Argentina>Patagonia>El Chalten
El Chalten is billed as Argentina’s hiking capital and it’s easy to see why. We took a bus direct to El Chalten from El Calafate airport, purchasing our ticket for the 8am bus on arrival. Our journey began in the dark due to the late sunrise at this time of year (May/June) on a crisp morning with clear skies.
As the sun began its rise we were met with endless views of the vast Patagonian steppe with more than a few wild guanacos along the way.
Before long my partner, Natsasi, managed to convince the bus driver to let here take the front seat of the bus to take pictures of the lakes and snow capped mountains which started to appear.
El Chalten in winter
The town of El Chalten is charming enough but it’s the array of hikes and adventure sports that draw the crowds here, especially in summer. A dearth of info was available online about the suitability of a winter visit was available which prompted me to write this post.
In late May, early June, much of the city was shuttered for the winter season. There was definitely enough places to eat and drink (don’t expect memorable meals, at least this time of year) but it appeared around 75% of businesses had closed.
On a happy note, at least for me, the popularity of craft brewing has exploded in Argentina in recent years and El Chalten is no exception. I counted, and visited four in our short stay, at least double that were shut for winter.
Coffee lovers will struggle in much of Patagonia, one exception was the wonderful, Colombian run, Paisa High Mountain Coffee. The owners import Colombian coffee beans direct and you can taste the quality. Sorry, they don’t have a website to link to.
Our hikes
Despite our brief winter visit to El Chalten we did mange 3 hikes. Mirador de Condors was an easy way to start, heading out to the nearby hills for view over El Chalten and’ of course, of the famed Condors.
Next day saw snow continue from the dump we had overnight but a late afternoon appearance of clear skies saw me head off alone for another quick hike through the snow to the waterfall named Chorrillo del Salta.
On our final full day in El Chalten we were blessed to have a day of clear weather giving us an opportunity to attempt the most toughest of the popular nearby hikes – Laguna De los Tres.
Getting out of town was easy enough with enough bus companies maintaining a winter service to get you where you need to go, albeit at a slightly reduce schedule. None of the busses required bookings at this time of year.
Anyone who is into hiking out into the great outdoors will love El Chalten at any time of year, particularly mid autumn. If hiking is not your thing, it’s easy to day trip on the cheap and efficient public busses from El Calafate.