The Self-Launched Ultimate Adventure in Patagonia

Fly into El Calafate Airport (FTE), typically via Buenos Aires (EZE) or Santiago (SCL). A taxi from the airport to the town centre takes around 15–20 minutes and costs approximately £12–16 (ARS 1,400–1,800). Check into your hostel, then wander down to the shores of Lago Argentino for your first taste of Patagonia's vast, windswept landscape. In the evening, grab dinner at one of El Calafate's local parrillas and get excited for the days ahead.

🚌Taxi from FTE airport to town (~£12–16). No need to pre-book — taxis queue outside arrivals.

🛏Hostel in El Calafate — e.g. America del Sur Hostel or Calafate Hostel (~£15–22/night in a dorm, ~£35–45 in a private twin)

• →Arrive at El Calafate Airport (FTE) — taxi to town centre (~£12–16)
• →Explore El Calafate town centre on foot
• →Walk to the shores of Lago Argentino at sunset
• →Welcome dinner at a local parrilla — try the lamb asado

Take the early public bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén (~3 hrs, ~£12–15 one way with TAQSA or Chaltén Travel). En route, stop at the La Leona roadhouse area. The kayaking and fossil hike on La Leona River (as run by the original tour) can be booked independently through local Patagonian operators such as Patagonia Aventura or Casa de Guías in El Chaltén — expect to pay ~£45–60pp for a half-day guided kayak on the La Leona River including the Cerro Los Hornos fossil hike. Alternatively, book via GetYourGuide searching 'El Chaltén kayaking'. Arrive in El Chaltén by late afternoon and check in to your hostel.

🚌Public bus El Calafate → El Chaltén with TAQSA or Chaltén Travel (~£12–15pp). Buses depart daily from El Calafate bus terminal.

🛏Hostel in El Chaltén — e.g. Rancho Grande Hostel or Patagonia Hostel (~£18–25/night dorm, ~£45–55 private twin)

• →Public bus El Calafate → El Chaltén (~3 hrs, ~£12–15 with TAQSA/Chaltén Travel)
• →Half-day kayaking on La Leona River with fossil hike at Cerro Los Hornos (~£45–60pp, book via Patagonia Aventura or GetYourGuide)
• →Arrive and settle into El Chaltén — explore the small village

All trails in and around El Chaltén depart directly from the village — no transport needed. The Cerro Torre trail (Laguna Torre trail) is a free, well-marked 4-mile return hike managed by Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Pick up a free trail map from the park visitor centre at the entrance to town before you set off. The walk winds through lenga beech forest before opening up to sweeping views of Cerro Torre and its jagged neighbours. Pack your own lunch from the village supermarket to save money. The national park entrance fee covers all El Chaltén trails and is paid once on arrival in town.

🚌All trails start from El Chaltén village — no transport needed.

🛏Hostel in El Chaltén — same as Day 2 (~£18–25/night dorm)

• →Collect free trail map from the Los Glaciares National Park visitor centre
• →Hike Laguna Torre trail to Cerro Torre viewpoint (4 miles return, ~4–5 hrs, free)
• →Picnic lunch at the viewpoint — supplies from El Chaltén supermarket
• →Evening at leisure in El Chaltén — try El Muro or Ahonikenk for dinner

This is the big one — a full-day hike (8–9 hrs, ~12 miles) to Laguna de los Tres at the base of Fitz Roy. The trail starts from the north edge of El Chaltén and is entirely free within the national park. The final 1,300ft ascent to the lagoon is steep and rocky — trekking poles recommended. En route, pass the Piedras Blancas glacier viewpoint and Poincenot Camp. For an extended route heading toward Río Eléctrico, a remis (shared taxi) can take you to the trailhead (~£8–12pp each way — ask at your hostel). Pack a substantial lunch and plenty of water. End the day with a cold cerveza in El Chaltén — you've earned it.

🚌Trail starts from El Chaltén. Optional remis to Río Eléctrico trailhead (~£8–12pp).

🛏Hostel in El Chaltén — same as Day 2 (~£18–25/night dorm)

• →Full-day hike to Laguna de los Tres via Poincenot Camp (~12 miles, 8–9 hrs, free in national park)
• →Detour to Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint
• →Optional: remis taxi to Río Eléctrico trailhead (~£8–12pp each way)
• →Stop at Laguna Capri on the return for sunset mountain reflections

Enjoy a well-deserved lie-in and a leisurely breakfast in El Chaltén. Take the early-afternoon public bus back to El Calafate (~3 hrs, ~£12–15). The route retraces the iconic Route 40, crossing open Patagonian steppe with big skies and the chance to spot guanacos. Pass the historic La Leona Roadhouse — if the bus stops, grab a coffee and soak in the frontier atmosphere. Arrive in El Calafate with time to rest, explore the town lakefront, or grab a sunset drink with a view of Lago Argentino.

🚌Public bus El Chaltén → El Calafate (~£12–15pp with TAQSA or Chaltén Travel). Buy tickets at the El Chaltén bus office the day before.

🛏Hostel in El Calafate — same as Day 1 (~£15–22/night dorm, ~£35–45 private twin)

• →Public bus El Chaltén → El Calafate (~3 hrs, ~£12–15 with TAQSA/Chaltén Travel)
• →Pass La Leona Roadhouse on Route 40 (Butch Cassidy's alleged hideout)
• →Afternoon at leisure in El Calafate — lakefront walk or local shops
• →Dinner in El Calafate — budget restaurants along Av. Libertador

Perito Moreno is unmissable and very doable independently. Take a public bus or shared shuttle from El Calafate to the glacier (~1.5 hrs each way, ~£10–14 return — several operators run daily departures from the bus terminal). Pay the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee at the gate (~£15–18pp for foreigners). Spend the morning walking the extensive network of free boardwalks with multiple viewpoints — no guide needed. In the afternoon, book a one-hour boat cruise past the glacier's north face independently at the pier (Puerto Moreno) — tickets cost ~£18–22pp and can be booked on the day or in advance through operators like Marpatag. Head back to El Calafate for a final dinner before the long drive to Chile tomorrow.

🚌Shared shuttle El Calafate ↔ Perito Moreno Glacier (~£10–14 return, departs El Calafate bus terminal daily from ~8am).

🛏Hostel in El Calafate — same as Day 1 (~£15–22/night dorm)

• →Shared shuttle El Calafate → Perito Moreno Glacier (~1.5 hrs, ~£10–14 return)
• →Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee (~£15–18pp)
• →Self-guided walk on glacier boardwalks — multiple free viewpoints
• →One-hour boat cruise past the glacier's north wall (~£18–22pp, book at Puerto Moreno pier or via Marpatag)
• →Return to El Calafate for final Argentine dinner

Take the early public bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales, Chile (~5–6 hrs, ~£20–25pp with Bus Sur or Turibus). The route crosses the Cerro Castillo border checkpoint — complete the mandatory Chilean digital entry form (SAG form) in advance at sagest.sag.gob.cl and declare all food items. On arrival in Puerto Natales (~early afternoon), drop your bags at your hostel, then take a local bus or transfer to Torres del Paine National Park (~1.5 hrs, ~£8–12pp). Pay the national park entrance fee (~£20–25pp). Hike the Mirador Los Cuernos trail (~4 miles return, ~2 hrs, free within the park). Then board the public catamaran from Pudeto Pier across Lake Pehoé to Paine Grande (~30 min, ~£25–30pp one way — book at the pier or via Grey Adventures). Check into Paine Grande Refugio for two nights.

🚌Bus El Calafate → Puerto Natales (~£20–25pp). Local transfer Puerto Natales → Pudeto (~£8–12pp). Catamaran Pudeto → Paine Grande (~£25–30pp).

🛏Paine Grande Refugio, Torres del Paine National Park — mixed dorm (~£35–45/night including dinner and breakfast, book well in advance at vertice.cl)

• →Public bus El Calafate → Puerto Natales (~5–6 hrs, ~£20–25pp with Bus Sur or Turibus)
• →Border crossing at Cerro Castillo — complete SAG digital entry form in advance
• →Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee (~£20–25pp)
• →Hike to Mirador Los Cuernos (~4 miles return, ~2 hrs, free)
• →Catamaran Pudeto → Paine Grande (~30 min, ~£25–30pp — book at pier or via Grey Adventures)
• →Check in to Paine Grande Refugio (mixed dorm)

Set off directly from Paine Grande Refugio on the French Valley trail — one of the finest hikes in South America and free within the national park. Follow the north shore of Lake Pehoé, passing under the dramatic face of Paine Grande before reaching the Italian Camp. From here, push on to the French Valley viewpoint — a stunning open plateau flanked by hanging glaciers and the jagged Cuernos del Paine. The full day covers ~12 miles and 7–8 hours of hiking. Return to Paine Grande for dinner (included with refugio stay). Tomorrow is your last day in the park, so prepare your pack tonight.

🚌All trails depart directly from Paine Grande Refugio — no transport needed.

🛏Paine Grande Refugio — same as Day 7 (~£35–45/night dorm inc. meals)

• →Full-day hike to French Valley viewpoint (~12 miles, 7–8 hrs, free within park)
• →Walk along north shore of Lake Pehoé with Cuernos del Paine views
• →Lunch stop at Italian Camp before final push to the valley viewpoint
• →Return to Paine Grande Refugio for included dinner

Set off from Paine Grande on the Grey Glacier trail (~7 miles return, 4–5 hrs). The path passes a windswept lagoon, through Quebrada de los Vientos (Windy Ravine), and up to the dramatic Grey Glacier viewpoint — one wall of the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Have lunch at the viewpoint, then return to Paine Grande to collect your bags. Board the afternoon catamaran back across Lake Pehoé to Pudeto (~£25–30pp), then catch a shared transfer or public bus back to Puerto Natales (~£8–12pp) for your final night in Patagonia. Book accommodation in Puerto Natales in advance.

🚌Catamaran Paine Grande → Pudeto (~£25–30pp). Shared transfer Pudeto → Puerto Natales (~£8–12pp).

🛏Hostel in Puerto Natales — e.g. Erratic Rock Hostel or Niko's Hostel (~£15–22/night dorm, ~£40–50 private twin)

• →Hike to Grey Glacier viewpoint (~7 miles return, 4–5 hrs, free within park)
• →Lunch at the glacier viewpoint with views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
• →Catamaran Paine Grande → Pudeto (~30 min, ~£25–30pp)
• →Shared transfer Pudeto → Puerto Natales (~£8–12pp)
• →Final dinner in Puerto Natales — try Afrigonia or El Living restaurant

Enjoy a final breakfast in Puerto Natales. A taxi or shared shuttle to Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) takes around 10–15 minutes (~£5–8). Most flights connect via Santiago (SCL) for international connections home. Alternatively, if you want to extend your trip, buses run from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas (~3 hrs, ~£10–12pp) for connections south, or north through Chilean Patagonia.

🚌Taxi/shuttle Puerto Natales → PNT Airport (~£5–8).

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast in Puerto Natales
• →Taxi or shared shuttle to Puerto Natales Airport PNT (~£5–8)
• →Fly Puerto Natales → Santiago for international connections
• →Optional extension: bus to Punta Arenas (~3 hrs, ~£10–12pp)