The Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary for Patagonia!
Patagonia is one of my favorite places on the planet. If you love nature & the outdoors: you must visit at least once in your lifetime. The views you’ll see & mountains you’ll climb will haunt your memories (in a good way!) forever. Though I stayed in Patagonia for over a month, I know that many visitors are working with a more limited time budget. Thus, I’ve put together “The Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary for Patagonia,” which takes in all the major highlights!
The best hike of my life: at Mirador las Torres, inside Torres del Paine National Park.
Map of El Calafate Hotels
El Calafate has the largest airport in the region, which makes it the best city to fly into. And possibly OUT of, as well. Stay at least two days in El Calafate, in order to visit famous Perito Moreno Glacier.
Overview of Patagonia Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive at El Calafate International Airport (FTE), in Argentina. Get settled at your hotel.
- Day 2: Day trip to Perito Moreno Glacier; a 2.5 hour round-trip journey.
- Day 3: Head north to El Chalten via bus/rental car; takes about 3 hours. Check into hotel & take a light hike or walk around town.
- Day 4: Big hike to Mount Fitz Roy + Laguna de los Tres; takes about 6-8 hours. Have a great dinner after in town!
- Day 5: Hike Laguna Torre, or just have a spa day! Los Cerros del Chalten & Destino del Sur are two hotels in El Chalten with amazing hot tubs + spas.
- Day 6: Travel to Torres del Paine National Park; takes about 6 hours with border crossing into Chile. Have your passport ready! If you can afford it, stay in Torres del Paine National Park (to avoid a long round-trip to Puerto Natales, Chile).
- Day 7: Hike to iconic Mirador Las Torres; a 7-9 hour hike. Incredible views…the best hike of my life! Plan an amazing dinner after the hike, inside the park.
- Day 8: Hike the French Valley, take a boat to Grey Glacier, or relax at your hotel in Torres del Paine.
- Day 9: Head to Puerto Natales, & enjoy some shopping & a walk around town. All hotels are close to the airport & bus station, so stay wherever you’d like here.
- Day 10: Departure day! Fly out of Puerto Natales airport (PNT) if headed to Santiago, Chile; or head back north to El Calafate (FTE) if flying elsewhere in Argentina. If headed further south: fly out of Punta Arenas (PUQ).
**Notes on this Itinerary: Depending on where you want to end up, you can reverse or change this itinerary in any way you’d like. For instance, if you’d like to visit Bariloche after Patagonia (which I highly recommend) ~ you might want to end your trip in El Chalten, & then drive up to Bariloche from there.
Day 1 – Arrive in El Calafate
- Arrive in El Calafate, Argentina. Use this as your base for exploring southern Patagonia.
- Check into hotel. On a budget: I absolutely love America del Sur Hostel; incredible views of Lago Argentino & a great place to meet people. For more luxury: try Xelena Suites or Los Ponchos Hotel.
- Get settled, pick up any gear you need, check local weather/road conditions.
- Easy Afternoon: Stroll the lakeshore of Lago Argentino, or explore the town & its many restaurants/coffee shops.
- Rest Up: Big hikes lie ahead!
The view from America del Sur Hostel in El Calafate, Argentina. One of my favorites!
Day 2 – Glacier Perito Moreno Day Trip
- Take a full-day trip to the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, just over an hour’s bus ride from El Calafate. The bus station is just uphill from town!
- Walk the boardwalks for stunning glacier views; consider a mini-trek on the ice if you’re up for it.
- Evening back in El Calafate. Have a good dinner in town, do a gear check, & prepare for a short travel day tomorrow.
Perito Moreno Glacier is a MUST VISIT on any Patagonia itinerary!
Day 3 – Transfer to El Chalten + Light Hike
- Head to El Chaltén, via bus or rental car; takes about 3 hours. El Chalten is known as the “trekking capital” of Argentina, & it has more amazing hikes than any other Patagonia town! Read about several of them here.
- Check into your hotel. Because the mid-range hotels in town are often mediocre, I recommend going high-end here. I stayed at Chalten Suites Hotel & loved it (great breakfast!); Destino del Sur & Los Cerros are also great options with spas.
- Afternoon: Do a short hike to stretch out your legs, either to the waterfall at Chorillo del Salto, or the amazing viewpoint at Mirador de los Condores (both less than a mile).
- Stay overnight in El Chaltén.
You’ll NEVER forget your first view of the mountains around El Chalten…
Day 4 – Big Hike to Fitz Roy
- Full-day Challenging Hike: To Laguna de los Tres with the unforgettable view of Mount Fitz Roy; 20 kms (12 miles) round-trip, steep final climb. For an alternate route that’s a little easier/shorter: read this article on how I climbed Fitz Roy, starting at Hosteria Pilar.
- Pack snacks, weather, trekking poles, & rain gear: Patagonia is unpredictable!
- Dinner in Town: After a hike this big, I wanted a nice, juicy burger! Since the hike basically ends in town, stroll along Ave. San Martin & pick your favorite restaurant. Then people-watch all the people coming off the mountain!
The final view of Mount Fitz Roy.
Day 5 – Hike Laguna Torre or Recovery Day!
- Option A: Hike to Laguna Torre (18 kms/11 miles) for views of Cerro Torre.
- Option B: If tired, take a gentler walk (i.e. to a viewpoint or around town).
- Option C: Have a spa day! If staying at Destino del Sur or Los Cerros: enjoy their hot tub & a massage.
- Evening: Pack & prepare for travel to Torres del Paine National Park.
If it were me: I’d opt for a spa day after the big hike to Fitz Roy! Pictured is the spa at Los Cerros del Chalten.
Day 6 – Transfer to Torres del Paine (Chile)
- Travel from El Chaltén → border crossing → Puerto Natales → enter Torres del Paine National Park. Journey is about 6 hours, depending how much time at the border crossing.
- If you can afford it: stay inside the park. Some favorite options: Hotel las Torres Patagonia (which sits at the base of tomorrow’s hike); Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa (for more luxury & great restaurants/incredible views); or EcoCamp Patagonia (the ultimate in “Domed” glamping)! You can also stay in Puerto Natales, but it’s a 90-minute drive to reach the park (making it a 3-hour round-trip just to reach Torres del Paine).
- Light Afternoon/Evening: Take a short stroll around your hotel. Have a good dinner, in preparation for the big hike tomorrow!
EcoCamp Patagonia is one of the most iconic places to stay inside Torres del Paine! Photo: Trip Advisor.
Day 7 – Iconic Hike to Mirador Las Torres
- Early Start: Hike to Mirador Las Torres for the one Patagonia’s most iconic views! Hike takes 7- 9 hours (why it’s great to stay in the park). For a full hike run-down, read this article where I break down my journey & give tips.
- Great Dinner After Hike: Enjoy regional dishes at Coiron Restaurant, inside Hotel Las Torres Patagonia (located at the base of the hike). For more luxury, head to one of the restaurants at Rio Serrano Hotel & Spa.
- Return to hotel & get a good night’s sleep.
Epic ending of Mirador las Torres hike!
Plan for a great meal after your big hike!
Day 8 – French Valley Hike or Glaciar Grey
- Option A: Hike into the French Valley for dramatic scenery; 7-9 hours of hiking.
- Option B: Hike/boat to the viewpoint of Grey Glacier in the park.
- Option C: Enjoy the spa or relax at your hotel! You can always do a short hike in the morning, & book a massage in the afternoon.
- Evening: Reflect on your time in Torres del Paine. Have another great dinner and soak in the scenery.
The views you see in Torres del Paine will stay with you for a lifetime.
Day 9 – Relax in Puerto Natales
- Early Hike: To Mirador Cuernos or Laguna Azul—less intense, but still spectacular.
- Head down to Puerto Natales, either by bus, rental car, or private transfer; 90-minute drive.
- Check into your hotel & take a stroll around town. I stayed at Vinnhaus Hotel & Keoken Patagonia B&B & loved both of them.
The waterfront in Puerto Natales has incredible views of Torres del Paine in the distance.
Day 10 – Departure Day
- If flying out of Puerto Natales to Santiago, Chile: take a morning walk, do some souvenir shopping, or make one last scenic stop. If flying to Buenos Aires, you’ll need to head back to El Calafate, & fly out of their airport (FTE).
- Head to airport/home!
Goodbye, Patagonia….
Tips & Logistics for Travel Planning
- Weather: Patagonia = extreme variability (wind, rain, sun), even in summer! Layer up, bring good hiking boots, rain coat, etc.
- Distance & Pace: Most hikes above are moderate-to-strenuous; prepare before your trip.
- Accommodations: Book early, especially during peak season (December – February).
- Transportation: Consider bus or car rental (I used buses exclusively during my time in Patagonia). Gas stations can have extremely long lines because there are so few of them; so budget extra time during your trips! Border crossings (Argentina ↔ Chile) take time—factor this into Day 6.
- Buffer Days: If weather forces a cancellation, Days 3, 6, & 9 act as a lighter/back-up days. Fitz Roy & Mirador las Torres are very strenuous hikes, so plan on lighter days following them.
- Hiking Style: You’ll be doing mostly day hikes, not multi-day camping here (makes logistics simpler).
- Cross-Border Note: If you’re renting a car, make sure they allow border crossing.
- Altitude / Wildlife / Safety: Altitude isn’t extreme in Patagonia, but be prepared. Keep a safe distance from wildlife; park trails are usually well-marked, & popular trails have lots of other hikers (if you have questions). Always let someone know your plans.
The Ultimate 10-Day Patagonia Itinerary
If you’d like to see video footage of Patagonia to get prepared for your trip, check out my video of Perito Moreno Glacier ~ or of the iconic hike to Mirador las Torres.
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: How Much Does a Trip to Patagonia Cost?
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Very helpful Patagonia itinerary. So it looks like you’ve got 2 nights in El Calafate, 3 nights in El Chalten, & then the remaining 3-5 nights in Torres del Paine/Puerto Natales. We’re actually flying into Punta Arenas, & will probably reverse this itinerary, starting in Torres del Paine. We love to hike, but don’t really want to hike 15-20 miles every day of our trip. Is there a good mix of hikes in El Chalten? Thanks, Tom
Hi Tom, thanks for your comment/question. And yes, I found that the best mix of hikes was in El Chalten: you have short, 45-minute hikes (i.e. Mirador de los Condores), REALLY short hikes (i.e. Chorillo del Salto/waterfall), & then longer, more bucket list hikes like Fitz Roy (which is a MUST) & Cerro Torre. I also went part-way to Cerro Torre one day, but turned back once I got to an absolutely stunning viewpoint: so you also don’t always need to complete every hike. The hikes in El Chalten have so much pay-off; you’ll typically have views all along the way.
Versus with Torres del Paine, many of those hikes are longer, even multi-day journeys. And if you’re staying in Puerto Natales, it’s a 90-minute drive EACH way into the park, which can be problematic. In El Chalten, the hiking is much more accessible ~ every hike I did I literally just walked from the town right to the trailhead. Easy!
Hope all that helps! xxoo Noelia