Best of Patagonia Tour 9 Days

Best of Patagonia Tour 9 Days

HIGHLIGHTS

Chaltén - Calafate - Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales

from 1645 USD
HIGHLIGHTS

Chaltén - Calafate - Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales

days 9
  • Walk beside Perito Moreno Glacier and take a boat cruise along its 200-foot-high face.
  • Discover the world-class hiking trails of South America in Torres del Paine National Park and El Chaltén.
  • Best time to travel: From October to April
  Explore the best of Patagonia during this 9-day active travel itinerary to the most iconic destinations of Argentina and Chile. Hike or horseback ride in the Patagonian Andes and take in the spectacular scenery of stunning Mount Fitz Roy. Travel to Chile with this Patagonia Itinerary and stay in Puerto Natales, the gateway city to the famous Torres del Paine National Park which you’ll have time to tour.

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Itinerary
Day 1

Patagonia Itinerary - Start in El Chaltén

El Chalten mountain with hiking trails

 

  • Transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén – Day at leisure

Upon arrival at the El Calafate airport, we will start our 4-hour trip to El Chaltén. Start this travel itinerary to the best of Patagonia by traveling to this famous mountaineering village in Argentina!

You’ll travel along the famous Route 40, surrounded by the Patagonian steppe, and pass through La Leona River, which connects Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma, and where you’ll get to see La Leona Roadhouse, where the famous thieves Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid for a while. After discovering some other gems along your journey, you’ll reach El Chaltén and we’ll drop you off at your hotel.

El Chaltén is the top-rated hiking destination in Argentina. This charming little village sits at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy and it’s surrounded by glaciers, lakes, rivers, and forests. It’s also the jumping-off point for most hiking trails in the area. A paradise for sunny walkers and trekkers alike.

Enjoy your first afternoon of leisure in one of the best destinations of Patagonia by relaxing in the local brewery or strolling around a little waterfall…

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • Our recommended hike for your first day in El Chaltén.

There is a quick hike you can enjoy to warm up and discover El Chorrillo del Salto, just 1 hour away from the village. Reach its little waterfall encircled by native trees and flora, like the Patagonian Orchid.

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El Chalten mountain with hiking trails
Day 2

Self-Guided Hikes - El Chaltén

Say Hueque hikers at Laguna Torre

 

  • Best of Patagonia hiking – Explore Cerro Torre

Today, we have a recommendation for true hiking lovers, one of the best in Patagonia— Trek all the way to Cerro Torre and Laguna Torre, one of the most famous hiking trails in Argentine Patagonia. Step into the wild for about 8 hours and 12 miles. This is a moderate-difficulty hike, but there is no steep climbing involved, so no previous experience is required!

The journey starts at a notable wooden sign which reads ‘Laguna Torre’ and features a  woodpecker; you probably already saw the sign if you visited the Cerro Torre Viewpoint the previous day. From there, you will continue through a stunning, multi-colored landscape; snow-capped mountains will rein over the native forest of lenga and ñire trees. You’ll pass by the De Agostini campsite and continue to the front moraine…you can hit the summit in 15 minutes! From here you can descend to the lagoon and watch the floating icebergs, or continue to the Mascardi viewpoint, 1 mile up the hill.

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Say Hueque hikers at Laguna Torre
Day 3

Continue Your Patagonia Itinerary - El Calafate

Sitting on a mountain in El Chalten

 

  • Transfer from El Chaltén to your hotel in El Calafate – Day at leisure

In the afternoon you will board your bus back to El Calafate to continue exploring the best of Patagonia. The 3-hour drive back will be a good opportunity to relax while enjoying the passing landscapes out your window.

Once you arrive in El Calafate, the bus will drop you off at your hotel. You’re now free to tour the city and enjoy what this beautiful area has to offer. Now is your chance to try some tender Patagonian Lamb, or maybe a heavenly Calafate ice cream.

Now is your chance to try some tender Patagonian Lamb, or maybe a heavenly Calafate ice cream. In Calafate, food options are varied and plentiful; from veggie delicacies to the best demonstration of national steaks, there really is something for everyone. You can choose a fancy restaurant for dinner, or a more traditional local tavern to spend an unforgettable night. If you want to try some creamy Patagonian craft beer all you have to say is: “Una birra por favor” ¡Salud! (Cheers!)

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Sitting on a mountain in El Chalten
Day 4

Perito Moreno Glacier Tour - El Calafate

Exploring Glaciers National Park in Patagonia

 

  • Perito Moreno Glacier tour, meet the icy giant of Patagonia

During the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Glaciers National Park to enjoy the 6-hour Perito Moreno Glacier tour.  You will travel about 25 miles from El Calafate to the park, enjoying the views of the Patagonian steppe. Once inside the park, you will take walkways to explore the different viewpoints, and you’ll feel unbelievably close to Perito Moreno Glacier. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a piece of ice break off and fall from the glacier wall, sinking forever into the lake below.

 Over the course of about one hour, a bilingual guide will provide you with all the information you might want to know…and things you may have never thought about. After this visit, you will take a boat ride that will bring you close enough to fully appreciate the 262-foot ice walls of Perito Moreno! You’ll never feel closer to this gigantic and impressive natural masterpiece. At the end of the day, we will drive you back to your hotel.  

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • Walk over the Big Ice

Have you ever imagined walking across the surface of a glacier? Well, this is your chance! The Mini Trekking tour will allow you to trek on Perito Moreno Glacier… This is one of our favorite Patagonia outings; we’re sure you won’t regret it.  This is an optional excursion you can add to this day.

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Exploring Glaciers National Park in Patagonia
Day 5

Continue Your Travel itinerary to Patagonia - Puerto Natales - Chile

Puerto Natales pier with mountains in the background.

 

  • Take a bus and travel to Puerto Natales

Your Chilean journey is about to begin! In the morning, you’ll make your way to the bus station. Most hotels are walking distance from the bus terminal, but if you prefer to take a taxi, you might spend roughly $5/7 USD.  

After this 5-hour trip, you will have crossed hundreds of miles of green landscapes that are dramatically situated between the mountains. Once you arrive to Puerto Natales, the guardian Milodon – the last giant sloth that walked the Earth 5000 years ago – will wave its bronze hand at the entrance of this picturesque town.

You’ll make your way to your hotel (most are just a few blocks away from the bus station) and you will have time to explore this small town, the base for visiting the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park, the best natural wonder of Chilean Patagonia.

How to enjoy your one-night stop in your travel itinerary to Patagonia? You can walk along the shores of Magellan Strait, or just relax in one of the little cafés in town while admiring the patchwork facade of colorful houses. 

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • Things to take into account

It is not allowed to take any fresh food, plants, seeds, etc. from Argentina to Chile. Once you are inside Torres del Paine National Park there will be no shops, so Puerto Natales will be your last chance to buy provisions for the next day. Shops don’t provide plastic bags so if you buy something you’ll have to bring your own ecological bag or make some space in your hiking pack.

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Puerto Natales pier with mountains in the background.
Day 6

Discovering Torres del Paine National Park - Torres del Paine - Chile

Hikers in Torres del Paine National Park

 

  • Best of Patagonia in Chile – Torres del Paine National Park 

Today we’ll pick you up from your hotel early in the morning to take you to the first stop of this 10-hour adventure trip, Milodon Cave. This natural monument, located 15 miles north of town, is composed of three caverns and a rocky conglomerate called Silla del Diablo (Devil’s Chair), due to its chairlike shape.

Before getting to the caves, we will pass by La Silla del Diablo and learn about its mysterious legend… a story told by the oldest man in Patagonia who believed that the Devil appeared to those who came looking for him on dark nights.

We’ll keep on traveling to Torres del Paine National Park, the best of Patagonia in Chile, and on the way, you’ll get to see Sofia Lagoon, Prat Range, Porteño Lake, and the stunning Grey Lake viewpoint. You’ll go over Serrano Bridge and continue to Grey Lake sector, where you’ll have time to walk along the shore. Once you go back to the parking lot, we’ll take you to a restaurant to rest and have lunch (not included in the price of our service).

After lunch, we’ll head to Salto Grande sector. You’ll visit Nordenskjold Lake’s viewpoint before continuing on a sinuous route to Amarga Lagoon area. We’ll also make a stop at Paine’s turquoise waterfall whose waters come directly from Paine River.

Heading back to Puerto Natales, we’ll stop at Sarmiento Lake viewpoint to take the last picture of the stunning Torres del Paine.

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Hikers in Torres del Paine National Park
Day 7

Day at Leisure at Puerto Natales - Puerto Natales

Exploring Bernardo O’Higgins National Park

 

  • Day at leisure in Puerto Natales – Optional tour, Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers

This is your opportunity to continue exploring the best of Patagonia near Puerto Natales. Take a walk on the shores of Last Hope Sound and explore the little, picturesque town on foot.

Our favorite recommendation for this day is the boat trip to meet the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, where you’ll sail the fjords like the first pioneers of Patagonia and discover the natural wonders of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. This is a full-day trip where you’ll be in contact with nature and one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in Chilean Patagonia. 

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Exploring Bernardo O’Higgins National Park
Day 8

Travel Back to El Calafate, Argentina - El Calafate

Horses near El Calafate

 

  • Bus to El Calafate – Day at leisure

Today get prepared to take the bus back to El Calafate. To get to the bus station a taxi will cost you roughly $6/8 dollars. We highly recommend being ready half-an-hour before the departure time at the bus terminal.

Once you arrive at the bus station in El Calafate, you will make your way to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening downtown, sipping on a local craft beer accompanied by a delicious Patagonian lamb stew. Calafate ice-cream or a golden-caramel flan con dulce de leche will be your best choice for dessert.

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Horses near El Calafate
Day 9

The End of Your Travel Itinerary to Patagonia - El Calafate

view of Perito Moreno Glacier

 

  • Transfer from your hotel to El Calafate airport

Today we’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport to take your flight to your next destination. Your travel itinerary to Patagonia is about to end… but if you want, you can extend your trip and keep on exploring Argentina. Check out some of our other tailor-made trips in Patagonia and the rest of Argentina, we’ll be glad to help you design your next travel adventure.     

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view of Perito Moreno Glacier
Prices per person
Accomodation INN & B&B
From

1645 USD

Accomodation Comfort
From

1975 USD

Accomodation Superior
From

2335 USD

Accomodation Luxury
pricing
  • Prices in US Dollars.
  • Valid until April 2025 (ask for prices at Christmas and New Year).
  • Prices are per person, based on 2 people in double occupancy. Single rates are available on request.
  • Flights are not included in the price but can be arranged on request.
included
  • 2-nights accommodation in El Chalten
  • 3-nights accommodation in El Calafate 
  • 3-nights accommodation in Puerto Natales
  • Daily breakfast
  • Transfers and tours mentioned in the itinerary
  • Round trip bus El Calafate / El Chaltén / El Calafate
  • Round trip bus El Calafate / Puerto Natales / El Calafate.
  • Bilingual local guide (English / Spanish)
  • Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee.
not included
  • National Park entrance fees
  • International or domestic flights
  • Guides during your days in El Chaltén are not included as the trails are well-marked. However, if you would like to be accompanied by a guide, please let us know at the time of booking and we will advise you of the additional cost.
  • Travel / Medical Insurance – Follow this link to get a free quote (only available for U.S. Travelers)
Flights needed for this itinerary

plane-icon No local flights are needed for this itinerary. Tour begins in El Calafate and ends in El Calafate.

ESTIMATED COST FOR THE FLIGHTS ON THIS TRIP: Local flights cost from $150 per person per segment. We offer special rates on flights for this tailor-made itinerary.

FAQs
Should I buy tickets to national parks in advance?

Yes, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance to secure your entry and ensure availability, especially during peak seasons when the park receives high visitation.

When does it snow in Patagonia?

In Patagonia, the snow season typically occurs during the Southern Hemisphere winter, which is from June to September. The peak of winter, July and August, is when you can expect the most consistent snowfall in the region. However, weather conditions can vary, and snowfall may start in late May or extend into early October depending on the specific location within Patagonia. It’s always a good idea to check local weather forecasts for more accurate and up-to-date information based on your planned travel dates and specific destinations within Patagonia.

Do I need experience or training for the trekkings in El Chalten?

The experience or training required for trekking in Patagonia depends on the specific trails and difficulty levels you choose. During your stay in El Chalten, if you have some experience we recommend intermediate trails like Laguna de los Tres, Cerro Torre or Laguna Capri near Mount Fitz Roy, a moderate level of fitness and basic trekking skills are recommended.

Regardless of your chosen trek, it’s important to be adequately prepared. This includes having suitable gear, clothing for unpredictable weather, sufficient water and food, and understanding the trail conditions.

Do I need glasses to walk in the perito moreno glacier?

While glasses are not specifically required for walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier, it is essential to have proper eye protection against the glare of the sun reflecting off the ice. Sunglasses with UV protection are recommended to shield your eyes from the intense sunlight and prevent snow blindness.

What destinations I can travel to from el Calafate?

Patagonia itself is a vast and captivating region that spans parts of both Argentina and Chile. If you’re looking for destinations to explore in Patagonia, here are some options:

  • Bariloche: Located in the Argentine Andes, Bariloche is known for its stunning lakes, snow-capped mountains, and Swiss-style architecture.
  • Ushuaia: Often referred to as the “End of the World,” Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and serves as the gateway to Antarctica. It offers unique landscapes and adventure opportunities.
  • Punta Arenas: is a vibrant urban center that stands as the capital of the Magallanes Region. Steeped in history and surrounded by the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas boasts a mix of colonial architecture, maritime heritage, and a lively atmosphere.
  • San Martín de los Andes:  stands as a captivating mountain town that seamlessly marries nature’s grandeur with charming urban tranquility. Perched on the shores of Lake Lácar and surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, this idyllic destination is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a serene escape.

When planning your travels from Patagonia, consider the vast distances and transportation options, as well as any border crossings if you plan to explore destinations in both Argentina and Chile.

I can make self trekkings or should I be accompanied?

The decision to embark on self-trekkings or opt for guided tours depends on your comfort level, skills, and preferences. If in doubt, particularly for more challenging treks, it’s advisable to seek guidance from experienced local trekking agencies or hire a certified guide to enhance your overall experience and safety. Always check trail conditions, weather forecasts, and consult with local guides or authorities for the most accurate and up-to-date information before embarking on a trek in Patagonia.

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This is a Carbon Neutral Trip

We deeply care about our planet, just like you do. When you book with us, you’re not only fulfilling your travel dreams but also leaving a positive impact on the destination you’re about to discover. We are proud to plant 10 trees in damaged zones of Patagonia for every traveler. It feels good to do it right. Let’s move beyond sustainable!

Best of Patagonia Tour 9 Days
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