Mt. Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre |

El Chalten photo tours | The Stunning Surroundings of Patagonia's Most Famous Peaks

Sunrise at Mt Fitz Roy, Patagonia © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

These famous jagged granite spires, Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, have inspired explorers and climbers from all over the world due to its colosal dimensions, its stunning shapes and colors and its dramatic setting, surrounded by the vast Southern Patagonian Icefield.

During this nature photography trip, we will take advantage of the unrivaled location of El Chalten village to document the varied landscapes and wildlife of this section of the huge Los Glaciares National Park, in southern Argentina. We will have dedicated sunrise sessions to photograph the dramatic sunrises; you’ll walk part of the extensive park’s trail system leading to some breathtaking views of the Massif, and you’ll cruise the Viedma lake to appreciate the magnificent front of its homonymous glacier.

Join us and feel the remoteness and experience some of the best scenery of one of the most pristine and picturesque corners of Patagonia. El Chalten photo tours.

Custom Trip | You Choose the Date!

4-day trip from El Calafate, Argentina.
Available from September to May.

This program is operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Transfers from/to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, Chile are available.

Click for space request |

Perito Moreno Glacier, Santa Cruz, Argentina © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

Itinerary in Brief |

Day 1 • Drive from El Calafate to El Chalten – Boat trip to Viedma glacier (pm) – El Chalten (3 nights)

Day 2 • Sunrise at Fitz Roy Mt./Cerro Torre viewpoint – Walk to Mirador Laguna Capri or Laguna Torre

Day 3 • Sunrise at Fitz Roy Mt./Cerro Torre viewpoint – Boat trip at Lago del Desierto – Hike to Glacier Huemul (short optional walk, although physically demanding)

Day 4 • Drive back to El Calafate – End of the trip. el chalten photo tours

Trip Highlights |

• Dedicated photography and nature trip to explore the surroundings of El Chalten

• Up to three outings to try to photograph the spectacular sunrises around El Chalten (weather permitting)

• Walk part of the trails of Los Glaciares National Park, one of Patagonia’s premier hiking destinations

• Boat trip to Viedma Lake and its homonymous glacier

• Boat trip to Lago del Desierto

• Hike to the scenic Huemul Glacier (optional, physically demanding)

Trip Map |

Trip Gallery |

Mt. Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre • 4-day trip from El Calafate, Argentina

The mythic Cerro Torre at dawn, El Chalten, Argentina © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Exp

Viedma Glacier, Lago Viedma, El Chalten, Argentina © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Exp

Detailed Itinerary and Activities |

Day 1 • El Calafate – Boat trip to Viedma glacier – El Chalten

Patagonia, a land full of myths and legends, is literally located at the ‘ends of the Earth’. We will begin our comprehensive journey of discovery across this vast and contrasting region, right at the shores of the massive Argentino Lake, at the picturesque town of El Calafate. This is one of the largest lakes in South America and certainly one of the most beautiful as well, as is surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Andes and fed by numerous glaciers coming down from the Southern Patagonian Icefield. After meeting your guide, you will be driven north in direction to another vast body of water, Viedma Lake. In a clear day, you can appreciate the colossal amphitheatre of granite peaks surrounding the lake, including the dominant peaks of the southern Andes, Mt. Fitz Roy (3,405m / 11,171ft) and Cerro Torre (3,128m / 10,262 ft). You will take here a 2-hour boat trip to explore the cragged 2-km (1.2 mile) front (terminus) of Viedma Glacier. The scene is magnificent and colorful with the deep blue ice covered by parallel lines of debris filled morraines and flanked by tan-colored granite walls. This will be the first of several outlet glaciers we will explore on this tour, all belonging to the massive Southern Patagonian Icefield. Later you will be transferred to the charming mountain village of El Chalten, our base for the following three nights.

Overnight at El Chalten, Argentina (Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 2 • Sunrise at Fitz Roy Mt. viewpoint – Walk to Mirador Laguna Capri or Laguna Torre

This morning we will have an early start attempting to photograph a sunrise scene of the omnipresent Mt. Fitz and Cerro Torre from one of the viewpoints near El Chalten. These tall granite mountains are literally cloud magnets and we can consider ourselves very lucky if we succeed in experiencing one of the most famous and glorious sunrise scenes of Patagonia. The view is often stunning and shows you the rugged beauty of Patagonia at its very best. Both Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre have the reputation of being extremely difficult to climb mountains and have a very restricted record of successful expeditions – we will just contemplate them at the distance. The trails of this section of Los Glaciares National Park attract hundreds of trekkers from all over the world and we will have the chance to explore one of them. Starting our hike from our hotel door, we will walk through lush and old southern beech forests (locally known as Lenga – Nothofagus pumilio). The walk to Laguna Capri normally takes two hours and we will do it at a fairly mild pace in order to have the opportunity to study the flora and fauna comprising several ground orchid species and other flowering plants; we hope to see the striking Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet and other characteristic birds of this isolated woodland community. From Laguna Capri we will enjoy the commanding views of Cerro Torre and other peaks and glaciers of the region.

Overnight at El Chalten, Argentina (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 3 • Sunrise at Fitz Roy viewpoint – Lago del Desierto – Walk to Glacier Huemul

Another early start and the chance to photograph Mt. Fitz Roy at dawn. This massive granite peak was referred by the long-gone Aonikenk (or Tehuelches), a group of the Patagonian natives, as ‘Chalten’, meaning ‘smoking mountain’. Right after breakfast, we will drive north along the scenic road to Lago del Desierto (Desert Lake). Lush woodlands, ponds and lovely waterfalls will be great subjects to capture, especially during fall (April). Once we reach the lake we have two activities. One is to take the boat trip to the northern shore of the lake, a splendid opportunity to appreciate the beauty of this remote and pristine part of Patagonia. The second option involves a moderate to strenuous 1-hour hike to Huemul Glacier. Once you reach the viewpoint you will enjoy of breathtaking vistas of the lake and a very unusual angle of the omnipresent Mt. Fitz Roy.

Overnight at El Chalten, Argentina (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 4 • Sunrise at Fitz Roy viewpoint – Drive back to El Calafate

After our sunrise photo session and a good breakfast, we will drive back towards El Calafate.

Dates & Rates |

Custom Private Departures

You choose the date.

Available from September through May.

Departures from El Calafate, Argentina.

Ask for private and public transfers to Torres del Paine or Puerto Natales, in Chile.

What the trip includes/excludes

The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, boat trips to Viedma Glacier and Lago del Desierto, and park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes: Domestic flights, tipping, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, drinks, à la carte dishes, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

The above prices are per person in US Dollars (US$), based on double occupancy. All payments are in US Dollars.

Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

Rate for 3 participants is based sharing a triple room.

Tour Registration |

To book this tour, please fill in our online registration form. We will process your booking and will send you a note with space confirmation and a transfer invoice with payment instructions within 24 hours. The transfer amount is 500 USD per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

Note: Inquiries received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied to during the following working day.

Cancellation Policy

Notice of cancellation can only be accepted in writing from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

• If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the transfer amount minus 200 USD is refundable.

• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the transfer is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.

• If cancellation is made less than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.