The Ultimate Patagonia Itinerary

Patagonia. The name alone conjures visions of jagged peaks, vast ice fields, turquoise lakes, and windswept plains. Stretching across the southernmost reaches of Argentina and Chile, this remote wilderness is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring travel destinations. If you’ve ever dreamed of tracing the spine of the Andes, standing before the ice wall of Perito Moreno Glacier, or riding horseback with local baqueanos, this Patagonia itinerary is your ticket to the adventure of a lifetime. This 12-day Heart of Patagonia tour is designed to make the most of your days in Patagonia without sacrificing comfort or authentic cultural encounters. From the lively streets of Buenos Aires to the granite towers of Torres del Paine and the ice-blue waters of Grey Glacier, these are the most spectacular Patagonia attractions in one seamless trip.

See the tour: Heart of Patagonia

Day 1: Touchdown in Santiago, Chile

Arrive at Santiago International Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Chile’s vibrant capital sits between the snowcapped Andes and the Pacific Ocean, blending old-world charm with modern energy.

In the evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow guests over a welcome dinner — your first taste of South America’s warmth and hospitality.

Day 2: Sights of Santiago & MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

Discover Santiago in the company of your Local Expert, tracing Chile’s history through its neoclassical avenues and landmark sites. Step inside the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral – rebuilt multiple times after earthquakes – and admire its enduring role in the nation’s spiritual and civic life. Wander the lively Central Market, famous for its ornate wrought-iron architecture and fresh seafood stalls, before heading to San Cristóbal Hill for sweeping views over the city. Once a sacred site for the Indigenous Mapuche people, it is now crowned by the iconic Virgin Mary statue.

At Pueblito Los Dominicos, take part in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with artisans from southern Chile who keep the centuries-old craft of horsehair weaving alive. Learn how delicate strands are dyed, woven, and transformed into intricate designs, try your hand at the technique, and support a community preserving this rare tradition for future generations — a project contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Day 3: On to Puerto Natales

Fly to Punta Arenas, a port city once vital to Antarctic exploration, then travel across the Patagonian steppe to Puerto Natales. Nestled on the Seno Última Esperanza fjord, this quiet frontier town is your gateway to Chile’s wild south.

Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile; Remota Hotel, designed by German del Sol

Day 4: Fjords & Estancia Life at La Península

Sail across the glacier-fed waters of Última Esperanza Fjord to reach Estancia La Península, a working Patagonian ranch surrounded by dramatic southern landscapes. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed with warm sopaipillas – crispy fried pumpkin bread served with homemade jam – and a taste of local mate tea.

From here, you can choose how you’d like to explore:

• Saddle up for a horseback ride along trails once used by gauchos, taking in sweeping views of the fjord and steppe while learning about the region’s ranching traditions.

• Join guided day hikes through wetlands and evergreen forest, where a Local Expert will help you spot native bird species and reveal the unique ecosystems of this pristine wilderness.

Later, gather for a traditional slow-roasted lamb barbecue before watching skilled sheepdogs at work and seeing how sheep shearing has shaped rural life in Patagonia for generations.

Day 5: Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine

Travel through the Patagonian steppe toward Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where granite peaks, glacial rivers, and vast plains define the scenery. Along the way, enjoy photo stops capturing the park’s striking landscapes and rare wildlife.

As you arrive at Hotel Las Torres Patagonia, the backdrop shifts to towering granite spires and wind-swept grasslands. Once settled in, choose how you’d like to spend your afternoon:

• Meet the baqueanos – Patagonia’s skilled horsemen and guardians of ranching tradition. Many are descendants of horsemen who came to work the region over a century ago. Learn how to saddle a horse, fit a horseshoe, and even try a short ride before sharing a cup of yerba mate and stories of Patagonian culture.

• Join an immersive tour of the organic kitchens and garden at Reserva Cerro Paine, where bio-intensive farming preserves heirloom plant varieties and grows culinary and medicinal herbs sustainably in the shadow of the Torres.

Day 6: Exploring Torres del Paine National Park

Spend a full day exploring the contrasting landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve celebrated for its granite towers, turquoise lakes, and ever-changing Patagonian light. Stop at panoramic lookouts including Puente Negro, Nordenskjöld, Sarmiento, and Lake Pehoé, and feel the power of the Salto Grande waterfall. Along the way, learn how glaciers have shaped this dramatic terrain and discover the unique flora and fauna that call it home — from elusive pumas to flamingos wading in icy lagoons.

Pause midday for a gourmet al fresco lunch set against jagged peaks and sweeping steppe. Later, follow the trail along the southern shore of Lago Grey, where icebergs calve from the glacier and drift into the lake.

In the evening, enjoy a thoughtfully prepared dinner inspired by the flavours of Patagonia, crafted from fresh, regional ingredients. As the sun sets behind the dramatic skyline, savour a dining experience as unforgettable as the day’s landscapes.

Day 7: Crossing into Argentina – El Calafate

Journey from Chile to Argentina, watching the scenery change from jagged peaks to rolling steppe. Arrive in the frontier town of El Calafate, named after the native berry that, legend says, ensures your return to Patagonia. This lively small town is your gateway to Los Glaciares National Park.

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Day 8: Cruising Los Glaciares National Park

Embark on a full-day adventure in Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its vast ice fields and spectacular scenery. Board a boat on Argentino Lake and glide past towering icebergs en route to the Upsala Glacier, one of South America’s largest. Continue through the Spegazzini Channel to admire its dramatic namesake glacier — the tallest in the park — with sheer ice walls plunging into the water.

Disembark at Puesto de las Vacas for a guided walk through native lenga forest alongside your Travel Director, where you’ll learn about the unique ecology that thrives in this frozen wilderness. Back on board, savour a scenic lunch before approaching the northern face of Perito Moreno Glacier, a colossal wall of ice that creaks, groans, and occasionally calves into the lake in a thunderous display of nature’s power.

Day 9: Perito Moreno Glacier & Glaciarium Museum

Today, you’ll get up close to Patagonia’s most famous natural wonder — the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier. Begin with panoramic views from a series of elevated boardwalks, perfectly positioned to showcase the sheer scale of this 30-kilometre-long river of ice as it spills into Lake Argentino. Listen for the deep, echoing cracks that signal a calving event, when chunks of ice break away and crash into the water below — a rare spectacle of nature in motion.

Later, step inside the Glaciarium Patagonian Ice Museum, a state-of-the-art interpretive centre where interactive exhibits, immersive films and scale models reveal the formation, movement and fragility of these ancient ice masses. Here, a local glacier expert will share insights into how the Southern Patagonian Ice Field has shaped the landscape over millennia, and what its future may hold in the face of climate change. This fascinating encounter blends awe-inspiring scenery with thought-provoking science, deepening your connection to Patagonia’s wild heart.

Day 10: To Buenos Aires

Fly north from the untamed wilderness of Patagonia to Argentina’s vibrant capital, Buenos Aires. As the glaciers, rugged peaks and open steppe fade from view, the scene transforms into leafy boulevards lined with elegant mansions, grand European-style architecture, and the lively pulse of urban life. This striking change of pace is a reminder of Argentina’s extraordinary diversity — where wild frontiers and sophisticated cityscapes exist in perfect contrast.

Day 11: Buenos Aires City Tour & Tango Farewell

Discover the soul of Buenos Aires on a city tour that peels back the layers of its history and culture. Travel along the grand Avenida 9 de Julio, passing the world-famous Teatro Colón, before arriving at Plaza de Mayo. Here, see the iconic Casa Rosada — the “Pink House” — where leaders like Eva Perón once addressed the nation from its balcony. Step inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, final resting place of independence hero General San Martín and former seat of Pope Francis during his time as Archbishop.

Wander through the vibrant, mural-lined streets of La Boca, soak in the leafy elegance of Palermo, and stroll Recoleta Cemetery, where ornate mausoleums honor Argentina’s most notable figures, including Eva Perón herself.

That evening, close your South American adventure in true Argentine style at El Viejo Almacén in San Telmo — one of the city’s oldest and most beloved tango venues. Over a traditional dinner and a passionate tango performance, you’ll experience the rhythm, romance, and living cultural heartbeat of Buenos Aires.

Day 12: Departure from Buenos Aires

How many days do you need for Patagonia?

To explore both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia comfortably, 10–12 days in Patagonia is ideal. This allows plenty of time for Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares, and cultural experiences without feeling rushed.

Which month is good to visit Patagonia?

The best time to visit Patagonia is between October and March, when days are longer and temperatures milder. For fewer crowds, aim for October–November or March.

Where is Patagonia located?

Patagonia spans the southernmost parts of Chile and Argentina, divided by the Andes Mountains and covering over a million square kilometers.

What is Patagonia famous for?

Patagonia is famous for its wild beauty — glaciers like Perito Moreno, jagged peaks like Cerro Paine, wildlife including guanacos and condors, and the rich traditions of its Indigenous and settler communities. There are so many things to do in Patagonia, like glacier walks, day hikes, wild camping, horseback riding, boat trips, cave exploring and more.

Patagonia is more than a destination. It’s a feeling. It’s the rush of wind on a mountaintop, the stillness of a glacier lake at dawn, the warmth of a shared meal in a remote small town. With a well-planned Patagonia itinerary, you can capture all of this and more.

Ready to see it for yourself? Discover the Heart of Patagonia tour and start planning your adventure today.