Patagonia Travel Guide: Planning the Ultimate Trip to the End of the World

Patagonia occupies the southern tip of South America, a region shared by Argentina and Chile that stretches roughly from the 40th parallel south to the continent's windswept end at Tierra del Fuego. It is a place of staggering scale: ice fields the size of small countries, granite spires that pierce the sky at impossible angles, and a wind that never fully stops. For trekkers, photographers, and anyone who wants to stand at the edge of the inhabited world, there is nowhere quite like it.

This guide covers both the Argentine and Chilean sides of Patagonia, with practical details on the major destinations, a day-by-day itinerary, and the budget realities of traveling in one of the world's more expensive wilderness regions.

Argentine vs. Chilean Patagonia: Understanding the Geography

The Andes mountains form the border between Argentina and Chile, running the full length of Patagonia. The two sides have distinctly different characters:

Argentine Patagonia

• Terrain: Vast steppe on the east, mountains and glaciers on the west
• Key destinations: El Chalten, El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier), Ushuaia, Bariloche
• Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS). Argentina's complex exchange rate situation means the unofficial "blue dollar" rate can be significantly better than the official rate. As of early 2026, the situation has stabilized somewhat, but always check current rates
• Infrastructure: Generally more developed tourist infrastructure than the Chilean side
• Visa: Most nationalities enter visa-free for 90 days

Chilean Patagonia

• Terrain: Fjords, channels, temperate rainforest on the west, mountains and the iconic Torres del Paine on the east
• Key destinations: Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, the Carretera Austral
• Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP). More stable than the Argentine peso
• Infrastructure: Torres del Paine has excellent trekking infrastructure; the Carretera Austral is ruggedly remote
• Visa: Most nationalities enter visa-free for 90 days

Key insight: Most travelers combine both sides in a single trip. El Calafate (Argentina) and Puerto Natales (Chile) are connected by a 5-hour bus ride that crosses the border, making it easy to see both Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine.

Torres del Paine National Park: The Main Event

Torres del Paine is, for most travelers, the reason to go to Patagonia. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southern Chile contains the iconic granite towers (the "Torres"), the horn-shaped peaks of Los Cuernos, vast glaciers, and lakes colored an almost unbelievable shade of turquoise.

The W Trek

The W Trek is the most popular multi-day hike in Patagonia. It takes 4-5 days and follows a W-shaped route along the base of the Paine massif.

Route (east to west):

1. Day 1: Start at Hotel Las Torres, hike to the Base of the Torres (the iconic viewpoint). 18.4 km round trip, 8-10 hours, 800m elevation gain. This is the most strenuous day
2. Day 2: Transfer to Refugio Los Cuernos via the Valle del Frances trail junction. 11 km, 5-6 hours
3. Day 3: Hike up the Valle del Frances (French Valley). 13 km round trip, 6-8 hours. Views of glaciers calving into a hanging valley
4. Day 4: Hike from Refugio Paine Grande to Glacier Grey. 11 km one way, 5-6 hours. The glacier fills the valley ahead of you as you approach
5. Day 5: Catamaran from Glacier Grey back to Pudeto, then bus to park administration

Costs and logistics:

• Park entry fee: 42,000 CLP ($44 USD) for foreign adults during peak season
• Refugio (mountain hut) beds: $60-90 USD per night, including dinner and breakfast at most
• Camping: $10-15 USD per night for campsite-only; $40-60 for full board (tent rental + meals)
• Booking: Refugios are operated by Vertice and Fantastico Sur. Book through their websites at least 3-4 months in advance for peak season (December-February). They sell out
• Gear: If camping, you can rent tents and sleeping bags in Puerto Natales at shops like Erratic Rock (which also gives an excellent free orientation talk every day at 3:00 PM)

The O Circuit

The O Circuit adds the backside of the Paine massif to the W Trek, creating a full loop. It takes 7-9 days and includes the remote and spectacular John Gardner Pass (1,200m), which offers a panoramic view of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The backside is camping only -- no refugios -- and significantly more demanding.

Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier, located in Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park near El Calafate, is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world. It is 30 km long, 5 km wide at its face, and rises 70 meters above the surface of Lago Argentino. The glacier constantly calves -- chunks of ice the size of apartment buildings breaking off with a thunderous crack and crashing into the lake.

How to Visit

• Self-guided walkways: The national park has an extensive network of metal walkways and viewing platforms at multiple heights and distances from the glacier face. You can spend 2-4 hours here. Entry fee is 8,000 ARS (approximately $14 USD)
• Mini-trekking on the glacier: A guided walk on the ice surface lasting about 1.5 hours. You wear crampons and walk across ridges and crevasses. Cost is approximately $160-200 USD booked through Hielo y Aventura, the only operator with glacier access
• Big Ice: A longer, more demanding glacier trek (3.5 hours on ice). $250-300 USD. Must be age 18-50 and reasonably fit
• Boat ride: The Rios de Hielo boat passes close to the glacier face. $30-40 USD

Getting There

El Calafate has an airport (FTE) with direct flights from Buenos Aires (3 hours, $100-200 one-way on Aerolineas Argentinas or Flybondi). The glacier is 80 km from town. Buses from El Calafate to the park run daily and cost $15-20 USD round trip.

El Chalten: Argentina's Trekking Capital

El Chalten is a small town at the base of Mount Fitz Roy, the jagged peak that serves as the logo of the outdoor brand Patagonia (the company). Unlike Torres del Paine, the treks around El Chalten are free -- there is no park entry fee, no reservation system, and no refugio booking process.

Best Hikes

• Laguna de los Tres: The signature hike to the base of Fitz Roy. 25 km round trip, 8-10 hours, with a brutal 400m scramble at the end to reach the lagoon. The payoff -- Fitz Roy's granite spires towering above a turquoise glacial lake -- is one of the great views in outdoor travel
• Laguna Torre: A more gradual hike to a lake at the base of Cerro Torre, another impossibly steep granite spire. 18 km round trip, 6-7 hours
• Loma del Pliegue Tumbado: A lesser-known ridge hike with panoramic views of both Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. 18 km round trip, 6-8 hours
• Huemul Circuit: A challenging 4-day trek with river crossings, tyrolean traverses, and glacial ice. For experienced trekkers only

Practical Details

• Accommodation: Hostels from $20-35/night, hotels from $80-150/night. Book ahead for December-February
• Food: El Chalten has surprisingly good restaurants for a tiny town. La Cerveceria has craft beer and burgers. Ahonikenk has excellent Patagonian lamb
• Getting there: Buses from El Calafate take 3 hours and cost $15-25 USD one-way. CalTur and TAQSA are the main operators

Ushuaia: The End of the World

Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina on the island of Tierra del Fuego, markets itself as the "southernmost city in the world" (a claim disputed by Puerto Williams, Chile, across the Beagle Channel). It is the departure point for Antarctic cruises and a destination in its own right.

What to Do

• Beagle Channel boat tour: Cruise past sea lion colonies, penguin islands, and the iconic Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. Half-day tours cost $40-60 USD
• Tierra del Fuego National Park: Coastal trails, beaver dams, and sub-Antarctic forest. Entry fee is approximately $12 USD. The Coastal Trail (Senda Costera) is the highlight -- 8 km along the Beagle Channel
• Martial Glacier: A half-day hike starting from the edge of town. The chairlift to the trailhead costs $10 USD and saves significant elevation gain
• Penguin colony at Isla Martillo: Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. The boat trip from Ushuaia costs $80-120 USD and runs October through March
• Antarctic cruise departure: If you are heading to Antarctica, Ushuaia is the primary departure port. Last-minute deals on Antarctic expeditions can be found at agencies along the main street, with 10-day voyages sometimes dropping to $5,000-7,000 USD from their listed price of $10,000+

Getting There

Ushuaia has an airport (USH) with frequent flights from Buenos Aires (3.5 hours, $100-250 one-way). You can also drive from Punta Arenas, Chile (12 hours including two border crossings and a ferry), which is a spectacular road trip.

Best Months to Visit Patagonia

Patagonia's weather is extreme and highly variable. The single most important planning decision is when to go.

Month	Temperature (avg)	Daylight Hours	Crowds	Notes
October	3-10C	14-15 hrs	Low	Early spring, some trails still closed, snow possible
November	5-13C	15-16 hrs	Moderate	Trails opening, wildflowers, good value
December	7-17C	17+ hrs	High	Peak season begins, best weather, long days
January	8-18C	17+ hrs	Peak	Warmest month, most expensive, busiest trails
February	7-17C	16-17 hrs	High	Still peak, slightly fewer crowds than January
March	5-14C	13-14 hrs	Moderate	Autumn colors, less wind, excellent value
April	3-10C	11-12 hrs	Low	Cold, short days, many facilities closing

Best overall months: Late November through early March. December and January offer the best weather and longest days but also the highest prices and most crowded trails. March is increasingly popular as a shoulder-season sweet spot.

The wind: Patagonian wind is legendary and real. Sustained winds of 60-80 km/h are common, particularly in Torres del Paine. Bring wind-resistant layers and trekking poles for stability.

Camping vs. Hotels: Accommodation Strategy

Camping

• The cheapest option, especially in Torres del Paine and El Chalten
• Torres del Paine requires reservations at designated campsites -- wild camping is prohibited
• El Chalten has free campgrounds (Poincenot, De Agostini) that are first-come-first-served
• Expect temperatures near or below freezing at night, even in January. A 3-season sleeping bag rated to -5C is the minimum

Refugios (Mountain Huts)

• Available only in Torres del Paine on the W Trek
• Shared dormitory-style bunks, hot meals included
• Comfortable but not cheap: $60-90/night with full board
• Book months in advance through Vertice or Fantastico Sur

Hotels and Hostels

• El Calafate, El Chalten, Puerto Natales, and Ushuaia all have a wide range of accommodation
• Budget hostels: $15-35/night
• Mid-range hotels: $60-150/night
• Luxury lodges (like EcoCamp Patagonia in Torres del Paine or Explora Patagonia): $300-800/night, often all-inclusive with guided excursions

10-14 Day Patagonia Itinerary

Day	Location	Activity
1	Arrive El Calafate	Settle in, explore town, dinner on Avenida del Libertador
2	Perito Moreno Glacier	Full day at the glacier, walkways and optional mini-trekking
3	Bus to El Chalten	3-hour ride, afternoon orientation walk to Mirador de los Condores
4	El Chalten	Laguna de los Tres hike (full day)
5	El Chalten	Laguna Torre hike (full day)
6	El Chalten	Rest day or Loma del Pliegue Tumbado hike
7	Bus to El Calafate, then bus to Puerto Natales	Border crossing day, 5 hours El Calafate to Puerto Natales
8	Puerto Natales	Gear check, Erratic Rock 3 PM talk, early dinner, early bed
9-12	Torres del Paine W Trek	4-day W Trek (see itinerary above)
13	Puerto Natales	Recovery day, hot shower, Patagonian lamb dinner
14	Fly out from Punta Arenas	Bus to Punta Arenas (3 hours), flight to Santiago

Alternative with Ushuaia: Add 2-3 days. From El Calafate, fly to Ushuaia (1 hour) before heading to Puerto Natales. The El Calafate-Ushuaia flight is approximately $100-180 one-way.

Budget Breakdown

Budget Traveler ($60-90 USD/day)

• Hostel dorms and free campgrounds
• Cooking at hostels using supermarket groceries (supermarkets in El Calafate and Puerto Natales are well-stocked)
• Local buses between destinations
• Self-guided hikes (most are free)

Mid-Range Traveler ($120-200 USD/day)

• Private hotel rooms
• Eating at restaurants for most meals
• Refugios on the W Trek
• Occasional guided excursions (glacier mini-trekking, boat tours)

Luxury Traveler ($300+ USD/day)

• Luxury lodges like Explora or EcoCamp
• Guided private treks
• Domestic flights between destinations
• Multi-course dinners with Patagonian wine

Cost warning: Patagonia is expensive by South American standards. A simple restaurant meal in El Chalten or Puerto Natales costs $15-25 USD. A pint of local beer is $5-8 USD. Budget travelers who cook at their hostel can cut costs significantly.

Getting to Patagonia

From Buenos Aires (Argentina)

• Fly to El Calafate (FTE): 3 hours, $100-250 one-way. Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, JetSMART
• Fly to Ushuaia (USH): 3.5 hours, $100-250 one-way

From Santiago (Chile)

• Fly to Punta Arenas (PUQ): 3.5 hours, $80-200 one-way. LATAM, JetSMART, Sky Airline
• Then bus to Puerto Natales (3 hours, $10-15 USD)

Overland

The Ruta 40 in Argentina runs the length of Patagonia and is one of the world's great road trips, though it requires a rental car and significant time. The Carretera Austral in Chile is equally legendary.

Essential Gear

• Layering system: Base layer, fleece/down mid-layer, waterproof/windproof shell. Weather changes in minutes
• Trekking poles: Essential for wind stability and descent on loose scree
• Sun protection: The ozone layer is thin at these latitudes. SPF 50+ and quality sunglasses
• Dry bags: For electronics. Rain and spray are constant
• Broken-in boots: Ankle-supporting, waterproof, broken in before you arrive. This is not optional
• Gaiters: Useful for muddy sections on the W Trek

Plan Your Patagonia Trip with TripGenie

A Patagonia trip has more moving parts than most -- border crossings, park permits, refugio reservations, bus schedules, and weather contingencies all need to fit together. TripGenie can help you assemble a day-by-day itinerary that accounts for realistic travel times between destinations, booking deadlines for popular treks, and budget planning for a region where costs add up quickly.

Final Thoughts

Patagonia is one of those rare places that actually exceeds expectations. The scale is incomprehensible until you are standing at the base of Fitz Roy or watching a city-block-sized chunk of ice calve off Perito Moreno. It is not a cheap or easy destination, and the wind will test your patience, but it rewards every bit of effort you put into getting there. Book your refugios early, pack for all four seasons in a single day, and prepare for some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet.