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El Chaltén · Los Glaciares National Park · Fitz Roy
The Laguna Capri Hike in El Chaltén
The forest trail from the north end of El Chaltén to a lake with Fitz Roy across the water: about 4 km and under two hours each way. Walk it yourself, or take the guided picnic hike from El Calafate.
On your own or guided?
Two Ways to Walk to Laguna Capri
Laguna Capri is the lake on the Fitz Roy trail above El Chaltén, with the mountain straight across the water. The park’s trail leaflet puts it about 4 km and 1:45 from the trailhead at the north end of the village, with 350 m of climb, and the town’s tourism office rates it medium and allows 3:30 hours there and back. You can walk it on your own with a park pass, or come from El Calafate on Info de Ushuaia’s Capri Hike with Guide and Patagonian Picnic, from US$130 a person (checked November 2026): transport, a nature guide and a picnic at the lake, about 13 hours door to door.
El Chaltén: Capri Hike with Guide and Patagonian Picnic from El Calafate
Info de Ushuaia: pickup in El Calafate, a stop at La Leona, about two hours up with a nature guide, an hour's picnic facing Fitz Roy, two hours down. Minimum age 12. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check dates →El Chaltén/Calafate: Laguna Capri Trek with Local Guide
On Patagonia Adventures' Capri trek with a licensed mountain guide: a half day from El Chaltén (11:00 to 16:00) or a full day from El Calafate, a boxed lunch at the lake. A new listing with no reviews yet.
See the trek →El Chaltén: Fitz Roy & Laguna Capri Trek from El Calafate
ModoPata Turismo's Fitz Roy and Laguna Capri trek: transfer from El Calafate, a local guide from El Chaltén, groups of up to 10, ages 10 to 65. Food not included. No reviews yet.
See the trek →Prices, ratings and review counts from the listings (GetYourGuide checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.
Walking on your own costs only the park pass and a morning. None of the guided days includes the pass.
- 4.7 / 5 38+ Reviews
- 1:45 Hours one way from the trailhead to Laguna Capri, about 4 km (the national park's North Zone trail leaflet)
- 12+ The minimum age on the guided picnic hike; not for people over 70 or with low fitness
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
The Guided Picnic Hike, Line by Line
Info de Ushuaia's day from El Calafate: transport, a nature guide, a picnic at the lake, trekking poles and a poncho. The park entrance is extra.
Info de Ushuaia's own highlights, inclusions and notes, as listed on GetYourGuide in November 2026.
Highlights
- I enjoyed an authentic experience of nature, photography, and Patagonian flavors
- Combine photography, easy trekking, and unspoiled Patagonian nature
- Connect with Patagonia on an interpretive and gourmet hike
- Explore El Chaltén with an expert guide, unique vantage points, and gourmet touches
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation from El Calafate
- Nature specialist guide
- Patagonian picnic (artisan sandwich, local chocolate, hot beverage, bottle of water)
- Trekking poles
- Waterproof poncho for emergencies
- Passenger insurance
Good to know: Trail difficulty: moderate · Approximate total distance: 8 km · Approximate elevation gain: 400 m · Minimum age: 12 years old · Not suitable for people with reduced mobility · Recommendations · It is recommended to wear suitable hiking shoes and warm clothing and to bring a hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water · The weather in Patagonia can be very changeable. The activity usually takes place as scheduled, except in the event of extreme weather conditions that could compromise safety. · It is recommended to wear layered, waterproof clothing suitable for cold and windy weather, and to have closed, non-slip shoes (sneakers or hiking boots) · Packed lunch · For bookings made less than 24 hours in advance, the packed lunch option will be subject to availability. In these cases, the traditional option will be assigned by default. · Not suitable for: Children under 12 years, People with back problems, People with mobility impairments, People with heart problems, Wheelchair users, People with respiratory issues, People with recent surgeries, People with low level of fitness, People over 70 years · Not Included: Hiking gear (waterproof shoes and clothes). These can be rented in the town of El Calafate the day before the excursion., Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park
A Day from El Calafate to Laguna Capri
About 13 hours door to door: the road north, a stop at La Leona, about two hours up, an hour at the lake, two hours down.
Pickup in El Calafate
A pickup at your accommodation, then the road north along Lago Argentino and a 25-minute stop at the historic Parador La Leona.
A Briefing in El Chaltén
A 15-minute stop in El Chaltén to get ready, then straight to the start of the trail. There is no time to explore the village.
Up to the Lake
About two hours through lenga and ñire forest to Laguna Capri, with the guide on flora, fauna and geology, then an hour for the picnic facing Fitz Roy.
Down and Home
The same trail back down, about two hours, and about 2.5 hours on the road to your accommodation in El Calafate.
Photo Gallery
Forest, Lake and Mountain
The lenga forest on the way up, the lake shore and the Fitz Roy skyline.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Info de Ushuaia's guided picnic hike from El Calafate, about 13 hours door to door. Minimum age 12; the park entrance is not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Four Guided Ways to Laguna Capri
The guided Capri hikes on GetYourGuide: who runs each, where it starts, the group, what is included and the refund terms, with the month checked.
| Feature | THIS PAGE Picnic hike from El Calafate | Mountain-guide trek | Small-group trek | Full-day trek with crampons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What You Pay | From US$130 per person (checked November 2026) | From US$129 per person (checked November 2026) | From US$180 per person (checked November 2026) | From US$315 per person (checked November 2026) |
| Sold By | Info de Ushuaia | On Patagonia Adventures | ModoPata Turismo | Azul Latina Travel |
| Starts | Pickup in El Calafate; about 13 hours door to door | El Calafate (08:00 to 20:00) or El Chaltén (11:00 to 16:00) | El Calafate, transfer included | El Calafate, 08:00 to 20:00 |
| Included | Transport, nature guide, picnic, trekking poles, poncho, insurance | Licensed mountain guide, trekking pole, boxed lunch | Local guide, transfer, trekking poles, insurance; no food | Transfer, certified mountain guide, box lunch, trekking poles, crampons |
| Who Can Go | Ages 12 to 70; moderate fitness | No previous trekking experience needed | Ages 10 to 65; groups of up to 10 | Not for people with low fitness; at least four to run |
| Refund | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before | Non-refundable |
| Reviews | The only one of the four with reviews | None yet | None yet | None yet |
| Check dates | See the trek | See the trek | See the trek |
Other Ways to Laguna Capri
More Capri Hikes, and Other El Chaltén Days
Other guided Capri hikes from El Calafate and El Chaltén, and El Chaltén days on Viator that do not include the Capri walk.
NOT CAPRI: TWO SHORT WALKSDiscover El Chaltén: Hike to Condor Lookout & Falls
Tolkeyen Patagonia Turismo's day from El Calafate: the visitor centre, a hike to the Condor Lookout, lunch, then the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall. It does not walk to Laguna Capri. Food and drinks included; park and municipal entrance not.
NOT CAPRI: EL CHALTÉN DAYEl Chaltén with Trekking from El Calafate
Patagonia Dreams' El Chaltén day from El Calafate on Viator: guided walks to the Mirador de los Cóndores (2 km there and back) and the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall, about 5 hours in the village. Not a Laguna Capri hike.
NOT CAPRI: EL CHALTÉN DAYEl Chalten Complete Experience Full Day Tour from El Calafate
SOUTHROAD's El Chaltén day from El Calafate on Viator: hotel pickup, viewpoint stops and two guided walks of low difficulty. Not a Laguna Capri hike.
HIGHER UP: LAGUNA DE LOS TRESChalten full day Trekking - Laguna de los Tres Experience
Azul Latina Travel's guided hike from El Calafate to Laguna de los Tres, higher up the same trail, with a Laguna Capri option for anyone who stops: two guides, a packed lunch, crampons if needed. At least two per booking; non-refundable.
The Laguna Capri trail
The Walk, the Lake and the Guided Day
Where the trail starts, how long it takes, what you see, what the park charges and what the picnic hike from El Calafate adds.
The trail
The trail leaves from the north end of El Chaltén. The first kilometre climbs steeply out of the village to a viewpoint over the Río de las Vueltas valley, about 20 minutes up on the park leaflet. From there the path runs through lenga and ñire forest on the side of the valley, and a short spur drops to the shore of Laguna Capri. The main trail carries on towards the Poincenot camp and Laguna de los Tres.
The figures, by source:
| Source | Distance | Time | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park North Zone trail leaflet (English edition, 2024) | 4 km one way from the trailhead | 1:45 one way | 350 m in its height column |
| El Chaltén tourism office (page from 2016) | Not given | 3:30 there and back; first view of the peak at 1:45 | Medium |
| Info de Ushuaia’s guided hike | About 8 km in all | About 2 hours up, 2 down | Moderate, about 400 m of climb |
| Our map, along the drawn path | About 4.3 km one way | Not timed |
Park and tourism-office pages read in November 2026.
Allow half a day on your own, more if you stop long at the lake. How long is the Laguna Capri hike has the detail.
What you see
The leaflet calls the view from Capri of the Fitz Roy range “excellent”, and the lake is the classic foreground for it: Fitz Roy stands about 9 km away across the water in a straight line. On a clear day the whole skyline of granite towers is in front of you. On a cloudy one you see the lake, the forest and the lower slopes, and the guided picnic goes ahead all the same: Info de Ushuaia’s hike usually runs as scheduled except in extreme weather.
The park pass and the rules
Laguna Capri is inside Los Glaciares National Park. The Administración de Parques Nacionales charges a general day pass of ARS 50,000 from 1 June 2026, and at the El Chaltén portals the ticket is sold online only (on the web or through the QR code at the portal) and paid by card, never cash (APN tariffs, read November 2026). On our reading of the APN’s categories, a visitor without an Argentine ID pays the general rate.
The park leaflet lists a campsite at Laguna Capri on the Fitz Roy trail. Its rules for the whole area: no fires, no pets, no drones, camp only at the allowed sites, and keep to the marked trails. From May to September the APN requires walkers to register at its information centre before using the trails.
The guided picnic day from El Calafate
Info de Ushuaia’s day starts with a pickup at your accommodation in El Calafate. The road north follows Lago Argentino, with a 25-minute stop at the historic Parador La Leona, then a 15-minute briefing in El Chaltén: there is no time to explore the village. The hike takes about two hours up, the picnic an hour at the lake (an artisan sandwich, local chocolate, a hot drink and water), and two hours down, then about 2.5 hours back to El Calafate.
Before you book:
- Not for children under 12 or people over 70, and not for anyone with low fitness, back, heart or breathing problems, recent surgery or reduced mobility.
- Hiking shoes and waterproof clothes are not included; they can be rented in El Calafate the day before. Trekking poles and an emergency poncho are provided.
- Bookings made less than 24 hours ahead get the traditional picnic.
- The day runs on about three days in four; the calendar shows which.
- The calendar shows the price for your date, and any offer running then.
Check dates for the picnic hike
The picnic hike from El Calafate has the full day and the alternatives.
What hikers say
Info de Ushuaia’s Capri hike has 38 reviews on GetYourGuide, the oldest from February 2026. As of 11 November 2026, 32 give five stars, 3 give four and 3 give two or three. The low ones are specific. A three-star review (16 October 2026) found almost six hours of driving a lot for a four-hour hike, with Fitz Roy in cloud. A two-star review (March 2026, in Portuguese) says the hike was cancelled the day before because the group was too small, and a full-day trip was offered instead. As that review tells it, the day can depend on enough people booking.
The Guided Picnic Hike to Laguna Capri
Info de Ushuaia's day from El Calafate: transport, a nature guide, about 8 km on foot and a picnic facing Fitz Roy. Minimum age 12; the park entrance is extra. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Starting from US$130 per person (checked November 2026).
Check datesAround El Chaltén
More Days Out in El Chaltén with Open Dates
Hikes and day trips in the north of the park with live availability. What each includes and its cancellation terms show before you book.
Laguna Capri Hike: Questions
How long it is, how hard, the park pass, the view, the guided day from El Calafate, camping and the season.
About 4 km and 1:45 each way from the trailhead at the north end of El Chaltén, on the national park's North Zone trail leaflet, with 350 m of climb. The town's tourism office allows 3:30 hours there and back. See how long is the Laguna Capri hike.
Medium, on the tourism office's scale. The first kilometre is steep, then the path climbs gently through forest to the lake. Info de Ushuaia's guided hike calls it moderate, about 8 km and 400 m of climbing, with a minimum age of 12.
Yes, the national park pass. The Administración de Parques Nacionales charges a general day pass of ARS 50,000 from 1 June 2026; at the El Chaltén portals it is sold online only and paid by card (APN tariffs, read November 2026). No guided hike on this site includes it.
Yes, when the sky is clear. The park leaflet calls the view of the Fitz Roy range from Capri excellent; the mountain is about 9 km away across the lake in a straight line. Cloud can hide it on any day.
Yes. Info de Ushuaia's guided picnic hike takes about 13 hours door to door, with transport, a nature guide and a picnic at the lake, from US$130 a person (checked November 2026). See the picnic hike from El Calafate.
Much easier. On the park leaflet Capri is 4 km and 1:45 one way with 350 m of climb; Laguna de los Tres is 10 km and about 5 hours one way with 750 m and a very steep last section. See Capri or Laguna de los Tres.
There is a campsite. The park's North Zone leaflet lists the Capri campsite on the Fitz Roy trail. Camp only at the designated sites and light no fires; ask the park's visitor centre in El Chaltén for the rules on your dates.
September to April, the season the national park recommends. Summer winds are strong; in winter snow and mud make the trails harder, and from May to September walkers must register at the park's information centre.
Hiking shoes, warm and waterproof layers, a hat, sun cream and water, and the park pass on your phone. On the guided picnic hike, trekking poles, a poncho and the picnic are provided; hiking gear can be rented in El Calafate the day before.
Still have questions? Email us at info@lagunacaprihike.com