For most travelers, 10 to 15 days is the perfect amount of time for a Chile trip, with stops in Santiago and Patagonia's Torres del Paine, El Calafate, and El Chaltén. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can hit the highlights in a week to nine days. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some favorite itinerary extensions include Punta Arenas and Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires.

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

Explore the trails near Argentina's El Chaltén
Explore the trails near Argentina's El Chaltén
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

Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia
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

Plan your trip to Chile
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Extended Itineraries

2-Week Itinerary Including Buenos Aires

Patagonia
A view of the iconic jagged peaks of Cerro Torre across Laguna Torre from El Chaltén
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

Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia
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

Map

Map of Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate & El Chaltén: Best Itinerary Ideas
Map of Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate & El Chaltén: Best Itinerary Ideas