If you've dreamt of exploring Patagonia by trail running while staying at a combination of comfortable and scenic hotels, this is the trip for you. Throughout the trip, we'll leave tour buses and crowds behind in order to facilitate pristine Patagonian trail running adventures on this running retreat.
Our guided trail running trip will start in El Calafate, where we will begin our adventure with a visit to Patagonia’s most famous glacier and one of the world's only advancing glaciers. We’ll get up close and personal to El Perito Moreño with a boat tour to view this amazing glacier from the water! We'll then explore further south to our next destination of El Chaltén, home to Monte Fitzroy, Cerro Torre, craft breweries, pristine lakes, glaciers, rivers, grasslands, and some of the world's most spectacular mountain vistas. Our curated hotels offer the comforts of 3-star lodging with authentic Argentinian breakfasts and breathtaking lake and mountain views. In between we'll trail run through Los Glaciares National Park and visit unique Argentinian estancias and private nature reserves. We'll trail run from these base camps, where vistas of mountain spires, glaciers, and remote lakes are paired with mate, homemade pizza, typical Argentinian parrillas of roasted meat, ample Malbec, and artisanal beer brewed with special character and history unique to each location. Possible wildlife sightings range from Huemul (patagonian deer) to Condors and Pumas.
This running retreat is the perfect mixture of comfort and exploring a mixture of perfectly runnable classics off-the-beaten path gems of some of Patagonia's most spectacular sites. On this guided trail running tour with all logistics, lodging, and transport taken care of, enjoy a break from winter and enjoy a Patagonian summer on our running retreat.
Trip Difficulty: Level 2
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
Please note, this is a LEVEL 2 trip. Runners must be able to complete the full distance each day on the trip itinerary (7-15 miles) with significant amounts of elevation gain and loss (1,500-3,700 feet per day) in mountainous environments, on technical trails, and at times in unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains of Patagonia. It is expected that all participants will run whenever the guide determines is feasible (including downhill and flat sections). We cannot accommodate walkers or hikers on this particular adventure. Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!
This trip requires a minimum of 8 to run. Please do not purchase flights until confirming with retreat organizer.
Entrance fees to National Parks (In 2025, the Argentina government announced new costly park entrance fees of up to $40+ dollars per day. Our new prices reflect these fees as these are included in your trip cost)
Perito Moreño Glacier tour, including gear, guide, entrance fee, boat tickets, and transport costs
Transport between the different runs and lodging throughout the trip
Transfer to a remote, renovated Argentinian estancia including a guided trail run on private trails and a unique gastronomy experience with lunch and wine included
Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations
Double accommodation in 3-star hotels in El Calafate and El Chaltén
Knowledgable expert Patagonia mountain guide and running coach along the entire route
A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants
International airfare
Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day
Travel Insurance
Dinners
Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to airport/next destination/etc.
Before You Book:
This trip requires a minimum of 8 participants to run. After booking, please contact the trip organizer before booking your flights and other travel plans.
Passport:
Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.
Travel Insurance:
Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip.
Weather:
Although this time of year is summer/fall in Patagonia, weather in the mountains, in Patagonia in particular, is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Patagonia is renown for its wind and changing weather in particular. Routes and itinerary subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail at the time of the trip. Please pack layers and options for multiple climates accordingly (a detailed packing list will be sent upon registration).
Trip Difficulty: Level 2
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
Visa Requirements:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Argentina.html
Current CDC Recommendations:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/argentina
Day 1: Our trip will start in the afternoon at our hotel in El Calafate to check in and get settled followed by a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! We'll stay in a comfortable 3/4-star hotel hotel in a lakeside town with a view of Argentina's largest freshwater lake, Lago Argentina. That afternoon, we’ll enjoy dinner and refreshments to go over the week ahead.
Mileage: Optional shakeout run in the afternoon 4-6 miles along Lago Argentina
Double accommodation in 3/4-star hotel included
Day 2: After a quick optional morning shakeout run, we'll return to a breakfast spread of homemade Argentinian jams, coffees, teas and baked goods. Our day's adventure will take us to a tour of the Perito Moreño Glacier, one of the highlights of Argentinian Patagonia and one of the world's only advancing glaciers. This spectacular glacier spans approximately 252 square km – 30 kilometers in length, about 5 km wide, and from the water to the top of the glacier the average height is a 73 meters! It holds the world's third largest reserve of freshwater and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is fed by the Southern Patagonia Ice Field and we'll get the chance to see some glacier calving from a boat tour viewing the glacier from the water! We'll enjoy transport and a guided tour. Afterwards, we'll return for dinner to celebrate our final evening in El Calafate before heading to the mountains tomorrow.
Mileage: Optional shakeout run before/after tour if timing permits.
Breakfast and double accommodation in 3/4-star hotel included
National Park entrance fee, guided transport to/from the glacier, and boat tour included
Day 3: Today we wake up for a final morning at our hotel and set off for El Chaltén, one of Patagonia's most spectacular mountain towns. After views of mountains roll by on the Patagonian highway, we check in to our mountainside hotel before setting off for an afternoon adventure run straight from our front door. We'll head up following a trail alongside the river of the valley as views begin to unfold of Cerro Solo, the Adela range, Cerro Torre and the Mount Fitzroy. That evening you're free to explore the restaurants in town, or sip a glass of Malbec and watch the golden hour over the nearby mountains.
Mileage: ~11.8-13 miles, 1,800 feet elevation gain/loss*
Breakfast and double accommodation in hotel included
National Park entrance fee, private transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén, guided group run in Los Glaciares National Park included
*Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change based on weather and trail conditions, but this is a good guideline*
Day 4: After a spread of a delicious breakfasts of granola, yogurt, juices, homemade breads and eggs, we’ll head out on another adventure run for the day. The trail starts in the lower, rocky hills and shrublands with views of Cerro Torre and Fitzroy. We'll wind through a forest of lenga before our steepest climb of the trip. From the summit you can see both Cerro Torre and Fitzroy to the north and the Río Túnel Valley to the south. Treat yourself to an artesanal aprés at a famous cerveceria, or brewery in town, before enjoying a meal of tender Argentinian steaks (or visit one of the vegetarian restaurants in town), fresh trout from the local Lago del Desierto, and a generous pour of Malbec.
Mileage: ~13-14 miles, 3,300 feet elevation gain/loss
Breakfast and double accommodation in hotel included
National Park entrance fee and guided group run in Los Glaciares National Park included
We’ll wake up for our breakfast at our El Chaltén hotel and depart for another adventure run in the area. Exact mileage and location today is to be determined closure to the date due to recommendations from our expert mountain guides and local conditions! One option is a run through various climates of pampas to forests to alpine rocky terrain with views of Mount Huemul, Viedma lake, and the Andes of the skyline of Mount Torre and Mount Chaltén. If you prefer to take a rest day today is a good option for visiting the spa in town, hiking to the nearby waterfall, or enjoying cafes and restaurants in town. You’ll have another afternoon and evening in this magical town to prepare for our refugio adventure tomorrow.
Mileage: ~12 miles, 3,000 feet elevation gain/loss
Breakfast and double accommodation in hotel included
National Park entrance fee and guided group run in Los Glaciares National Park included
Day 6: After another delicious breakfast at our hotel, we'll catch private transfer outside of town to a renovated Argentinian estancia. We'll travel route 41, also known as the Scenic Route of the National Sovereignty of the Senda del Huemul, which borders the entire route of the Rio de Las Vueltas. We'll have a chance to view different landscapes and mountains. After crossing a suspension bridge, we'll meet our local guide who will take us further onto the reserve with 4×4 vehicle until reaching the ranch.
Our tour of the estancia begins at the foot of the Cordón del Bosque, a mountain range that watches over an area of
8,000 hectares of forests, streams, rivers and mountains. We'll start with a guided trail run on private and uncrowded trails where we'll work up an appetite for a special lunch. In this unique gastronomy experience you can enjoy exquisite Patagonian lamb roast on the stake and the traditional Curanto al hoyo. The ample meal includes salad, side dishes and dessert as well as a glass of Argentinian wine or soft drink. Vegan/vegetarian options available (please get in touch with your retreat organizer). There is an on-site organic garden that supplies the ingredients for their dishes.
After a leisurely lunch, you have the option of side adventures such as via ferrata and horseback riding! At the end of the day we'll receive transfer back to down to enjoy a final evening in El Chaltén.
Mileage: ~7.5 miles, 600 feet elevation gain/loss
Breakfast and lunch included
Breakfast and double accommodation in 3-star hotel included
Private transfer from a remote and private Argentinian estancia to enjoy an included lunch and guided group run included
Day 7: After waking up for a final run on the trails of Patagonia to a mirador, we'll enjoy breakfast at the hotel and pack up our belongings before saying goodbye to El Chaltén. Our private transfer will take us back to El Calafate for our final celebratory dinner of the trip!
Mileage: ~4-6 miles, 500 feet elevation gain/loss
Breakfast and double accommodation in 3-star hotel included
Private transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate, guided group run
Day 8: After breakfast, you’ll depart in the morning for the El Calafate airport or onwards to other travel destinations! You’ll leave Patagonia with new friends and tons of memories!
Breakfast included
