How many days do you need in Santiago, Torres del Paine, Buenos Aires, El Calafate & El Chaltén?
- Most travelers spend 12-15 days in Santiago, Torres del Paine, Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and El Chaltén combined
- Visiting Santiago, Torres del Paine, Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and El Chaltén in 9 to 11 days is possible but will feel rushed
- With 16 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Ushuaia, Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales
How Many Days to Spend in Buenos Aires
Recommended Itineraries for Santiago, Torres del Paine, Buenos Aires, El Calafate & El Chaltén
Recommended Itinerary for 12
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Dinner & Tango Show | Buenos Aires |
| Day 2 | Fly to El Calafate, 4WD Tour & Cave Dinner | El Calafate |
| Day 3 | Lago Frías Hiking & Boat Tour | El Calafate |
| Day 4 | Todo Glaciares Navigation | El Calafate |
| Day 5 | Transfer to El Chaltén, Hike to Mirador Los Condores | El Chaltén |
| Day 6 | Hike to Laguna de Los Tres | El Chaltén |
| Day 7 | Bus to Torres del Paine National Park (Chile) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 8 | Torres del Paine Activities (Day 1): Explore the Park by Horseback | Torres del Paine |
| Day 9 | Torres del Paine Activities (Day 2): Lakes & Trails Tour | Torres del Paine |
| Day 10 | Torres del Paine Activities (Day 3): Rock Climbing Adventures | Torres del Paine |
| Day 11 | Fly to Santiago, Afternoon City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 12 | Half-Day Maipo Valley Tour, Depart Santiago |
No trip to Patagonia is complete without exploring both its Argentine and Chilean sides—which is exactly what you'll do over 12 adventurous days. Start with some culture in the form of a sultry tango show in Buenos Aires before flying south to El Calafate to marvel at the epic glacier that is Perito Moreno. Then hit the trail on mountain treks around the legendary Fitz Roy massif, after which you'll hop into Chile to experience the famous lakes and mountain peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
13-Day Itinerary Including Ushuaia
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Walking Tour | Buenos Aires |
| Day 2 | Fly to Ushuaia, Optional Activities | Ushuaia |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Isla Martillo Penguin Colony | Ushuaia |
| Day 4 | Trekking & Canoeing in Tierra del Fuego | Ushuaia |
| Day 5 | Fly to El Calafate, 4WD Tour & Cave Dinner | El Calafate |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Perito Moreno & Boat Tour | El Calafate |
| Day 7 | Bus to El Chaltén, Optional Activities | El Chaltén |
| Day 8 | Hike to Laguna de Los Tres | El Chaltén |
| Day 9 | Bus to Torres del Paine (Chile) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 10 | Boat Trip to Grey Glacier | Torres del Paine |
| Day 11 | Day Hike to Base Torres | Torres del Paine |
| Day 12 | Fly to Santiago, City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 13 | Depart Santiago |
This 13-day jaunt covers the very best of Patagonia, starting with hikes, canoeing, and wildlife tours in Argentina's southernmost region of Tierra del Fuego. Glaciers are next on the itinerary as you travel north to El Calafate and make the pilgrimage to marvel at the massive ice walls of Perito Moreno. Stretch your legs with some mountain hikes in El Chaltén (the trekking capital of Argentina) before rounding out the trip with epic excursions in Chile's grand Torres del Paine National Park. Read more
How to travel between Santiago, Torres del Paine, Buenos Aires, El Calafate & El Chaltén
How to get to Santiago de Chile
Santiago is one of the most visited cities in Chile and in South America. Depending on where you're coming from, the city may be best reached by car, plane, and sometimes by bus. Read more
How to get to Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most visited places in Chile—and South America. It's close to both Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, and you'll often travel via one or both of these cities. This five-day trip will bring you face-to-face with all the best places and is especially great to consider if you're traveling from Santiago. Read more
How to get from Santiago to Buenos Aires
The distance between Chile's capital city, Santiago de Chile, and Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is 890 miles (1,435 km). There are many transit options, but the best option is to take a direct flight. Read more
How to get to El Calafate
Perched on the shore of the ice-blue Lago Argentino, El Calafate is most known as the gateway to the Los Glaciares National Park and its famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Many visitors choose to fly directly to El Calafate from Buenos Aires or visit El Calafate on the way back north from Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego. Your best bet to reach El Calafate is to take a plane—the notable exception is if you're traveling to or from El Chaltén, which is only about 133 miles (214 km) to the north. Read more
How to get to El Chaltén
Known as one of the most spectacular destinations for hiking in Patagonia, El Chaltén practically sits in the shadow of Mount Fitz Roy and a truly spectacular section of the Andes. The nearest local airport is three hours away in El Calafate, and the easiest way to reach El Chaltén is to travel to El Calafate and drive (by private transfer, rental car, or bus) from there. Read more