate

Accommodation:

El Chalten Hostel Pioneros del Valle

El Calafate Vidorra Calafate

Tips: