Self-Launched Full Patagonia: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, El Calafate, Torres del Paine & the Lake District
15 days · Patagonia (Argentina & Chile)
Qwerty Travel Argentina charges £2,420
No-markup version: ~£1,275 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Qwerty Travel Argentina's 15-day "Exploring Full Patagonia" loop — same route, same headline experiences (Tierra del Fuego, Perito Moreno, Torres del Paine, the Andean Lakes Crossing, Bariloche), rebuilt with hostels and guesthouses, local buses and shared shuttles, and self-bookable day tours via GetYourGuide/Klook or direct with local operators. You keep the freedom to slow down in El Calafate or add a W Trek instead of a day trip. Costs are approximate per person, excluding international flights; a real-world budget traveller doing this route typically lands in the £950–1,250 range including domestic flights and the lakes crossing.
Day-by-day
Arrive Buenos Aires — settle into San Telmo
Buenos Aires
Land at Ezeiza (EZE) and skip the private transfer: take the Tienda León shared shuttle to the city centre (~£10-12, 45-60 min) or the cheaper public bus 8 (needs a SUBE card, ~£0.50). Base yourself in San Telmo or Palermo for hostels and food. Grab a SUBE card at a kiosco or airport for the metro/bus network, then ease in with a walk down Defensa Street and an evening empanada-and-Malbec dinner. Note Argentina's blue-dollar/other exchange situation: check current rules and use a card that gives a good rate.
🚌Shared shuttle Ezeiza to centre ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm in San Telmo or Palermo (~£12-18pn)
- →Defensa Street and Plaza Dorrego evening wander
- →Pick up SUBE transit card
Buenos Aires self-launched city day
Buenos Aires
Do the operator's included city tour yourself: free walking tours (tip-based, ~£8-10 tip) cover Plaza de Mayo, the Obelisk, Avenida 9 de Julio and San Telmo. Then take local bus 29 or the metro to La Boca to see Caminito (daytime only, stay on the main streets), and bus out to Palermo's parks and Recoleta Cemetery (entry ~£10). Optional add-ons: a Tigre Delta day trip by Mitre line train (~£2 return + boat) or a tango dinner show in San Telmo from ~£35 booked via GetYourGuide.
🚌Metro/bus day pass ~£1.50
🛏Hostel dorm, Buenos Aires
- →Free walking tour (tip-based)
- →Recoleta Cemetery entry
- →La Boca / Caminito
- →Optional Tigre Delta or tango show
Fly south to Ushuaia — the end of the world
Ushuaia
Book a budget domestic flight Buenos Aires (AEP) to Ushuaia with Aerolíneas Argentinas or JetSMART/Flybondi — book 4-8 weeks ahead for ~£100-150 one way including baggage. From Ushuaia airport take a remís/taxi to town (~£8). Spend the afternoon at the waterfront, the old prison (Museo Marítimo, ~£15) and stock up on supplies; Ushuaia is pricey, so self-cater where you can.
🚌Domestic flight BA→USH ~£120; airport taxi ~£8
🛏Hostel dorm in Ushuaia centre (~£15-20pn)
- →Maritime Museum / former prison
- →Ushuaia waterfront
Tierra del Fuego National Park independently
Ushuaia
Instead of the guided full-day tour, take the local bus or a shared shuttle from town to Tierra del Fuego NP entrance (~£10-12 return) and pay the park entry (~£12). Walk the coastal Sendero Costera to Ensenada Bay, then the short tracks to Lago Roca (Acigami) and Lapataia Bay at the end of Ruta 3 / the Pan-American endpoint. The End of the World Train (Tren del Fin del Mundo, ~£28) can be booked direct if you want it. Alternatively book a Beagle Channel boat trip (~£30-40) via GetYourGuide for sea lions and the lighthouse.
🚌Shared shuttle to park ~£11
🛏Hostel dorm, Ushuaia
- →Tierra del Fuego NP coastal and lagoon trails
- →Optional End of the World train
- →Optional Beagle Channel boat trip
Overland/air to El Calafate
El Calafate
The operator flies this leg; the budget equivalent is a domestic flight Ushuaia to El Calafate (~£120-170) or a long bus-and-border combo via Río Gallegos (cheap but ~20+ hrs, ~£50). Most travellers fly. Arrive in El Calafate, walk the small centre, visit the Glaciarium or just rest, and re-check tomorrow's glacier transport and weather window. Buses to the glacier leave early, so buy tickets tonight.
🚌Flight USH→FTE ~£140; local taxi ~£5
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in El Calafate (~£14-20pn)
- →El Calafate town and lagoon walk
Perito Moreno Glacier — self-booked day tour
El Calafate
Book the standard Perito Moreno full-day excursion direct with a local operator or via GetYourGuide (~£35-45 including park entry and the 1-hour boat navigation within 150m of the ice). The bus leaves El Calafate around 8am and gives you 3-4 hours on the multi-level walkways plus the boat. Prefer to go it alone? Public buses run to the glacier boardwalks (~£15 each way) and you pay the park fee (~£15) on arrival, then book the boat on-site. Minitrekking on the ice (~£140-170) is a splurge worth considering if budget allows.
🚌Included coach to glacier (via tour)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse, El Calafate
- →Perito Moreno walkways
- →1-hour glacier navigation
- →Optional minitrekking
Free day in El Calafate
El Calafate
Swap the operator's pricey optional navigations for something cheaper: hike the Laguna Nimez reserve boardwalk (~£3), hire a bike, or take the local bus to El Chaltén (3 hrs, ~£15 each way) for a day of Fitz Roy views — though that's better as an overnight. A budget-friendly alternative to the 'All Glaciers' cruise is the Estancia El Galpón or a half-day horse ride booked direct (~£40-60). Rest and prep for the Chilean border crossing.
🚌Local bus or on foot
🛏Hostel/guesthouse, El Calafate
- →Laguna Nimez reserve
- →Optional bike hire
- →Optional estancia visit
Border crossing to Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales
Take the daily Cootra/Chile bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales (~5-6 hrs, ~£25-30 including the Argentine and Chilean border checks at Cerro Castillo). Buses leave mid-morning; bring your passport and small pesos/change. Arrive in Puerto Natales, a compact trekking hub — pick up a gas canister, refill water bottles, and book tomorrow's Torres del Paine tour or rent gear if you're adding a W Trek.
🚌International bus El Calafate→Puerto Natales ~£28
🛏Hostel dorm in Puerto Natales (~£14-18pn)
- →Town errands and trekking prep
Torres del Paine & Cueva del Milodón self-booked
Puerto Natales
Book a Torres del Paine full-day tour direct with a Puerto Natales agency or via GetYourGuide (~£35-45 including park entry and lunch): stops at Cueva del Milodón with the 30-minute cave walk, Cerro Castillo, the Salto Grande boardwalk and Lake Grey beach. If you're a hiker, alternate option: catch the daily public bus to the park (~£10) plus catamaran across Lago Pehoé and walk to the base of the towers — cheaper but longer.
🚌Included minibus (via tour)
🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Natales
- →Cueva del Milodón
- →Torres del Paine viewpoints
- →Salto Grande
- →Lake Grey beach
Long transfer north to Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas
The operator flies/buses this leg; the budget plan is a domestic flight Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt (~£90-130, with a bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas ~£10) plus a local bus or taxi to Puerto Varas (~£5). Alternatively, the scenic multi-day bus route via Coyhaique on the Carretera Austral is possible but adds days. Arrive in Puerto Varas on Lake Llanquihue, with Osorno volcano views and a German-influenced old town — grab a kuchen.
🚌Bus to Punta Arenas ~£10 + flight ~£110 + local bus ~£5
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Puerto Varas (~£16-22pn)
- →Lakeside promenade
- →Volcano viewpoints
Andean Lakes Crossing to Bariloche
Bariloche
Do the classic Cruce Andino independently: book the full-day Andean Crossing (Puerto Varas to Bariloche) direct with the operator or via GetYourGuide — three bus legs and three catamaran crossings on Lake Todos los Santos, Lake Frías and Lake Nahuel Huapi (~£150-190 including lunch and border formalities). It's the single most spectacular day of the trip. Budget alternative: local buses via Osorno to Bariloche (~£20-25) but you miss the lakes.
🚌Andean Lakes Crossing boat+bus ~£170
🛏Hostel dorm in Bariloche centre (~£14-20pn)
- →Todos los Santos Lake navigation
- →Frías Lake
- →Nahuel Huapi Lake
- →Andes border crossing
Bariloche: Cerro Campanario & Circuito Chico
Bariloche
Take local bus 20 along Avenida Bustillo (~£1) to Cerro Campanario and buy the chairlift ticket (~£14) for the postcard panorama over Nahuel Huapi, Llao Llao and the San Pedro peninsula. Continue by bus to Bahía López, Punto Panorámico and Playa Bonita, or rent a bike for the Circuito Chico (~£12). Chocolate-shop crawl in town in the evening.
🚌Local bus 20 ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm, Bariloche
- →Cerro Campanario chairlift
- →Circuito Chico viewpoints
- →Playa Bonita
Free day — Ruta de los Siete Lagos
Bariloche
Optional independent version of the 7 Lakes route: local bus or shared transfer to San Martín de los Andes (or a self-booked full-day minivan tour via GetYourGuide ~£40-55) threading past Lago Espejo, Lago Correntoso, Villa La Angostura and Lago Falkner. Alternatively stay local: hike Cerro Catedral trails, kayak on the lake, or day-trip to the Arrayanes forest.
🚌Shared minivan or bus ~£20-45
🛏Hostel dorm, Bariloche
- →7 Lakes route to San Martín de los Andes
- →Optional Catedral hike or lake kayaking
Fly back to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Budget domestic flight Bariloche (BRC) to Buenos Aires AEP (~£80-120 with early booking). Return to a San Telmo or Palermo hostel, pick up any last souvenirs at the San Telmo or Recoleta weekend market if timing works, and enjoy a final steak dinner or a Milonga night.
🚌Domestic flight BRC→AEP ~£100; airport bus ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm, Buenos Aires (~£12-18pn)
- →Markets and final Buenos Aires evening
Depart from Ezeiza
Buenos Aires
Take the Tienda León shuttle or public bus 8 back to Ezeiza for your international flight (~£10). If your flight is late, squeeze in one more neighbourhood — Palermo's street art or the MALBA museum (~£8) — before heading out.
🚌Shuttle to EZE ~£10
🛏—
- →Optional MALBA museum
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping
Self-launched vs. Qwerty Travel Argentina
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Qwerty Travel Argentina | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,275 | £2,420 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,145 per person (47%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Qwerty Travel Argentina-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,275
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Full Patagonia: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, El Calafate, Torres del Paine & the Lake District cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,275 per person for 15 days in Patagonia (Argentina & Chile). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Qwerty Travel Argentina?+
Yes — Qwerty Travel Argentina charges around £2,420 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,275 — a saving of roughly £1,145 (47%) per person.
How long is the Patagonia (Argentina & Chile) trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Patagonia (Argentina & Chile).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, slow-travel trip through Patagonia (Argentina & Chile), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.