Travel Guide · Chile & Argentina
Patagonia
Granite towers, advancing glaciers, and the end of the world. South America's last great wilderness.
At a Glance
Best Season
Nov – March
Ideal Duration
10–14 days
Budget
$$$–$$$$$
Vibe
Wild · Remote · Elemental
Fly Into
Punta Arenas (PUQ)
Currency
CLP / ARS
The Region
Why Patagonia Stays With You
Patagonia is the southernmost region of South America — a vast, wind-scoured wilderness shared between Chile and Argentina that stretches from the Andes to the Atlantic. It is one of the least populated and most dramatic landscapes on earth.
The centrepiece is Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia — 242,000 hectares of mountains, glaciers, lakes, and steppe that contain some of the finest trekking in the world. Across the border in Argentina, Los Glaciares National Park is home to the Perito Moreno Glacier and the jagged peaks of Mount Fitz Roy.
The best version of Patagonia is found on foot, in the early morning, when the light hits the Torres del Paine and the condors begin to circle. This guide will help you find that version — and sleep well while you do it.
Day by Day
A 10-Day Itinerary
Day 1–2
Arrive in Punta Arenas & Transfer to Torres del Paine
Fly into Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chile, and transfer to Torres del Paine National Park — a four-hour drive through the Patagonian steppe. The landscape changes dramatically as you approach the park: the flat grasslands give way to the jagged granite towers of the Paine massif. Check into your lodge and spend the first evening watching the light change on the mountains.
Day 3–4
The W Trek — First Sections
Begin the W Trek — the most famous hiking route in South America. Day three: the Valle del Francés, a hanging valley flanked by glaciers and condors. Day four: the Grey Glacier, a vast river of ice that calves directly into a turquoise lake. Both days are full hiking days — 6–8 hours — with extraordinary scenery throughout.
Day 5
The Torres — The Reason You Came
The final section of the W Trek: the hike to the base of the Torres del Paine — the three granite towers that give the park its name. Start before dawn to reach the mirador at sunrise, when the towers turn gold in the first light. This is one of the great moments in South American travel. Allow 8–10 hours for the round trip.
Day 6–7
El Calafate & Perito Moreno Glacier
Cross into Argentina and drive to El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world — a 5km-wide wall of ice that calves into Lago Argentino with thunderous regularity. Walk the boardwalks, take a boat to the face, or book a glacier trek on the ice itself.
Day 8–10
El Chaltén & Mount Fitz Roy
Drive north to El Chaltén, the trekking capital of Argentina, at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. The hike to Laguna de los Tres — the lake at the base of Fitz Roy — is one of the finest day hikes in the world. The mountain's jagged silhouette against the Patagonian sky is the image that defines the region.
Accommodation
Where to Stay
The lodge infrastructure has caught up with the landscape. You can now experience Patagonia's wilderness in genuine comfort.
Wilderness Lodges & Dome Camps
Torres del Paine, Patagonia
Luxury Lodge
explora Patagonia
The finest lodge in Patagonia, set on the shores of Lago Pehoé with views of the Torres del Paine massif. All-inclusive with guided excursions, exceptional food, and a spa. The guides are the best in the park.
Best for: The complete Patagonia experience
Geodesic Dome Camp
EcoCamp Patagonia
Geodesic domes on the edge of Torres del Paine, with panoramic views of the mountains. The most sustainable accommodation in the park — solar-powered, with a zero-waste kitchen and expert naturalist guides.
Best for: Eco-conscious travellers & stargazers
Private Villa Lodge
Awasi Patagonia
Fourteen private villas with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the steppe and the Torres. Each villa has a dedicated guide and vehicle — the most personalised way to explore the park.
Best for: Privacy seekers & serious hikers
Dining
Where to Eat
Patagonian lamb, king crab, and open-fire asado — the food is as elemental as the landscape.
Lamb, Crab & Open Fire
Puerto Natales
Noi Indigo Patagonia
The finest restaurant in the region, in a beautifully designed hotel in Puerto Natales. Chef Rodrigo Acuña's cooking draws on Patagonian ingredients — lamb, king crab, centolla, wild mushrooms — with a sophistication that surprises in this remote corner of the world.
Must order: The Patagonian lamb and the centolla crab
El Chaltén
La Mesita Grande
The best pizza in Patagonia — wood-fired, with local ingredients, in a warm and unpretentious dining room. After a day of hiking, this is exactly what you want. The lamb empanadas are exceptional.
Must order: The lamb empanadas and the house pizza
Los Glaciares
Estancia Cristina
A remote estancia accessible only by boat across Lago Argentino, serving traditional Argentine asado in a setting of extraordinary wilderness. The lamb is raised on the estancia and cooked over an open fire.
Must order: The whole roasted Patagonian lamb
Experiences
What to Do
The W Trek
Torres del Paine, Chile
The W Trek
The most famous hiking route in South America. Three to five days covering the Valle del Francés, the Grey Glacier, and the base of the Torres. Can be done as day hikes from a lodge.
Torres del Paine at Sunrise
The hike to the mirador at the base of the Torres. Start before dawn, arrive at sunrise. One of the great moments in South American travel.
Perito Moreno Glacier
One of the few advancing glaciers in the world. Walk the boardwalks, take a boat to the face, or trek on the ice itself. The calving is thunderous.
Mount Fitz Roy Hike
The hike to Laguna de los Tres at the base of Fitz Roy is one of the finest day hikes in the world. The mountain's silhouette against the Patagonian sky is unforgettable.
Condor Watching
The Andean condor — the largest flying bird in the world — is a constant presence in Torres del Paine. The Valle del Francés is the best place to see them soaring.
Kayaking the Fjords
The fjords of Chilean Patagonia are accessible by kayak from Puerto Natales. A full-day paddle through channels flanked by glaciers and forest.
Local Knowledge
Insider Tips
The weather in Patagonia is famously unpredictable — four seasons in one day is not a cliché. Pack layers, waterproofs, and windproofs regardless of the forecast.
Book explora Patagonia or Awasi at least six months ahead. The best lodges fill quickly for the November–March season.
The W Trek can be done as day hikes from a lodge — you do not need to camp. This is the most comfortable way to experience the park.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is best in the morning, when the light is on the ice face. Book the first boat of the day.
Allow at least ten days. Patagonia is vast — the distances between Torres del Paine, El Calafate, and El Chaltén require time.
Is It Right for You?
Who Patagonia Is For
Serious Hikers
Some of the finest trekking in the world. The W Trek, the Fitz Roy circuit, and the Valle del Francés are among the great walks on earth.
Wilderness Seekers
One of the last truly wild places on earth. The scale, the silence, and the absence of crowds are extraordinary.
Photographers
The Torres del Paine at sunrise, the Perito Moreno Glacier calving, condors over the Valle del Francés — Patagonia is one of the most photogenic places on earth.
Luxury Adventure Travellers
The lodge infrastructure has caught up with the landscape. You can now experience Patagonia's wilderness in genuine comfort.
Keep Exploring
More Travel Guides
From Kyoto to the Serengeti — every destination, covered in depth.