Self-Launched Patagonia Adventure: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in 16 Days
16 days · Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
HI Travel South America charges £1,930
No-markup version: ~£1,520 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, independent version of HI Travel South America's 16-day Patagonia route — Buenos Aires, the wildlife coast of Puerto Madryn, the glaciers of El Calafate, a day trip into Torres del Paine, and the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia. Same destinations and headline experiences, but you book the hostels, buses, and day tours yourself. Patagonia distances are huge, so this plan leans on overnight buses and one internal flight to cut the worst slogs. Costs are approximate per-person in GBP and assume hostel dorm beds, local buses, self-booked day tours, and cooking some of your own meals.
Day-by-day
Arrive Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Land at Ezeiza (EZE) and make your own way into the city. The cheapest option is the Tienda León bus to Retiro (~£10) or the public bus 8 if you're brave with luggage. The airport taxi mafia is pricey — pre-book a remis or use Uber/Cabify (~£30). Settle into a hostel in San Telmo or Palermo, walk to a parrilla for your first bife de chorizo, and stock up on a SUBE travel card for buses and the Subte.
🚌Tienda León shuttle bus EZE to city centre, ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm in San Telmo or Palermo, ~£12-16/night
- →Airport transfer into the city
- →Evening walk around San Telmo or Palermo
- →First Argentine steak dinner
Buenos Aires city tour
Buenos Aires
Do the classic city circuit under your own steam. Take the free (tip-based) walking tour from Plaza de Mayo for context, then hit the landmarks: Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Congress, Teatro Colón (book a cheap standing/guided tour in advance), San Telmo's Sunday market if you're lucky with dates, colourful La Boca's Caminito, leafy Palermo, and the Recoleta Cemetery (small entry fee). Buses and the Subte cost pennies with your SUBE card.
🚌Subte and local buses with SUBE card, ~£2 all day
🛏Hostel dorm in San Telmo or Palermo, ~£12-16/night
- →Free tip-based walking tour of central Buenos Aires
- →Recoleta Cemetery visit
- →Caminito in La Boca
- →Teatro Colón guided tour
Tango, steak and Malbec
Buenos Aires
By day explore more neighbourhoods or the MALBA art museum. In the evening, skip the expensive dinner-show packages and instead book a mid-range tango show via GetYourGuide (~£45-60 including transfers) or go DIY: take a group tango lesson in San Telmo (~£10-15), then eat at a top parrilla and catch a cheaper milonga performance. Puerto Madero's riverfront makes a nice pre-show stroll.
🚌Local buses and taxis, ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm in San Telmo or Palermo, ~£12-16/night
- →Tango lesson in San Telmo
- →Tango dinner show or milonga
- →Puerto Madero waterfront walk
Overnight bus to Puerto Madryn
Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn
A full free day in Buenos Aires, then catch the overnight bus south to Puerto Madryn. The journey is ~19 hours; book with Andesmar, Via Bariloche, or Condor Estrella through Busbud/Omnilineas. Choose a cama (reclining) seat for comfort (~£50-65). Grab empanadas and water for the ride. Bring an eye mask — Argentine buses are warm and loud.
🚌Overnight bus Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn, ~19h, ~£55 (cama)
🛏Overnight bus (no hostel cost)
- →Free day exploring Buenos Aires
- →Board overnight long-distance bus
Arrive Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn
Arrive mid-morning, check into a hostel near the beach and centre, and shake off the bus legs with a walk along the waterfront. Puerto Madryn is a relaxed Welsh-Argentine coastal town and the gateway to Península Valdés. Use the afternoon to book your Valdés and Punta Tombo tours directly (many operators on the main street or via GetYourGuide).
🚌Local taxi or walk from the bus terminal, ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm in Puerto Madryn, ~£14-18/night
- →Beachfront walk
- →Book wildlife tours for the next days
- →EcoCentro visitor centre
Península Valdés full-day wildlife tour
Península Valdés
The highlight of the Atlantic coast. Join a shared full-day minibus tour of Península Valdés (~£65-85) covering the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus Interpretation Centre, Caleta Valdés, Punta Cantor and Punta Norte for sea elephants, sea lions, Magellanic penguins, and — in season (roughly Jun-Nov) — southern right whales off Puerto Pirámide. Optional whale-watching boat from Puerto Pirámide (~£45-55, seasonal). Booking locally or via GetYourGuide is much cheaper than a private guide.
🚌Shared tour minibus included in tour cost
🛏Hostel dorm in Puerto Madryn, ~£14-18/night
- →Península Valdés full-day tour
- →Ameghino Isthmus Interpretation Centre
- →Marine wildlife and penguin viewing
- →Optional whale-watching boat from Puerto Pirámide
Punta Tombo penguin colony
Punta Tombo / Gaiman
Take the full-day Punta Tombo tour (seasonal, roughly Sep-Mar, ~£55-70) to walk among one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in the world — thousands of birds right beside the boardwalks. Many tours stop at the Rawson port for dolphin spotting and in Gaiman for a Welsh tea and cake (~£8). If whales are your priority and it's in season, swap this for another Puerto Pirámide whale trip.
🚌Shared tour minibus included in tour cost
🛏Hostel dorm in Puerto Madryn, ~£14-18/night
- →Punta Tombo penguin colony full-day tour
- →Optional dolphin watching at Rawson
- →Welsh tea in Gaiman
Bus to Río Gallegos
Puerto Madryn to Río Gallegos
A long travel day south. Buses run overnight or early morning to Río Gallegos (~15-16h, ~£45-55). Río Gallegos is a functional transit town with little to see — treat it as a rest stop. Book your onward ticket to El Calafate the moment you arrive, as Patagonian buses fill up in high season. Hostels here are basic but cheap.
🚌Bus Puerto Madryn to Río Gallegos, ~15-16h, ~£50
🛏Basic hostel or guesthouse in Río Gallegos, ~£12-15/night
- →Long-distance bus south
- →Rest and resupply in Río Gallegos
Bus to El Calafate
Río Gallegos to El Calafate
Morning bus to El Calafate (~4-5h, ~£20-25). Arrive by early afternoon, check into a hostel in this friendly trekking town, and use the day to organise your Perito Moreno and Torres del Paine excursions. El Calafate has excellent bakeries, a chocolate scene, and the Glaciarium museum. Book the glacier trip for tomorrow and a Torres del Paine day tour for day 11.
🚌Bus Río Gallegos to El Calafate, ~4-5h, ~£22
🛏Hostel dorm in El Calafate, ~£15-20/night
- →Bus to El Calafate
- →Organise glacier and Torres del Paine day tours
- →Evening stroll on Avenida del Libertador
Perito Moreno Glacier
Los Glaciares National Park
The showstopper. Book a shared full-day tour to Perito Moreno (~£45-65 including park entry) or take the public bus and pay the park fee yourself (~£30 park entry + ~£20 bus). Walk the network of boardwalks at multiple viewpoints and, if budget allows, add the iconic mini-trekking on the ice with crampons (~£130-150, book well ahead). You can also add a boat safari on Lago Argentino.
🚌Shared tour coach or public bus to the park, included in tour cost
🛏Hostel dorm in El Calafate, ~£15-20/night
- →Perito Moreno Glacier full-day tour
- →Glacier boardwalk viewpoints
- →Optional mini-trekking on the ice
- →Optional boat safari
Torres del Paine day trip (into Chile)
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Cross the border into Chile for a full-day Torres del Paine tour (~£85-110, includes lunch box and guide). Stops include Cerro Castillo, Lago Sarmiento, Laguna Amarga, Nordenskjöld Lake, the Cuernos del Paine, Pudeto, and a short walk to Salto Grande waterfall. It's a long day with border formalities, but you get the iconic granite peaks without a multi-day trek. Bring your passport and Chilean pesos for the park entry (~£25).
🚌Shared tour van with border crossing, included in tour cost
🛏Hostel dorm in El Calafate, ~£15-20/night
- →Torres del Paine full-day tour with guide
- →Chile border crossing
- →Salto Grande waterfall walk
- →Scenic viewpoints of the Paine massif
El Chaltén day trip or free day
El Calafate / El Chaltén
Today is flexible. The best-value add-on is a day trip to El Chaltén (~£35-45 return bus, ~3h each way) to hike to Laguna de los Tres or the easier Mirador de los Cóndores and Laguna Capri — Fitz Roy views for free. Alternatively, rest in El Calafate, visit the Glaciarium, or book a 4x4 excursion. El Chaltén is a highlight many travellers say is a must — worth the early start.
🚌Optional return bus to El Chaltén, ~£40
🛏Hostel dorm in El Calafate, ~£15-20/night
- →Optional day trip to El Chaltén
- →Fitz Roy viewpoints hike
- →Optional Glaciarium museum
- →Optional 4x4 excursions
Fly to Ushuaia
El Calafate to Ushuaia
The bus from El Calafate to Ushuaia takes ~30 hours — do yourself a favour and fly. Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi and JetSMART run El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia (USH) in about 1h20m. Book early for fares around £70-110 one way (HI Travel charges a USD 250 supplement for this leg). Arrive in Ushuaia — the world's southernmost city — and settle into a hostel overlooking the Beagle Channel.
🚌Flight El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia (USH), ~1h20m, ~£90 one way
🛏Hostel dorm in Ushuaia, ~£16-22/night
- →Internal flight to Ushuaia
- →Evening exploration of Ushuaia's port and main street
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Half-day (or full-day) shared tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park (~£35-50 including entry or book the public minibus yourself). Visit Lapataia Bay at the very end of the Pan-American Highway, walk the coastal Beagle Channel trails, and look out for red foxes, woodpeckers, steamer ducks, condors, eagles and beavers. In the afternoon, ride the End of the World Train if you fancy it (~£30).
🚌Shared tour minibus, included in tour cost
🛏Hostel dorm in Ushuaia, ~£16-22/night
- →Tierra del Fuego National Park tour
- →Lapataia Bay visit
- →Beagle Channel coastal trails
- →Optional End of the World Train
Beagle Channel sea lion navigation
Ushuaia / Beagle Channel
Join a half-day Beagle Channel boat navigation (~£45-65) to see the sea lion colony on Alice Island, the king and imperial cormorants of Birds Island, Sea Lions Island, and the famous Les Éclaireurs lighthouse. Tours depart from the tourist pier — book directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Spend the rest of the day exploring Ushuaia: the Maritime Museum, the old prison, and a final Patagonian lamb dinner.
🚌Walk to the pier; boat tour included in cost
🛏Hostel dorm in Ushuaia, ~£16-22/night
- →Beagle Channel half-day navigation
- →Alice Island sea lion colony
- →Birds Island cormorants
- →Les Éclaireurs lighthouse
- →Optional Maritime Museum
Depart from Ushuaia
Ushuaia
Last morning at the end of the world. If time allows, do the short Martial Glacier hike or visit the Laguna Esmeralda. Book a taxi or shared shuttle to Ushuaia Malvinas Argentinas International Airport (USH) (~£8-12) for your flight out. If you're flying via Buenos Aires, allow plenty of connection time and remember domestic departures from Ushuaia are small and quick.
🚌Shared shuttle or taxi to USH airport, ~£10
🛏None (departure day)
- →Optional Martial Glacier hike
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. HI Travel South America
| This itinerary (self-launched) | HI Travel South America | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,520 | £1,930 |
| Duration | 16 days | 16 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £410 per person (21%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more HI Travel South America-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,520
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Patagonia Adventure: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in 16 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,520 per person for 16 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 HI Travel South America?+
Yes — HI Travel South America charges around £1,930 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,520 — a saving of roughly £410 (21%) per person.
How long is the Patagonia, Argentina & Chile trip?+
This itinerary runs 16 days, covering 16 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, culture, hiking 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.
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