4 / 5 - 3 reviews
How to get there
5 hours by bus from El Calafate / 4 hours and 30 minutes by bus from El Calafate
When to go
From October to February
Minimum stay
2 to 3 days
Cerro Chaltén (Argentina)
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Michaël Mamane
Practical information about Cerro Chaltén
Reviews of Cerro Chaltén
Fitz Roy is a legendary mountain in the Los Glaciares National Park, in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentine Patagonia. It's peak is at 3,400 metres. It's symbolic and emblematic of the province. Unmissable.
My suggestion:
The most practical option for visiting the area is to stay at El Chalten, a little village that is very close by. If you love sporting holidays then you should aim to stay there as long as possible because the area is full of climbs and treks.
Summary:
The world has some wonderful, once seen never to be forgotten, landscapes. Stunning scenery, so magnificent that you will never forget it. And in my opinion Mont Fitz Roy is one of them. Jagged hillsides with ragged points that look like they will tear the sky apart. The wind makes strange shapes from the surrounding clouds. And, in the middle of this wild and colourful landscape, condors.
There is no doubt that you are in Patagonia, a hostile but enchanting place. That was what I felt when I first saw Mont Fitz Roy. Absolutely unmissable during a stay in Argentina.
If you are the sporty type you will love Mont Fitz Roy. Treks on it are accessible, well signposted and safe. You don't need a guide, it is all very clear. There are lots of trails for different levels and tastes. I'm not particularly athletic but I still managed to enjoy the place and its beauties. One of which is the Lake de los Tres. An emerald coloured lake with a glacier in the background, dominated by the peaks of Mont Fitz Roy. Photo!
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Michaël Mamane
Fitz Roy's peak rises 3,441 metres above El Chaltén, which is 220 km from El Calafate. All around it is, indisputably, the most beautiful scenery in the whole of Patagonia.
My suggestion:
The ascent of Fitz Roy is considered to be one of the most difficult in the Andes. Only hardened mountaineers can attempt it. For the rest of us, there are lots of pleasant treks around the mountain.
Summary:
The most beautiful area of Patagonia is here, around El Chaltén. So, during my trip to Argentina, I came here to enjoy this walkers' paradise. The star of the show is obviously the famous jagged peaked Mont Fitz Roy.
I left early one morning to go and see it. You need a good hour and a half's walk from El Chaltén before you see it. You should only think about going up it if you are a very experienced climber. The final ascent is very technically complicated. It was only climbed for the first time by a French team in 1952. Which obviously means that I didn't even think about it! I was quite happy to look at it from a distance. That day, the path to the view point was covered in snow and ice. And, in the end, the summit was hidden behind clouds and I only caught a brief glance of it. Fortunately, the weather in the region is very changeable and when finally it revealed its sharp teeth to me it reminded me a lot of the Pic de Midi d'Ossau in France.
So, to summarise, I recommend you talk to the El Chaltén rangers to find out about the expected weather. Fitz Roy is often covered by a thick layer of cloud. Perhaps it's shy!
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David Debrincat
Mont Fitz Roy is a magnificent mountain in the middle of Argentine Patagonia. Its emblematic and photogenic shape make it a must-see visit during a trip to Argentina.
My suggestion:
I think you need 3 full days there so you can take your time to see Mont Fitz Roy and also enjoy the other walks and treks that are possible in Los Glaciares National Park.
Summary:
Like lots of other magnificent natural sites in Argentina, Mont Fitz Roy has left me with amazing pictures to remember my trip to Patagonia. Its brutal air, pyramidal form and granite peak make Mont Fitz Roy a very photogenic place.
I spent 3 wonderful days there because the place really encourages you to rest, relax and feel calm. I remember an area that was very well preserved and properly looked after. And you don't need to be a hardened trekker to appreciate it.
I can recommend that every traveller makes the region of El Chalten - which is where you will find Fitz Roy - a priority if they are travelling around Argentina.
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Michaël Mamane
298 travellers' photos
