We were in El Chalten (there are good campsites and also plenty of hotels around to stay in although February is high season so book pretty early) and we did part of the Fitz Roy circuit that I think takes anything from 4-7 days. We went to El Lago de los tres (which takes you right to the base of the Fitzroy Glacier and is just past the base camp for climbers) and also started the walk into Cerro Torre but the weather was bad. Both the Fitzroy and Cerro Torre circuits are accessible from El Chalten. If I remember I had the Bradt guide to Argentina and Chile and that had some really useful information in it about the circuits and where to get maps etc. In terms of kit etc you can either hire it or buy it in El Chalten, but a word of warning the prices are pretty expensive (even more so now as all the prices have gone up).

While youÂ’re in Patagonia and that far south itÂ’s definitely worth going to the glacier ‘Perito MorenoÂ’ as itÂ’s spectacular. The nearest town to that is El Calafate. Also, if you have time itÂ’s also possible to go to ‘Las Torres del PaineÂ’ in Chile where you can do various circuits of trekking (for example, the ‘wÂ’ route – thereÂ’s more info in Bradt) and is also amazing.

Further up in northern Patagonia there is also Volcan Lanin that is a 2 day trek/climb with crampons. It is in Parque Nacional de Lanin and the nearest place is Junin de los Andes. You need all the kit to be checked by the park rangers (guardaparque) and also to hire a radio to take up with you (you can do this in Junin de los Andes). Again thereÂ’s more info in Bradt and although people will try to sell you a group climb with guides if you have some knowledge of mountains they will let you go alone – however you will need to provide a first aid kit etc to take with you. If you decide to do this itÂ’s worth keeping a few days (4-5) to spare to allow for weather, booking a place in one of the refuges for the 1st night and also to get the kit together.

In terms of transport (assuming youÂ’re flying into Buenos Aires) from Buenos Aires you can get a ‘cochecamaÂ’ – a bus with seats that recline to become a bed (well nearly) to El Chalten, El Calafate, Bariloche and I think Junin de los Andes. If not to Junin de los Andes you can definitely go via Bariloche. Most buses go from Retiro bus station but itÂ’s worth checking. I think the main company that sells tickets is ‘FlechabusÂ’.