Patagonia an incredible region in South America is a great place to come for an ultimate adventure. Your itinerary will depend on how much time you have in the region. I would recommend having a minimum of 7 days and deciding what you want to see and do. In my opinion, southern Patagonia is the best place to come if you don’t have much time and want to see the highlights. The suggested Patagonia itineraries are focused on the south of Patagonia and include Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park, El Chalten, and Ushuaia.
A road in Patagonia leading to El Chalten with Fitz Roy mountain
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Which Patagonia itinerary to choose?
The choice of itinerary will depend on how much time you have in Patagonia. We suggest 3 itineraries for 7, 10, and 14 days. If you have less than 7 days it doesn’t mean you should visit Patagonia. For 5 days or less the best would be to choose one or two nearby places to visit so you don’t spend too much time getting around. E.g. you can visit Torres del Paine Park and do the W trek or Perito Moreno Glacier and El Chalten.
We spent 2 months in Patagonia and it wasn’t enough time to do everything we wanted so if you have a month or more you can include the Carretera Austral in your Patagonia itinerary.
You can find more information on what to pack for the trip in our Patagonia packing list post.
A 7-day Patagonia itinerary (Perito Moreno and Torres del Paine)
If you have 7 days in Patagonia, I would suggest visiting the two highlights of the region: the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina and Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Both places are among some of the top natural landmarks to visit in South America.
Where to start the itinerary depends on where you’re coming from. If you fly to Patagonia from somewhere in Argentina then it’s better to start in El Calafate. If you fly from Chile then Puerto Natales is a better option. Flying within a country be it Argentina or Chile is significantly cheaper than flying internationally.
The highlights of the suggested 7-day itinerary are Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine National Park.
Instead of using buses and moving between towns you can stay in El Calafate and visit Torres del Paine with a day tour. In this case, you’ll have time to visit El Chalten and do some hiking there.
You’ll save a lot of time if instead of using public buses you rent a car or use a private shuttle service. There are direct buses between El Calafate and Puerto Natales but they are not very frequent and take longer than driving.
Perito Moreno National Park is a must-include in your Patagonia itinerary
Day 1. Flight Buenos Aires – El Calafate
I would suggest booking an early flight to El Calafate to have time to explore the town, rest, and prepare for the next day. El Calafate is a small place known as a gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier. The town caters to tourists there are plenty of places to stay, restaurants, and shops.
If you start your Patagonia trip in Chile then it’s better to fly to Puerto Natales.
Fligths from Buenos Aires to El Calafate
Three airlines (Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart) operate fights from the Argentinian capital to El Calafate. JetSmart seems to have the cheapest flights, from US$66 one way. Flybondi has flights from US$77. The Argentinian Airlines flights are the most expensive, from US$126. The duration of the fight is 3h30min.
El Calafate is quite expensive it’s not the best place to buy hiking or camping gear. If you need to buy some stuff it’s better to do it in Puerto Natales.
Places to stay in El Calafate
The scenery on one of the day hiking trails in Patagonia
Day 2. Perito Moreno Glacier
Spend a day exploring Perito Moreno Glacier. The glacier is one of the top places to visit in South America. It is located in Los Glaciares National Park. You can visit the park, walk on boardwalks, and enjoy spectacular glacier views from lookout points.
If you want to see the glacier from close by, you can do a boat tour that will take you very close to it.
For an ultimate adventure go on a glacier hike.
- Opening hours of Perito Moreno National Park – daily, the entrance is from 8 am to 6 pm (can stay inside the park till 8 pm). In winter from 8 am to 4 pm (can stay inside the park till 6 pm).
- Admission fee – ARS 30 000/US$31 per person
- Getting there – by bus, driving, hitchhiking
Impressive Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the highlights of the Patagonia itinerary
Day 3. El Calafate, Argentina – Puerto Natales, Chile
You can take a direct bus, a shuttle, or rent a car to get from El Calafate to Puerto Natales. Taking a shuttle or driving is much faster. If you plan a multi-day hike in Torres del Paine it’s better to get to the park on the same day. It’s easier to do if you rent a car with buses you might not make it.
Remember to buy your park entrance ticket online at least 24 hours before your visit.
On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, a morning bus leaves El Calafate at 8 am and arrives in Puerto Natales at 2.05 pm. The bus operates year-round. In November, December, January, and February there is a bus to Torres del Paine that leaves at 2.30 pm which means you can get to the park from El Calafate in one day.
The ticket costs CLP 32 000/US$35 (semi-cama) and CLP 42 000/US$46 (cama) per person. You can buy tickets and confirm the timetable on the Bus Sur website.
Between October and March, in addition to the morning bus, an afternoon bus goes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. It leaves at 4.30 pm and arrives in Puerto Natales at 9.30 pm. You’ll have to stay overnight in Puerto Natales and go to the park the next morning.
If you stay overnight in Puerto Natales you can take the 6.45 am or 7 am bus that arrives in Torres del Paine (Laguna Amarga) at 8.45 am or 9 am. You can buy tickets on the Bus Sur website.
If you rent a car or use a private shuttle you can get from El Calafate to Torres del Paine in one day. Keep in mind that the W trek starts and ends at different places you’ll have to get back to your car after completing the hike. You can get to your car by bus which connects Torres del Paine with Puerto Natales. It makes several stops in the park.
Places to stay in Puerto Natales
Campbell on a suspension bridge near Grey campsite in Torres del Paine
Day 4-6 (option 1). The W trek in Torres del Paine National Park
If you have 3 full days in Torres del Paine National Park you can do a shorter version of the W trek. This route is one of the best multi-day treks in Patagonia. It takes hikers to the main highlights of Torres del Paine. It’ll be quite intense and you’ll have to plan your logistics well.
Please, keep in mind that departure times and prices might change. Always check the information on the websites of transport companies (you can find links in the post).
Before starting the hike remember to buy a park entrance ticket and book the campsites along the route. You will be asked at the entrance to show your booking confirmation.
Day 4. Hike Hotel Las Torres – Mirador Las Torres and back, 20 km
Get on one of the first buses from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine. They leave at 6.45 am and 7 am from the bus terminal. It’s better to book your ticket in advance in the peak season. The bus arrives at Laguna Amarga (the first stop in Torres del Paine) at 8.45 am/9 am. Get off the bus at Laguna Amarga and get on another bus to Hotel Las Torres/Central campsite. It’s a 15-minute drive. Read our detailed instructions on how to get to Torres del Paine.
At around 10 am you’ll arrive at Hotel Las Torres. You can leave your backpack and start hiking to Mirador Las Torres, one of the most iconic places in Torres del Paine. It’s a strenuous ascent for about 10 km to the viewpoint. Make sure to take water and snacks with you. There will be one place to stop about halfway (Chileno campsite) where you can buy food and rest.
From the Mirador hike back to Hotel Las Torres. The walk to and back takes 5-6 hours including time spent at the viewpoint.
A hike to the Mirador Las Torres is worth including in your Patagonia itinerary
Day 5. Hike Hotel Las Torres – Paine Grande campsite, 23 km
The next morning start early to have enough time to enjoy the spectacular scenery. There are some side hikes to the viewpoints (Britanico and Frances) but 23 km is already a long day I wouldn’t suggest doing any extra routes.
Day 6. Hike Paine Grande campsite – Grey campsite, 11 km
It’ll be a long day though the hike itself is quite short but getting to Puerto Natales will take a big part of the day. The walk from Paine Grande to Grey campsite is around 11 km. You can do it in 3 hours. If you have time you can hike to one of the suspension bridges to have a view of the glacier from the top.
You have two options to get back to Puerto Natales
- to take a boat from Grey campsite to Hotel Lago Grey and from there get on a bus to Puerto Natales
- to walk back to Paine Grande, take a ferry to Pudeto, and then get on a bus to Puerto Natales.
The first option
It is a lot more expensive because you do a cruise on Grey Lake. A one-way ticket costs CLP 90 000/US$100 per person. There are 3 daily departures at 11 am, 2 pm, and 5.45 pm. Buy your tickets and confirm departure times online. The first two boats include a visit to the glacier (takes 1h45min.) and the third boat (takes 1 hour) goes directly to the hotel.
From Hotel Lago Grey take a bus to Puerto Natales. There are 2 daily departures at 1.30 pm and 5.30 pm. The journey takes 4 hours and costs CLP 25 000/US$27. Buy your bus tickets and confirm the timetable on the website.
The total cost is US$127 per person.
The best would be to take the 2 pm boat that arrives at Hotel Lago Grey at 3.45 pm. You’ll have enough time to get to the bus stop to catch the 5 pm bus. The bus arrives in Puerto Natales at 9.30 pm.
A view of the Grey Lake and Grey Glacier on the W trek
The second option
The second option is cheaper but it adds 11 km to your distance. In total your hike will be 5-6 hours. If you go for this option, you can leave your backpack at Paine Grande and walk with a day pack to Grey campsite and back. From Paine Grande take a ferry to Pudeto. There are 2-4 daily ferries depending on the month. It takes 30 minutes, the price is US$30 per person. Find more details and departure times on the website.
At Pudeto get on a bus to Puerto Natales. There are four daily departures at 10.30 am, 2.30 pm, 7.30 pm, and 7.40 pm. The 10.30 am and 7.40 pm buses operate only between November and February. Find out more on the BusSur website. The trip to Puerto Natales from Pudeto is 2-2,5 hours. The price is CLP 14 000/US$15.
The total cost of this option is US$43 per person. US$80 cheaper than the first one.
Scenery on the W trek in Torres del Paine National Park
Days 4-6 (option 2). Day hikes in Torres del Paine
If the 3-day hike is too intense for your Patagonia itinerary you can do day hikes in Torres del Paine. If you have a car, it’ll be easy to move between different parts of the park for the best hiking trails. Without a car, you can use a bus that connects the park with Puerto Natales. It makes several stops in Torres del Paine.
The Mirador Las Torres trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park. It’s possible to do horseback riding and glacier hiking in Torres del Paine.
Without a car staying at Hotel Las Torres or Central campsite will be a good option. From there you can do the Mirador Las Torres hike and hike to Valle Frances and Nordenskjord Lake.
If you have a car you can stay outside the park e.g. Goiien Lodge, Konkashken Lodge, and do day trips to different parts of Torres del Paine. You can stay inside the park at one of the hotels but they’re quite pricey e.g.
It’s possible to camp in Torres del Paine. There are different options and prices. Campsites have to be booked well in advance. You can find more information on camping in Torres del Paine in this post.
You can stay in Puerto Natales and visit Torres del Paine on a guided tour.
Wherever you go in Patagonia the scenery is always impressive
Day 7. Puerto Natales – El Calafate
If you’re flying from El Calafate try to book a late flight so you have enough time to get from Puerto Natales to the airport in El Calafate. There is a morning bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate that leaves at 7.30 am. It arrives in El Calafate at 1.45 pm. Check the timetable and book your ticket online.
Flying from Puerto Natales instead of going back to El Calafate will save you time but will be more expensive if you want to fly somewhere in Argentina.
A 10-day Patagonia itinerary (El Chalten, Perito Moreno, and Torres del Paine)
If you have 10 days to spend in Patagonia it will be enough to visit El Chaltén, Perito Moreno Glacier, and Torres del Paine. The highlights of Southern Patagonia and some of the most beautiful places in the region.
El Chalten and Perito Moreno Glacier are some of the not-to-miss attractions in Argentinian Patagonia so is Torres del Paine in Chile. The suggested 10-day Patagonia itinerary gives you enough time to visit them.
You can join an organized 9-day tour that starts and finishes in El Calafate. During the tour, you get to visit Perito Moreno Glacier and hike in El Chalten and Torres del Paine. It includes transportation, accommodation, and some activities. It’s an easier option if you don’t have much time to plan your Patagonia itinerary.
El Chalten is a very small town surrounded by wilderness
Day 1. Flight Buenos Aires to El Calafate.
You can get a direct flight to El Calafate from the Argentinian capital. If you plan to come during the summer season, booking your flight in advance is better. There are three airlines (Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart) that operate flights to El Calafate. JetSmart has the cheapest flights.
Depending on your arrival time you can go to El Chalten. If you rent a car at the airport it will be easy, it’s a 2-hour drive. There are direct buses from El Calafate airport to El Chalten bus station. A bus ride takes around 3 hours. The price is ARS 30 000/US$31. You can buy your ticket and check the timetable on the CalTur website.
If you’re in Chile it’ll be better to fly to Puerto Natales and start your itinerary there.
Days 2-3. Hiking in El Chalten
El Chalten is called the hiking capital of Argentina. Mount Fitz Roy is the most famous attraction in the area. The town is quite small but it has good infrastructure. You can camp in El Chalten and do day hikes from the town. The Laguna de Los Tres hike offers great views. It’s probably one of the most famous hikes in the Argentinian Patagonia. Laguna Torre is another popular trail with spectacular scenery. Find more information on hikes in El Chalten.
Places to stay in El Chalten
You can hike independently in El Chalten or join a tour.
Alya at Laguna de los Tres in El Chalten, one of our favorite hikes in Patagonia
Day 4. El Chalten to El Calafate
Take a bus back to El Calafate. Even if you take a morning bus it’s unlikely you’ll have enough time to visit Perito Moreno Glacier the same day. The trip takes 3 hours. If you have some time you can visit Punta Walichu. It’s an interesting site to include in your Patagonia itinerary. Punta Walichu is a network of caves with rock paintings. You can get there by car, cycling, or with a tour from El Calafate.
Day 5. El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno is one of the highlights of the Patagonia itinerary. I’d suggest spending the entire day exploring the impressive glacier. You can visit the glacier independently or with a tour. There is a shuttle bus from El Calafate to Perito Moreno. The park is 80 km from the town. It takes 1h30min. to get there by bus. Depending on the season there are 1 to 4 daily buses. You can check the timetable and buy tickets on the website.
You can visit the glacier with a tour or get a private return shuttle.
Places to stay in El Calafate
A cruise boat at Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate
Day 6. El Calafate (Argentina) to Puerto Natales (Chile)
You have a full day to get to Puerto Natales. The bus ride from El Calafate takes 6 hours. You can catch the early morning bus at 8 am (only on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays). It arrives in Puerto Natales at 2.05 pm. Then you can get on the bus to Torres del Paine at 2.30 pm. It runs only during the summer months (November to February). You can get to Torres del Paine from El Calafate in one day.
Find more details on getting to Torres del Paine from El Calafate here.
Days 7-9. Torres del Paine National Park
If you have 3 full days in Torres del Paine you can do the W trek. I would recommend taking an early morning bus to Torres del Paine to make sure you have enough time for hiking. You can find a detailed 3-day itinerary for the W trek in the 7-day Patagonia itinerary section.
As an alternative to multi-day hikes, you can stay in the park and do day hikes or stay in Puerto Natales and visit Torres del Paine on a day trip independently or with a tour. If you rent a car staying in the park is a better option as you can easily visit different parts of Torres del Paine. You can do so without a car relying on a bus service but it’ll take longer and will require thorough planning.
Places to stay in Puerto Natales
Spectacular scenery in Torres del Paine on the way from Paine Grande to Central campsite
Day 10. Puerto Natales to El Calafate
When booking a return flight make sure to choose one that departs in the evening so you have enough time to get to the airport from Puerto Natales. Keep in mind that the bus ride might take longer due to border crossing which can get quite busy in the peak season. Check the timetable and book your ticket online.
As an option, you can book a flight from Puerto Natales airport which is just a few kilometers away from the town. It’ll save you a day of travel.
A 14-day Patagonia itinerary
If you have 14 days to spend in the region, I would recommend adding Ushuaia to the suggested 10-day Patagonia itinerary.
You can join an organized 13-day tour with a similar itinerary that includes transport, accommodation, and some activities. It’s a great option if you don’t feel like planning your itinerary and booking everything separately.
Days 1-10. (El Chalten, Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine)
The first 10 days of the 2-week Patagonia itinerary are the same as the 10-day itinerary. After returning to El Calafate you can catch a direct flight to Ushuaia. The flight is just over 1 hour. The price is from ARS 43 000/US$45 one way. Flybondi has the cheapest flights from El Calafate to Ushuaia.
One of the beautiful turquoise color lakes in the Argentinian Patagonia
Days 11-13. Ushuaia
Ushuaia is often called the end of the world. It’s the southernmost town (there is a small settlement more south in Chile but it’s hardly a town as its population counts a couple of thousands) in the world. Ushuaia is known as a gateway to Antarctica. Cruises leave from the port of Ushuaia. A standard tour duration is one week. If you have time and money add this lifetime trip to your Patagonia itinerary.
Even if you don’t have time to visit Antarctica it’s worth visiting Ushuaia. You can do a day boat trip to the Beagle Channel, visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, and do a penguin-watching tour.
More tours and activities in Ushuaia
Places to stay in Ushuaia
Day 14. Fly from Ushuaia.
You can get a direct flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. The three airlines Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart offer direct flights. The flight is 3h30min. The price starts at US$90 per person depending on the month.
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
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