10 Day Patagonia Itinerary: Argentina and Chile
Overview
Patagonia has been on my radar for years, just as it has been for all avid hikers and adventure lovers. When I had an opportunity to spend a season kayaking in northern Argentina, I took my chance to go. There are so many options when planning your Patagonia itinerary – I found it super overwhelming. Do you go to Argentina, Chile, or both? Do you choose one and focus on that? If so, which one? After spending 5 months there, I have curated the best 10 day Patagonia itinerary that hits all marks while maximising your time.
10 Day Patagonia Itinerary
- El Calafate (1 day)
- El Chalten (4 days)
- TDP (W trek) (5 days incl. 1 travel day)
A 10 day minimum is best for visiting both Argentina and Chile. For any less time, such as one week, I would strongly advise choosing one country or the other.
What is the Best Time to Visit Patagonia?
Traditionally, the peak season to visit Patagonia is from November through March (spring through summer) for optimal hiking conditions. Another strong option is during the shoulder season from March until May, autumn in that part of the world, which is incredibly picturesque and full of fall colours. Although it will be colder, there will be far fewer crowds and reduced rates for pretty much everything.
No matter the season, the weather in Patagonia is exceedingly volatile, windy, moody and changeable. The high temperature in summer there (December to February) is 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit), though that varies depending on how far north or south you go.
El Calafate (1-2 days)
This 10 Day Patagonia Itinerary begins in El Calafate, a town in southern Argentina, commonly called the ‘gateway’ to Patagonia. It’s a great starting point because the airport offers direct flights to and from Ushuaia, Bariloche, and Buenos Aires. It is also a relatively short bus ride from El Chalten.
The town of El Calafate is about 25 minutes by car from the airport, and it’s pretty nice. It’s signficiantly bigger than El Chalten. There are lovely cafes, food, markets, and a viewpoint you can walk to and see the entire town. It really lacks the social vibe you’ll find in El Chalten, as a result you only need 1-2 days here max.
Perito Moreno Glacier
The main reason for visiting El Calafate is to visit one of the largest glaciers in the world: Perito Moreno Glacier. This glacier is 257km² and is located on a freshwater lake. It is absolutely incredible, can be done in one day, and, yes, is absolutely worth it. The entrance ticket to the national park to see Perito Moreno costs 45,000 pesos (USD 40). You can buy tickets online here or pay easily by card or with cash upon entry into the park.
You can get to Perito Moreno Glacier by bus or taxi, or rent a car and drive from El Calafate. The journey takes 1.5 hours, so the bus is your best bet. The views even on the drive in are incredible.
Don’t be like me: book your bus in advance to avoid overpriced tickets or no seats being available. I paid 50 USD for a return bus, and I barely got a seat (I had to beg the hostel staff to call around for a bus). I left El Calafate at 12:30 pm and returned at 8 pm. As always with Patagonia, if you are in a group or make friends, renting a car and splitting the cost is much cheaper.
How to explore the glacier
Once you get to Perito Moreno, there are a tonne of options on how to explore and watch the massive ice chunks break away into the lake. If you are budget-travelling like me, then you can very easily self-guide along the gorgeous wooden boardwalks included in the entry ticket. There are 5 trails totalling about 5km. If you are prepared to spend more, then there is an option to trek on the glacier, starting at 384 USD for Mini Trekking, or 590 USD for the Big Trek with the only approved company, Hielo & Aventura. If I could have afforded it, I personally would have opted for the glacier kayaking tour (340 USD). Absolutely out of my budget, unfortunately!
Accomodation
Depending on what timeyour flight lands in El Calafate, you may have the option to visit Perito Moreno glacier the same day. If not, then you can stay overnight and go early in the morning. I recommend staying at America Del Sur Calafate Hostel, which has incredible views, a great vibe, and offers a small breakfast, or Folk Hostel, which is just a few minutes walk from the bus station and offers a buffet-style breakfast.
From El Calafate, it is a super easy 2-3 hour bus ride to El Chalten. After extensive research, the best and cheapest option for a bus is Recorrido.cl at 32 USD each way.
El Chalten (4 days)
El Chalten is one of my favourite places on Earth. No matter how you plan, El Chalten is the place not to miss. It makes up days two through five of this 10 day Patagonia itinerary, but if you have extra days, you’ll want to spend them here. It’s everyone’s favourite spot for good reason.
This tiny village has EVERYTHING. There are countless epic, dreamy hikes for all fitness levels, most of which start in town itself. There is rock climbing, mountain biking, and even waterfalls that can be accessed by walking from the town centre. You don’t need a car here, as most activities are walkable from town or accessible by bus for those farther away such as the Humeul Glacier.
El Chalten is charming and full of likeminded dirty travellers and adventurers. There are cafes and restaurants galore, but the downside is that food (even groceries) is crazy expensive here, even by Argentinian standards. Everything in El Chalten was twice as expensive as in other parts of Argentina.
Hiking Routes
Realistically during your 4 days in El Chalten, you will be able to do 2-4 of the following activities. Go with the flow, you need only plan your hike the day before you hit the trail. I want to highlight that there is an endless amount of activities beyond those I am listing here, that expands well beyond hiking.
I have written another blogpost dedicated only to El Chalten here that includes Heumul Glacier, Heumul Circuit, mountain biking and rock climbing, in case you plan on spending a longer stint here, or simply want to see your other options.
Laguna de los Tres aka the Fitz Roy Hike
Distance: 26km (8 hours)
Elevation Gain: 1,000m
AllTrails Route: Fitzroy Trail
This is the main hike that people come to El Chalten to complete, and the longest! The Laguna de los Tres (3 Lagoons) hike starts in El Chalten, and ends at the base of Mount Fitz Roy (climbing this monster is only for expert alpine rock climbers!). It is a strenuous out-and-back hike that becomes very steep for the last few kilometres. However, it is very easy to navigate and is not at all technical. The difficulty comes from the length and elevation: 26km and 1,000m of elevation gain.
To start the hike, walk north along the main street of El Chalten, San Martin, until you reach the sign posts for Laguna de los Tres. Here is the exact location of the trailhead on Google Maps.
Aim to be either at Capri Lake, or the lake on the summit for sunrise. It is absolutely epic how the mountain literally glows bright amber in the sunlit. Do. Not. Miss. It. If you do not go super early, or super late (not recommended for safety reasons), then prepare for queues up the final incredible steep section of Fitz Roy. It’s minus fun.
Variation: For a shorter (10km) less strenuous hike, you could go only as far as Lake Capri and still see the incredible viewpoint with the sunrise glow on Fitz Roy.
Laguna Torre Hike
Distance: 18km (6-7 hours)
Elevation Gain: 600m
AllTrails Route: Laguna Torre Trail
The Laguna Torre Trail also known as Cerro Torre, is a medium difficulty out-and-back hike with 600m elevation that is accessible from El Chalten.
Head to los Charitos Street and follow it to the trailhead. Start through a relatively step boulder garden, then through the forest, and finally through an open plain until you hit the glacial Torre Lagoon at ‘Playa de los Icebergs’. We found an absolutely stunning (and unmarked) photo point for an epic photo with a great backdrop, pinned here.
Variation: If you want to add to this hike to include Glaciar Grande, continue for 45 minutes along the right side of the lake, where the trail gets steeper until you reach the Mirador Maestri viewpoint.
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado Hike
Distance: 19km
Elevation Gain: 1132m
AllTrails Route: Loma del Pliegue Tumbado Trail
Another big hike to add to the list, Loma del Pliegue Tumbado is strenuous hike with 1,200m (higher than the elevation on Laguna de los Tres) is absolutely spectacular, and provides probably the best view you can get of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
It is largely underrated, and not nearly as busy as the two ‘main’ hikes already mentioned above. That’s because there is a real risk of no views if the weather isn’t clear. This hike is very exposed, and calls for a calmer clear day to be fully enjoyed. This is a tall order in Patagonia!
Two shorter hike options:
Chorrillo Del Salto (7km) this is a short 1.5-2 hour out and back hike with little elevation, this is an easy pretty flat trail that starts from El Chalten town. This is great if you are tired, or only have a half day to spend in the town. The waterfall is very impressive, and beautiful though it can be busy due to it’s accessiblity.
The other option is Huemul Glacier (3km) a short 1-2 hour hike that gives you fairly easy access to absolutely spectacular take and glacial views. This is the first hike mentioned that is not accessible from El Chalten town, and instead you have to get a 1.5 hour bus to get to the start point.
Accomodation
In El Chalten, you can choose to camp, rent accommodation, or do a mix of both. If you can camp within one of the national parks, you only have to pay the entry fee on day 1, which is a great way to save on costs. You can camp in Poincenot Campground, a 1-2 hour hike from town, and take full advantage of all the hikes from there. Alternatively, I highly recommend Rancho Grande, a very social, affordable, and well-equipped hostel that is a great place to meet people and a super starting point for almost all the hikes in El Chalten. I was travelling alone over the holidays, and met a group of other solo travellers with who I spent Christmas with. We were a little family for the time I spent there.
If you are already bringing camping equipment for the O or W trek in Chile, camping will help you cut costs on national park entry tickets in El Chalten.
Torres del Paine (W trek) (5 days including 1 travel day)
After El Chaltén, you will head south and cross the border into Chile for Torres del Paine (TDP) National Park’s famous W Trek. This is day five through ten of your 10 Day Patagonia Itinerary. The W Trek, named for the shape that the route traces, is a remote 80km (50 mile) trail and is one of the most iconic multi-day hiking experiences in the world. The trail is always busy, so you will have ample opportunity to meet other travellers.
If you have more time, the alternative option is the O trek; a 130km (80 miles) 8-9 day trek, that includes all of the W trek and continues to more of the remote northern zone. It is significantly more challenging and time-consuming. We will focus on the W.
How to Get There
1: El Chaltén to El Calafate (2.5-3 hours) book via the Recorrido.cl bus for about 32 USD
2: El Calafate to Puerto Natales, Chile (5-6 hours) book via Busbud for about 40 USD
3: Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine (1.5-2 hours) book via Busbud for about 25 USD
The journey from El Chaltén to Torres del Paine will take a full day, and involves multiple buses, and though it might sound like a lot, it’s actually totally doable and straightforward. The border crossing between Argentina and Chile happens en route, and is easy; you only need to have your passport ready. The bus journey itself is long but beautiful, passing through windswept Patagonian landscapes.
The bus will first take you to the lively town of Puerto Natales, where you could spend a night at the beginning or end of your trip. It is a funky small town, a traveller hub, with a great vibe. If you have additional baggage, you can ask to store it at your accomodation in Puerto Natales ahead of your hike. This is also your best stock-up spot before heading on your multi day trek. My go-tos are porridge oats, wraps, dried fruits (love the kiwis) nuts, chocolate, protein bars, instant mash potatoes, and instant ramen.
National Park Entry Tickets
Before you start the W trek, make sure you have purchased a ticket to the Torres del Paine National Park online. While you can buy a pass from the bus on your way in, the entire bus will have to wait for you. You will buy the ‘Pase Extranjero‘ and select either the option of a ticket for up to 3 days (hasta tres días) in the park, or more than 3 days (más de tres días) in the park.
Accomodation
The W Trek is endlessly flexible. It comes down to budget, comfort, and what you want to get out of it socially. The route is well worn, well marked and suitable even for folks who don’t have extensive camping experience. Here are the three main options:
1) Camp at designated campgrounds within the national park. Bring your own camping gear: a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, headtorch, cooking equipment, and food. Camping like this costs about 10-20 USD per night. This is the most cost-effective and flexible option.
2) Camp by renting camping equipment at each site is around 25-35 USD per night. If you don’t own the equipment, or even don’t want to carry it for your multi-day trek then this may be a good option for you. It requires planning your route and booking in advance, and you likely won’t be able to change your plan as you go.
3) Refugios (mountain huts): These are comfortable mountain lodges with the option of a dorm bed, or even a private room, where meals and hot showers are provided. Rooms typically range from 60-120 USD per night. Refugio Paine Grande, Refugio Grey, and Refugio Las Torres are the main ones. This requires booking months in advance.
Many people choose to do a mix, camping some nights and refugio some nights. Refugios book out months in advance, so if you want to go that route then make sure you book well in advance.
Know Before You Go
The trek is well-marked, well-maintained, and accessible to people with a reasonable fitness level. It is busy and you will meet many other hikers along the way. You don’t need technical climbing experience or a guide to complete this trek. I recommend following the route in the traditional direction, of West to East. This means starting at Glacier Grey, getting the catamaran across the lake to Paine Grande to begin the trek. This means on day 5 you will finish up at the Torres Towers.
You will hike between 10 – 25 kms each day, normally with a few hundred meters of elevation each day. Water is potable along the route. I highly recommend renting hiking poles if you don’t have them, they will make or break your trip.
Remember, you must purchase a multi-day ticket for the national park. Always download a map in advance on your phone, or have a paper map, or both for safety reasons. Bring sunglasses, suncream and your own small first aid kit.
The W Trek Itinerary (5 days, including 1 day)
The 4 day hiking itinerary that I recommend goes from west to east:
Day 1: Grey Glacier (22km, 6-8 hours). Get the Catamaran from Pudeto across the lake to Paine Grande to begin the trek, going to Mirador Lago Grey and returning to stay at Paine Grande.
Day 2: French Valley (23km – 9-10 hours). Hike to Camp Italiano, drop big pack, climb Valle Francés to Mirador Británico, then continue to Los Cuernos.
Day 3: Los Cuernos to Chileno (12km, 4-5 hours). Trek from Los Cuernos to Chileno via the shortcut along Lago Nordenskjöld.
Day 4: Las Torres Sunrise + Return to Puerto Natales (19km, 7-9 hours). Start pre-dawn for sunrise hike to Mirador Las Torres, then return and shuttle back to Puerto Natales
Getting Home
Once you’ve finished your trek and recovered from your jam-packed 10 day Patagonia itinerary, it’s time to head home. The best way to get home is to fly from Puerto Natales to Santiago, Chile, from where you can fly internationally.
Useful links & Map pins
- Blog Post on spending an entire week in El Chalten (coming soon!)
- Blog Posts on everything to do with travelling Ushuaia
- Blog Post on how I explored Patagonia on a Budget
I would love to hear from you below – did you follow this 10 Day Patagonia itinerary? Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions?
