Patagonia: Chile & Argentina
The definitive Patagonia crossing: Torres del Paine's granite spires and the W Trek in Chile, the thundering Perito Moreno glacier and Fitz Roy trekking in Argentina - linked by overland border crossings through some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth.
9–18 days · Point-to-point
When to go
- bookingTorres del Paine refugios and campsites (Oct - Mar) — EcoCamp, Refugio Grey, and the main W Trek huts sell out 3-6 months in advance for peak season (Dec - Feb); book as soon as your dates are fixed
- WeatherPatagonian wind season (Dec - Feb) — Ferocious westerly gusts (80-120 km/h) are most intense at the height of summer; Nov and Mar have better trekking conditions and fewer crowds
Patagonia is where the planet runs out of road - and nearly out of continent. The classic circuit crosses from Chile into Argentina twice, linking the granite towers of Torres del Paine with Perito Moreno's calving ice walls and Fitz Roy's jagged skyline above El Chaltén. It's a trip built around big days on trail and bigger landscapes, with overland border crossings that feel like genuine expedition. Twelve days is the sweet spot: enough for the full W Trek plus the glacier and Fitz Roy without the pace killing the experience.
This route's vibe
What you get across the whole trip, blended from each stop's strengths.
Stop by stop
The route
Adjust trip length, budget, and travel style — the stops, transport, and cost update to match.
- 1
Puerto Natales
1 nightThe compact gateway town for Torres del Paine: gear up, book any remaining park permits, and acclimatise to Patagonian time. The Milodón Cave is worth a half-day detour.
Full guide coming soon for this stop.
Getting there· ~108 kmBusRecommendedRegular minibus transfers run from Puerto Natales to the park entrance (Portería Sarmiento) and on to the main trekking trailheads in 2-3 hours; most accommodation books seats the night before.
Book: Bus-Sur / Turismo Zaahj / hotel desk — Services are time-tabled around park opening hours; confirm your trailhead stop in advance - buses don't always stop at every point on request
Book busesCarRenting a car gives flexibility to reach the park at dawn ahead of the buses and explore the northern sector - roads are gravel and passable in standard 2WD.
Book: Europcar / Hertz Puerto Natales — Rental companies don't always allow cross-border drops; verify before booking if you plan to continue into Argentina by car
- 2
Torres del Paine
4 nightsThe centrepiece of the trip: the W Trek covers the Las Torres lookout, the Valle del Francés hanging glacier cirque, and the Grey Glacier in 4-5 days. Even a single-day hike to the base of the towers earns its place on any bucket list.
Skip / overrated: The full O Trek adds 4 extra days for a back-circuit that most non-dedicated trekkers find repetitive - stick to the W unless you have time and thighs to spare.
View Torres del Paine guide→Getting there· ~53 kmBorder crossingBusRecommendedCross-border buses run via the Cancha Carrera - Cerro Castillo border post (CL→AR), continuing to El Calafate where Perito Moreno day-tours depart. Journey is roughly 4-5 hours including the border stop.
Book: Bus-Sur / Cootra (cross-border buses) — Carry your passport and any required entry declarations; the border post closes in the evening - early departures avoid queues and give you more time at the glacier
Book busesCarPossible but rental cross-border permissions are required and not always granted - confirm with the rental agency before committing.
- 3
Perito Moreno Glacier
1 nightThe only major advancing glacier in Patagonia - 250 km² of blue ice calving spectacularly into Lago Argentino from boardwalk viewpoints. A half-day at the walkways is all you need; add an ice-trek for something unforgettable.
View Perito Moreno Glacier guide→Getting there· ~131 kmBusRecommendedRegular buses run El Calafate → El Chaltén in about 3 hours on a paved road through steppe; most services are timed to afternoon arrivals.
Book: Chaltén Travel / TAQSA — El Chaltén has no ATM that reliably accepts foreign cards - withdraw cash in El Calafate before you go
Book busesCarA rental from El Calafate gives flexibility to stop at Lago Viedma viewpoints and arrive at your own pace - fully paved and straightforward.
- 4
El Chaltén & El Calafate
3 nightsArgentina's trekking capital at the foot of the Fitz Roy massif: the Laguna de los Tres hike delivers one of Patagonia's most iconic views. El Calafate (90 min south) is the practical base for flights out.
View El Chaltén & El Calafate guide→
Lodging + daily spend only — excludes flights & intercity transport. Partial: some stops lack cost data.
What to skip
Punta Arenas makes a serviceable transit hub but rarely justifies more than a night. Unless you're arriving by cruise ship or have time to kill, pass through and get straight to Puerto Natales. Similarly, resist adding a quick Santiago stop at the beginning - the exhausting multi-hour flight to the far south already makes this a big trip; jet lag in Patagonia is unforgiving.
Practical tips
Book Torres del Paine refugios the moment your flights are confirmed - six months out is not too early for peak months. Carry layers you can shed: Patagonian weather can produce four seasons in one afternoon. The Argentine peso situation changes fast; carry some USD for the black market rate in restaurants and accommodation, but confirm the current norm closer to your trip.
Best for
Common questions
Do I need to cross the border between Chile and Argentina?
Yes - that's what makes this a true Patagonia circuit. The main crossing is between Torres del Paine (CL) and El Calafate (AR) via the Cancha Carrera - Cerro Castillo border post, which cross-border buses use routinely. Most Western passport holders need no visa for either country. Carry your passport and any required immigration cards at the crossing.
What's the difference between Torres del Paine and El Chaltén for trekking?
Torres del Paine is more famous, more structured, and more expensive - a permit and refugio system channels hikers through the W or O circuits. El Chaltén is wilder and freer: Argentina's trekking capital has no entry fees, open trails, and free campsites. Most trekkers find El Chaltén the more soulful experience precisely because it's less managed.
Should I add Ushuaia?
Only if you have 15-18 days and a genuine interest in 'end of the world' bragging rights. Ushuaia is genuinely scenic - Tierra del Fuego National Park and the Beagle Channel boat trips are excellent - but the overland journey from El Chaltén is punishingly long. Fly (El Calafate → Ushuaia, ~1 hour) or skip it; don't bus it.