How many days do you need in Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Puerto Natales & El Chaltén?
- Most travelers spend 12-15 days in Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Puerto Natales, and El Chaltén combined
- Visiting Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Puerto Natales, and El Chaltén in 11 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 16 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extension is Punta Arenas
How Many Days to Spend in Chile
Recommended Itineraries for Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Puerto Natales & El Chaltén
Recommended Itinerary for 12 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Puerto Natales, Free Time | Puerto Natales |
| Day 3 | Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine, W Trek (Day 1) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 4 | Hike Along Lago Nordenskjöld, W Trek (Day 2) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | Visit the French Valley, W Trek (Day 3) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 6 | Glacier Boat Cruise, W Trek (Day 4), Transfer to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 7 | Puerto Natales to El Calafate (Argentina), Explore | El Calafate |
| Day 8 | Perito Moreno Boat & Walking Tour, Transfer to El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 9 | Self-Guided Hiking in El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 10 | Self-Guided Hiking in El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 11 | Self-Guided Hiking & Navigation at Lago del Desierto | El Chaltén |
| Day 12 | Transfer to Buenos Aires via El Calafate, Depart |
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, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Viña del Mar & Valparaíso Excursion | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Fly to Punta Arenas, Transfer to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 4 | Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine, W Trek (Day 1) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | W Trek (Day 2), Refugio el Chileno to Refugio Los Cuernos | Torres del Paine |
| Day 6 | W Trek (Day 3), Los Cuernos to the French Valley | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | W Trek (Day 4), French Valley to Grey Glacier | Puerto Natales |
| Day 8 | Travel to El Calafate (Argentina) | El Calafate |
| Day 9 | Explore Los Glaciares National Park | El Calafate |
| Day 10 | Transfer to El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 11 | Self-Guided Hiking in El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 12 | Return to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 13 | Depart Santiago | Santiago |
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 multi-day hike that covers the furthest reaches of Torres del Paine. Then bus to Argentine Patagonia for ancient glaciers and the iconic Mount Fitz Roy. Kick off the adventure with two nights in Chile's capital for a dose of big-city culture. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 15 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Puerto Natales, Explore | Puerto Natales |
| Day 3 | Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine, W Trek (Day 1) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 4 | Hike Along Lago Nordenskjöld, W Trek (Day 2) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | Visit the French Valley, W Trek (Day 3) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 6 | Admire Grey Glacier, W Trek (Day 4) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales, W Trek (Day 5) | Puerto Natales |
| Day 8 | Relax and Explore in Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 9 | Puerto Natales to El Calafate (Argentina), Explore | El Calafate |
| Day 10 | Perito Moreno Boat & Walking Tour, Transfer to El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 11 | Self-Guided Hike to Laguna de los Tres | El Chaltén |
| Day 12 | Self-Guided Hike to Laguna Torre | El Chaltén |
| Day 13 | Self-Guided Hike to Loma Pliegue de Tumbado | El Chaltén |
| Day 14 | Self-Guided Hiking & Navigation at Lago del Desierto | El Chaltén |
| Day 15 | El Chaltén to El Calafate, Transfer to Buenos Aires, Depart |
Prepare for outdoor adventures as you embark on circuit treks and hikes around some of Patagonia's most scenic and rugged areas. After touring Chile's capital Santiago, you'll test yourself on the five-day W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. Then head north into Argentina to tour the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier before embarking on some of the most challenging self-guided hikes around El Chaltén. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
15-Day Itinerary Including Punta Arenas
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Fly to Punta Arenas & Self-Guided Tour | Punta Arenas |
| Day 3 | Magdalena Island & Marta Island Wildlife Tours | Punta Arenas |
| Day 4 | Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 5 | Patagonian Estancia Day Trip | Puerto Natales |
| Day 6 | Ultima Esperanza Sound & Rio Serrano Boat Tours | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | Torres del Paine Wildlife Tour | Torres del Paine |
| Day 8 | Hike to Base Torres | Puerto Natales |
| Day 9 | Boat Trip to Grey Glacier | Torres del Paine |
| Day 10 | Torres del Paine to El Calafate (Argentina) | El Calafate |
| Day 11 | Perito Moreno Glacier | El Calafate |
| Day 12 | El Calafate to El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 13 | Hike to Laguna de Los Tres | El Chaltén |
| Day 14 | Self-Guided Hiking in El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 15 | El Chaltén to El Calafate, Return to Buenos Aires, Depart | Buenos Aires |
This 15-day trip combines outdoor attractions around Chile and Argentina's spectacular far south, including Punta Arenas. 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, Puerto Natales & El Chaltén
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 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 Santiago
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 Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, and you'll often travel via one or both 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 Puerto Natales
Go 1,745 miles (2,800 km) south of lively Santiago, and you'll arrive in Puerto Natales—the gateway to Torres del Paine. The best way to make the trip is by plane, which is not only the fastest but often also the cheapest way to travel. Read more
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