Itinerary
- Day 1
El Calafate to El Chaltén
You'll get picked up from El Calafate Airport for a 3-hour drive to El Chaltén along Route 40. The road takes you through the Patagonian steppe, and you'll pass La Leona River, where Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid supposedly hid out. Once you arrive at your hotel in El Chaltén, the rest of the day is yours to wander around the village or just take it easy.
Included Activities
- Transfer from El Calafate Airport to hotel in El Chaltén
Optional Activities
- Explore surroundings and local attractions
- Visit nearby waterfall
- Relax in local brewery
Landmarks/POIs La Leona River Fitz Roy Mountain - Day 2
El Chaltén
This day is all about hiking at your own pace around El Chaltén. The trails here are well-marked and self-guided, so you can choose based on your fitness level. If you want something short, the walk to Cerro Torre viewpoint takes about an hour and covers 3km. For a bigger challenge, the 8-hour trek to Laguna de Los Tres gets you views of Fitz Roy Mountain and these incredible emerald-colored waters. Setting out early means you can catch the sunrise if you're up for it.
Optional Activities
- Self-guided hike to Cerro Torre viewpoint (approximately 1 hour, 3 kilometers)
- Self-guided hike to Base Torre
- Self-guided hike to Laguna de Los Tres (approximately 8 hours)
- Sunrise viewing at Laguna de Los Tres
- Bird watching and woodpecker spotting
- Guided walks available at additional cost
Landmarks/POIs Cerro Torre Laguna de Los Tres Fitz Roy Mountain Rio de las Vueltas - Day 3
El Chaltén to El Calafate
A 3-hour bus ride takes you back to El Calafate from El Chaltén. You'll sit back and watch the Patagonian landscape roll past your window the whole way. It's a relaxing journey after your time in the mountains.
Included Activities
- Transfer from hotel in El Chaltén to hotel in El Calafate
- Day 4
El Calafate
You're heading out to Los Glaciares National Park, about 50 miles from El Calafate, to see Perito Moreno Glacier up close. Your bilingual guide will take you along various walkways that get you right in front of the massive ice wall, and if you're lucky, you'll see ice calving and crashing down. There's free time to explore the area, and the park has a restaurant where you can grab lunch (you pay separately). An optional 1-hour boat tour is available if you want another angle on the glacier.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Los Glaciares National Park
- Guided tour of glacier walkways
- Bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
Optional Activities
- 1-hour boat ride to sail along the massive glacier wall and floating icebergs
Landmarks/POIs Perito Moreno Glacier Los Glaciares National Park Lago Argentino - Day 5
El Calafate to Puerto Natales
You'll head to the bus station for a 5-hour drive to Puerto Natales, Chile. Bring your passport because you'll be crossing the border. The drive cuts through hundreds of kilometers of Patagonian steppe. When you arrive, you'll see the Milodon statue marking the entrance to town. Check in at your hotel and spend some time exploring Puerto Natales, your last chance to pick up supplies before heading into Torres del Paine.
Included Activities
- Bus transfer from El Calafate to Puerto Natales
Optional Activities
- Explore Puerto Natales
- Shop for provisions
Landmarks/POIs Milodon Statue - Day 6
Torres del Paine National Park
A full-day trip takes you to Milodon Cave and through Torres del Paine National Park. On the way there, you'll see La Silla del Diablo rock formation. Inside the park, you'll check out views from Grey Lake and walk along the shoreline, visit Salto Grande waterfall (an 18-meter drop), and pass by Nordenskjold Lake and Laguna Amarga viewpoints. You'll head back to your hotel as the sun sets, passing Mirador del Lago Sarmiento along the way.
- Meals
- Lunch (Box lunch)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Milodon Cave
- Visit to Milodon Cave
- Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park
- Guided tour of park highlights
- Bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
- Box lunch
Landmarks/POIs Milodon Cave La Silla del Diablo Torres del Paine National Park Grey Lake Salto Grande Nordenskjold Lake Laguna Amarga Mirador del Lago Sarmiento - Day 7
Serrano Glacier Excursion
You'll spend 7 hours on a boat exploring Patagonian fjords and glaciers. During the trip, keep your eyes open for Magellan Dolphins, stop at Punta de Lobos to see sea mammals, spot condors near waterfalls and cliffs, and pass Mount Balmaceda. After docking at Puerto Toro, there's a 1-hour trek through native forest that leads to Serrano Glacier. You'll see the contrast between clear skies and the massive ice wall before heading back to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Maritime transport
- Guided tour
- Bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
- Trek through native forest
Landmarks/POIs Señoret Channel Guanaco Island Punta de Lobos Mount Balmaceda Balmaceda Glacier Puerto Toro Témpanos Lagoon Serrano Glacier - Day 8
Puerto Natales to El Calafate
Head to Puerto Natales bus station on your own for the 5-hour drive back to El Calafate, crossing the Argentina border. Once you arrive, make your way to your hotel independently. Spend the afternoon walking around El Calafate's center, try a local craft beer and Patagonian lamb stew for dinner, and don't skip the calafate ice cream for dessert.
Included Activities
- Bus ticket Puerto Natales to El Calafate
Optional Activities
- Explore El Calafate center
- Sample homemade beer
- Try Patagonian lamb stew
- Taste calafate ice cream
- Day 9
El Calafate Departure
You'll get a transfer from your hotel to El Calafate Airport at the right time for your flight out of Southern Patagonia.
Included Activities
- Transfer from hotel to El Calafate Airport
