How many days do you need in Torres del Paine & El Calafate?
- Most travelers spend 6-10 days in Torres del Paine and El Calafate combined
- Visiting Torres del Paine and El Calafate in 4 or 5 days is possible but it will feel rushed
- With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are El Chaltén, Puerto Natales, and Santiago
How Many Days to Spend in Chile
Recommended Itineraries for Torres del Paine & El Calafate
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Puerto Natales (Chile), Explore | Puerto Natales |
| Day 2 | Enter Torres del Paine & Begin W Trek | Torres del Paine |
| Day 3 | Hike Along Lago Nordenskjöld to Refugio Cuernos | Torres del Paine |
| Day 4 | Visit the French Valley & Continue to Refugio Paine Grande | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | Admire Grey Glacier, Trek to Refugio Grey | Torres del Paine |
| Day 6 | Ice Hike on Grey Glacier & Boat Tour | Puerto Natales |
| Day 7 | Transfer to El Calafate (Argentina) & Visit the Glaciarium | El Calafate |
| Day 8 | Experience the Perito Moreno Glacier | El Calafate |
| Day 9 | Depart Patagonia |
Discover two of Patagonia's top highlights—Torres del Paine, often considered South America's finest national park, and Perito Moreno, one of the most famous glaciers in the world—on this thrilling nine-day trip. You'll spend the first week on the Chilean side, tackling the W Trek in Torres del Paine and embarking on an ice-hiking excursion. Then, cross the border to Argentina for a boat ride and tour in Los Glaciares National Park. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including El Chaltén
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly to Punta Arenas, Transfer to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 2 | Enter Torres del Paine & Begin W Trek (Day 1) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 3 | Hike Along Lago Nordenskjöld to Refugio Cuernos (Day 2) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 4 | Visit the French Valley & Continue to Refugio Paine Grande (Day 3) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | See Grey Glacier, Trek to Refugio Grey (Day 4), Return to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 6 | Bus to El Calafate (Argentina) | El Calafate |
| Day 7 | Experience the Perito Moreno Glacier, Bus to El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 8 | El Chaltén Day Hike to Laguna de los Tres | El Chaltén |
| Day 9 | Hike to Mirador Cerro Torre | El Chaltén |
| Day 10 | Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart |
Trek across Patagonia's glacial landscapes on this 10-day rugged journey through the UNESCO-listed Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks. Starting in the Chilean town of Puerto Natales, you'll follow the famous "W" circuit through Torres del Paine's soaring mountains before hopping over the border to Argentina. Spend a day in El Calafate to experience the towering ice walls of Perito Moreno, then base yourself in the village of El Chaltén to discover the vast glaciers and turquoise lakes of Los Glaciares. Read more
11-Day Itinerary Including Punta Arenas & El Chaltén
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago (Chile), Fly to Punta Arenas | Punta Arenas |
| Day 2 | Explore the Wildlife of the Magellan Strait | Punta Arenas |
| Day 3 | Bus to Puerto Natales, Explore | Puerto Natales |
| Day 4 | Enter Torres del Paine National Park, Hike to the Famous Granite Towers | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | Kayak Lago & Rio Grey, Return to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 6 | Bus to El Calafate (Argentina) | El Calafate |
| Day 7 | Experience the Perito Moreno Glacier, Bus to El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 8 | El Chaltén Day Hike to Laguna de los Tres | El Chaltén |
| Day 9 | Ice Trek at Cagliero Glacier | El Chaltén |
| Day 10 | Hike to Mirador Cerro Torre | El Chaltén |
| Day 11 | Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart |
This active 11-day itinerary combines Patagonia's most stunning landscapes with thrilling excursions to create a perfect tour for the adventurous at heart. Start in Chile, where you'll spot dolphins on the Magellan Strait, hike to the famous granite towers of Torres del Paine National Park, and kayak past icebergs on the beautiful Lago Grey. Hop over to Argentina to see the dramatic Perito Moreno Glacier by boat, hike to the magnificent Mount Fitz Roy, and go ice trekking in Los Glaciares National Park. Read more
How to travel between Torres del Paine & El Calafate
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 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
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