Itinerary
- Day 1
Santiago to Villa Cerro Castillo
You'll fly from Santiago to Balmaceda and pick up your rental car to start the journey. From there, drive towards Coyhaique on Ruta 245, then head south on Ruta 7. After about 1 hour and 15 minutes of driving, you'll reach Villa Cerro Castillo where you're based for the next couple of days.
- Day 2
Villa Cerro Castillo
The day involves a 7-hour hike through Cerro Castillo National Park to reach the Laguna viewpoint. The trail is well-marked and takes you past glaciers with views of the Cerro Castillo peaks and the valley below. You'll head back to the hotel by evening, so start early in the morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- 7-hour hike to Laguna of Cerro Castillo mountain range with glacier views
Landmarks Cerro Castillo National Park Cerro Castillo - Day 3
Villa Cerro Castillo to Puerto Rio Tranquilo
Drive south on the Carretera Austral toward Puerto Rio Tranquilo, passing Lake Verde and the Ibañez and Murta rivers. Along the way, consider stopping at the museum behind Cerro Castillo to learn about the region's history and geography before continuing on.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit museum behind Cerro Castillo for insights into local history and geography
Landmarks Lake Verde - Day 4
Puerto Rio Tranquilo
You have flexibility today. Either take a day trip to San Rafael glacier (2.5-hour drive through Valle Exploradores plus boat travel) or do boat tours to the Marble Caves from Puerto Tranquilo. The caves are better in afternoon or evening light, so time your visit accordingly.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Day trip to Laguna San Rafael glacier - drive through Valle Exploradores valley (2.5 hours) then boat to glacier bay (1.5 hours)
- Boat tours to Marble Caves from Puerto Tranquilo
Landmarks San Rafael Glacier Marble Caves - Day 5
Puerto Rio Tranquilo to Lake Posadas
Drive along Lago General Carrera, then follow the Baker River south. A 20-minute hike takes you to the junction of the Baker and Nef rivers. From there, head to Valle Chacabuco in Patagonia Natural Park and cross into Argentina through Paso Roballos, driving through dry pampas and small salt lakes toward Lake Posadas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- 20-minute hike to junction of Baker and Nef rivers
Landmarks Lago General Carrera Baker River Valle Chacabuco Paso Roballos San Lorenzo mountain range - Day 6
Lake Posadas to El Chalten
Continue south on Ruta 40 through Patagonian Pampas heading toward El Chalten, a mountaineering village at the foot of Fitz Roy. You'll pass estancias, cattle herds, and various bird species. It's a long driving day, but when you arrive, the Fitz Roy massif comes into view, making the drive worthwhile.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Fitz Roy - Day 7
El Chalten
You have free time for hiking in Los Glaciares National Park with several options. Walk to Laguna de los Tres at the foot of Fitz Roy from El Pilar (or the shorter Laguna Capri if you prefer), hike to Laguna Torre at the foot of Cerro Torre, take a boat trip on Lago del Desierto, or trek to Huemul Glacier. Pick based on your energy level.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike to Laguna de los Tres at the foot of Fitz Roy from El Pilar
- Shorter option hike to Laguna Capri on same route
- Hike to Laguna Torre at the foot of Cerro Torre
- Boat trip on Lago del Desierto
- Hike to Huemul Glacier
Landmarks Los Glaciares National Park Laguna de los Tres Laguna Capri Laguna Torre Cerro Torre Lago del Desierto Huemul Glacier - Day 8
El Chalten to El Calafate
Stop at Salto El Chorillo waterfall, just 500 meters from El Chalten, then drive south on Ruta 40 along Lake Viedma and Lake Argentino to El Calafate. Once there, see Perito Moreno glacier from the wooden walkways and take optional boat trips along the glacier wall for a closer experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Detour to Salto El Chorillo waterfall
- Visit Perito Moreno glacier with views from wooden walkway
- Boat trip along Perito Moreno glacier wall
Landmarks Salto El Chorillo Perito Moreno Glacier Lake Viedma Lake Argentino Los Glaciares National Park 
- Day 9
El Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park
Drive approximately 5 hours through the steppe to reach Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. The park has rugged mountains, blue lakes, and connections to the southern Patagonian ice field. If you have energy, take a short hike to Salto Grande or Mirador de los Cuernos viewpoint in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Short hike to Salto Grande
- Short hike to Mirador de los Cuernos viewpoint
Landmarks Torres del Paine National Park Salto Grande Mirador de los Cuernos 
- Day 10
Torres del Paine National Park
The day is yours for exploring Torres del Paine with a recommended hike to Base de las Torres viewpoint. This route demands good fitness and starts through steppe to Ascencio River, includes a steep 1.5-hour climb to the mountain pass, continues through southern beech forest to the moraine, then tackles a challenging scree climb to the granite tower viewpoint.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike to Base de las Torres viewpoint (requires good fitness level)
Landmarks Base de las Torres Ascencio River - Day 11
Torres del Paine National Park
Take a catamaran boat trip to the Gray Glacier Wall, which takes approximately 4 hours total. The boat travels close to the glacier, giving you an up-close look at the ice that can't be reached by hiking. It's a different way to experience the power and scale of the glacier.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Gray Glacier Wall (approximately 4 hours)
Landmarks Gray Glacier - Day 12
Torres del Paine National Park to Puerto Natales
After finishing activities in Torres del Paine National Park, drive to Puerto Natales, a quiet town situated on the Fjord of the Last Hope. The drive itself offers nice views before you settle into this more relaxed setting for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Fjord of the Last Hope - Day 13
Puerto Natales
You have a free day to choose your activities. Visit the Cave of Milodon to learn about the giant ground sloth that lived there over 10,000 years ago, or take a boat trip through the Ultima Esperanza fjord to see the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers along the way. Both options work well.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Cave of Milodon
- Boat trip through Ultima Esperanza fjord with views of Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers
Landmarks Cave of Milodon Ultima Esperanza Fjord Serrano Glacier Balmaceda Glacier - Day 14
Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
Drive to the port city of Punta Arenas and check out attractions like Bulnes Fortress, the Maritime Museum, Cerveza Austral beer factory, the historic cemetery, and the free trade zone. If you're interested in wildlife, an optional boat trip takes you to the penguin colony on Magdalena Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Bulnes Fortress
- Visit Maritime Museum
- Tour Cerveza Austral beer factory
- Visit historic cemetery
- Explore free trade zone
- Boat trip to penguin colony on Magdalena Island
Landmarks Bulnes Fortress Maritime Museum Cerveza Austral Magdalena Island 
- Day 15
Punta Arenas to Santiago
Return the rental car at Punta Arenas Airport and depart on your return flight to Santiago. Make sure to leave enough time before your flight to handle check-in and any last-minute tasks.
