Patagonia Highlights Holiday
16 days from £4,185 pp
This Patagonia Highlights Holiday is a tailor-made, 16-day trip through the essential sights of Argentine and Chilean Patagonia: hiking beneath Fitz Roy in El Chaltén, the Perito Moreno Glacier, three nights in Torres del Paine and a boat trip to fjord glaciers from Puerto Natales. From £4,185 per person, it’s our most affordable Patagonia holiday, with comfortable hotels and free days in Torres del Paine so you choose your own activities. Includes transfers and internal flights. It suits walkers of every level who want Patagonia’s highlights in a little over two weeks.
Trip Highlights
- Hike straight from your door in El Chaltén, beneath Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre
- Walk the boardwalks facing the Perito Moreno Glacier, or strap on crampons
- Choose your own adventures in Torres del Paine
- Feast on Patagonian specialities, from king crab to lamb roasted al palo
Our Expert Tip
”When in Puerto Natales, don’t miss Brew Gallery, one of the region’s standout craft beer bars offering a massive selection of craft beers from around the region”
Scarlett, Patagonia Expert
Patagonia Highlights Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1-2: Buenos Aires
Ease into the trip with two nights in Buenos Aires at Casa Leppage Hotel. A local guide will show you the city’s contrasts in a morning: the brightly painted houses of La Boca, the political heart around the Casa Rosada, and the elegant mansions of Recoleta.
Then the city is yours: lunch at a neighbourhood parrilla, an afternoon among Palermo’s bookshops and cafés, and an evening tango show.
Day 3-6: El Chaltén
Argentina’s trekking capital, El Chaltén, is your home for four nights at Hosteria Vertical Lodge, a scenic three-hour bus ride north of El Calafate airport. Step out of the hotel and you’re on the trail: head off with a map at your own pace, or spend a day with a local guide.
The two walks everyone talks about lead to Laguna Torre, beneath the spire of Cerro Torre, and Laguna de los Tres, where Fitz Roy fills the skyline. For something gentler, the Mirador de los Cóndores gives a big view in under an hour.
Day 7-9: El Calafate
The first thing you notice at the Perito Moreno Glacier is the noise: a deep crack, then a roar as another slab of ice drops into the lake. Spend a full day there with your guide, by boat along the glacier’s face and on foot along the walkways opposite it. Ice-hiking and kayaking are optional extras for the adventurous.
Your last day here takes you back in time, on a half-day trip into the region’s Tehuelche heritage and the stories of its first settlers. You’ll stay at Sent Calafate hotel in El Calafate for three nights.
Day 10-12: Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine is the reason many people come to Patagonia, and you have three nights to enjoy it at Hotel Lago Grey, looking out across Grey Lake. A full-day guided excursion introduces you to the park’s highlights. After that the days are yours, and the hotel team will help you book whatever appeals: a boat across the lake to the glacier, the climb to the granite towers themselves, or the quieter trail into Pingo Valley. Keep an eye out for guanacos and condors along the way, and read our guide to the best wildlife spotting in Chile.
Day 13-14: Puerto Natales
Spend two nights in Puerto Natales at Weskar Lodge, a laid-back port town with excellent restaurants and Scarlett’s favourite craft beer bar. The big day out is a boat trip through the fjords to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. There’s no road to either, and watching them from the deck, with cormorants and sea lions on the rocks nearby, makes for one of the most peaceful days of the trip.
Day 15: Santiago
Your last stop is Santiago, a short flight north, for one night. Browse the Mercado Central, visit a museum or enjoy a last Chilean dinner. Want more time? Add a few days at a vineyard an hour from the city; see our wine holiday recommendations.
When to Go
Best time for a Patagonia highlights holiday
The best time for this trip is November to March, when the weather is mildest and every trail and boat trip is running. December to February is busiest, so book early. October and April are often quieter and better value, with spring flowers or autumn colours, though some services run less often. From May to September, many hotels and excursions close.
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
