Lago del Desierto
Lago del Desierto
4.5
Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Read more
About
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
Features animals
Learn more about animal welfare in tourismSuggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Lago del Desierto and nearby attractions
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
189 reviews
Excellent
121
Very good
53
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Dirk W
Antwerp, Belgium190 contributions
Mar 2020
Unfortunately, the trip with the larger boat is already fully booked and we don't feel like waiting more than an hour here for the next boat.
Fortunately, there is another smaller boat moored at Lago Del Desierto that wants to sail with us and another couple for an hour on the lake for 800 Argentinean Peso per person. Almost a private cruise and definitely recommended because this skipper goes just a little further than the commercial cruise and also gives more time to take the necessary photos of the glaciers and the pointed top of Mount Fitz Roy that shines in the sun.
Fortunately, there is another smaller boat moored at Lago Del Desierto that wants to sail with us and another couple for an hour on the lake for 800 Argentinean Peso per person. Almost a private cruise and definitely recommended because this skipper goes just a little further than the commercial cruise and also gives more time to take the necessary photos of the glaciers and the pointed top of Mount Fitz Roy that shines in the sun.
Written September 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
IN_Travelers47906
West Lafayette, IN4,718 contributions
Jan 2020
Although the lake itself is worth the trip, for me it was more about the journey rather than the destination. Once we reached the edge of El Chalten the road turned to gravel, and I have been over enough washed out washboard gravel roads in my life to wonder if continuing on for 36 km (22 miles) would be worth it. Yes! It definitely was. We found only one location where there was a rut or two. Otherwise the road was generally well graded with few bumps, and it was wide enough for two vehicles to pass comfortably. There were probably a dozen or so military-type bridges (mostly one lane) spanning various gullies and runoffs.
The road follows along the beautiful Las Vueltas river that is flanked on both sides by rolling hills and magnificent mountains. The road ends at the lake, so there will be no doubt about when you have arrived. The terminus is a parking area of sorts. From there, you can walk a few feet to take a boat ride, or follow the path up to a beautiful overlook with a view of the entire lake.
The 22-mile trip there and back will take you longer than you expect; not because of the road, but because of all of the photos you will be stopping to take.
If you are in El Chalten with a vehicle, in the summer on a dry day allow at least a ½-day of your time to make this drive. It is definitely worth your time and effort.
The road follows along the beautiful Las Vueltas river that is flanked on both sides by rolling hills and magnificent mountains. The road ends at the lake, so there will be no doubt about when you have arrived. The terminus is a parking area of sorts. From there, you can walk a few feet to take a boat ride, or follow the path up to a beautiful overlook with a view of the entire lake.
The 22-mile trip there and back will take you longer than you expect; not because of the road, but because of all of the photos you will be stopping to take.
If you are in El Chalten with a vehicle, in the summer on a dry day allow at least a ½-day of your time to make this drive. It is definitely worth your time and effort.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
morganargelb
San Francisco, California, United States78 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
We got a ride to the lake and then biked back to Chalten (37km). There's a fun little mountain biking circuit to get into the beach on the lake, which we really enjoyed. The lake itself is quite and beautiful. We hit Glaciar Huemul (a ~1.5 hour round trip side hike, which was amazing) and a few waterfalls on our bike ride back. Highly recommended!
Written October 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Barbs25
Staffordshire, UK2,485 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
We were spoilt with such amazing walks to Laguna de los tres and Laguna torre before this trip so it didn’t compare. It didn’t help the weather was rainy/ cloudy and the transfer from chalten was full of loud rude old people and we arrived half hour late.
We chose to hike up to huemel glacier which is 600ARS entry separate to the lake. Much nicer area the lake was dull while it was raining.
We chose to hike up to huemel glacier which is 600ARS entry separate to the lake. Much nicer area the lake was dull while it was raining.
Written April 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MAG1414
Calgary, Canada51 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
The lake circuit is a nice hike to do after you've already done Fitz Roy (los Tres) and Torre. Lago del Desierto is about 40km from El Chalten along a dirt road. We took a bus there and back and it was quite comfortable (Las Lingas I think was the company...). Because it takes about 2 hours to get there, Desierto isn't over-run with people! The scenery is incredible, and we especially enjoyed the Humuel glacier. Sure, its an extra 25 Ar pesos (~5USD), but the views once you get to the mirador are awesome. Its not a huge glacier like Perito Moreno or Grey, but you can get pretty darn close to it if you really want to. Definitely a place to visit if you've got time!
Written January 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LaMoucheQ
Luxembourg209 contributions
Feb 2016
the lago at the end of the road in the North of El Chalten is a good view - but unless you return South in your car, this place is just TOO EXPENSIVE. A private campground needs to be paid if the owner decides not to run the small ferryboat (for whatever reasons) - not a game for a low-budget traveler, smells......bad!
The trail to Chile starts on a small hanging bridge, and it is very poorly maintained (as is the bridge) - a true shame, considering the money that the owners earn with transfers on the lake.
The trail to Chile starts on a small hanging bridge, and it is very poorly maintained (as is the bridge) - a true shame, considering the money that the owners earn with transfers on the lake.
Written April 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nana_JP
Washington, DC424 contributions
Jan 2016
It is about a 2 hour drive on rough roads north of El Chalten. Once there you will see the lovely Lago Del Desierto, named "Desert Lake" because when discovered it had no fish. It collects the glacier melt from several interesting hanging glaciers in the area and there are several waterfalls as well. There is a boat ride on the lake--I wouldn't do it again, but once was okay. The boat has an enclosed cabin so it is fine for children or elderly travelers. My favorite part was the flat trail that borders the lake and meanders through the forest. There is another trail that goes up to a glacial lake, but I didn't hike that one. It was lovely to just walk without much effort on a beautiful day and enjoy the pristine surroundings. There were many fishermen trying the lake as it has been stocked with trout and evidently become a great fishing lake.
Written February 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fabian S
San Jose84 contributions
Apr 2019
Take the Lago del Desierto boat ride. The views of the Fritz Roy from here are excellent. The lake is blue (I am not kidding). I ventured a little bit and hiked to the Huemul and Vespignani glaciers. I recommend for you to travel in fall when the foliage turns yellow, orange, and red.
Written June 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Agosty T
4 contributions
Oct 2018
is a bit far from Chalten but it worth the visit, forest there is beautiful, there are plenty of space to chill out by the shore of the lake or do some hikes around.
Written March 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dilbertfan
Surrey, UK431 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
After our exhausting hike to Laguno de los Tres the previous day, we opted for a tour which required virtually no walking, and Lago del Desierto fitted the bill perfectly.
We were picked up at mid-day and driven along a gravel road for 1.5hrs, much of the time paralleling a river, and certainly affording us scenic views. This brought us to Lago del Desierto, which has very modest snacking facilities and restrooms. We had 30 minutes to spare for a wander by the river and then made our way to a jetty where a covered boat awaited us. It accommodated about 16 people and took us out into the lake, one end of which lies in Chile. The views were excellent. We gazed at hanging glaciers, waterfalls, and a circling condor before being delivered back to the jetty one hour later. There we had another half hour break before rejoining the minivan which drove us back to El Chalten and our hotel for around 5pm. An easy day, providing scenic views, which fitted in nicely with our needs and our timetable for return to El Calafate in the evening.
We were picked up at mid-day and driven along a gravel road for 1.5hrs, much of the time paralleling a river, and certainly affording us scenic views. This brought us to Lago del Desierto, which has very modest snacking facilities and restrooms. We had 30 minutes to spare for a wander by the river and then made our way to a jetty where a covered boat awaited us. It accommodated about 16 people and took us out into the lake, one end of which lies in Chile. The views were excellent. We gazed at hanging glaciers, waterfalls, and a circling condor before being delivered back to the jetty one hour later. There we had another half hour break before rejoining the minivan which drove us back to El Chalten and our hotel for around 5pm. An easy day, providing scenic views, which fitted in nicely with our needs and our timetable for return to El Calafate in the evening.
Written February 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pato I
Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina332 contributions
Hola! Una pregunta, se puede hacer sin excursión? Como llegás hasta el camping donde tenés ingreso al trek del Glaciar?
Cuanto sale contratar la navegación aparte? Gracias!
Cecilia B
Montevideo, Uruguay6 contributions
Hola Fernando, consulta: son 2hs caminando desde El Chaltén hacia el Lago? Para saber cuanto tiempo me lleva haciendo todo el trayecto caminando, me gustarÃa pasar por el Glaciar Huemul también.
Charlotte_Xiaoli
Edmonton, Canada20 contributions
Hello, I'm going there in December, would like to know how to get there from El Chalten and back. Is there a bus? What transportation means are available. Is it possible to do it just as a day trip or one has to stay there overnight? Thank you very much.
Eliana B
47 contributions
buenas noches. vengo cambiando de planes. Tengo dos dias en chalten. que senderos me recomiendan realizar ya que tenia pensado algo y me dijeron q no me iba a dar el tiempo
1. laguna capri, laguna de los tres, glaciar piedras blancas, salto del chorrillo
2. lago del desierto, glaciar huemul
me recciendan hacer asi?
teniendo en cuenta q me voy a hospedar una noche en el chalten (seria 27 y 28 de abril)
agustinac811
Argentina35 contributions
Hola Eliana cómo estas?
Yo me fui con una amiga 04 Noches en el Calafate y 02 noches y mediodÃa en el Chalten. No me d io tiempo en el Chalten para hacer mucho...
Del Calafate me fui a las 7:30AM al Chaltén (dÃa 1), y de ahà casi directo al lago del desierto donde elegà hacer el trekking al Huemul (los tours no te esperan más de 2hs en general, por lo que no tenes tiempo para hacer mucho). Al dÃa siguiente (dÃa 2) fui en transfer hasta el la hosterÃa pilar y de ahà pasas por el mirador del glaciar Piedras Blancas, y subà hasta Lago de los tres y cuando bajaba me desvié para el mirador fitz Roy, me arrepiento de no haberme desviado a la laguna de Capri... (no tenes mucho más tiempo).
Y al siguiente dÃa fui al salto del chorrillo y al mediodÃa ya me volvà para el Calafate que me reencontraba con mi amiga.
Entonces te recomiendo que analices bien los horarios porque si vas temprano al lago del desierto (huemul), cuando volves podrias desviarte al salto del chorrillo. Al dÃa siguiente harÃa Mirador
Karina Belen
Garin, Argentina16 contributions
Hola Fran, Gracias por tu comentario me fue de utilidad!
Te acordas cual es el nombre de la empresa que te alquila las bicis?
mariortega79
Cordoba, Argentina124 contributions
Hola! iremos con mi familia en diciembre a El Calafate e iremos un dia a El Chalten ( alquilaremos auto). ,me gustaria conocer el Lago del desierto.. si o si debo ir con agencia ? o puedo hacerlo por mi cuenta? puedo tomar excursiones, navegacion alli? costos? necesito info al respecto/ .. gracias
Manuel R
Rosario, Argentina5 contributions
Si salgo desde El Calafate para el El Chaltén por omnibus de lÃnea a las 7hs, puedo realizar la excursión
al lago del desierto y volver a tomar el ómnibus de regreso a El Calafate el mismo dÃa? Mucho agradeceré
si alguien me puede aconsejar. Abrazo.
YimmiMF
Los Angeles, Chile266 contributions
Holaa, Alguien podria darme datos de como pasar de villa o´higgins a el chalten porfavor
Maminia_bsas
Vicente Lopez, Argentina184 contributions
Hola estaré en El Calafate en junio, vale la pena ir a El Chaltén ida y vuelta en el dia? GRacias!!
Belén B
60 contributions
Hola MarÃa, sin duda. Desde el Chaltén tenés varias senderos de trekking con distintos tipos de dificultad pero si haces 35 km mas al norte tenés un sendero con dificultad moderada de aproximadamente 2 km que te lleva al glaciar y lago huemul a 700 m.n.m además de poder visitar en la base el lago del desierto. Sinceramente es imperdible. Yo no hice las caminatas que salen desde el Chaltén por que no me dió el tiempo pero si hice la del huemul y es imperdible. Eso si, de acuerdo al clima tenés que tener la ropa y el calzado adecuado para no tener dificultades. Yo lo hice el dÃa de ayer que estaba nevando y se me volvió difÃcil por el hielo, estaba muy resbaladizo y el sendero tiene algunas pendientes pronunciadas
Lago del Desierto (Province of Santa Cruz) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Lago del Desierto
- We recommend booking Lago del Desierto tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Lago del Desierto tours on Tripadvisor