How many days do you need in Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate & El Chaltén?
- Most travelers spend 10-15 days in Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, and El Chaltén combined
- Visiting Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, and El Chaltén in 7 to 9 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 Punta Arenas and Argentina's Buenos Aires
How Many Days to Spend in Chile
Recommended Itineraries for Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate & El Chaltén
Recommended Itinerary for 12 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago (Chile), Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Fly to Puerto Natales, Get Oriented | Puerto Natales |
| Day 3 | Enter Torres del Paine, Begin W Trek (Day 1) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 4 | Hike Along Lago Nordenskjöld to Refugio Cuernos (Day 2) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | Visit the French Valley & Continue to Refugio Paine Grande (Day 4) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 6 | See Grey Glacier, Trek to Refugio Grey (Day 4), Return to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 7 | Transfer to El Calafate (Argentina), Visit the Glaciarium | El Calafate |
| Day 8 | Experience the Perito Moreno Glacier & Bus to El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 9 | El Chaltén Day Hike | El Chaltén |
| Day 10 | Explore Mountain Trails Around El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 11 | Kayak Lago del Desierto | El Chaltén |
| Day 12 | Depart El Chaltén |
Explore Patagonia's outdoor wonderland in two national parks—Torres del Paine in Chile and Los Glaciares in Argentina—on this active 12-day trip. You'll begin on the Chilean side, hiking the W Trek and sleeping in shelters along the trail. Then, cross the border to El Calafate and El Chaltén to hike through mountainous landscapes, kayak on remote glacial lakes, and boat to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 13 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago de Chile, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to Viña del Mar & Valparaiso | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Fly to Punta Arenas, Transfer to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 4 | Enter Torres del Paine, Begin W Trek (Day 1) & Hike to Mirador Base Torres | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | Hike to Refugio Los Cuernos (Day 2) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 6 | Hike to Refugio Paine Grande (Day 3) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | Hike to Lago Grey (Day 4), Lago Grey Cruise & Transfer to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 8 | Bus to El Calafate (Argentina) | El Calafate |
| Day 9 | Full-Day Perito Moreno Boat & Walking Tour | El Calafate |
| Day 10 | Bus to El Chaltén, Hike to Laguna Capri | El Chaltén |
| Day 11 | Self-Guided Hiking in El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 12 | Return to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Punta Arenas, Depart |
Few other places in the world can compete with Patagonia's wild, jagged mountains and enormous panoramas. With this 13-day adventure, you'll get the best of the region—in both countries—starting with Chilean Patagonia. Here, you'll partake in the famed W Trek, a multiday hike that covers the furthest reaches of Torres del Paine. Then, bus over to Argentine Patagonia for ancient glaciers and the iconic Mount Fitz Roy. Kick off the adventure in Chile's capital for a dose of big-city culture. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
2-Week Itinerary Including Buenos Aires
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago (Chile), Walking Tour | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Casablanca Wine Tour | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Fly to Puerto Natales, Transfer to Torres del Paine | Torres del Paine |
| Day 4 | Torres del Paine Activities (Day 1) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | Torres del Paine Activities (Day 2) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 6 | Torres del Paine Activities (Day 3) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Puerto Natales, Bicycle Tour | Puerto Natales |
| Day 8 | Transfer to El Calafate (Argentina), Dinner at Rancho Aparte | El Calafate |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to Los Glaciares National Park & Perito Moreno | El Calafate |
| Day 10 | Day Trip to Estancia & Glaciers | El Calafate |
| Day 11 | Transfer to El Chaltén, Trek to Laguna Capri | El Chaltén |
| Day 12 | Day Hike to Laguna de Los Tres | El Chaltén |
| Day 13 | Fly to Buenos Aires, Sightseeing Tour | Buenos Aires |
| Day 14 | Gaucho Experience at El Ombú de Areco Ranch, Depart |
A life of adventure isn't complete without making the great pilgrimage to Patagonia. This two-week escape begins in Chile's capital, Santiago, and continues south for trekking and outdoor excursions in Torres del Paine—one of the most famous national parks in the world. Then head north to Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, where you'll marvel at Perito Moreno Glacier, hike around the granite pillars of Mount Fitz Roy, and finish the journey with city tours and cowboy experiences in Buenos Aires. Read more
15-Day Itinerary Including Punta Arenas
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago (Chile), Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Fly to Punta Arenas | Punta Arenas |
| Day 3 | Isla Magdalena & Penguin Colony Boat Tour | Punta Arenas |
| Day 4 | Bus to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to a Patagonian Estancia | Puerto Natales |
| Day 6 | Seno Última Esperanza Fjord & Río Serrano Boating Adventure | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | Torres del Paine Wildlife Tour | Torres del Paine |
| Day 8 | Hike to the Base of the Paine Massif | Torres del Paine |
| Day 9 | Boat Trip to Grey Glacier | Torres del Paine |
| Day 10 | Transfer to El Calafate (Argentina) | El Calafate |
| Day 11 | Day Trip to Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier Trek | El Calafate |
| Day 12 | Transfer to El Chaltén, Explore | El Chalten |
| Day 13 | Hike to Mount Fitz Roy | El Chalten |
| Day 14 | Hiking in El Chaltén | El Chalten |
| Day 15 | Return to El Calafate, Fly to Buenos Aires & Depart |
This 15-day trip combines outdoor attractions around Chile and Argentina's spectacular far south, also known as Patagonia. You'll start with penguins, horses, and glaciers before entering Torres del Paine National Park for three days of guided tours. Then head across the border for Los Glaciares National Park, where you'll go ice trekking and partake in several jaw-dropping trails near Mount Fitz Roy. Read more
How to travel between Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate & El Chaltén
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
How to get to Santiago de Chile
Santiago is one of the most visited cities in Chile and 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