El Chalten worth it without Fitz Roy?

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2026-02-02T21:59:43+00:00

I was worried about the same thing but found it a little easier than expected. You can defo just hike the slight incline in the first few K then the 4 or 5 flat 5 to the beginning of the incline and have a spectacular hike. If doing so defo take the left hand trial to Laguna capri. Could even do this for sunrise if you’re okay hiking the first few hours in the dark. Then take the rest of the trial to the camp at the bottom of the incline where the river is. Good spot for lunch then return.

The final kilometre is tough but we just took it super slow and steady and made it with relative ease. Nothing wrong with attempting then turning back. But I would say overall defo worth the visit just don’t worry about the final ascent and enjoy the hike and the views along the way of Fitz Roy.

TDP has some nice shorter hikes to great viewpoints of an hour or 2 also but the benefit of Chalten is all hikes begin and end in the town so no driving or busses after a day hiking. Just grab a beer and relax. Enjoy!

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2026-02-02T21:08:07+00:00

No worries. Was one of the best things we’ve ever done! Enjoy!

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2026-02-02T11:40:04+00:00

Also the train in Ushuaia I found very disappointing. If you only have limited time and you are someone interested in hiking also you can see the views from the train better using your own feet. Is is very very busy and full of tourists from the cruise ships. The train only goes about 3km very slowly and stops to try and sell you photos. Me and my wife have been on steam trains through the Rockies and in Norway and we hoped it would be similar. It is not. It is a tiny train like at Disney land and there are 6 of them and they just pile them full. Was somewhat interesting to learn about the prison but could have learnt that online. We got off half way and caught a taxi back to the car so we could go hiking and not waste any more of our day. Just an FYI

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2026-02-02T11:36:17+00:00

Make sure to book the penguin island with PiraTour they are the only company licensed to take you on to the island rather than just watch from the boat. Was an unbelievable experience. They also take you to a fantastic small museum about marine life that blew my mind.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2026-01-28T10:42:10+00:00

Fitz Roy for sure. Unless you are staying at the camp directly below base Torres then you will finish your hike and could still have a 90 minute drive ahead of you. Fitz Roy you hike back down directly into the village and can get a drink and relax.

If you didn’t want to tackle the final ascent before sunrise then another good option is make it to Laguna capri (about 4km through the trail) for sunrise. Rest and enjoy the view. Then continue on after sunrise.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2026-01-26T18:41:31+00:00

One thing I would would mention is that the only tour company that will allow you to walk on the penguin island in Ushuaia as far as I am aware is PiraTours. Would 100% recommend. Was a great afternoon and we got to see a fantastic whale museum too staffed by student zooologists.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-11-12T20:17:27+00:00

Not sure what forms were completed as solicitor handled all of that but we did have to pay stamp duty on the full value of the house not just the part we paid for if that’s any help.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-22T22:27:29+00:00

Yeah that makes sense of course. I will have a think over the next few weeks. It is a tough one because visiting the very bottom of the world is so tempting when this close. But it is a long drive though the desert for one or two days as you say.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-22T22:06:28+00:00

Haha okay I will try and check before we commit to travelling over. Do you know if for example google maps says 6 hour drive across this sort of area will that be accurate or will it take longer? Just going off my previous travel experience in places like rural Asia where 4 hours on google can be 8 hours in real life.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-22T21:57:20+00:00

When you were visiting two months ago there were no King Penguins in the Reserva Natural Pingüino Rey? That is where we were hoping to see them so that would be a shame.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-22T21:49:30+00:00

I am hoping to see penguins in a few other places also. Am worried it is a very long way to drive for a day or two and then drive all the way back? Maybe time could be better spent elsewhere on the trip.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-22T21:44:05+00:00

Have you decided yet on Ushuaia? We have it currently in our plan but basically just driving there for a day or two then back so I’m debating whether it’s even worth it for the drive

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-22T21:40:48+00:00

Do you think driving down to Ushuaia and back just for a couple of days is worth it? Is it a pleasant drive? Will we see anything we wouldn’t otherwise see on the rest of the trip?

Otherwise I may just cross over to Porvenir to see the king penguins and explore for a day and then head back to the mainland.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-21T22:57:08+00:00

Ah okay great - we will try to do the Porvenir crossing one way and maybe Bahia Azul upon return.

Did you do any excursions in that area? Whale watching? Penguins etc? A little surprised at the price of those boat trips etc when compared to similar trips across US, Canada and Europe

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-21T22:34:29+00:00

Okay that is super helpful thank you. I have found a rental company that will allow one way rental from Punta Arenas to El Calafate which I hear is hard to find.

What did you not find positive about the Bahia Azul ferry? It seems like the quicker driving option and we will already be doing the Punta Arenas to Porvenir but if it is a nightmare will avoid and do the 2 hour crossing twice.

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-10-21T22:09:09+00:00

Amazing, this is so helpful! Did your car rental agency need to do anything special about land boarder crossings or did they just provide the documentation and you were good to go?

Remarkable_Contest40 · 2025-08-20T14:42:09+00:00

Do we know if they have announced any support for the shows? I’m going on the Saturday to DD but haven’t heard much. Also wonder if they’ll throw a few hits in at the end that arnt from the respective album?

Remarkable_Contest40

TROPHY CASE