Patagonia 10-Day Trip: Discover Its Most Stunning Landscapes

4.9 (7 Reviews)
El Calafate - El Chaltén - Ushuaia
From: EUR 0
4.9
(7 reviews)
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Duration

10 Days

Departures

Full Day

Group Size

Independent

Languages

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Description

A 10-Day Trip to Patagonia that proposes a complete experience in Calafate, Chaltén and Ushuaia, the south of Argentina. See Glaciers, Enjoy the best hiking to the Fitz Roy and navigate the Beagle Channel. On this trip you will be able to enjoy the diversity of landscapes of the region and the different and complementary attractions that will make your trip a unique tour around this part of the world.

During this 10 days in Patagonia, you will be able to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, Visit the National Capital of Trekking and visit the southernmost city of the continent. You will experience a unique circuit and live an adventure you won’t forget.

Highlights

  • Incredible landscapes of Patagonia in 10 days
  • Enjoy the best views of Perito Moreno Glacier!
  • Amazing off road experience in Ushuaia on 4x4 trucks!
  • Discover the wilderness of the southern-most territory in South América

Included/Excluded

  • 9 nights accommodation with breakfast
  • Airpot transfers in and out.
  • Day tour to Perito Moreno Glacier in Calafate
  • Free time for Trekking to Fitz Roy and Torre in El Chaltén
  • Trekking to Esmeralda Lagoon in Ushuaia
  • 4x4 Experience in Ushuaia
  • International or Domestic flights
  • Meals except of shown in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to National Parks, Natural reserves or museums.

Itinerary

<span>Day 1</span>Arrive in El Calafate

The 10 day Patagonia trip to the Surprising Patagonia, begins at your arrival at the airport or bus terminal. Upon arrival our guide will pick you up at the airport and accompany you to your chosen hotel. This afternoon is free for activities on your own. Among the places to visit, we recommend you to visit the Historical Interpretation Centre of El Calafate, have a coffee or an aperitif by the Nímez Bay and enjoy the views over the Argentino Lake.

<span>Day 2</span>El Calafate - Visit to Perito Moreno Glacier

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning excursion to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. Throughout the day in Los Glaciares National Park, you will have the best panoramic views of the Glacier walking the walkways of La Costa, El Bosque, Inferior and Medio. We recommend as an optional short sail on Lake Argentino and if you are an active traveller, replace this excursion for a trekking on the Glacier. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

<span>Day 3</span>Travel from El Calafate to El Chaltén

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning you will take a bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén for approximately 4 hours. El Chaltén is a small and very picturesque village, located in the Cordillera de los Andes, at the foot of the mountain. There you will find the entrance to the trails for some of the best hiking circuits in the country. In the afternoon we recommend visiting the Chorrillo del Salto and enjoying a craft beer in the bars of the village, where the atmosphere and the energy generated by the climbers is simply magical.

<span>Day 6</span>Travel from El Chaltén to El Calafate

From El Chaltén to El Calafate Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in El Chaltén. In the afternoon, you will take the bus back to El Calafate to continue your trip in Patagonia. Overnight in El Calafate.

<span>Day 7</span>Fly from El Calafate to Ushuaia

Breakfast at the hotel. At the appropriate time our guide will pick you up at the hotel to accompany you to El Calafate airport for your flight to Ushuaia. Upon arrival at the airport in Tierra del Fuego, our guide will accompany you to the hotel in this new city. Ushuaia, the southernmost city of the continent, is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel. This afternoon you can take the opportunity to walk along the waterfront and if you want to extend the tour a little more, it is a good option to walk around Encerrada Bay and its Natural Reserve. Accommodation in Ushuaia. ** As an optional, we suggest you to hire a navigation through the waters of the Beagle Channel. Among the various options, we recommend visiting Martillo Island to observe a natural reserve of penguins. **

<span>Day 8</span>Ushuaia - Hiking day to Esmeralda Lagoon

This day we will visit the Emeralda Lagoon. We will start with a beautiful hike on the island of Tierra del Fuego. This is a moderate hike that will take us through wonderful landscapes shaped by the Fuegian Forest and the typical vegetation of the area. In addition, the incredible views offered by the hills of the place will give the ideal frame to enjoy the day with landscapes of mountains and glaciers around. This hike takes approximately 6 hours. On the way back you will have time to continue enjoying the beauty of Ushuaia.

<span>Day 9</span> Ushuaia - Off Road experience, 4x4 and Canoeing

We will start our 4WD adventure on our way to Lake Fagnano, one of the largest and most important lakes in Argentina. Throughout this 4WD excursion, we will cross the Fuegian Forest on a circuit specially designed for this activity, with obstacles and terrain that can only be accessed by adapted vehicles. Finally we will reach the shores of the lake and the post where we will stop for rest and lunch. There we will enjoy a delicious traditional barbecue in a totally warm and informal atmosphere and in the afternoon, depending on the weather, you can enjoy a short canoe ride. Return to Ushuaia in the afternoon.

<span>Day 10</span> Ushuaia - End of the trip.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for optional activities. At appropriate time you will be escorted by our guide to the airport for your next flight. End of the itinerary. We invite you to continue choosing itineraries in Argentina and continue combining this itinerary with any other destination of your choice, continue browsing our site to extend your trip.

Destinations

Patagonia
Arg 10 Day
Arg Adventure
Arg Hiking
Chaltén 3 days
Chaltén Hiking
El Calafate
El Chaltén
Fte 3 Days
Fte Perito Moreno
Multi-Destination
Pat Adventure
Pat from Buenos Aires
Pat from Calafate
Pat from Ushuaia
Pat hiking
Type of Trip
Ush 3 Days
Ush 4 Days
Ush Adventure
Ush Hiking
Ushuaia

Frequently asked questions

Flights are not included in the cost of the travel package. However, we understand the importance of providing a seamless travel experience, and our team is happy to assist you in obtaining flight quotes. Simply let us know your departure city and preferred travel dates, and we will gladly provide you with a competitive airfare quote to complement your vacation package.

While 10 days is a relatively short amount of time to fully explore the vast and diverse region of Patagonia, it is the perfect time to experience some of its highlights. With careful planning, you can visit a few key destinations, such as Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. You may also be able to fit in some popular activities like hiking, wildlife watching, and glacier exploration. If you'd like to make the most of your time in Patagonia, you may consider extending your trip to include a visit to the stunning Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. This park is known for its iconic granite towers, vibrant blue lakes, and diverse wildlife. Adding a few extra days for this extension would allow you to further immerse yourself in the beauty of Patagonia and make your journey even more memorable.

This trip includes accommodation in El Calafate, El Chaltén and Ushuaia. The starting from price shown includes accommodation in hostels, but you can ask for upgrades to Inn, Superior and Luxury hotels. The hotels included in this package by default are: Calafate Hostel, Rancho Grande and Los Cormoranes.

Ten days is the ideal amount of time to explore southern Argentina at a relaxed pace and in depth. This itinerary connects three iconic destinations—El Calafate, El Chaltén, and Ushuaia—offering the most complete experience of Argentine Patagonia: ancient glaciers, world-class trekking, and the mystique of the end of the world.

With 10 days in Patagonia, you’ll have enough time to hike to the base of Mount Fitz Roy, witness the advancing Perito Moreno Glacier from the walkways, and navigate the Beagle Channel while spotting sea lions and southern seabirds. Unlike shorter itineraries of 4 or 5 days, a 10-day trip allows you to include optional excursions, adapt to the region’s changing weather, and fully enjoy each destination without the pressure of constant transfers.

Additionally, spreading the journey over nearly two weeks allows for more flexible scheduling of internal flights between El Calafate and Ushuaia, often resulting in better fares and less logistical stress.

When traveling through southern Argentina over 10 days, you’ll encounter some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes on Earth. Here are the must-sees at each stop:

El Calafate (Days 1–4)

Gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, El Calafate is the starting point of this itinerary. Highlights include:

  • Perito Moreno Glacier: the most accessible glacier in the world. Walkways allow you to admire its 60-meter-high ice front and, with some luck, witness ice calving in real time.
  • Navigation on the Northern Arm: a catamaran journey to see Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers from the water, surrounded by blue icebergs.
  • Patagonian estancias: visiting a ranch offers insight into rural life, traditional lamb barbecue (asado), and the region’s ranching history.

El Chaltén (Days 4–7)

Known as Argentina’s Trekking Capital, El Chaltén offers hiking routes for all levels:

  • Laguna de los Tres & Fitz Roy: the flagship hike (approx. 10 hours round trip). Reward: a turquoise lagoon at the foot of one of the most photogenic peaks in the Andes.
  • Laguna Torre & Cerro Torre: a full-day hike with views of Cerro Torre and its hanging glacier. Less demanding, equally spectacular.
  • Condor Viewpoint: a short walk ideal for your first or last afternoon, offering panoramic views of the valley and Lake Viedma.

Ushuaia (Days 7–10)

The southernmost city in the Americas combines nature, history, and adventure:

  • Beagle Channel: navigation to spot sea lions, cormorants, and the iconic Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse.
  • Tierra del Fuego National Park: lenga forests, peat bogs, and Lapataia Bay—the end of Route 3. Ideal for gentle hikes.
  • Laguna Esmeralda: a moderate trek through forest and peatlands to a stunning emerald-colored lagoon.
  • 4x4 off-road experience: an adventure through remote valleys and mountains beyond conventional tourist routes.

Patagonia’s climate is variable year-round, but the best time for this 10-day itinerary is from October to April, depending on your preferences:

Season Months Climate & Temperatures Ideal for
High (summer) December–February Long days (up to 17h daylight). 5°C to 20°C. Moderate to strong winds. Trekking in El Chaltén, all excursions available. More crowds and higher prices.
Mid-high October–November & March–April 2°C to 15°C. Less wind. Autumn colors in forests. Best value for money. Fewer tourists, spectacular landscapes. Some trails may close.
Low (winter) May–September Very cold (-5°C to 5°C). Short days. Frequent snow. Skiing in Ushuaia (Cerro Castor). Many excursions closed in El Chaltén. Not recommended for this itinerary.

Our recommendation: For the best balance between good weather, fewer crowds, and reasonable prices, October–November and March are the optimal months.

Understanding distances and transport options is key when planning a 10-day Patagonia trip:

Buenos Aires → El Calafate

Flight duration: ~3h 15min. Airlines: Aerolíneas Argentinas, FlyBondi, JetSmart.
Book 2–3 months in advance, especially in high season.

El Calafate → El Chaltén

Distance: 220 km (3h by bus or private transfer).
Scenic drive through Patagonian steppe with Fitz Roy gradually appearing on the horizon.

El Chaltén → Ushuaia

No direct flights. Return to El Calafate (3h), then fly to Ushuaia (1h 15min).
Alternative via Chile is longer and only makes sense if including Torres del Paine.

Ushuaia → Buenos Aires

Flight duration: ~3h 30min.
Recommended: afternoon departure to enjoy your last morning.

Transfer summary

Route Transport Duration Distance
Buenos Aires → El Calafate Flight 3h 15min 2,100 km
El Calafate → El Chaltén Bus/transfer 3h 220 km
El Chaltén → El Calafate Bus/transfer 3h 220 km
El Calafate → Ushuaia Flight 1h 15min 900 km
Ushuaia → Buenos Aires Flight 3h 30min 2,400 km

 

Patagonia’s weather is unpredictable—sun, rain, and snow can occur in a single day. Layering is essential.

Clothing

  • Waterproof trekking boots (broken-in)
  • Windproof and waterproof jacket
  • Thermal mid-layer (fleece or lightweight down)
  • Quick-dry technical shirts
  • Wind-resistant trekking pants
  • Hat, gloves, and neck buff (even in summer)
  • UV-protection sunglasses

Gear

  • 20–30L daypack with rain cover
  • Reusable water bottle (tap water in El Chaltén is drinkable)
  • SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm
  • Trekking poles (recommended)
  • Camera or smartphone (battery drains faster in cold)
  • Type I plug adapter (Argentina standard)

Costs vary depending on comfort level, season, and booking timing:

Category Standard Superior / Luxury
Internal flights (3 legs) €350–550 €350–550
Accommodation (9 nights) €600–1,000 €1,200–2,500
Excursions & activities €200–400 €500–900
Food & restaurants €250–400 €500–800
Transfers & local transport €100–200 €200–400
National park fees €50–80 €50–80
Total per person €1,550–2,630 €2,800–5,230

Note: Prices are indicative and exclude international flights.

Tour's Location

El Calafate - El Chaltén - Ushuaia

Reviews

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7 reviews on this Tour - Showing 1 to 3
Laura Thompson
10/21/2024

The perfect balance of nature and adventure

This was my first time in Patagonia, and it won’t be my last! The variety of activities, from trekking to exploring glaciers, kept things exciting every day. The guides were always friendly and informative, and I learned so much about the region. Thank you for an incredible experience!
Michael Brown
10/21/2024

Unforgettable Patagonia journey

Unforgettable Patagonia journey Content: From the Perito Moreno Glacier to the breathtaking hikes in El Chaltén, this trip was everything I hoped for and more. The guides were fantastic, making sure every day was well-organized and enjoyable. I especially loved the off-road adventure and canoeing in Ushuaia. Highly recommended!
Jessica Lee
10/21/2024

Great trip but room for improvement

I absolutely loved the landscapes and the treks, but I think some of the hotels could have been better, especially in El Calafate. That being said, the guides were exceptional, and the experiences were top-notch. I would do this trip again in a heartbeat, just with slightly different accommodation.

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