By Lucy Hsu
Lucy is a platinum member and she has visited all 193 UN countries. As a public school teacher of 20 years, Lucy enjoys sharing her experiences with both her “TCC Family” and the students in her class.
The Patagonia region is located in Argentina and Chile, making up the southernmost part of South America. A world-renowned paradise for nature lovers, it offers trekking, camping, kayaking and bird watching. The area is vast, with 17 national parks featuring magnificent glaciers, numerous fjords, lakes, temperate rainforests, and mountain peaks.
With eight days, split your time between the highlights in El Calafate (Argentine side) and Puerto Natales (Chilean side). Luckily, multiple buses run daily between these two cities, costing only $30 one-way.
Tourism
Two of the most popular national parks here are Los Glaciares (Argentina) and Torres del Paine (Chile). The third most popular national park is Tierra del Fuego, which Lucy visited on a different trip several years ago.
Expect to pay individual park fees. Los Glaciares costs $45 for a three-day pass, while Torres del Paine costs $55 for a three-day pass (shorter/longer passes are available for both). Purchase your park passes online in advance (see reference below) to avoid lines at the entrances.
When to Go
Open year-round, the peak season is between December to February with warmer temperatures, longer days, and the best weather for hiking and camping. However, this tends to be the busiest with more crowds on the trails and a likelihood that the best campsites are sold out.
October to November and March to May are also good options with fewer crowds and equally stunning landscapes.
Arrival and Getting Around
Landing in El Calafate, taxis cost $25 from the airport to the city center, roughly 20 minutes away, where most accommodations, restaurants and tourist offices are located within walking distance of Avenue del Libertador. The bus station is also a 15-minute walk from the city center, making it very convenient to catch the bus going to Puerto Natales, Chile.
Arriving at the Puerto Natales bus station, countless accommodations are within reach. Uber operates in Puerto Natales and a taxi to the Puerto Natales Airport costs roughly $10.
Places to Stay
In El Calafate, Hostel del Glacier Pioneros is $30 per night, which includes a basic breakfast and WiFi. It is a comfortable and affordable hostel, with private rooms and separate bathrooms, only a few minutes walk from the main street with many shops and restaurants.
The Hostel Bellavista Patagonia in Puerto Natales is a basic large two-bedroom home that has been converted into a multi-room hostel. Costing about $30 per night for a private room with a shared bathroom and WiFi, the shared kitchen is helpful with multiple grocery stores nearby and restaurants just one block away.
Perito Moreno Glacier
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Perito Moreno Glacier is one hour away from El Calafate by car. The Perito Moreno Walkways are accessible by wheelchairs and strollers. The multiple extensive walkways built around the glacier offer spectacular views of the 97-square-mile ice formation from varying angles. Alternatively, visitors can kayak, take a boat ride, or participate in a glacier hike.
Laguna de Los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy
The most popular hike in Argentine Patagonia, it is a strenuous eight-hour round-trip hike. Those staying in El Calafate should expect a one hour and 40 minute car ride. Travelers can either drive or hire transportation to reach the trailhead. Others may choose to stay in the small town of El Chalten, which is within walking distance of the trailhead.
The “W Trail” or the “O Trail”
In Torres del Paine National Park, the most popular multi-day treks are the “W Trail” taking 4-5 days to complete, and the “O Trail” taking roughly 7-10 days. Those who want to see the best of the “W and O Trail” but prefer to sleep in a comfortable bed each night (or encounter sold-out campsites) can opt to stay in the town of Puerto Natales and drive to the various trailheads early each morning. The best day treks to capture the highlights of the “W and O Trail” are: The Torres Towers, The French Valley, Miradores del Paine, and Mirador Britannica.
References
