Classic Patagonia Treks: Self-Launched
13 days · Patagonia (Chile & Argentina)
Exodus Adventure Travels charges £11,020
No-markup version: ~£1,730 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of Exodus's 13-day Patagonia trekking circuit — Santiago to Buenos Aires via Puerto Natales, the W-trek highlights of Torres del Paine (Grey Glacier, French Valley, Base of the Towers), Perito Moreno, El Chaltén and the Cagliero Glacier. You book it yourself: domestic flights, the Navimag-style ferry or bus to Puerto Natales, shared shuttles and catamarans in the park, refugio and hostel beds, and self-guided hiking on well-marked trails (all the big walks here are signed and doable without a guide). Expect to be on your feet 5–8 hours on trekking days; carry your own gear for the park section unless you pay for porter/refugio luggage transfers. Costs are approximate backpacker/mid-range estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Land at Santiago (SCL), take the shared Centropuerto/Turbus airport bus (~£3) or taxi into the centre. Stay in Bellavista or Lastarria for food and street life. Use the afternoon to sort a Chilean SIM/eSIM, change money and buy any missing hiking kit (Santiago is much cheaper than Patagonia). Try a completo and a pisco sour, and do an evening wander up Cerro San Cristóbal if the weather's clear.
🚌Airport bus ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm in Bellavista/Lastarria (~£14)
- →Bellavista & Lastarria wander
- →Cerro San Cristóbal viewpoint
- →Gear & SIM shopping
Fly south to Punta Arenas, bus to Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales, Chile
Book a morning Sky Airline or LATAM flight Santiago–Punta Arenas (~£70–110 booked 4–8 weeks ahead; 3h 20m). From Punta Arenas airport take the shuttle or local bus into town and the regular Buses Fernández/Buses Pacheco service to Puerto Natales (3h, ~£8). In Puerto Natales do your park briefing at CONAF/your hostel, hire any gear you're missing (sleeping bag, poles), buy park tickets online (pases.conaf.cl, ~£30 for 3+ days) and stock up on snacks. Walk the waterfront for the Última Esperanza fjord views.
🚌Flight ~£90 + bus ~£8
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Puerto Natales (~£14)
- →CONAF park briefing
- →Gear hire
- →Waterfront & Última Esperanza Fjord
Into Torres del Paine — catamaran and Glacier Grey
Torres del Paine, Paine Grande sector
Take the early Bus Sur/Buses María José bus from Puerto Natales to Pudeto (2h, ~£10), then the catamaran across Lago Pehoé to Paine Grande (~£25, buy on the day or via Hielos Patagónicos). Hike the signed trail west toward Refugio Grey (2h, 11km) along Lago Grey with Grey Glacier and the Paine massif in view. Pack a picnic lunch. Sleep at Refugio Grey or the nearby camping (book via Vertice Patagonia weeks ahead — beds sell out in high season).
🚌Bus ~£10 + catamaran ~£25
🛏Refugio Grey dorm or camping (~£30 refugio / £12 camp)
- →Lago Pehoé catamaran
- →Paine Grande–Grey trail
- →Grey Glacier lookout
- →Optional ice hike on Grey Glacier (~£60–80, book with Big Foot or Vertice)
French Valley day hike
French Valley / Los Cuernos
Walk back east to Paine Grande and climb into the French Valley — the trail past Lake Skottsberg to Mirador Británico and Campamento Británico takes roughly 4–5 hours round trip from the valley junction, with the French Glacier hanging above. This is the most exposed section of the W for wind; turn around if conditions build. Continue east to Los Cuernos refugio/camping for the night (book with Vertice Patagonia).
🚌On foot
🛏Los Cuernos refugio dorm or camping (~£32 / £12)
- →French Valley hike
- →Mirador Británico
- →Nordenskjöld Lake viewpoints
Lake shore traverse to Hotel Las Torres
Torres del Paine, Las Torres sector
A gentler walking day: follow the trail along the northern shore of Nordenskjöld Lake through beech (lenga) forest, past the Cuernos viewpoints, to the Hotel Las Torres trailhead area (5–6h). Restock at the shop, then check in at Refugio Chileno or Camping Torre Central / Chileno for the early start tomorrow. Sort your headtorch, layers and a 3am snack.
🚌On foot
🛏Refugio Chileno or Camping Torre Central (~£35 / £12)
- →Nordenskjöld Lake shoreline trail
- →Lenga forest walk
- →Refugio resupply
Base of the Towers sunrise hike
Base of the Towers (Las Torres)
Start in the dark (most hikers leave 3–4am to catch sunrise light on the towers). Climb through Ascencio River Valley, cross the two rivers and the lenga forest, then up the glacial moraine to the lake below Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte and Cerro Nido de Cóndor — about 2.5–3h up, 2h down. Cold at the top, so bring gloves and a windproof shell. Descend to Hotel Las Torres and take the evening bus back to Puerto Natales (~£10).
🚌Park bus back to Puerto Natales ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Natales (~£14)
- →Base of the Towers sunrise
- →Ascencio Valley
- →Glacial moraine climb
Border crossing to El Calafate
El Calafate, Argentina
Book the through bus Puerto Natales–El Calafate with Bus Sur or Chalten Travel (~£30–40, 5–6h including the Cerro Castillo/Integración border formalities). Keep your Chilean PDI receipt and have an Argentine entry sorted. Arrive in El Calafate, settle into a hostel near the main street, and book tomorrow's Perito Moreno shuttle (~£20 return) and your onward El Chaltén bus at the terminal or with Caltur/Chalten Travel.
🚌Cross-border bus ~£35
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, El Calafate (~£16)
- →Border crossing
- →Book Perito Moreno & El Chaltén shuttles
- →Lake Argentino waterfront
Perito Moreno Glacier
Los Glaciares National Park (Perito Moreno)
Early shuttle (90 min, ~£20 return) to the glacier; park entry ~£15 (pay online or at the gate with card). Walk the 5km of boardwalk balconies for calving ice and glacier-front views, and take the free boat transfer across Lago Argentino to the opposite shore. Optional 1-hour boat trip closer to the glacier face (~£35–45, book at the site or via GetYourGuide). Back to El Calafate for a lamb/steak dinner.
🚌Shuttle ~£20
🛏Hostel dorm, El Calafate (~£16)
- →Perito Moreno balconies
- →Optional glacier boat trip
- →Park entry
Bus to El Chaltén — Cerro Torre hike
El Chaltén, Argentina
Morning bus El Calafate–El Chaltén (3h, ~£20, Caltur/Chalten Travel; book a day ahead). Drop bags at the hostel, then walk the signed trail from town along the Fitz Roy River to Mirador Cerro Torre (~3h round trip) past Laguna Torre turnoff area — Patagonia's trekking capital needs no guide for its day trails. Book nothing but your own time: trailheads are walkable from town.
🚌Bus ~£20
🛏Hostel dorm or camping, El Chaltén (~£15)
- →Cerro Torre viewpoint trail
- →Fitz Roy River walk
- →Free trailhead access from town
Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy)
Los Glaciares National Park, El Chaltén
The big one: an early start on the signed trail along Rio Blanco through lenga and ñire forest, past Campamento Poincenot, then the steep final hour up to Laguna de los Tres for the full Mount Fitz Roy massif and Piedras Blancas Glacier. Roughly 8h and 20km round trip. Return via the Laguna Capri lookout for a softer descent. Carry water from streams, lunch, and full weather layers — the summit section gets wind and snow any month.
🚌On foot from town
🛏Hostel dorm or camping, El Chaltén (~£15)
- →Laguna de los Tres hike
- →Laguna Capri return
- →Piedras Blancas Glacier views
Cagliero Glacier via Los Huemules Reserve
Los Huemules Reserve / El Chaltén
Pay the Los Huemules reserve entry (~£25–30, reserve online or at the gate) and take the reserve shuttle/shared transfer the 40 minutes from El Chaltén. Hike the Diablo River Valley past Diablo Lagoon, cross the hanging bridges, and lunch at the refuge in front of Cagliero Glacier before continuing past the Blue and Green lagoons. Book with the reserve directly or via a local operator (GetYourGuide/Klook list day trips from El Chaltén, ~£25–40 with transfer).
🚌Reserve shuttle ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm or camping, El Chaltén (~£15)
- →Diablo Valley hike
- →Hanging bridges
- →Cagliero Glacier refuge
- →Blue & Green lagoons
Fly to Buenos Aires
El Calafate → Buenos Aires
Bus El Chaltén–El Calafate (3h, ~£20), then the afternoon Aerolíneas Argentinas/LATAM/JetSMART flight El Calafate–Buenos Aires Aeroparque (~£90–130 booked ahead, 3h 20m). From Aeroparque it's a cheap city bus or taxi into Palermo/San Telmo. Evening: walk Palermo Soho, eat at a parrilla, and catch a milonga if you're up for it.
🚌Bus ~£20 + flight ~£110
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel, Palermo/San Telmo (~£18)
- →Palermo Soho evening
- →Parrilla dinner
- →Milonga (optional)
Buenos Aires and on
Buenos Aires, Argentina
A free morning in Buenos Aires: Recoleta Cemetery, the Plaza de Mayo and San Telmo market streets, or a bike hire loop through the Ecological Reserve. Free walking tours run daily (tip-based). Use the Airport Bus or Manuel Tienda León shuttle to Ezeiza for onward flights. If you want more, add Iguazú Falls or extend in Uruguay — both are easy to bolt on independently.
🚌Airport shuttle ~£10
🛏Not included (or add a night ~£18)
- →Recoleta Cemetery
- →Plaza de Mayo
- →San Telmo market
- →Free walking tour
Self-launched vs. Exodus Adventure Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Adventure Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,730 | £11,020 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £9,290 per person (84%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Adventure Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,730
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 Classic Patagonia Treks: Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,730 per person for 13 days in Patagonia (Chile & Argentina). 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 Exodus Adventure Travels?+
Yes — Exodus Adventure Travels charges around £11,020 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,730 — a saving of roughly £9,290 (84%) per person.
How long is the Patagonia (Chile & Argentina) trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Patagonia (Chile & Argentina).
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, backpacker trip through Patagonia (Chile & Argentina), 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?
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