Patagonia Runcation: Trail Running El Chaltén

Winter/Spring 2025

Overview

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Patagonia!

Our trip will start in the afternoon at our hotel in El Calafate to check in and get settled followed by a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! We'll stay in a comfortable 3/4-star hotel hotel in a lakeside town with a view of Argentina's largest freshwater lake, Lago Argentina. That afternoon, we’ll enjoy dinner and refreshments to go over the week ahead. 

• Mileage: Optional shakeout run in the afternoon 4-6 miles along Lago Argentina

• Double accommodation in 3/4-star hotel included

DAY 2

          Perito Moreño Glacier!

After a quick optional morning shakeout run, we'll return to a breakfast spread of homemade Argentinian jams, coffees, teas and baked goods. Our day's adventure will take us to a tour of the Perito Moreño Glacier, one of the highlights of Argentinian Patagonia and one of the world's only advancing glaciers. This spectacular glacier spans approximately 252 square km – 30 kilometers in length, about 5 km wide, and from the water to the top of the glacier the average height is a 73 meters! It is fed by the Southern Patagonia Ice Field and we'll get the chance to see some glacier calving from a boat tour viewing the glacier from the water! We'll enjoy transport and a guided tour. Afterwards, we'll return for dinner to celebrate our final evening in El Calafate before heading to the mountains tomorrow. 

• Mileage: Optional shakeout run before/after tour if timing permits.

• Breakfast and double accommodation in 3/4-star hotel included

• National Park entrance fee, guided transport to/from the glacier, and boat tour included

DAY 3

Vamos a El Chaltén!

Today we wake up for a final morning at our hotel and set off for El Chaltén, one of Patagonia's most spectacular mountain towns. After views of mountains roll by on the Patagonian highway, we’ll check into our mountainside hotel before setting off for an afternoon adventure run straight from our front door. We'll head up following a trail alongside the river of the valley as views begin to unfold of Cerro Solo, the Adela range, Cerro Torre and the Mount Fitzroy. That evening you're free to explore the restaurants in town, or sip a glass of Malbec and watch the golden hour over the nearby mountains. 

• Mileage: ~11.8-13 miles, 1,800 feet elevation gain/loss*

• Breakfast and double accommodation in hotel included

• National Park entrance fee, private transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén, guided group run in Los Glaciares National Park included

DAY 4

Lagunas y Montañas

After a spread of a delicious breakfasts of granola, yogurt, juices, homemade breads and eggs, we’ll head out on another adventure run for the day. The trail starts in the lower, rocky hills and shrublands with views of Cerro Torre and Fitzroy. We'll wind through a forest of lenga before our steepest climb of the trip. From the summit you can see both Cerro Torre and Fitzroy to the north and the Río Túnel Valley to the south. Treat yourself to an artesanal aprés at a famous cerveceria, or brewery in town, before enjoying a meal of tender Argentinian steaks (or visit the vegetarian restaurant in town), fresh trout from the local Lago del Desierto, and a generous pour of Malbec. 

• Mileage: ~14 miles, 3,300 feet elevation gain/loss

• Breakfast and double accommodation in hotel included

• National Park entrance fee and guided group run in Los Glaciares National Park included

DAY 5

         Summits of El Chaltén

We’ll wake up for breakfast at our El Chaltén hotel and depart for another adventure run in the area. Exact mileage and location today is to be determined closure to the date due to recommendations from our expert mountain guides and local conditions! One option is a run through various climates of pampas to forests to alpine rocky terrain with views of Mount Huemul, Viedma lake, and the Andes of the skyline of Mount Torre and Mount Chaltén. If you prefer to take a rest day today is a good option for visiting the spa in town, hiking to the nearby waterfall, or enjoying cafes and restaurants in town. You’ll have another afternoon and evening in this magical town to prepare for our refugio adventure tomorrow.

• Mileage: ~12 miles, 3,000 feet elevation gain/loss

• Breakfast and double accommodation in hotel included

• National Park entrance fee and guided group run in Los Glaciares National Park included

DAY 6

Private Nature Reserves

After another delicious breakfast at our hotel, we'll catch private transfer outside of town to a renovated Argentinian estancia. We'll travel route 41, also known as the Scenic Route of the National Sovereignty of the Senda del Huemul, which borders the entire route of the Rio de Las Vueltas. We'll have a chance to view different landscapes and mountains. After crossing a suspension bridge, we'll meet our local guide who will take us further onto the reserve with 4×4 vehicle until reaching the ranch.

Our tour of the estancia begins at the foot of the Cordón del Bosque, a mountain range that watches over an area of 8,000 hectares of forests, streams, rivers and mountains. We'll start with a guided trail run on private and uncrowded trails where we'll work up an appetite for a special lunch. In this unique gastronomy experience you can enjoy exquisite Patagonian lamb roast on the stake and the traditional Curanto al hoyo. The ample meal includes salad, side dishes and dessert as well as a glass of Argentinian wine or soft drink. Vegan/vegetarian options available (please get in touch with your retreat organizer). There is an on-site organic garden that supplies the ingredients for their dishes. 

After a leisurely lunch, you have the option of side adventures such as via ferrata and horseback riding! At the end of the day we'll receive transfer back to down to enjoy a final evening in El Chaltén. 

• Mileage: ~7.5 miles, 600 feet elevation gain/loss

• Breakfast and lunch included

• Double accommodation at 3-star hotel included

• Private transfer to and from a remote and private Argentinian estancia to enjoy an included lunch and guided group run included

DAY 7

Leaving the Mountains

After waking up for a final run on the trails of Patagonia to a mirador, we'll enjoy breakfast at the hotel and pack up our belongings before saying goodbye to El Chaltén. Our private transfer will take us back to El Calafate for our final celebratory dinner of the trip! 

• Mileage: ~2-4 miles, 500-1,000 feet elevation gain/loss

• Breakfast and double accommodation in 3-star hotel included

• Private transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate,  guided group run in private nature reserve included

DAY 8

Final Day in Paradise

After breakfast, you’ll depart in the morning for the El Calafate airport or onwards to other travel destinations! You’ll leave Patagonia with new friends and tons of memories!

• Breakfast included

*Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change based on weather and trail conditions, but this is a good guideline*

New for 2025! Now available in self-guided format

What’s included

Entrance fees to National Parks

Perito Moreño Glacier tour, including gear, guide, entrance fee, boat tickets, and transport costs 

Transport between the different runs and lodging throughout the trip

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

Double accommodation in 3/4-star hotels in El Calafate and El Chaltén

One special gastronomy experience at a renovated remote Argentinian estancia including a lunch feast and wine

Breakfasts included daily

Knowledgable expert Patagonia mountain guide and running coach along the entire route

A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants

Not included

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages and meals 

Travel Insurance

Dinners and lunches

Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)

Who should attend?

You do not need to be an expert trail runner! However, please note, this is a LEVEL 2 trip. Runners must be able to complete the full distance each day on the trip itinerary (7-15 miles) with significant amounts of elevation gain and loss (500-3,300 feet per day) in mountainous environments, on technical trails, and at times in unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains of Patagonia. It is expected that all participants will hike the long and strenuous uphill climbs and run whenever the guide determines is feasible (including downhill and flat sections). We cannot accommodate walkers or hikers on this running trip. If you’re psyched about visiting Patagonia and can meet this trip requirements, you should attend!

Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!

How to Arrive

The trip starts and ends in El Calafate, Argentina. El Calafate is located in southern Argentina (280 kilometers north of Puerto Natales and 220 kilometers south of El Chaltén). El Calafate has a small airport located 20 km east of town with daily non-stop flights to and from Buenos Aires (3.5 hours), Ushuaia (1.5 hours), and Bariloche (1.75 hours). For International flights, most connect in Buenos Aires before taking a domestic flight to El Calafate. Most flights are operated by Aerolineas Argentinas with some operated by LAN. It is very easy to get to/from El Calafate Airport and El Calafate city by local taxi (Remis) or booking a shared shuttle.

Before You Go

You must have a valid passport and travel insurance to cover the activities of the Patagonia running tour. Argentina visa requirements can be found here, and current CDC recommendations for travel to Argentina is found here.