El Chalten - worth it?

ABSOLUTELY. Chalten is worth it.

From the description of your fiords trip it sounds like your tour is a possible Navimag trip down/up the coast. I did this trip a few years back when the boat was smaller, but it was a very nice trip. I went down over New Years. Our captain was having fun with us and used up the signal flares during our party on board. No one came to our rescue. Anyways it was fun. However the scenery does get distant at times and you even need some telephoto to pull in some shots. There is some great scenery and I think it gets better as you go south.

I am a hiker. Los Glaciares is one of the most beautiful parks I've ever seen. The Glaciers you can visit up close and personal from El Calafaté. Most visit Perito Moreno Glaciar. El Chalten has a couple of easy day hikes that are some of the finest alpine scenery you will see anywhere. This is one of those spots that seem as if the mts loom over you. It is a very impressive place. I would not trade this sight for much else myself.

If I might ask? Why the tour?. Some do find the ease of someone else dealing with this better. They may have time constraints that are close. If it is a safety issue, Patagonia from my experience was a travelers dream as far as safety. None of the problems often associated with South America. Even the altitude is so low that there are none of the sickness issues that often come with such awesome scenery farther north. This area of South America is very developed for tourism and you will meet most persons doing this stuff themselves, albeit it does often take more time and planning on your part. I have photos of the Navimag trip down the coast as well as TDP and Los Glaciares on my website. Just click on my profile and you'll see the website if this helps any.

If I could choose only one destination in Chile and Argentina, it would be El Chalten on a general rule. Have a look at some photos And I definatly agree with Steve.

Heres another thumbs up for El Chalten, some of the best scenery Ive seen in S America. Great walking area, personally I prefer it to TDP, esp if you want to get close up to granite peaks above the tree line. Havent done the Navimag trip but most of the comments from friends who have have involved tales of fog and crap weather (though the whole of Patagonia is v unpredictable). Steve's correct re doing area yourself, gives you more flexibility.
Have fun!

Both amazing, but personally I prefer Torres del Paine, you seem to get closer to the scenary than in El Chalten and there was less people there, well when I was there at least. TdelP is a lot more expensive although.

Actually, I prefered the hiking around El Chalten because it was much less touristy, much less expensive, but with excellent scenery and views. In addition, you can do 2 or 3 excellent day hikes from El Chalten and sleep in a bed at night and eat meals in a cafe or restaurant (or cook your own food in a hostel), and have beer or wine at night as well. Furthermore, the town of El Chalten is quaint and relatively undeveloped.

For a while there I was contemplating the possibility of putting my feet up and taking it easy on the ferry. But WOW! What positive feedback regarding El Chalten! It looks likes a place not to be missed.

Believe me, I would much prefer to do it independently rather than join a tour. I'm single female and originally did think of doing it on my own regardless but I've got limited time now and am also doing other parts of South America. Besides that, when I was planning this for solo travel, I started some Spanish classes but now I am running out of time and thought I might run into language problems.

Where are all you adventureous single men out there who would like to come along?? ha ha!

Thanks for all the responses though!

Southern Patagonia is definatly very easy to travel as a solo female traveller and without knowing any spanish. The treks around El Chalten are clearly marked, lots of people walking around and patroulled by parkrangers. No problem again to start alone but anyway you will meet others to start walking before.