Best of Patagonia Tour: 13 Days from El Calafate to Ushuaia

Today you set out on one of the most beloved trails in Argentine Patagonia: the route to Laguna Torre. The path weaves through lenga beech forests, over streams, and across open ridges before arriving at the glacial lagoon cradled at the foot of Cerro Torre — a needle of sheer rock and ice that has captivated mountaineers for generations. The reflections of the surrounding peaks in the turquoise water make this one of the most photogenic spots in all of Patagonia.

Duration: Full day, approx. 7–8 hours round trip.

Overnight in El Chaltén.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: Trails are well-marked and self-guided. A private guide is available at extra cost.

This is one of the finest day hikes in the world. The trail to Laguna de los Tres climbs through river valleys, crosses streams, and winds through ancient forests before the full panorama of Mount Fitz Roy opens up above the lagoon. The final ascent is steep, but the reward — the jagged red peaks of Fitz Roy reflected in the still water below — is worth every step. An optional short detour leads to Laguna Sucia, a rust-colored glacial lake just minutes from the summit viewpoint.

Duration: Full day, approx. 8–9 hours round trip.

Overnight in El Chaltén.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: Trails are well-marked and self-guided.

A private guide is available at extra cost.

A relaxed morning in El Chaltén gives you time for a final stroll through this charming mountain village before boarding the afternoon bus back to El Calafate. The 3-hour ride across the open steppe is a chance to decompress as the mountains fade behind you. Once back in El Calafate, the evening is yours — the town offers everything from Patagonian lamb and craft beers to calafate berry ice cream.

Transfer duration: Approx. 3 hours by shared bus.

Overnight in El Calafate.

Meals included: Breakfast.

No amount of photographs prepares you for the scale of Perito Moreno Glacier. Nearly 5 kilometers wide and rising 60 meters above the surface of Lake Argentino, this advancing wall of ice groans, cracks, and calves in real time as you watch from the network of walkways and viewing platforms. You'll also board a boat for a navigation cruise along the glacier's towering face — one of the most extraordinary experiences in South America.

Duration: Full day.

Overnight in El Calafate.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: National Park entrance fee.

This morning you make your way to the bus station for the overland crossing into Chile. The journey passes through sweeping green valleys framed by the Andes, offering a cinematic introduction to Chilean Patagonia. Upon arriving in Puerto Natales — the gateway town to Torres del Paine — the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town at your own pace.

Transfer duration: Approx. 5 hours by shared bus.

Overnight in Puerto Natales.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: Taxi to the bus terminal if needed.

This is the crown jewel of the journey. A full day inside Torres del Paine National Park unfolds across a landscape of granite towers, turquoise lakes, glaciers, and windswept grasslands where guanacos roam freely. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and voted one of the world's eight natural wonders, this is a place that leaves a lasting mark on every traveler who enters.

Duration: Full day. Overnight in Puerto Natales.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: National Park entrance fee.

Lunch is not included.

After breakfast, you board the bus for the journey to Punta Arenas, continuing your southward passage through Chilean Patagonia. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to explore this port city at the edge of the Strait of Magellan.

Transfer duration: Approx. 3–4 hours by shared bus.

Overnight in Punta Arenas.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: Taxi to the bus terminal if needed.

An early start marks the beginning of one of the most memorable travel days of the trip. You board a comfortable long-distance bus for a full-day crossing back into Argentina — a 12-hour journey across the Patagonian steppe, past Chilean gauchos and grazing sheep, until you reach the ferry crossing of the mythical Strait of Magellan. The 45-minute crossing leads you into Tierra del Fuego Island, and as the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia finally comes into view, the landscape transforms into snow-capped mountains and evergreen forests.

Transfer duration: Approx. 12 hours by comfortable bus including ferry crossing.

Overnight in Ushuaia.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: Optional flight from Torres del Paine area to Ushuaia available at extra cost.

Today you head into Tierra del Fuego National Park on a 10-hour, moderate-difficulty adventure. The park sits just 7.4 miles from the city and borders the shore of the Beagle Channel — the famous waterway sailed by Charles Darwin in 1833. From Ensenada Bay, four miles of coastal trail lead through native flora, wild fauna, and the ancient remains left by the Yamana people, the original inhabitants of this remote land.

Duration: Full day, approx. 10 hours.

Overnight in Ushuaia.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: National Park entrance fee.

This morning you set sail on the Beagle Channel, retracing the waters made famous by Charles Darwin's voyage of exploration. The navigation takes you past rocky islands inhabited by sea lions and cormorants, with views of the surrounding mountains rising steeply from the shore. It's a serene and unforgettable way to experience the geography of the world's southernmost city from the water.

Duration: Half day.

Overnight in Ushuaia.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: Lunch and personal expenses.

A free day in Ushuaia to explore at your own pace. The town is compact and easy to walk, with museums, seafood restaurants, local shops, and stunning views of the Beagle Channel from nearly every corner. The Prisoners' Museum and the Thematic Gallery of Fuegian History are both worth a visit for those curious about this city's fascinating past as a remote penal colony.

Overnight in Ushuaia.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Your driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to Ushuaia Airport for your onward flight. Thirteen days, two countries, three national parks, and one glacier that moves while you watch it — this is Patagonia at its most complete.

Transfer: Private driver to airport.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Not included: Flights.