El Chaltén to Ushuaia: 5 Patagonia Stops by Road
This 703.9 km route through southern Argentina connects five iconic Patagonian destinations: El Chaltén, Laguna de los Tres, El Calafate & Guanacos, Tierra del Fuego & Ushuaia, and Laguna Esmeralda. The route showcases Argentina's most dramatic mountain scenery, glacial landscapes, and remote wilderness areas across the region.
- Distance
- 703.9 km
- Mode
- route
- Start
- El Chaltén
- End
- Laguna Esmeralda
- Stops
- 5
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- El Chaltén
- Laguna de los Tres — Hiking destination near El Chaltén featuring a 14–15 mile roundtrip trek with views of Mount Fitzroy and multiple glacial lagoons.
- El Calafate & Guanacos — Gateway town to Perito Moreno Glacier, where visitors observe massive calving ice walls and encounter wild guanacos roaming Patagonian landscapes.
- Tierra del Fuego & Ushuaia
- Laguna Esmeralda — Hiking destination near Ushuaia offering a 5.4-mile roundtrip trek with scenic views of an emerald-colored glacial lake.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Iguazu Falls during peak water season when it can have up to 300 waterfalls for the most impressive experience.
- Tip
- About 80% of Iguazu Falls is located in Argentina and 20% in Brazil; you can visit from both countries for different views.
- Tip
- The Obelisco in Buenos Aires stands 221 feet tall in the middle of Avenue 9 de Julio and is a major landmark to visit.
- Tip
- The Hill of Seven Colors in Purmamarca is a colorful mountainside that overlooks the small town and is a main attraction.
- Timing
- Plan 20 days to summit Mount Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas at 22,837 feet; access via northern route requires no ropes.
- Timing
- Visit Bariloche in summer to enjoy the lake district or in winter for skiing; the nearby Cerro Cedal mountains are particularly striking in autumn.
- Timing
- Visit Península Valdés between June and December to see southern right whales meeting, mating, and raising their young.
- Transport
- Take a whale-watching tour boat from Península Valdés to see southern right whales up close; this is one of the best places in the world for this.
- Timing
- Check weather forecast before hiking to Laguna de los Tres in El Chaltén; clear skies are essential to see Mount Fitzroy at the summit.
- Save money
- Entry to Los Glaciares National Park for the Laguna de los Tres hike costs about $45 per person.
- Tip
- The Laguna de los Tres hike is nearly 14-15 miles roundtrip with 3,454 feet elevation gain and takes about 8 hours total.
- Transport
- Drive carefully between El Chaltén and El Calafate as guanacos frequently cross roads; they are one of the biggest animals in South America.
Video on this route
Top 10 Places To Visit in Argentina - Travel Guide