The new Sendero Viedma trail features purpose-built wooden bridges and designated campsites spaced 18-22 km apart. Park authorities limit daily entries to 120 hikers to protect the fragile ecosystem. Permits cost ARS 12,000 and must be reserved online at least 30 days in advance.
Three new mountain refugios provide beds, hot meals and gear storage. The route offers views of the Viedma Glacier and Cerro Torre from previously inaccessible viewpoints. Local guides report wildlife sightings including Andean condors and guanacos have increased along the path.
Background shows Los Glaciares received 380,000 visitors in 2025 with 65 percent concentrated on the Fitz Roy trail. The new route was developed over three years with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank. It aims to distribute tourism benefits to smaller communities near the border with Chile.
What this means for you
Reserve permits immediately for December 2026 and January 2027 slots as they are expected to fill quickly. Hire a certified local guide through the El Chalten tourism office for the first season. Pack layers as temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer at higher elevations.
Combine the trek with a boat tour on Lake Viedma for glacier close-ups. Travelers with limited time can complete the first two days as an out-and-back from El Chalten without overnight permits.