From El Calafate to El Chalten, Argentina

My motorcycle trip this time was from El Calafate in southern Argentina to El Chalten.

The distance was approximately 215km.

I’m leaving El Calafate

Thanks to the tailwind, I arrived at RN40 in about 20 minutes.

I turned left here and headed north.

The wind was strong from the west that day, so I drove safely.

I arrived at the observation point of Lake Argentina in about 50 minutes.

I’m going to take a little detour.

I will march forward in the unchanging strong wind

I arrived at the Lake Viedma viewpoint after about an hour and 20 minutes.

The wind was strong here too, and I didn’t have time to stop, so I passed it and continued on.

I soon arrived at the fork in the road from RN40 to El Chalten.

I turned left here.

I continue on in the strong headwind, with Lake Viedma in view.

I crossed the river and arrived at the sign for Los Glaciares National Park.

If I’ve made it this far, I’m almost there.

I arrived at the viewpoint just before El Chalten.

We can see Fitz Roy from here.

Well, I’m on my way.

I fill up at the only gas station right next to the observation deck.

They only carry two types of gas: regular Super and diesel.

Super is reasonably priced at AR$1.415/L, or about USD0.97.

And I finally arrived in El Chalten

Although my trip wasn’t very long, the wind had a significant impact.

I was exposed to the wind from both the side and the front for most of the trip, which made me more tired than I would have been had I traveled in a long time.

We need to be careful of the wind in Patagonia.

Date of trip: December 24, 2025