A One Week Patagonia highway journey Itinerary

Welcome to your One Week Patagonia highway journey Itinerary.

Perhaps it’s the distinctive freedom of the open highway with solely the mountains for firm, or maybe the huge vacancy of the panorama, however Patagonia seems like a world aside. Its attract to travellers is nothing new.

Ferdinand Magellan referred to as it the “land of giants” and Bruce Chatwin mused “Patagonia … is the farthest place to which man walked from his hometown.”   

It was a panorama I had seen 100 occasions on TV, in films, and in espresso desk journey books and had lengthy dreamed of visiting. Lastly, I achieved this with a pal in 2024 as we launched into a Patagonia highway journey.

Whereas sure itinerary stops had been greatest served with a tour reserving, it was completely possible, and significantly extra fulfilling and cost-effective, to do that independently.

If you happen to’re searching for the very best hikes in Patagonia, need to know the very best issues to do in Patagonia or are searching for a Patagonia highway journey itinerary… you’re in the correct place.

With an space so huge, there are actually hundreds of Patagonia highway journey itineraries doable.

If you happen to’re a first-time customer and trying to see three of essentially the most spectacular landscapes in Patagonia: Los Glaciares Nationwide Park and Glacier Pedro Moreno in Argentina and Torres del Paine in Chile, this Patagonia highway journey itinerary is for you. 

You’ll be immersed in Patagonia’s highlights, on either side of the border, with beautiful hikes and a style of its rugged magnificence.  

What You Have to Know

Patagonia is HUGE – bigger than France and Spain mixed to be precise. It stretches throughout southern Argentina and Chile (representing over half of each international locations’ land-mass), however incorporates lower than 5% of their respective populations.  The panorama is as numerous as it’s huge, providing mountains, forests, grassland and even the odd dormant volcano.  It additionally incorporates greater than a dozen nationwide parks, some as large as small European international locations. 

For this Patagonia highway journey itinerary, I like to recommend flying to El Calafate (c. 90 minutes from Buenos Aires) in Argentina and starting your itinerary there.   Automotive rent and bus connections are fast and simple from the airport. 

Getting Round Patagonia

·       El Calafate is effectively linked to different Argentinian airports with a number of flights a day from Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Rosario, Trelew and Cordoba.

·       Floor transportation at El Calafate is timed to coincide with incoming flights.  Most worldwide automobile rent corporations have a presence right here too – full record of companies and costs right here

·       While driving is the quickest and most handy method between El Calafate and El Chalten (c. 2hrs), as much as seven buses a day (journey time c. 3hrs) hyperlink the 2.

Getting between Argentina and Chile

·       There’s a each day bus between El Calafate and Puerto Natales (5–6 hours) departing at 8am.  Tickets may be bought on the terminal or on-line by way of Bus-Sur.  Full your Chilean Customs Affidavit type (obtainable on-line) upfront of journey.  Buses within the return course go away at 7.30am and three.30pm. 

·       Guidelines on cross-border automobile rental fluctuate by firm however all the time include an related price, along with the usual one-way price (usually c. $100 USD however test upfront).   You’d probably be higher off crossing by bus and choosing up a brand new rent automobile throughout the border.

Day 1: Arrival and Drive to El Chaltén

Our Patagonia highway journey started in El Calafate, an interesting city on the sting of Lago Argentino.  The airport is situated about 20km away from the city – we picked up our rent automobile right here and instantly set out for El Chaltén, 136 miles/220km away.

High Tip: Verify you’ve got a full tank of gas as there are subsequent to no amenities between the airport and El Chalten.

The journey is spectacular: rolling steppes, snow-capped peaks, and the turquoise expanse of Lago Viedma.  After a downpour, the solar hitting the freeway on the ultimate lengthy stretch of highway into El Chalten required pulling over for compulsory pictures and simply to breath within the air.

The Viedma Glacier viewpoint on the entrance to El Chaten supplied our first views of the long-lasting Fitz Roy massif because it rises dramatically from the horizon.  Enjoyable truth: If the view appears to be like someway acquainted, it’s probably as a result of it’s the emblem of Patagonia clothes.

As soon as in El Chaltén, we checked into Hostería El Puma (Lionel Terray 212), a comfortable retreat with a hearty breakfast (a lot wanted earlier than hitting the paths). As a bonus it’s additionally just about on the trailhead for the most well-liked hikes.  Dinner was at La Cervecería (Av. San Martín 320), an area favorite for its respectable alternatives of craft beers and wood-fired pizzas.  

High Tip: Remember resulting from its isolation, El Chalten is notably dearer than most different Argentine areas.  You’d be well-advised to refill in your path combine earlier than arriving.

Days 2 & 3: Hikes to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre

Path Overviews

Over the subsequent two days of our Patagonia highway journey itinerary, we accomplished each of the traditional trails round El Chalten.  I’d suggest beginning with Laguna de los Tres, because the tougher hike.

High Tip:  These are the most well-liked hikes out of El Chalten so begin early (by 8.30am in autumn, 7.30am in summer season) to take care of the relative serenity of the path. 

Laguna de los Tres trailhead begins lower than 100m from the lodge.  Seeing the solar rise over the hills and grassland and watching the colors change was a reminiscence I’ll always remember. 

The midsection of the path ranges out, provided an opportunity to catch our breath as we traversed the Rio Blanco Valley. Cease at Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint for a surprising facet view of this lesser-known glacier, framed completely in opposition to the rugged backdrop of the Andes.

The ultimate stretch is a steep, rocky ascent, gaining 400 meters in simply over a kilometer, which is hard however manageable – simply keep in mind the hiker’s mantra of ‘sluggish and regular’. As we crested the ridge, Laguna de los Tres got here into view.  Not for the final time in Patagonia, our jaw dropped as we noticed its glacial waters reflecting the towering Fitz Roy peaks. 

Day Three on the Patagonia highway journey was a hike to Laguna Torre. It was a extra leisurely, although equally scenic, expertise.  Taking a slower tempo, we had been in a position to respect the colourful foliage albeit the tip vacation spot, Cerro Torre, was shrouded in mist.   

As soon as again on the town after our first hike, we deal with ourselves to a steak or plate of empañadas at B Fitz Resto (Av. San Martín 599) which good points delivers hiker-friendly portion sizes and a top quality native crimson beer on draft.  Earlier than departing again to El Calafate, we grabbed a espresso and a few sugary goodness at La Wafleria (Av. San Martín 640).  

The sundown on the return drive induced but extra photographic cease offs and we even spied the native guanacos (a detailed relation to the alpaca) gracefully clearing the roadside fences. 

High Tip:  If you happen to’re dropping off your automobile at El Calafate airport, bear in mind that the shuttle bus into city ($11.000 ARS) coincides with arriving flights, which isn’t all the time useful.  Taxis outdoors the airport (there’s additionally a kiosk inside to e book) settle for playing cards and may value round $33.000 ARS.

Again in El Calafate, we stayed at Resort Picos del Sur (Puerto San Julian 271) which provided easy, comfy rooms and very good breakfasts (it’s possible you’ll spot a theme in what I worth in a lodge after I’m mountaineering!).

We dined at Isabel Cocina al Disco (Av. del Libertador 1349). Their stews, slow-cooked in cast-iron discs, had been the last word consolation meals after two days within the mountains.  I had my greatest evening’s sleep in years!

Prepared for day 4 of the Patagonia highway journey itinerary?

Day 4: Glaciar Perito Moreno

The Perito Moreno Glacier is without doubt one of the world’s most accessible and awe-inspiring ice fields. Entry is proscribed to a small variety of non-public operators.

Our selection was Hielo y Aventura, whose tour embrace transport from the lodge, lunch and the specialist gear we’d have to hike on the ice.  We selected the ‘Minitrekking’ tour, which allowed us a brief hike on the glacier itself.

A ship journey supplied close-up views of the glacier’s south face however nothing in comparison with the view as soon as I stood on the glacier itself (fortunately with correct crampons to cease me sliding to an icy doom!).

The ice beneath my toes glowed in additional shades of white and blue than I’d ever thought doable, punctuated by deep crevasses and crystalline swimming pools.  Our information whipped out a bottle of Argentina whiskey, served with 5,000 year-old ice as garnish – one hell of a celebration trick and a becoming strategy to toast this exceptional panorama.

This, for my part, is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Patagonia! A spotlight of our Patagonia highway journey itinerary!

The afternoon supplied an alternate view – by way of coach and strolling – above the glacier from the park’s boardwalks.  Returning to El Calafate by early night, we celebrated our last dinner in Argentina, at Morrison’s Restaurant(Puerto Deseado 22), a 5-minute stroll from the lodge.  The native lamb sorrentinos and goulash with gnocchi appeal to guests from everywhere in the globe and supplied a becoming farewell to Argentina.

Day 5: Onwards to Chile

Time to see the opposite facet of Patagonia with a journey throughout the border, beginning at 8am.  Our lodge organized a taxi for the quick switch to the bus station.  The journey is as scenic as we’d anticipated and the border crossing was noteable just for its remoteness, being actually a home in the course of nowhere.

High Tip: Full your Chilean Customs Affidavit type (obtainable on-line) upfront of journey.  The bus firm will need to see this earlier than issuing your ‘official’ ticket, which you’ll want even in case you’ve already purchased on-line.

High Tip: Upon arrival, you’ll be given a ‘PDI’ (entry) type to maintain till you allow Chile.  Retailer it someplace secure until you desire a world of bureaucratic ache!

Puerto Natales, our vacation spot, was 5-6 hours away so get comfy!  As soon as a hub for sheep farming, it’s now extra well-known because the gateway to Torres del Paine nationwide park.  We stayed at Resort Baquedano (Baquedano 570) a 10-minute stroll to the city centre and spent a relaxed afternoon strolling alongside the engaging waterfront and visiting the Municipal Historic Museum, which showcases the city’s historical past and indigenous heritage. For dinner, we vastly loved Santolla (Blanco Encalada 282), the place native king crab was the star of the menu.

High Tip: Chile is an hour behind Argentina however since you’re so near the border, telephones and smartwatches are liable to not decide up the time change.  For early begins to Torres del Paine, you might have considered trying a wake-up name, fairly than being roused by the lodge proprietor to advise that your driver has arrived and is ready impatiently…simply saying… 

Days 6 & 7:  Torres del Paine: Base of the Towers and Laguna Gray

Path Overviews

Torres del Paine is Patagonia’s different blockbuster Nationwide Park. It’s about 2hrs from Puerto Natales to the park gates (lodging nearer the park is scarce and costly) and so requires each an early begin and just a little extra planning.  

We used Viator to e book a driver and information.  You too can rent a automobile from Puerto Natales airport.  Both method, we knew we would have liked to go away city by 6.30am newest.   

High Tip: It can save you your self time on the entrance to the park by shopping for the Nationwide Park allow (CLP 31,200, legitimate for as much as three days) right here.  

Base Towers is the view we’d seen in each Instagram tag of Torres del Paine.  We started this hike because the daybreak breaks from the Welcome Heart (bathrooms and water obtainable), with a pack of untamed horses forming one thing of an honour guard.   The ascent by way of the Ascencio Valley and alongside the Torres River in all fairness light with a hostel about midway up providing toilet and water stops.  

The ultimate part is a difficult steep rocky moraine that separated us from the towers themselves.  It took us an hour to navigate the ultimate mile to the summit, ‘sluggish and regular’ once more being the watchword. 

As soon as we crested the ridge, the Base Towers got here into view: three granite spires mirrored in a turquoise lagoon.  If there are higher views for a packed lunch on this planet, I’m but to seek out them.

After a difficult descent down the moraine, the remaining hike again is a delight, notably the ultimate third by way of the Ascencio valley.  It’s a protracted day however price each single minute hiked, view photographed and calorie burnt!

The next day of our Patagonia highway journey, we returned to Torres del Paine however for a way more leisurely stroll.  The path to Laguna Gray begins close to Gray Lodge and took us by way of largely level-grounded forests earlier than transitioning to light hills.  Halfway, the path ascends barely, providing sweeping views of Laguna Gray and the Gray Glacier past. Icebergs float serenely on the lagoon, their luminous blues contrasting in opposition to the darkish waters. 

On the way in which again to Puerto Natales, we took a pitstop on the Cuevas de Milodon (Milodon Caves), named after the prehistoric large sloth as soon as endemic to this area.  The caves themselves make for an fascinating stroll with the views (in case extra had been wanted) of the encircling panorama notably spectacular.

We weren’t again at Puerto Natales till after darkish each days, so we picked dinner spots with late closing occasions.  Entre Pampa y Mar (Arturo Prat 379) was our favorite with the native guanaco the star of the menu.  For our last evening in Patagonia, we additionally sampled a few Calafate Sours, a twist on the traditional pisco bitter however with the addition of calafate berries.   In line with native custom, sampling these berries (together with in cocktail type) ensures a return to Patagonia. 

Frankly, I used to be already wanting up return itineraries earlier than the second drink arrived!

Shifting On

Assuming you’re not extending your keep in Patagonia (let’s face it, in case you can, you must prolong your Patagonia highway journey), you’ve got three choices:

·       Air: Puerto Natales airport is tiny however practical with one each day flight (leaving early afternoon) to Santiago and season flights to Puerto Montt in Chilean Tierra del Fuego.   

·       Bus:  Retrace your steps to El Calafate: buses go away at 07.00 and 15.00 – purchase tickets at Busbud.

·       Automotive: The world is your Patagonian oyster!

Have you ever been on a Patagonia highway journey?

What are the very best issues to do in Patagonia in your opinion? Something you’d add to this Patagonia highway journey bucket record?

See extra of Phil’s adventures on Instagram right here