When do the leaves change in El Chaltén & Santa Cruz?

Typically March 1–March 31

The classic approach to Fitz Roy climbs through 7 kilometers of flat lenga forest along the Río de las Vueltas before a steep, 400-meter moraine push to Laguna de los Tres. Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy's granite towers stand over the glacial lake, the lenga below turning red and gold through March.

Don’t miss: Fitz Roy granite towers · glacial lake viewpoint · lenga forest approach

Typically March 1–April 15

Nine kilometers of lenga beech forest and open pampa lead from El Chaltén to this glacial lake beneath Cerro Torre's near-vertical granite needle. Icebergs calved from the Torre glacier drift across the water, and the forest along the way turns red and gold through March, a gentler grade than the Fitz Roy route.

Don’t miss: Cerro Torre spire view · icebergs on the lake · lenga forest walk

Typically April 1–April 30

A 30-kilometer tongue of ice off the Southern Patagonian Ice Field calves into Lago Argentino below a system of steel walkways, one of the few advancing glaciers left in Patagonia. Lenga and ñire forest along the approach road from El Calafate turns red and gold through April.

Don’t miss: Advancing glacier face · steel viewing catwalks · Lago Argentino