Patagonia is one of those bucketlist destinations and for good reason. It’s incredibly breathtaking, rugged and remote. I mean, who wouldn’t want to visit what is consistently ranked by travel publications worldwide as one of the most beautiful places on earth? Planning a trip to Patagonia can be intimidating, which is why I’ve put together the most epic 10 day Patagonia itinerary.
For this trip, we partnered with Say Hueque, an award-winning boutique travel agency based in Buenos Aires that specializes in sustainable travel in Argentina, Chile and parts of Brazil. Say Hueque creates and puts together customized itineraries for their guests which include unique and immersive cultural and nature experiences so you have the most memorable trip. All of the details are taken care of for you, so you don’t have to plan the trip yourself! The amazing team at Say Hueque will craft the perfect trip for you based on your interests and budget, so all you have to do is show up and be ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
One thing that sealed the deal for us in working with Say Hueque for this trip is their commitment to sustainability and being carbon negative, climate positive. Compensating carbon emissions, operating plastic-free trips, and committing to local communities is how they are creating a more responsible and meaningful way of exploring Argentina and Chile. We also love that Say Hueque plants one tree for EVERY traveler in a region of the Andes where deforestation is a big issue.
How to Get to Patagonia
Patagonia is a vast region in the Southern Andes between Chile and Argentina that stretches over 1,000 kilometers. Needless to say, you’ll want more than a few days to see it all. To get the most out of your experience, plan on at least 7-10 days. That will give you enough time to explore two different regions, visit glaciers, and enjoy rewarding views through the region’s most famous national parks.
Depending on how much time you plan to spend in Patagonia and where you decide to go (Argentina, Chile or both), you will want to arrange your international flight to either Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since this specific itinerary is focused on the Argentina side of Patagonia (with the option to extend into Chile), you will fly to Buenos Aires and then book a direct flight to El Calafate via Aerolineas Argentinas. This is the quickest and easiest way to get to the “hub” of Patagonia in Argentina.
Once you arrive, you can either rent a car, take a bus, or arrange for a private transfer. Another reason we recommend booking a trip with Say Hueque is they take care of these details for you, so you don’t have to research or book the transfers yourself.
The Best Time to Visit Patagonia
The most popular time to visit Patagonia is the Summer season, which in the Southern Hemisphere is between December and March. This is also the high season, so expect prices to be higher and more tourists, however the Summer offers the best weather overall. Another plus for visiting Patagonia in the Summer is there are more things you can do.
Alternatively, if you want to avoid Peak season (like we did), go in the shoulder season which is either October-November (Spring) or March-April (Fall). This is a great time to experience Patagonia with mostly good weather, lower prices, and less tourists. Having been to Patagonia both in Spring and Fall, we can vouch that these months are often ideal for most people.
The Most Epic 10 Day Patagonia Itinerary
As stated above, this 10 day itinerary will be focused in Argentina, however you can shorten or lengthen your trip according to your liking. If you have the option to spend at least a couple of days in Buenos Aires before heading to Patagonia (or on your return), definitely consider it as Buenos Aires is a wonderful metropolitan city with so much to offer.
Day 1: Arrival to El Calafate
From Buenos Aires to El Calafate, it’s roughly a 3 hour flight. Upon arrival, spend the remaining part of the day exploring the town of El Calafate or catching up on sleep. The town of El Calafate is quaint and catered towards tourists, so there are plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you occupied for several hours. You will definitely want to try the local Argentine fare–known best for its parrilla (grilled meat), and in Patagonia, lamb is especially common and popular. Some of the best restaurants to try in El Calafate include:
- La Tablita
- Parrilla Puma
- Kau Kaleshen
- La Posta
- Pura Vida Resto Bar
- Tango Nuestro
- Mi Rancho
There are lots of lodging options in El Calafate from hostels, to 5-star luxury hotels. We especially loved staying at Los Ponchos Hotel Boutique because it was charming and beautiful, and the staff was super helpful and friendly. The accommodations were clean, modern yet rustic (with Argentine decor), and the setting was peaceful. The food was amazing too!
Other great lodging options in El Calefate include: The Esplendor, Blanca Patagonia, La Cantera Boutique Hotel and Kau Yatun Hotel & Estancia. Some of these are centrally located, while others require a shuttle (often provided for free by the hotel) to get to town. You can also rent a car, if you prefer, however a car is not necessary if you are doing guided tours since they include transportation.
Day 2: Trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier
Kick off the most epic 10 day Patagonia itinerary trekking on the famous Perito Moreno Glacier! This glacier is only a finger of the much larger South Patagonian Ice Field, yet it’s mind-boggling HUGE. In fact, Perito Moreno is one of only 2 glaciers in the world that is actually growing faster than its receding! Ideally you want to spend 2 days here so you aren’t rushing it and so that you can fully experience how incredible this glacier is.
The most common glacier trekking tours you will find are the Mini-trekking and the Big Ice tour. The main difference is the Big Ice tour is longer and more rigorous, however your time on the glacier is longer. One thing to note about the Big Ice is that only adults 18 years and older and participate, so if you have younger kids, this option won’t work. Transfers to/from your hotel are included.
With the Mini-trekking tour, anybody over the age of 10 can participate. You start the day by spending a couple of hours exploring the many trails and boardwalks which offer different viewpoints of the glacier. You don’t want to rush this because the glacier calves (breaks off) quite often, so being patient and watching the glacier closely pays off. Later, your guide will take you in a boat across the lake to the far south side of the glacier where you will disembark and get ready to walk on the ice.
Once you have crampons on your shoes, it’s time to step foot on the glacier! For a couple of hours, you will get to explore some of the wonders of this marvelous natural wonder–witnessing the “blue ice”, the crevasses and caves, and puddles. Your guide will educate you on the history of this glacier, and you’ll get to drink the water too! Getting up close and personal with Perito Moreno is the best way to experience this glacier.
Day 3: Visit an authentic rural estancia
You can’t visit Argentina without getting a glimpse of rural life on an estancia. You might ask, “What is an estancia?” Basically an estancia is a ranch where gauchos (cowboys) tend to the cattle, herd the sheep, and take care of the other animals. Southern Argentina has plenty of estancias you can visit and we highly recommend adding this to your epic 10 day Patagonia itinerary.
We loved spending the day at the Niepbo Aike Estancia, just outside of El Calafate (and technically inside the national park) and witnessing first-hand life as a gaucho. Our guide took us on a tour of this ancient estancia providing us with the fascinating details and historical account of this ranch. We also got to watch a lamb being sheared, saw the gauchos herding the cattle, and went on a walk around the property. This was all before lunch!
Once it was time for lunch, we were ushered into the dining hall/restaurant where we ate the most delicious meal of BBQ lamb (a Patagonian staple!), salad, potatoes, and other veggies. After lunch, it was time to go horseback riding! We saddled up on the horses and a gaucho took us on a 2 hour ride through the most beautiful scenery overlooking lakes, forests, and mountains. Definitely the highlight of the day!
If you want an authentic Argentine experience, this is it. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. 😉
Day 4: Kayaking at Perito Moreno Glacier
Trekking on the glacier is one thing, but getting to experience it from below in the water is whole different experience! Most people take a boat ride on the lake up to the glacier, but I’m telling you, kayaking provides a unique perspective that only a few people get to witness. Say Hueque booked this tour for us and it was beyond incredible!
Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to Los Glaciares National Park, where Perito Moreno is located. For the first couple hours in the morning, you will be on your own, free to explore the trails in the park like you did on the Mini-trekking tour. We actually loved having an extra day to do this for two reasons: one, in case the weather is less than ideal the first time, you have another opportunity to see the glacier with better weather. And two, you can hit the trails you missed the first day!
There are a few different trails and viewing the platforms that overlook Perito Moreno glacier. When we visited, we explored the trails we missed the first day and loved the views even more. There were also less people which made for better photos. Once we finished in the morning, we met up with our guides again and had lunch before getting geared up to go kayaking.
Don’t worry, you will have proper drysuits on, in the rare case, you tip out of the kayak. After receiving instruction from the guides, you will embark in the water with your kayaks and begin paddling towards the glacier. The water on the lake is turquoise blue, making the backdrop of the mountains and glacier even more dramatic. It really is a sight to behold. Of course, you can’t get too close to the glacier in the kayaks (in case they calf), so you will watch them from a safe distance. And the best part? Likely it will only be your group on the water, making it all the more special and memorable.
Day 5: Transfer to El Chalten
It’s time to depart El Calafate and head to El Chalten, the “trekking capitol” of Patagonia. This is roughly a 3-4 hour drive, so depending on when your transport departs, you might have some extra time in El Calafate in the morning. Or alternatively, if you leave in the morning, you can spend the remainder of the day in El Chalten strolling through the town (which is adorable, by the way!).
There are several ways you can get to El Chalten. The first option is to take the bus. This is the most economical way. A second option is to arrange for a private transfer. This is what we did with Say Hueque. We loved this option because we had our own shuttle and could stop if we want. For example, there are some amazing views of the mountains just a few miles before you arrive to El Chalten that make a good photo opp!
The last option is to rent a car. This might give you the most freedom, however, we found that you don’t really need a car once you get to El Chalten since it’s such a very small town and many of the hikes start from town. Also, if you do any guided tours, they include transportation.
El Chalten is very walkable once you’re there. This makes it easy to navigate and get around. There are lots of restaurants, shops, and hotels. One word of advice–if you are here in the busy season, get restaurant reservations ahead. Many of the best restaurants in town are small and fill up fast. Some of our favorites and recommendations are:
- La Cerveceria
- Maffia Trattoria
- La Tapera
- La Zorra Taproom
- Chaltenos (get the alfajores!)
- Parrilla Argentina
- La Wafleria
As far as lodging, there are lots of options for different budgets. We loved staying at Senderos Aparts & Suites because each room is an apartment, complete with a kitchen, dining and living rooms. This makes it an especially great option for families. Senderos is also centrally located near downtown, making it easy to walk to restaurants and shops. Other good accommodations in El Chalten include: Senderos Hosteria, Chalten Suites Hotel, Patagonia Travelers Hostel, and Destino Sur Hotel.
Day 6: Hiking to Laguna do Los Tres
If there is only ONE thing you do in El Chalten it is the Laguna de Los Tres hike. It’s the most famous hike in the area for good reason–epic views of the iconic Mt. Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the surrounding peaks. Plus, add in some glacier lakes and you’ve got yourself one of the most beautiful trails in the world. There are a few ways to do this hike–either as a multi-day or all in one day.
We chose the latter and while I wouldn’t recommend this option for just anybody since it makes for a very long day, it is doable. Laguna de Los Tres is roughly 14 miles (23 kilometers) round trip. Total elevation gain is a little less than 3,000 feet, with most of it the last two miles to the lake. There are two different ways to do this hike, either out-and-back via the main Laguna de Los Tres trail (otherwise known as the Sendero Al Fitz Roy), which you can catch from El Chalten, OR via the El Pilar trail which is about the same distance.
The main advantage of taking the El Pilar trail is you get different scenery for the whole hike since it’s not an out-and-back route. You take the El Pilar trail to Laguna de Los Tres (which meets up with the main trail eventually) and then on the way back, you take the main trail back to town. The one issue with taking the El Pilar route is you need a shuttle to take you to the trailhead since it’s not close to town, but there are shuttle services in town you can book when you arrive (just ask your hotel). Alternatively, you can just do a guided hike to Laguna de los Tres.
However, it’s totally worth it. We loved taking the El Pilar route because we saw some pretty spectacular views of a couple of glaciers, plus walked through a beautiful forest. A couple pieces of advice–weather can be very unpredictable in Patagonia–even in Summer–so if you have some flexibility in your schedule, that can be to your advantage. When you get to El Chalten, look at the forecast and plan your hike on the best day for weather. Wind is also very common in Patagonia, so bringing layers is vital.
One more important tip for this hike–when you get to Laguna de Los Tres (the alpine lake at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy), on the far left side of the lake, there is a short rock hill. Climb up the hill and you’ll be rewarded with a SECOND lake called Laguna Sucia. This lake is equally as beautiful, yet smaller, with views of Mt. Fitz Roy from the other side. This section adds on another mile to your hike, but it’s worth it! Make sure to start your hike early, as this trail can take 10-12 hours with stops.
Day 7: Mountain bike Lago del Desierto
Ready for a unique adventure of epic proportions? Go mountain biking from Lago del Desierto back to El Chalten. This roughly 30 mile (40 kilometer) downhill ride is an experience you will never forget! You can book your excursion directly with Patagonia Travelers Hostel and arrange for a shuttle service to drop you off at Lago del Desierto where you will begin your downhill descent.
Don’t worry, it’s not a steep descent and you’re basically on a dirt road the entire time. The scenery is amazing the entire road and there are lots of noteworthy detours along the way, so take your time. You will pass by rivers and lakes, cross bridges, and see breathtaking views of Mt. Fitz Roy along with the whole valley. When the shuttle drops you off at Lago del Desierto, a guide will hand you a map which shows different places to stop.
There are waterfalls (such as Chorrillo del Salto) you can hike to and even a single-track trail you can take if you choose. We loved the detours and would recommend making a whole day of this adventure so you’re not rushing it. *Note: This experience isn’t suitable for young kids as there are no smaller bikes for rent, so make sure if you have kids that they can ride an adult-size bike comfortably and safely.
Day 8: Rest or free day
After the last two days hiking and biking all day, you might want a rest day (I know we did). Plus, with another big hike to gear up for tomorrow, taking a day off and recovering is a good idea. There’s a few things you can do around El Chalten that don’t require much leg power or activity that we wanted to mention. There are a couple of spas in town that you can book a massage with, do a yoga class, or soak in a jetted hot tub to help your muscles recover. Spa Yaten is the main spa in town, but you can also get a massage at Destino Sur Hotel.
Some other things to do in El Chalten are shop and eat at some of the cafes in town (see the list above). We especially loved the La Wafleria! You can also go to the Visitors Center and read all about the fascinating history of this mountain town. Another option is to take a boat ride across Lago del Desierto, where you will also take a short walk to a glacier viewpoint! Make sure to book in advance as it sells out fast!
*One last thing to note, if you have a day or two shorter than what this 10 day itinerary recommends, use this “rest day” to go whitewater rafting (see Day 10 for details).
Day 9: Hike Laguna Torre
The second most popular (and equally epic) hike in El Chalten is the Laguna Torre trail. This 11 mile (18 kilometer) round trip hike is quite a bit easier than Laguna de los Tres and home to the amazing view of Laguna Torre, Glacier Grande, and Cerro Torre. However it is still a long day, so plan on 7-9 hours total with stops. For those who don’t want to hike the entire trail, you can choose to only hike to the Torre Viewpoint which is only 2 miles from the start of the trail.
Just like the Laguna de Los Tres trail, you can catch the Laguna Torre trail right from town. You can also do a guided hike to Laguna Torre if you choose. Even though this hike is beautiful, if you only have time for ONE hike in El Chalten, I would do Laguna de Los Tres over Laguna Torre.
Day 10: Whitewater rafting + transfer back to El Calafate
On your final day, it’s time to get the adrenaline pumping! Whitewater rafting is a bucketlist experience n Patagonia and what better of a backdrop than El Chalten! Rio de las Vueltas is a river belongs to glacial origin, partly from the melting of the glaciers in the northern area of Los Glaciares National Park. It is born in Lago del Desierto and flows into Lake Viedma. This makes it the perfect river for consistent Class 3-5 rapids all year long.
Most tour operators in town offer a 2 or 3 hour tour, so book this in the morning if you are transferring back to El Calafate in the afternoon (to depart). They will provide you with drysuits since the water is cold and also include transportation to and from your hotel. The views along the entire canyon are breathtaking, making this rafting trip the perfect combo of adrenaline and natural beauty.
Optional Add-on Itinerary
If you decide to add extra days to your itinerary, we recommend upon returning to El Calafate to head to Torres del Paine, Chile (alternatively, you could do the extra days at the beginning of your trip). Torres del Paine National Park is only a few short hours away from El Calafate. You will get a taste of both the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia this way which are equally epic and breathtaking.
If you have a few days in Torres del Paine, spend it along the most famous multi-day hike, the W Trek. This route takes 4-5 days to complete and runs from the park’s southwest to the northeast in a “W” formation (hence the name). On this trail, there are many stunning landscapes that folks on a day tour rarely see.
In Conclusion
That concludes the most epic 10 day Patagonia itinerary, a bucketlist trip to one of the most amazing destinations in the world. Planning a trip to one of the most remote places on Earth is not easy, so we hope this guide helps. If you’re like us and don’t have the time to plan all the details of the trip (to include booking hotels, transfers, excursions, etc), Say Hueque is the travel agency to take care of that for you.
Not only do they make all the arrangements, they also carefully customize the trip for YOU by taking into account your budget, interests, abilities and ages. They also know all the best things to do and are known for planning unique and authentic experiences for their clients! Trust us, booking a trip with Say Hueque will likely be the best trip you’ll ever take!