Located in the heart of Patagonia and recognized as the National Capital of Trekking for its incredible mountain trails, El Chaltén is in the Top # 10 of mandatory stops in Argentina.
This small town of 1700 inhabitants is located in the province of Santa Cruz, within the Los Glaciares National Park, on the banks of the Río de las Vueltas and at the foot of the imposing Cerro Fitz Roy (or also called Chaltén).
Precisely the name "Chaltén" comes from the Aonikenk language given by the Tehuelches and means "smoking mountain" because its peak is generally covered by clouds and gives the feeling of being a volcano.
To get there, it can be easily accessed from El Calafate, a city that is 220 kilometers away, and the road is taken by National Route 40: the most famous in Argentina and with luxurious views of Torres and Fitz Roy peaks.
Many travelers decide to visit El Chaltén on a day trip and then return to El Calafate.
Others, upon discovering this destination, fall in love and prefer to spend a few nights as it offers a wide variety of accommodations.
We consider that each trip begins from the moment we start planning it, looking at photos and looking for information about the destination.
Therefore, it is important that you know that El Chaltén is a place with very low temperatures, especially in winter and autumn, and for this reason where to stay is a key point. Hostels are a good option for those looking to meet people and save!
Next, we tell you which are the 8 best hostels in El Chaltén: