Fitz Roy or Ushuaia?
A friend and I will be doing the full circuit in Torres del Paine mid January, planning 10 days for the hike in case of bad weather (that's the recommended number, right?)My question is this: if we wanted to do one other thing besides the circuit, should we do Fitz Roy or Ushuaia?
- From what I've read on other forums, it is about a 12 hour bus ride to Ushuaia from Punta Arenas, correct? How many days would we need there? Any cost estimates while there?
- How do you access Fitz Roy from doing the TdP hike? From Puerto Natales? About how long is that on bus? How many days would be needed? Any cost estimates? (I've already done El Calafate/Perito Moreno).
Lastly, once we get into Puerto Natales, is it reasonable to assume leaving that very next morning for our "circuit" hike in TdP? I'm just trying to estimate some times because I need to book the round trip flight from Santiago-Punta Arenas.
Thank you!!
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The bus to Ushuaia takes "12 hours" but could take much much longer. Depends on the route and timing at the border (can take a while) and also the road is rather rocky.Ushuaia isn't exactly cheap. Its pretty expensive to visit fin del mundo. I cant remember, but the fin del mundo museum was 50 pesos for a visit (and it was tiny).
You would get to El Chalten via El Calafate. There are two good day hikes, but 4-5 days allows for optimal weather. The bus to El Calafate is about 5-6 hours and then another 4 on to El Chalten (nearly the same time to Ushuaia). Costs are just as expensive (if not more). Take cash here the atm is pretty much always out of money. Food is expensive here as well. But the hikes are free. A hostel will cost about 20 dollars.
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While I have heard of people somehow making a connection from the park entrance to El Calafate, the usual thing to do is return to Puerto Natales and then catch the bus to El Calafate. You'd probably have to overnight in El Calafate and then catch the first bus in the morning to El Chalten. (It's about a two and half hour ride.) It is a good idea to catch the first bus of the day to El Chalten. I remember getting to El Chalten at about 9:30 and onto the trail for Cerro Torre by 11:00.bus schedule info http://www.elchalten.com/eng/informacion/comollegar.php#horarios
Four or five days would be enough to do the trails around Fitz Roy- not a circuit though! That would require some glacier walking and hiring a licensed guide.
Check out this post if you'd like some more info on El Chalten and what is available there.
http://wp.me/p25mXk-ML
BTW ten days will be more than enough for the TDP Circuit. You should have at least two days to spare. Needless to say, everything depends on the weather! Enjoy the hiking.
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@true_north, great El Chalten blog. Thanks for sharing.Which bus company did you use to get to El Chalten from El Calafate? So far I've only been able to find 8:00am departure with Chalten travel / Cal-Tur.
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I don't really remember which company! It was an evening bus- maybe the 8:30 one. Check out this link-http://www.elchalten.com/eng/comercial/transporte.php
The following info is given-
From El Chaltén to El Calafate
Frequency: every day
Timetable: 07:30, 08:00, 13:00, 13:00, 18:30, 18:30 hs.
The bus terminal at the entrance of the village and all the companies' buses go there so at least you won't have to go from one bus company location to another - as you do in Puerto Natales.
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It depends on your interests. El Chalten offers 2 very good day hikes to Laguna de las 3 and Laguna Torre which have spectacular scenery but similar to TDP, but El Chalten or El calafate won´t be cheaper than Ushuaia. In fact El Chalten will be more expensive than Ushuaia and TDP will be more expensive than any other place in southern Patagonia. Ushuaia offers much more variety than El Chalten. Much more options ofr wildlife and excursions along the Beagle channel. There are very good dayhikes too and some interesting small museums and interesting history.
