5 Days Van Camping in Patagonia: El Chaltén to Lago del Desierto
For adventurers seeking dramatic mountain scenery and remote wilderness, this van trip offers access to some of South America's most iconic peaks. Based in the trekking hub of El Chaltén, you'll hike to Mount Fitz Roy, Laguna de los Tres Picos, and the rarely visited Lago del Desierto.
What to expect
- Hike to Laguna de los Tres Picos for a turquoise lake beneath granite spires
- Trek to Mount Fitz Roy's base camp through lenga forest and scree slopes
- Drive Ruta 9 through raw Patagonian steppe with wild guanacos
- Camp wild or in basic refugios with mountain views and star-filled skies
- Explore Lago del Desierto on foot; few tourists, pristine wilderness
Day by day
Park van at Camping El Chaltén or Camping Laguna Torre; stock groceries in village.
Easy 1-hour walk to Laguna Torre viewpoint for first views of Fitz Roy's south face.
Cook dinner at camp; watch alpenglow on the peak at sunset.
Full-day hike to Fitz Roy base camp via Laguna de los Tres Picos; depart 7 am to beat crowds.
At Laguna de los Tres Picos (1 pm), turquoise water reflects three granite peaks; rest and swim if brave.
Return to camp by 6 pm; 6-hour round trip, moderate to strenuous.
Drive north on Ruta 9 toward Lago del Desierto, 40 km; stop for guanaco watching on the steppe.
Camp at Lago del Desierto (camping or wild spot); 4-5 hour scenic drive from El Chaltén.
Walk the lakeshore at sunset; pristine, rarely crowded, surrounded by southern beech forest.
Hike the northern shore trail to remote lagoons; 3-4 hours, solitude guaranteed.
Return via the forest; look for Magellanic woodpeckers and Patagonian foxes.
Prepare a long dinner; few distractions this far from towns.
Drive back to El Chaltén; stop at viewpoints along Ruta 9 for photography.
Rest at camp; walk the village main street for supplies or final supplies.
Depart for Los Glaciares National Park (Perito Moreno glacier, 3 hours) or onward.
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