How to Get from El Chaltén to Lago del Desierto
Published in Travel
Last updated: 06-01-2022
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IMPORTANT: Some information, images or videos may date from a visit made in 2018 or earlier.
1. By car:
- It is 37 kilometres along the Provincial Route 41 of gravel. Bear in mind that the whole journey takes approximately 2 hours because the road is winding. You arrive at the lake where the Cañadón de los Toros River begins, and a few metres ahead there is a pier for boats.
- There are times of the year when the Laguna Cóndor (like a lake), which is approximately at kilometre 19 (from El Chaltén), may increase its water level and cut off the road. So, before going, it is advisable to consult the tourist office in El Chaltén about the state of the road.
2. By bus:
- There are several agencies and transport companies in El Chaltén that make the trip to Lago del Desierto. Some of these companies have their offices at the bus terminal and others in the main streets of town.
- When I was there, one of the options they offered was a simple round trip ticket to Lago del Desierto. With the ticket I bought, I was dropped off right at the access to the Huemul glacier trail (there is an additional cost to do this) and the Sendero del Bosque (a trail, no cost). At 100 metres from where the bus left off, the route ends and you will find the Lago del Desierto.
- Among other options offered by the tourist agencies, there were those that also included navigation on the lake and a visit to the foot of the Vespignani glacier.
- It is 37 kilometres along the Provincial Route 41 of gravel. Bear in mind that the whole journey takes approximately 2 hours because the road is winding. You arrive at the lake where the Cañadón de los Toros River begins, and a few metres ahead there is a pier for boats.
- There are times of the year when the Laguna Cóndor (like a lake), which is approximately at kilometre 19 (from El Chaltén), may increase its water level and cut off the road. So, before going, it is advisable to consult the tourist office in El Chaltén about the state of the road.
2. By bus:
- There are several agencies and transport companies in El Chaltén that make the trip to Lago del Desierto. Some of these companies have their offices at the bus terminal and others in the main streets of town.
- When I was there, one of the options they offered was a simple round trip ticket to Lago del Desierto. With the ticket I bought, I was dropped off right at the access to the Huemul glacier trail (there is an additional cost to do this) and the Sendero del Bosque (a trail, no cost). At 100 metres from where the bus left off, the route ends and you will find the Lago del Desierto.
- Among other options offered by the tourist agencies, there were those that also included navigation on the lake and a visit to the foot of the Vespignani glacier.