Patagonia Peaks & Starry Nights: Self-Launched Chile to Argentina

Arrive in Santiago at any time. Check into a well-rated hostel in the vibrant Barrio Italia or Bellavista neighbourhood. Spend the afternoon getting your bearings — wander the streets, grab a cheap empanada, and soak up the energy of Chile's capital. In the evening, head to a hostel bar or common room to meet fellow travellers kicking off their Patagonia adventure.

🚌Airport to city centre: Centropuerto bus to Pajaritos metro then onward (~£3 total)

🛏Hostel in Bellavista or Barrio Italia — e.g. La Chimba Hostel or Rado Hostel (~£18-22/night in dorm)

• →Self-guided walk through Barrio Bellavista and street art
• →Plaza de Armas and historic city centre exploration
• →Hostel social evening to meet other travellers

Spend the day exploring Santiago at your own pace. Take the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal for panoramic Andes views, browse the Mercado Central for fresh ceviche, or rent a bike and cycle through Parque Forestal. If you have time, book a day trip to Valparaíso via the local Turbus (~£8 return). In the evening, head to Terminal Alameda and board an overnight Turbus or Pullman Bus to Pucón (~£25-35, semi-cama reclining seat). A cama seat is worth the small upgrade for the 9-hour ride.

🚌Overnight Turbus/Pullman Bus Santiago → Pucón, ~9 hours (~£25-35)

🛏Overnight bus (semi-cama seat — counts as night's accommodation)

• →Cerro San Cristóbal funicular and viewpoint (£5)
• →Mercado Central lunch — fresh seafood (~£8)
• →Optional: day trip to Valparaíso by Turbus (~£8 return)
• →Overnight bus to Pucón via Terminal Alameda (~£25-35)

Roll into Pucón in the morning as the Lake District's adventure capital comes to life. Walk or grab a taxi from the bus terminal to your hostel (10 mins). Check in, freshen up, and then ease into the day at your own pace. Pucón sits on the shores of Lago Villarrica with the snow-capped Villarrica volcano as a backdrop — it's stunning even from the main street. In the afternoon, treat your bus-weary muscles to a soak at the nearby Termas Geométricas or the more affordable Los Pozones hot springs (~£10-15). Pick up groceries from the local supermarket for a cheap self-cooked dinner.

🚌Bus terminal to hostel: walk or local taxi (~£3)

🛏Hostel in Pucón — e.g. Hostel ¡École! or Chili Kiwi Lakeside Hostel (~£15-20/night dorm)

• →Arrive and settle into hostel
• →Soak at Los Pozones or Termas Los Pozones hot springs (~£10-15)
• →Lakeside walk along Lago Villarrica
• →Self-catered dinner from local supermarket

Today is your adventure day in Pucón. Choose your own challenge: the iconic Villarrica Volcano hike is a bucket-list ascent to the crater rim of an active volcano (~£60-70 including guide, crampons, and ice axe — mandatory guided ascent for safety). Book directly with local operators like Sol y Nieve or Politur. Alternatively, book a half-day white-water rafting trip on the Trancura River (~£25-30 via local operators or GetYourGuide) or rent a kayak on Lago Villarrica (~£15/half day). In the evening, grab dinner at one of Pucón's excellent cheap restaurants — try a local parrilla (grill).

🚌Local transport to activity start points (~£5)

🛏Hostel in Pucón (~£15-20/night dorm)

• →Option A: Villarrica Volcano guided hike to crater rim (~£60-70, book with Sol y Nieve or Politur)
• →Option B: White-water rafting on Trancura River (~£25-30)
• →Option C: Kayaking on Lago Villarrica (~£15/half day)
• →Evening parrilla dinner in town (~£10-12)

Grab breakfast at your hostel or a local café, then walk to Pucón's bus terminal and board a Turbus or Buses JAC service to Puerto Varas (~£10-14, roughly 3-4 hours with a change at Osorno or Puerto Montt). Puerto Varas is a charming German-influenced lakeside town on the shores of Lago Llanquihue, with the perfectly conical Osorno volcano looming across the water. Check into your hostel, stroll the lakefront promenade, and enjoy the town's famous kuchen (German-style cake) at a local café. In the evening, explore the colourful wooden architecture and grab dinner with lake views.

🚌Turbus or Buses JAC: Pucón → Puerto Varas ~3-4 hours (~£10-14)

🛏Hostel in Puerto Varas — e.g. Casa Azul Hostel or Compass del Sur (~£16-22/night dorm)

• →Bus Pucón → Puerto Varas (~£10-14)
• →Lakefront walk along Lago Llanquihue
• →Osorno volcano viewpoint photography
• →Traditional German-style kuchen at a local café (~£4)

Take a full day trip to Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales, Chile's oldest national park. Catch a local bus or minibus from Puerto Varas toward Petrohué (~£5-8 return) and spend the day hiking around the Petrohué waterfalls and exploring the emerald green Todos los Santos Lake. The views of Osorno volcano across the lake are absolutely world-class. Return to Puerto Varas by late afternoon and spend the evening exploring the town's craft beer bars or having a lakeside dinner.

🚌Local minibus Puerto Varas → Petrohué return (~£5-8)

🛏Hostel in Puerto Varas (~£16-22/night dorm)

• →Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park day trip (bus ~£5-8 return)
• →Petrohué waterfalls hike (park entry ~£6)
• →Todos los Santos Lake viewpoint
• →Optional: kayak or boat trip on Todos los Santos Lake (~£20-30)

Today is a big travel day south into deepest Patagonia. Book in advance: fly Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas with LATAM or JetSMART (~£60-100 if booked early), then take a Turbus or Bus Sur from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales (~£12-15, 3 hours). Alternatively, take an overnight bus all the way (~£35-45, ~24 hours) if you want to save money and have the time. Puerto Natales is the gateway town for Torres del Paine — stroll the waterfront, organise your park gear, buy snacks, and get an early night ahead of the trek.

🚌Flight Puerto Montt → Punta Arenas + bus to Puerto Natales (~£75-115 total)

🛏Hostel in Puerto Natales — e.g. Erratic Rock Hostel or Niko's Residencial (~£16-22/night dorm)

• →Fly Puerto Montt → Punta Arenas with LATAM/JetSMART (book early, ~£60-100)
• →Bus Punta Arenas → Puerto Natales (~£12-15)
• →Gear up and buy trekking supplies in Puerto Natales
• →Waterfront walk on Last Hope Sound (Seno Última Esperanza)

Use today to fully prepare for your Torres del Paine trek. Attend the famous free Erratic Rock Hostel 3pm trekking briefing — an unmissable resource for independent trekkers covering the W Trek route, gear, campsites, and CONAF reservations. Book your park entry and campsite reservations in advance at torres.cl (~£25-35 entry, campsites ~£8-20/night). Rent any missing gear from local outfitters. Stock up on trekking food from the supermarket. In the afternoon, wander the town's colourful streets and fuel up at a cheap local restaurant.

🚌Walking/local taxis within town

🛏Hostel in Puerto Natales (~£16-22/night dorm)

• →Free Erratic Rock Hostel trekking briefing (3pm daily — highly recommended)
• →Confirm CONAF park entry and campsite bookings online (torres.cl)
• →Gear rental from local outfitters if needed (~£15-25/day for full kit)
• →Supermarket food shop for trek (~£20-30 for 3 days)
• →Milodon Cave optional day trip (~£20 including transport)

Catch the early morning bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine park entrance (~£12-15 return, departs ~7:30am via Bus Sur or Buses JB). Enter the park and hike to the iconic Base de las Torres viewpoint — the crown jewel of Patagonia. The return hike from Refugio Las Torres is ~18km and takes 7-9 hours with significant elevation gain. The final boulder scramble to the glacial lake and the three soaring granite towers is unforgettable. Camp at Camping Las Torres or Torres Central (~£8-15/night).

🚌Bus Puerto Natales → park entrance (~£12-15)

🛏Camping Las Torres or Torres Central campsite (~£8-15/night, pre-book at torres.cl)

• →Bus Puerto Natales → Torres del Paine (~£12-15)
• →Hike to Base de las Torres viewpoint (~18km return, 7-9 hours)
• →Park entry (pre-booked via torres.cl, ~£25-35)
• →Camp at Camping Las Torres or Torres Central (~£8-15)

Continue the W Trek with one of Patagonia's most dramatic hiking days: Valle del Francés (French Valley). Hike from Camping Las Torres toward Refugio Los Cuernos and then up into the valley — a glacially carved amphitheatre surrounded by hanging glaciers, condors, and the iconic Cuernos del Paine peaks. The out-and-back to Mirador Británico and back takes around 7-8 hours. Camp at Camping Francés or Los Cuernos (~£8-15/night). Cook your pre-bought trail food on camp stoves.

🚌Hiking between campsites within the park

🛏Camping Francés or Los Cuernos campsite (~£8-15/night, pre-book)

• →W Trek: hike Valle del Francés to Mirador Británico (~7-8 hours)
• →Condor spotting in the valley
• →Views of Cuernos del Paine and hanging glaciers
• →Self-catered camp dinner

The final leg of the W Trek takes you west to the breathtaking Grey Glacier — a massive river of blue ice flowing into Lago Grey. Hike from Refugio Paine Grande to Mirador Grey and back (~10km, 4-5 hours), with views of icebergs floating in the turquoise lake. Optional: book a kayaking excursion among the icebergs directly with Grey Glacier operators (~£40-50). In the afternoon, catch the catamaran back across Lago Grey to Refugio Paine Grande (~£25-30), then the afternoon bus back to Puerto Natales.

🚌Catamaran Lago Grey + bus Puerto Natales (~£37-45 total)

🛏Hostel in Puerto Natales (~£16-22/night dorm)

• →Hike to Mirador Grey and Grey Glacier viewpoint (~10km, 4-5 hours)
• →Optional: Grey Glacier kayaking among icebergs (~£40-50)
• →Catamaran across Lago Grey (~£25-30)
• →Bus back to Puerto Natales (~£12-15)

Cross the border into Argentina today. Book a direct bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate with Turismo Zaahj or Bus Sur (~£20-30, 5-6 hours including border crossing — book ahead as these fill up fast). El Calafate is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Check into your hostel, stock up at the local supermarket, and rest up for tomorrow's glacier day.

🚌Turismo Zaahj or Bus Sur: Puerto Natales → El Calafate (~£20-30)

🛏Hostel in El Calafate — e.g. América del Sur Hostel or Hostel del Glaciar Pioneros (~£18-25/night dorm)

• →Bus Puerto Natales → El Calafate (~£20-30, 5-6 hours)
• →Border crossing Chile → Argentina (have passport and customs forms ready)
• →Settle into El Calafate hostel
• →Supermarket stock-up and lakeside evening walk

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the world's great natural spectacles — and unlike most glaciers, it's still advancing. Catch a remis (taxi) or local bus from El Calafate to Los Glaciares National Park (~£8-12 return, buses run from the bus terminal). Pay park entry (~£20-25) and spend the day on the walkway network watching the glacier calve thunderously into Lago Argentino. For an unforgettable upgrade, book a mini-trekking experience on the glacier itself through Hielo y Aventura (~£60-75, bookable on GetYourGuide or direct) — worth every penny.

🚌Bus or remis to Perito Moreno Glacier (~£8-12 return)

🛏Hostel in El Calafate (~£18-25/night dorm)

• →Bus/remis to Los Glaciares National Park (~£8-12 return)
• →Park entry (~£20-25, pay on arrival)
• →Self-guided walkways with glacier calving views (free once inside)
• →Optional: Mini-trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier with Hielo y Aventura (~£60-75)

Fly from El Calafate (FTE) to Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) with LATAM or Aerolíneas Argentinas (~£60-100 if booked in advance — book as early as possible). Arrive in Buenos Aires with time to check into your hostel in Palermo, San Telmo, or Barrio Norte. Buenos Aires is one of South America's great cities — spend the evening wandering the colourful streets of Palermo, grabbing a cheap choripán (sausage sandwich) from a street vendor, and soaking in the electric atmosphere of Argentina's capital.

🚌Flight El Calafate → Buenos Aires (~£60-100)

🛏Hostel in Buenos Aires — e.g. Milhouse Hostel or América del Sur BA (~£18-25/night dorm)

• →Fly El Calafate → Buenos Aires (~£60-100, book early with LATAM or Aerolíneas Argentinas)
• →Check into Buenos Aires hostel
• →Evening walk through Palermo or San Telmo neighbourhood
• →Street food dinner — choripán or milanesa (~£5-8)

Spend the day diving into Buenos Aires like a local. Walk through the colourful Caminito street in La Boca, explore the antique markets of San Telmo on Sundays, visit the grand Recoleta Cemetery (free), and stroll the wide boulevards of Palermo. In the evening, experience a live tango show — you can book a milonga (social tango dance hall) for around £10-15, or a full dinner-and-show for £40-60. Book via GetYourGuide or directly with Café Tortoni or El Querandi for a more affordable option than the tourist-facing shows.

🚌Buenos Aires metro (SUBE card, ~£0.50/journey) and walking

🛏Hostel in Buenos Aires (~£18-25/night dorm)

• →Caminito, La Boca street art and colourful houses (free)
• →Recoleta Cemetery guided self-tour (free)
• →San Telmo antique market (Sundays) or neighbourhood wander
• →Palermo parks and street café lunch (~£8-10)
• →Evening milonga tango experience (~£10-15) or dinner-and-show (~£40-60)

Your final morning in Buenos Aires. Grab a classic Argentine breakfast of medialunas (croissants) and cortado at a local confitería. If you have time before your flight, visit the MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art, ~£8) or explore the Puerto Madero waterfront. Head to Ezeiza (EZE) international airport or Jorge Newbery (AEP) domestic airport depending on your onward flight. Allow 3+ hours for EZE — it's a 45-minute taxi ride from the city centre (~£20-25, use Uber or a radio taxi).

🚌Taxi/Uber to Ezeiza Airport (~£20-25) or AEP (~£8-12)

🛏Check out of hostel (flight dependent)

• →Final Argentine breakfast — medialunas and cortado at a confitería (~£4-6)
• →Optional: MALBA museum visit (~£8)
• →Puerto Madero waterfront stroll
• →Transfer to airport: Uber or radio taxi to EZE (~£20-25) or AEP (~£8-12)