El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier and Parque National torres del Paine

Hi all,
At the end of march I will be in El Calafate for 3 nights and I am planning to visit Perito Moreno Glacier and Parque national del paine.
So i am obviously concern if within 3 nights/ 4 days I will be able to enjoy all this sights.
I am pretty keen to spend a night to the torres del Paine.
Would you advice me to restrict my plans or I can carry on with my plan?

You must be from a cold and dark climate! Go for it anyway unless you saw glaciers in Norway or Greenland. Perito Moreno is a must! The rest is OK. Plenty of warm places to stay on both sides of the border.

Its hardly cold. I spent last march and April in Patagonia. It was fine. It wasn't too cold if you had the right clothing. Days were warm (tshirt weather) and nights were cooler obviously.

With 3-4 days in the area - I would say stick to Argentina. Spend a day visiting Perito Moreno Glacier. Then head out of town to El Chalten (2-3 hours away). You can do day hikes out to the main view points for Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

There is no direct bus link with El Calafate and Torres del Paine. There are sometimes day tour buses that you can utilise. But most of the time, you'll need to go to Puerto Natales, then to TDP. So its a huge waste of time spent doing it.

Thank you trent84!
The hike out to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are pretty easy ?
any suggestion for hotel/ hostel and some tour operator in the areas that you mention?
Thank you so much!
Hoping to do not go too much off topic with this last question. Does worth to go Montevideo from BA just for a day from morning to evening by ferry?

cheers

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The hike out to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are pretty easy ?

For the most part, the hike out to Laguna Torre is pretty easy with only the first section being moderate. The trek to Laguna de las tres (fitz Roy) is much longer, but for the most part its fairly easy except for the trail head in town (its a good 15-30 minute hard walk) and the last section which is 1-1.5 hours of uphill slogging.

I tend to travel independently so I have no idea on tours. They tend to be really expensive in this part of the world but. As for hostels, check the usual hostel websites and check reviews.

I agree with trent84. TdP is so far away, and weather is so variable, that you could do a long journey and see nothing on a one day trip. Check for hostels/hotels in El Chalten and do that instead. The two hikes mentioned are well worth doing (though seeing Cerro Torre may not happen because of clouds). Other options would be a hike up Valley Electrico or a boat ride to the far side of Lago del Desierto with a lakeside hike back to the start. Renting a car at the El Calafate would be way more efficient on a short trip like yours, provided that cost is not an obstacle for you.

Thank you guys for the tips! could you advice me for any good tour operator that does fits Roy?
An other question is: is it easier change pesos in U.K. Or it is better get the dollars here in U.K. And change it in pesos once I am in BA?
Thank you

No need for a tour operator. The trails run straight from the town of El Chalten. They're all well marked.

Only if you were wanting to climb or do something that required anything technical would you need a tour operator. There are a few in town but most don't do any guided treks as its not really needed.

The Blue Dollar rate is on par with the official rate these days. I would just use my banks atm card (preferably with low withdrawl fees from international atms). Be aware that atms have limited withdrawl limitis. In El Chalten - at the only atm that worked the limit was 1000 pesos (about 80 USD). Load up on cash i El Calafate before heading out.

I would take a small amount (say 100 USD) for emergency purposes.

Thank you so much Trent84!
At the end I have decide to go straight from my arrival to El chalten where I will be based for 2 nights and then to go back to EL Calafate for one night and day to see the national park.
A hopefully last question, as I am thinking to rely on buses, once i am at El Chalten city do i need any vehicle to reach the start point of the the main spots like Torre del cerro or Laguna Torre or Laguna Capri?

The trail heads for Laguna Torre and Laguna de Las Tres are located on the outskirts of the town. On the bus ride into town, you'll stop at the Parks visitor centre and go the rules/regulations. They'll also give you a map and it will tell you where the trail heads are.

It is often advised that when you do the Laguna de Las Tres (Fitz Roy) trek, you take a mini bus to Hosteria El Pilar and hike to the base from there, then you can hike back to town from Fitz Roy. This just saves you back tracking and rehiking the same route.

Great thank you so much! I will keep in mind your tips
I am landing at 13:00 in el calafate and I am planning to take a bus that takes me directly to el chalten, I will be staying in el chalten 2 night where i will basically be able to enjoy just one day of hicking. So I ll chose carefully what to do in there. Then I will come back to el calafate where I would like to visit the national park where the perito Moreno glacier is located... do you think is so far a good plan? Wish I could have more time

Hello fellow travellers,

Hope this tread is still active I have similar program and need advise.
Arriving 0n 14th april 10.00am El Calafate I hope to get a bus to PDTorres.If not direct perhaps to Perito Moreno glacier and onwards?
I have 4 days as I have to be back to EL Calafate on 20th to meet someone.I know it is tight but I had some days to spend. So
14th 10.00 Calafate
20th Back to Calafate
Would U suggest best way. I shall do el chalten after 20th so no need.

thanks guys
edip

Fantastico Sur camping sites seem closed after 15th except fm Frances ( which is first one and there is no other to east!) So I will have to head to NW with Vertices and CONAF campsites. Only up to Paso probably because Vertical/ Los Perros is sold out.
Where to make reservations for CONAF?
It is really tricky for some trekking and camping isn't it? Any other advise fm Calafate for 4-5 days trekking?

thanks
edip

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