Hello,
Was looking to clear some issues on visiting the Glaciers.

We have finally booked our internal flights in Argentina and will arrive in El Calafate on the 21st october around 6pm and leave around the sam time on 25th so have 4 nigts tgere.
I have read so much about different area's I have managed to get pretty confused.

I was under the impression that El Calafate to El Chalten is about a 3-1/2 hour bus drive, and Chalten is next to Glaciers. However everybody seems to reccomend staying in Calafate and taking the excursions each day to the Glaciers with around 6 hours travelling time doesn't sound overly attractive so I presume my initital impressions must be wrong.
Can anyone reccomend the best location to stay we would prefer accomadantion around 100USD/80Euros.

On a side issue I am assuming hiking boots are essential for this trip? although not unfit my fiancee do not own such boots, we would prefer not carry boots through all our travels and were wondering about the relative prices to buy needed shoes in Argentina (probably BA)

Thanks for your help in advance

Hi,
I came across your post and have pretty much the same questions, so hopefully someone will write back with advice =D

The El Chalaten website has good info: http://www.elchalten.com/indexen.php

I personally think it would be cool to stay at an Estancia, but the main ones are pretty pricey. I did find more lists of where to stay: http://www.todocalafate.com/english/...en_lodging.php

When you stay in El Calafate, the tours pick you up at your hotel and last 6 - 8 hours. For example, the all glacier boat tour, they pick you up around 8:00 am, it's about an hour ride to the dock. The boat leaves around 10:00 and you don't get back until 3ish or so (if memory serves me right), so that might be where you are getting the 6 - 8 hour drive.

We stayed at the Kosten Aike in town, it was very convenient and staff is very nice. I think it's in your price range. We also met people staying a little out of town and they had a free shuttle to take you in. We found El Calafate pretty reasonable.

We also stayed in El Chaltan for a couple of days, which is 3 1/2 hours from El Calafate, we did see glaciers there too on a half day trip, but if your staying in El Calafate, you'll see plenty there.

If you read my recent trip report, you'll read all about our experiences, but if you have any other questions, please let me know.

Hi owlwoman,

I have read your trip report it sounds a great experience. We also booked the Kosten Aike for the 4 days, perhaps El Calafate will be better for us as we are not huge trekkers. Thanks Mademoiselle will read that as may go for a day trip.

Thanks

Danny

I also think dm066 had a good question about the boots. My hiking boots are rather heavy and I always try to minimize shoes (dressy, casual) as it is, so would prefer to use pumas that are kind of tennis shoe like, and would work hiking on a dirt trail over boots. But are boots a must? I assume that we'll have crampons so would cute pumas be sufficient?

Writing this out, I feel like the answer is no, but those are heavy to carry around, I'm hoping the comfy pumas will be it =D

I don't think you need "hiking" boots, I brought a pair of Merrill's w/me, they're not hiking boots per se, but better than sneakers since they have traction on the bottom. We were there in late March, so I believe the climate should be about the same.

I travel light too!

Cool Owlwoman, thanks for the advive. My pumas don't offer much traction, but they are comfy to walk extensively in.