Patagonia an unbelievable area in South America is a superb place to return for an final journey. There are numerous superb locations to go to and things to do within the area. Your Patagonia itinerary will rely upon how a lot time you will have within the area. I’d advocate having a minimal of seven days and deciding what you need to see and do. In my view, southern Patagonia is the very best place to return in the event you don’t have a lot time and need to see a few of the highlights of the area. The urged itineraries are centered on the south of Patagonia and embrace Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine Nationwide Park, El Chalten, and Ushuaia.
The place is Patagonia?
Patagonia is an unlimited area divided between Argentina and Chile. The Andes Mountains function a pure border between the 2 international locations. The area occupies over 1 million sq. kilometers (620,000 sq. miles) within the south of the South American continent. There are a whole bunch of distinctive locations to go to together with a number of Patagonia Nationwide Parks that supply nice alternatives for out of doors actions. Patagonia is an actual paradise for nature lovers; glacial lakes, snow-capped mountains, and indigenous forests create an ideal pure habitat for numerous wildlife within the area.
Easy methods to get to Patagonia?
You may fly to completely different cities in Patagonia. Relying in your Patagonia itinerary you’ll be able to fly to Bariloche, El Calafate, and Ushuaia in Argentina or Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales in Chile. These cities are near some in style vacationer points of interest similar to Perito Moreno Glacier or Torres del Paine Nationwide Park.
It’s cheaper to fly inside a rustic. So in the event you’re in Santiago de Chile it’s cheaper to fly to one of many cities in Chilean Patagonia and the identical for Argentina.
For locating the most cost effective flights and the airways that function them I’d counsel utilizing Skyscanner however reserving flights is best immediately via the airline web site. Remember that in South America there are not any price range flights like in Europe the place you’ll be able to fly for US$10. The common worth for a neighborhood flight is round US$50-60.
Airways that function flights between Buenos Aires (and another Argentinian cities) and Patagonia.
Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart are the airways that function flights from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, Bariloche, and Ushuaia. Costs range relying on vacation spot and departure date.
Airways that function flights between Santiago de Chile and Patagonia.
There are three essential airways in Chile: SKY, LATAM, and JetSmart. All three have flights from Santiago de Chile to Puerto Natales, the closest to Torres del Paine city. LATAM is often fairly a bit dearer. Costs range relying on the time and day. Throughout the peak season between December and February, costs are larger. If there are not any flights to Puerto Natales you’ll be able to fly to Punta Arenas which is 250 km south and from there get a bus to Torres del Paine.
How a lot time do you want for Patagonia?
Actually as a lot time as potential. We spent two months in Patagonia and nonetheless didn’t have sufficient time to do all we needed. I’d say a minimum of one week to see the highlights of the area similar to El Chalten, Perito Moreno Glacier, and Torres del Paine Nationwide Park. If you wish to see solely Perito Moreno Glacier, one of many high points of interest in Argentina 2 or Three days can be sufficient. In two weeks you’ll be able to go mountain climbing in El Chalten or Torres del Paine and go to the glacier. In case you have one month to spend in Patagonia you’ll be able to embrace in your itinerary Bariloche and Ushuaia in Argentina or the Carretera Austral in Chile.
What are the very best months to journey?
The summer time months between November and April are the very best months to go to the Patagonia area. December, January, and February are the warmest months with the least rainfall. These months are the very best time for mountain climbing in Torres del Paine as properly.
The interval from the second half of December to February is the excessive season within the area, it’s the time of summer time holidays in Argentina and Chile. In case you determine to go to Patagonia throughout that point I’d strongly advocate reserving airplane tickets, transport, and campsites in Torres del Paine (for multi-day routes) prematurely.
If you wish to have good climate and escape crowds border months of November and the primary half of December and March could be the very best time to go to Patagonia.
Learn our put up to seek out out what to pack for touring in Patagonia.
Is Patagonia price visiting?
Patagonia is unquestionably price visiting in the event you like wilderness, tenting, and mountain climbing. The area is thought for its untouched nature, distinctive panorama, spectacular surroundings, and numerous wildlife. Even in the event you don’t like mountain climbing it’s price visiting Patagonia. It’s a tremendous place for a street journey. In case you hire a automobile you’ll be able to embrace a number of high points of interest in your Patagonia itinerary.
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Renting a automobile in Patagonia
Renting a automobile is an effective way to have flexibility in your Patagonia itinerary. It’s the quickest means of getting round in Patagonia, particularly within the Chilean a part of it on the Carretera Austral. Renting a automobile would possibly work out cheaper as properly in the event you’re a household or a bunch of associates touring collectively.
In case you fly to El Calafate airport you’ll be able to hire a automobile there on arrival.
It’s potential to hire a automobile at Punta Arenas airport or in Puerto Natales (within the city itself) however your choices can be extra restricted.
Easy methods to get round?
To get across the Argentinian Patagonia and not using a automobile you should utilize buses. There’s a huge community of buses that join the cities and the area with the remainder of the nation. You will get by bus to any touristy place although generally you’ll have to modify buses. Total touring by bus in Argentina is sweet and straightforward. Lengthy-distance buses are very snug some even have totally inclined seats.
Chilean Patagonia, particularly the a part of the Carretera Austral (it’s not included within the urged Patagonia itinerary), is a little more tough to get round by bus. Resulting from many ferry crossings and remoteness within the area. If you wish to cowl lengthy distances it could be higher to take a ferry to fly. Buses are operated by small native firms which regularly don’t have web sites so it’s tough to seek out the precise timetable, routes, and costs.
7-day Patagonia itinerary (Perito Moreno and Torres del Paine)
In case you have 7 days in Patagonia, I’d counsel visiting the 2 highlights of the area: the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina and Torres del Paine Nationwide Park in Chile. Each locations are amongst a few of the high pure landmarks to go to in South America.
The place to begin the itinerary is dependent upon the place you’re coming from. In case you fly to Patagonia from someplace in Argentina then it’s higher to begin in El Calafate. In case you fly from Chile then Puerto Natales is a greater possibility. Flying inside a rustic be it Argentina or Chile is considerably cheaper than flying internationally.
The highlights of the urged 7-day itinerary are Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine Nationwide Park.
In its place as an alternative of utilizing buses and transferring between cities you’ll be able to keep in El Calafate and go to Torres del Paine with a day tour. On this case, you’ll have time to go to El Chalten and do some mountain climbing there.
You’ll save plenty of time if as an alternative of utilizing public buses you hire a automobile or use a personal shuttle service. There are direct buses between El Calafate and Puerto Natales however they don’t seem to be very frequent and take longer than driving.
Day 1. Flight Buenos Aires – El Calafate
I’d counsel reserving an early flight to El Calafate so you will have time to discover the city, relaxation, and put together for the subsequent day. El Calafate is a small city often called a gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier. The city caters to vacationers there are many lodging choices, eating places, and outlets.
In case you begin your Patagonia journey in Chile then it’s higher to fly to Puerto Natales.
Fligths from Buenos Aires to El Calafate
There are three airways (Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart) that function fights from the Argentinian capital to El Calafate. Flybondi appears to have the most cost effective flights, from US$70 a method. The opposite two airways provide flights from US$100 a method. The length of the battle is 3h30min.
El Calafate is a small and fairly costly city it’s not the very best place to purchase mountain climbing or tenting gear. If it is advisable purchase some stuff it’s higher to do it in Puerto Natales.
Locations to remain in El Calafate
Day 2. Perito Moreno Glacier
Spend a day exploring Perito Moreno Glacier. The glacier is without doubt one of the high locations to go to in South America. It’s positioned in Los Glaciares Nationwide Park. You may go to the park, stroll on boardwalks, and revel in spectacular views of the glacier from a number of lookout factors. It’s the most cost effective possibility to go to Perito Moreno.
If you wish to get near the glacier, you are able to do a ship tour that may take you very near it.
For an final journey go on a glacier hike.
- Opening hours of Perito Moreno Nationwide Park – each day from Eight am to 7 pm
- Admission charge – ARS 10 000/US$36 per particular person
- Getting there – by bus, driving, hitchhiking
Day 3. El Calafate, Argentina – Puerto Natales, Chile
Get from El Calafate to Puerto Natales. You may take a direct bus, a shuttle, or hire a automobile. The final two can be a lot quicker. In case you plan a multi-day hike in Torres del Paine it’s higher if you will get to the park on the identical day. It’s simpler to do when you have a automobile with buses you won’t make it.
On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays there’s a morning bus that leaves El Calafate at Eight am and arrives in Puerto Natales at 2.05 pm. Throughout the months of November, December, January, and February there’s a bus to Torres del Paine that leaves at 2.30 pm. You will get to the park from El Calafate in in the future.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays there’s a day bus that leaves at 4.30 pm and arrives in Puerto Natales at 9.30 pm. It means you’ll have to remain in a single day in Puerto Natales and go to the park the subsequent morning. The worth is CLP 28 000/US$30. You should purchase tickets and make sure the timetable on the Bus Sur web site.
In case you keep in a single day you’ll be able to take the 6.45 am or 7 am bus that arrives at Torres del Paine (Laguna Amarga) at 8.45 am or 9 am. You should purchase tickets on the Bus Sur web site.
In case you hire a automobile or use a personal shuttle you will get from El Calafate to Torres del Paine in in the future. Remember that the W trek begins and ends at completely different locations you’ll must get again to your automobile after finishing the hike. It’s potential to do that utilizing the bus that connects Torres del Paine with Puerto Natales. It makes a number of stops within the park.
Locations to remain in Puerto Natales
Day 4-6. Torres del Paine Nationwide Park
In case you have Three full days in Torres del Paine Nationwide Park you are able to do a shorter model of the W trek. It’s a multi-day route within the south a part of the park that takes hikers to the principle highlights. Remember that it’ll be fairly intense and also you’ll must plan your logistics properly.
The W trek – a 3-day itinerary
Please, needless to say departure instances and costs would possibly change. At all times test the knowledge on the web sites of transport firms (you’ll find hyperlinks within the put up).
Day 4. Hike Resort Las Torres – Mirador Las Torres and again, 20 km
Get on one of many first buses from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine. They go away at 6.45 am and seven am from the bus terminal. It’s higher to guide your ticket prematurely within the peak season. The bus arrives at Laguna Amarga (the primary cease in Torres del Paine) at 8.45 am/9 am. Get off the bus at Laguna Amarga and get on one other bus to Resort Las Torres/Central campsite. It’s a 15-minute drive. Learn our detailed directions on easy methods to get to Torres del Paine.
At round 10 am arrive at Resort Las Torres, go away your backpack, and begin mountain climbing to Mirador Las Torres, some of the iconic views in Torres del Paine. It’s a strenuous ascent for about 10 km to the point of view. Make certain to take water and snacks with you. There can be one place to cease about midway (Chileno campsite) the place you should buy meals and relaxation.
From the Mirador hike again to Resort Las Torres. The stroll to and again takes 5-6 hours together with time spent on the viewpoint.
Day 5. Hike Resort Las Torres – Paine Grande campsite, 23 km
Subsequent morning I’d counsel beginning early to be able to have sufficient time to benefit from the spectacular surroundings. There are some aspect hikes to the viewpoints (Britanico and Frances) however 23 km is already a protracted day I wouldn’t counsel doing any further routes.
Day 6. Hike Paine Grande campsite – Gray campsite, 11 km
It’ll be a protracted day although the hike itself is kind of brief however attending to Puerto Natalles will take a giant a part of the day. The stroll from Paine Grande to Gray campsite is round 11 km. You are able to do it in Three hours. In case you have time you’ll be able to hike to one of many suspension bridges to have a view of the glacier from the highest.
You’ve two choices to get again to Puerto Natales
- to take a ship from Gray campsite to Resort Lago Gray and from there get on a bus to Puerto Natales
- to stroll again to Paine Grande, take a ferry to Pudeto, after which get on a bus to Puerto Natales.
The primary possibility
It’s much more costly since you do a cruise on Gray Lake. A one-way ticket prices CLP 90 000/US$100 per particular person. There are Three each day departures at 11 am, 2 pm, and 5.45 pm. Purchase your tickets and make sure departure instances on-line. The primary two boats embrace a go to to the glacier (takes 1h45min.) and the third boat (takes 1 hour) goes on to the lodge.
From Resort Lago Gray take a bus to Puerto Natales. There are 2 each day departures at 1.30 pm and 5 pm. The journey takes Four hours and prices CLP 20 000/US$23. Purchase your bus tickets and make sure the timetable on the web site.
The whole value is US$123 per particular person.
The most effective can be to take the two pm boat that arrives at Resort Lago Gray at 3.45 pm. You’ll have sufficient time to get to the bus cease to catch the 5 pm bus. The bus arrives in Puerto Natales at 9.30 pm.
The second possibility
The second possibility is cheaper but it surely provides 11 km further to your hike which takes 2-Three hours. In whole your hike can be 5-6 hours. In case you go for this selection, you’ll be able to go away your backpack at Paine Grande and stroll with a day pack to Gray campsite and again. From Paine Grande take a ferry to Pudeto. There are 2-Four each day ferries relying on the month. It takes 30 minutes, the value is US$30 per particular person. Discover extra particulars and departure instances on the web site.
At Pudeto get on a bus to Puerto Natales. There are a number of each day departures discover out extra on the BusSur web site. The journey to Puerto Natales is 2 hours. The worth is CLP 12 000/US$13.
The whole value of this selection is US$43 per particular person. US$80 cheaper than the primary one.
Day hikes in Torres del Paine
If the 3-day mountain climbing itinerary appears too intense you’ll be able to keep within the park and do day hikes in Torres del Paine. In case you have a automobile, it’ll be simple to maneuver between completely different components of the park for the very best mountain climbing trails. With no automobile, you should utilize a bus that connects the park with Puerto Natales. It makes a number of stops in Torres del Paine. The Mirador Las Torres path is without doubt one of the hottest hikes within the park. It’s potential to do horseback driving and glacier mountain climbing in Torres del Paine.
With no automobile staying at Resort Las Torres/Central campsite can be top-of-the-line choices. From there you are able to do the Mirador Las Torres hike, a not-to-miss path in Torres del Paine, and hike to Valle Frances and Nordenskjord Lake.
In case you have a automobile you’ll be able to keep outdoors the park e.g. Goiien Lodge, Konkashken Lodge, and do day journeys to completely different components of Torres del Paine. You may keep contained in the park at one of many accommodations however they’re fairly dear e.g. It’s potential to camp in Torres del Paine. There are completely different choices and costs. Campsites must be booked properly prematurely. You will discover extra data on tenting in Torres del Paine on this put up.
You may keep in Puerto Natales and go to Torres del Paine on a guided tour.
Day 7. Puerto Natales – El Calafate
In case you’re going to fly from El Calafate attempt to guide a late flight so you will have sufficient time to get from Puerto Natales to the airport in El Calafate. There are morning buses from the Puerto Natales bus terminal to El Calafate that go away at 7.30 am and eight am. They arrive round 2 pm on the bus station in El Calafate.
Flying from Puerto Natales as an alternative of going again to El Calafate will prevent time however can be dearer if you wish to fly someplace in Argentina.
A 10-day Patagonia itinerary (El Chalten, Perito Moreno, and Torres del Paine)
In case you have 10 days to spend in Patagonia it is going to be sufficient to go to El Chaltén, Perito Moreno Glacier, and Torres del Paine. These are the highlights of Southern Patagonia and a few of the most lovely locations within the area.
El Chalten and Perito Moreno Glacier are a few of the not-to-miss points of interest in Argentinian Patagonia so is Torres del Paine in Chile. The urged 10-day Patagonia itinerary provides you sufficient time to discover the realm.
You may be a part of an organized 9-day tour that begins and finishes in El Calafate. Throughout the tour, you get to go to Perito Moreno Glacier and hike in El Chalten and Torres del Paine. It contains transportation, lodging, and a few actions. It’s a better possibility in the event you don’t have a lot time to plan your Patagonia itinerary.
Day 1. Flight Buenos Aires to El Calafate.
You will get a direct flight to El Calafate from the Argentinian capital. In case you plan to return through the summer time season, reserving your flight prematurely is best. There are three airways (Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart) that function flights to El Calafate. Flybondi has the most cost effective flights.
Relying in your arrival time you’ll be able to go to El Chalten. In case you hire a automobile on the airport it is going to be simple, it’s a 2-hour drive. There are direct buses from El Calafate airport to El Chalten bus station. A bus experience takes round Three hours. You should purchase your ticket and test the timetable on the TAQSA and CalTur web sites.
In case you’re in Chile it’ll be higher to fly to Puerto Natales and begin your itinerary there.
Day 2-3. Climbing in El Chalten
El Chalten is commonly known as the mountain climbing capital of Argentina. Mount Fitz Roy is essentially the most well-known attraction within the space. The city is kind of small but it surely has good infrastructure. You may camp in El Chalten and do day hikes from the city. The Laguna de Los Tres hike provides a few of the greatest views. It’s in all probability some of the well-known hikes within the Argentinian Patagonia. Laguna Torre is one other in style path with lovely views. Discover extra data on hikes in El Chalten right here.
Locations to remain in El Chalten
You may hike independently in El Chalten or be a part of a tour.
Day 4. El Chalten to El Calafate
Take a bus again to El Calafate. Even in the event you take a morning bus it’s fairly a 3-hour experience it’s unlikely you’ll have time to go to Perito Moreno Glacier the identical day. In case you do have some further time you’ll be able to go to Punta Walichu. It’s an fascinating website to incorporate in your Patagonia itinerary. Punta Walichu is a community of caves with incident rock work. You will get there by automobile, biking, or with a tour from El Calafate.
Day 5. El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno is without doubt one of the highlights of the urged Patagonia itinerary. Spend the complete day exploring the spectacular glacier. You may go to the glacier independently or with a tour. There’s a shuttle bus from El Calafate to Perito Moreno. The park is 80 km from the city. It takes 1h30min. to get there by bus. Relying on the season there are 1 to Four each day buses to Perito Moreno Glacier. You may test the timetable and purchase tickets on the TAQSA web site.
You may go to the glacier with a tour or get a personal return shuttle.
Locations to remain in El Calafate
Day 6. El Calafate (Argentina) to Puerto Natales (Chile)
You’ve a full day to get to Puerto Natales. The bus experience from El Calafate takes 6 hours. You may catch the early morning bus at Eight am (solely on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays). It arrives in Puerto Natales at 2.05 pm. Then you will get on the bus to Torres del Paine at 2.30 pm. It runs solely through the summer time months (November to February). You will get to Torres del Paine from El Calafate in in the future.
Discover extra particulars on attending to Torres del Paine from El Calafate right here.
Day 7-9. Torres del Paine Nationwide Park
In case you have Three full days in Torres del Paine you are able to do the W trek. I’d advocate taking an early morning bus to Torres del Paine to ensure you have sufficient time for mountain climbing. You will discover an in depth 3-day itinerary for the W trek within the 7-day Patagonia itinerary part.
As a substitute for multi-day hikes, you’ll be able to keep within the park and do day hikes or keep in Puerto Natales and go to Torres del Paine on a day journey independently or with a tour. In case you hire a automobile staying within the park is a greater possibility as you’ll be able to simply go to completely different components of Torres del Paine. You are able to do so and not using a automobile counting on a bus service but it surely’ll take longer and would require thorough planning.
Locations to remain in Puerto Natales
Day 10. Puerto Natales to El Calafate
When reserving a return flight make sure that to decide on one which departs within the night so you will have sufficient time to get to the airport from Puerto Natales. Remember that the bus experience would possibly take longer attributable to border crossing which may get fairly busy within the peak season.
As an possibility, you’ll be able to guide a flight from Puerto Natales airport which is only a few kilometers away from the city. It’ll prevent a day of journey.
14 days Patagonia itinerary
In case you have 14 days to spend within the area, I’d advocate including Ushuaia to the urged 10-day Patagonia itinerary.
You may be a part of an organized 14-day tour with an identical itinerary that features transport, lodging, and a few excursions. It’s a fantastic possibility in the event you don’t really feel like planning your itinerary and reserving every thing individually.
Day 1-10 (El Chalten, Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine)
The primary 10 days of the 2-week Patagonia itinerary are the identical because the 10-day itinerary. After returning to El Calafate you’ll be able to catch a direct flight to Ushuaia. The flight is simply over 1 hour.
Day 11-13. Ushuaia
Ushuaia is commonly known as the top of the world. It’s the southernmost city (there’s a small settlement extra south in Chile but it surely’s hardly a city as its inhabitants counts a few hundreds) on the earth. Ushuaia is named a gateway to Antarctica. Cruises go away from the port of Ushuaia. A regular tour length is one week. In case you have further money and time you may add this lifetime journey to your Patagonia itinerary.
Even in the event you don’t have time to go to Antarctica it’s price visiting Ushuaia. You are able to do a day boat journey to the Beagle Channel, go to Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park, and do a penguin-watching tour.
Extra excursions and actions in Ushuaia
Locations to remain in Ushuaia
Day 14. Fly from Ushuaia.
You will get a direct flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. The three airways Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart provide direct flights. The flight is 3h30min. The worth begins at US$60 per particular person relying on the month.
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, chargeable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack quite than to do a 10 000 km street journey (really any street journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
