Classic Patagonia Treks: Self-Launched 13-Day Adventure

Fly into Santiago de Chile (SCL). Take the Centropuerto or Turbus airport shuttle into the city centre for around £2–3. Check into a central hostel in Barrio Italia or Lastarria. In the evening, explore the neighbourhood, grab a pisco sour and a hearty cazuela at a local restaurant. No formal activities today — just get your bearings, sort your kit and rest up before the big journey south begins tomorrow.

🚌Centropuerto or Turbus airport shuttle from SCL to city centre (~£3)

🛏Hostel Nomades, The Singular Hostel, or similar central Santiago hostel (~£18–25/night)

• →Airport shuttle to city centre (~£3)
• →Explore Barrio Lastarria or Barrio Italia on foot
• →Dinner at a local Chilean restaurant — try cazuela or empanadas

Book a one-way domestic flight with LATAM or JetSMART from Santiago to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales (booked in advance, ~£60–100). From Punta Arenas, take a shared Bus Sur or Pacheco bus to Puerto Natales (~3.5hrs, ~£10). Puerto Natales is the jumping-off point for Torres del Paine and a great little town to gear up. Pick up your park permit for Torres del Paine at CONAF offices or online in advance (essential). Pack a smaller bag tonight for the 4-day W Trek — leave your main bag at the hostel.

🚌Domestic flight + shared bus (~£70–110 total)

🛏Erratic Rock Hostel or Niko's Hostel, Puerto Natales (~£15–20/night)

• →Fly Santiago to Punta Arenas with LATAM or JetSMART (~£60–100, book well ahead)
• →Bus from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales with Bus Sur (~£10, ~3.5hrs)
• →Pre-book Torres del Paine CONAF park entry online (approx £25–30)
• →Explore Puerto Natales waterfront and Última Esperanza Fjord
• →Gear up at local outdoors shops if needed

Take an early morning shared shuttle from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park (~2hrs, ~£12 with Buses JBA or similar). Board the catamaran across Lago Grey to Refugio Grey (~£25–30, book via Grey Trek website). From Refugio Grey, hike the first leg of the W Trek towards Paine Grande — approximately 12km through dramatic Patagonian scenery with views of the Grey Glacier and the iconic Paine Massif. Book your refugio or camping spot at Paine Grande through the VERTICE Patagonia website well in advance.

🚌Shared shuttle + catamaran (~£37–42)

🛏Paine Grande Refugio dormitory or VERTICE camping (~£25–35/night, book direct at vertice.cl)

• →Shared shuttle Puerto Natales to park entrance (~£12)
• →Grey Lake catamaran to Refugio Grey (~£25–30, book via greytrek.cl)
• →Hike Grey to Paine Grande (~12km, ~4–5hrs)
• →Admire Grey Glacier and Southern Patagonian Ice Field views

An epic 21km day through the French Valley (Valle del Francés), one of the most dramatic sections of the W Trek. Start at Paine Grande and hike to Campamento Italiano, then ascend into the valley past hanging glaciers and avalanche fields to Mirador Británico for panoramic views of the Paine Massif. Descend to Los Cuernos for the night. Carry your own packed lunch — buy supplies in Puerto Natales the day before. Book Los Cuernos in advance through FANTASTC SUR (fantasticosur.com).

🚌Hiking (no transport needed)

🛏Los Cuernos Refugio dormitory (~£30–40/night, book via fantasticosur.com)

• →Full-day W Trek: French Valley hike, Mirador Británico (~21km, ~8–9hrs)
• →Spot condors and guanacos along the trail
• →Packed lunch in the valley (self-catered from Puerto Natales supplies)

A beautiful 15km hike along the northern shore of Lago Nordenskjöld through native lenga beech forests, with constant views of the surrounding peaks. The trail winds to the Hotel Las Torres trailhead. Pick up a packed lunch at Los Cuernos before departing. Arrive at Las Torres Refuge in the early afternoon with time to rest and prepare for tomorrow's iconic summit hike. Book Las Torres Central Refuge through Fantástico Sur — this must be booked months in advance for peak season (Oct–Mar).

🚌Hiking (no transport needed)

🛏Las Torres Central Refuge dormitory (~£35–45/night, book via fantasticosur.com)

• →W Trek Day 3: Nordenskjöld lakeshore trail to Las Torres (~15km, ~5–6hrs)
• →Lenga beech forest walking
• →Rest and preparation for summit hike tomorrow

The iconic finale of the W Trek: a 22km round trip to the Base of the Towers (Mirador Base Las Torres). Start early — ideally at dawn — to beat crowds and catch the best light on the granite spires. The trail ascends through the Ascencio Valley, crosses rivers, cuts through dense forest and climbs a steep glacial moraine before revealing the stunning turquoise glacial lake beneath the three towers. Allow 7–9 hours total. Return to Las Torres refuge for a celebratory dinner — you've completed the W!

🚌Hiking (no transport needed)

🛏Las Torres Central Refuge dormitory (~£35–45/night, book via fantasticosur.com)

• →Hike to Mirador Base Las Torres (~22km, ~7–9hrs)
• →Glacial moraine ascent and lake viewpoint
• →Photography of Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte
• →Celebratory dinner at Las Torres refuge

Take the shared shuttle from Torres del Paine / Las Torres trailhead back through Puerto Natales and across the Chilean-Argentine border to El Calafate (~5–6hrs total, ~£20–30 with Cootra or Bus Sur). This journey passes through spectacular steppe scenery — keep your eyes peeled for pumas and rheas. Arrive in El Calafate by late afternoon. El Calafate is a pleasant tourist town on the shores of Lago Argentino. Check in, rest up and grab dinner on Avenida del Libertador.

🚌Shared shuttle bus across border (~£20–30)

🛏América del Sur Hostel or I keu ken Hostel, El Calafate (~£15–22/night)

• →Shared shuttle Torres del Paine / Puerto Natales → El Calafate (~£20–30 with Cootra or Bus Sur)
• →Border crossing Chile → Argentina
• →Evening stroll along Lago Argentino shoreline

Take an early morning local bus or shared minibus from El Calafate to Los Glaciares National Park and the Perito Moreno Glacier (~90min, ~£8–12 return with Chalten Travel or similar). Pay the park entry fee on arrival (~£15–20). The glacier's 5km of free walkways offer multiple viewpoints of the 60m-high ice wall — watch and listen for massive ice calvings crashing into Lago Argentino. For an enhanced perspective, book an optional Mini-Trek ice-walk experience directly via Hielo & Aventura (~£70–80 extra). Return to El Calafate by late afternoon.

🚌Local shuttle bus to glacier (~£10 return)

🛏América del Sur Hostel or I keu ken Hostel, El Calafate (~£15–22/night)

• →Bus to Perito Moreno Glacier (~£8–12 return with Chalten Travel)
• →Los Glaciares National Park entry (~£15–20)
• →5km of free glacier walkways — watch ice calvings
• →Optional: Mini-Trek ice-walk with Hielo & Aventura (~£70–80 extra)

Catch the morning shared bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén (~3hrs, ~£10–15 with Chalten Travel or Cal Tur). The bus passes through incredible Patagonian steppe with views of Lago Viedma and the first glimpses of Mount Fitz Roy. El Chaltén is Argentina's trekking capital — a tiny, welcoming mountain village with excellent hostels, bakeries and free trails right from the town's edge. Entry to Los Glaciares National Park from the El Chaltén side is free. In the afternoon, take the optional 3hr hike to Mirador Cerro Torre for warm-up views of the granite needle.

🚌Shared bus El Calafate to El Chaltén (~£12)

🛏Patagonia Travellers Hostel or Albergue Rancho Grande, El Chaltén (~£14–20/night)

• →Shared bus El Calafate → El Chaltén (~£10–15 with Chalten Travel, ~3hrs)
• →Free entry to Los Glaciares National Park (El Chaltén side)
• →Optional afternoon hike to Mirador Cerro Torre (~3hrs return)
• →Explore El Chaltén village, visit local bakeries and craft beer bars

The crown jewel of El Chaltén — a challenging 23km round trip to Laguna de los Tres, widely considered one of the best hikes in South America. The trail starts right from the village edge (no transport needed), follows the Río Blanco through lenga and ñire forests, passes the Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint and then climbs steeply to the stunning glacial lake with Fitz Roy reflected in its turquoise waters. Return via Laguna Capri for a different perspective. Pack your own lunch — stock up the night before at El Chaltén's supermarkets.

🚌On foot from town (free)

🛏Patagonia Travellers Hostel or Albergue Rancho Grande, El Chaltén (~£14–20/night)

• →Hike Laguna de los Tres circuit (~23km, ~8–10hrs)
• →Views of Piedras Blancas Glacier
• →Fitz Roy massif reflections at Laguna de los Tres
• →Return via Laguna Capri viewpoint
• →Self-catered packed lunch

Book a guided day trip to Los Huemules Natural Reserve and the Cagliero Glacier (~£40–55 per person, bookable via Los Huemules directly or local agencies in El Chaltén). This private estancia charges a small entry fee but provides excellent trails. The hike follows the Río Diablo valley through native forest, past Laguna Diablo and across hanging bridges to the Cagliero Glacier face. Bring packed lunch; a cosy refugio at the glacier provides a welcome rest stop. Watch for Magellanic woodpeckers, torrent ducks and Andean condors. Return to El Chaltén in the afternoon.

🚌Shared transport included with Los Huemules day trip (~40min drive)

🛏Patagonia Travellers Hostel or Albergue Rancho Grande, El Chaltén (~£14–20/night)

• →Day trip to Los Huemules Natural Reserve (book direct at loshuemules.com, ~£40–55 inc. entry)
• →Hike to Cagliero Glacier via Río Diablo valley (~16km, ~6–7hrs)
• →Wildlife spotting: condors, Magellanic woodpeckers, torrent ducks
• →Self-catered packed lunch at glacier refugio

Take the morning shared bus back to El Calafate (~3hrs, ~£12). Head to El Calafate Airport (FTE) for a midday or afternoon flight to Buenos Aires Aeroparque or Ezeiza (~£70–110 with Aerolíneas Argentinas or LATAM, book in advance). On arrival in Buenos Aires, take the Tienda León or Manuel Tienda León bus to the city centre (~£8). Check into a hostel in Palermo or San Telmo. Spend the evening exploring — Buenos Aires comes alive at night with steakhouses, tango bars and late-night cafés. A fitting finale.

🚌Shared bus + domestic flight + airport bus (~£90–130 total)

🛏Milhouse Hostel or America del Sur Hostel, Buenos Aires (~£18–28/night)

• →Shared bus El Chaltén → El Calafate (~£12)
• →Domestic flight El Calafate → Buenos Aires (~£70–110, book in advance)
• →Airport bus to city centre (~£8 with Tienda León)
• →Evening in Buenos Aires: steak dinner, tango show or San Telmo night market

Your final morning in one of South America's greatest cities. If time allows, explore La Boca's colourful Caminito, browse the Sunday San Telmo antiques market (if applicable), or grab a medialunas and cortado at a classic porteño café. Take a taxi or Tienda León bus to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in good time for your international departure (~£8–12 by shared bus). Chau, Patagonia — what a trip.

🚌Tienda León bus to airport (~£10)

🛏Check-out (no accommodation)

• →Morning exploration: La Boca, Caminito, San Telmo or Palermo
• →Traditional Argentine breakfast at a café
• →Airport transfer to Ezeiza (EZE) via Tienda León bus (~£8–12)