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Argentina. El calafate
El Chalten is a small touristic village located at the bottom of the Andes and beside the Vueltas’ river, where it’s possible to enjoy unique and exclusive natural scenery at Glaciers National Park, combining the magic of the nearby glaciers, the hidden lagoons, the skyblue Viedma Lake and the presence of the mythic Fitz Roy hill. From the village, it’s usual to see its unmistakable and imposing summit, almost always covered by a cloud. The tour departs early from El Calafate. The road goes through the steppe along the Argentino Lake’s banks to take the legendary Route 40 up to the north across an extremely arid landscape. Some kilometers ahead the road joins the Route 23 to the west getting to El Chalten, in total 215km from El Calafate. The starting point of this trail is located at the end of the town, at the “Yellow Post”, an old small house of a residence, which today is part of the same villa. It is a classic trekking option for beginners. It’s a beautiful hike from El Chalten assisted by enabled mountain guides. Once the hike begins, consists of a steady climb of approximately 01:45hs, which is accomplished at a slow pace, also resting in the photographic spots, all along we get to enjoy a view on El Rio de las Vueltas and partial sight of the colossal Fitz Roy. At the first Viewpoint, we ase able to witness the emblematic rock mass, the Fitz Roy, flanked by the Poincenot, Saint Exupery, Mermoz and Guillaumet needles. On a short distance, we take a detour which ends in the beautiful Laguna Capri, surrounded by woods and, where also, a camping site is located. The return to El Chalten will be mostly downhill.