Patagonia: 10 Days of Trekking and Glaciers in Argentina

Glaciers, mountains, and nature at the End of the World

Discover Argentine Patagonia: from the majestic blue glaciers of El Calafate to Mount Fitz Roy peaks in El Chalten, ending in Ushuaia at the southernmost tip of the continent.

Day 1: Buenos Aires to El Calafate

  • 06:00 - Flight to El Calafate

    Domestic flight from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) to El Calafate (FRC). 3.5 hours in the air.

  • 10:00 - Arrival and check-in

    Airport pickup, hotel transfer. Rest after travel day.

  • 13:00 - Lunch at Lupa Restaurant

    Regional cuisine with Patagonian lamb specialty. Views over Lago Argentino.

  • 15:00 - Walk through El Calafate

    Explore Avenida del Libertador, souvenir shops, local church.

  • 19:00 - Dinner at La Margarita

    Charming restaurant with fresh lake trout from Lago Argentino.

Day 2: Perito Moreno: Full Glacier Day

  • 08:00 - Perito Moreno Glacier Tour

    Visit walkways and observation decks at Los Glaciares National Park. Watch visible glacier advance.

  • 12:30 - Lunch at the park

    Cafe with glacier views, vegetarian options available.

  • 14:00 - Optional boat tour

    Get close to the glacier base on a navigable boat. Watch ice chunks float.

  • 16:30 - Return to El Calafate

    Transfer back to town. Rest before dinner.

  • 19:00 - Light dinner

    Room service or casual meal in town.

Day 3: Glaciarium Museum and Laguna Nimez

  • 09:00 - Glaciarium Museum

    Interactive museum on glaciology, ice formation, and climate change. Entry 550 ARS.

  • 11:30 - Lunch at Cafe Helsingfors

    Small Swedish cafe in El Calafate with homemade desserts. Specialty: strudel.

  • 13:00 - Laguna Nimez Reserve

    1.5 km walk with wildlife: flamingos, herons, wild geese. Bring binoculars.

  • 16:00 - Craft shops

    Browse artisanal souvenirs on Avenida del Libertador.

  • 19:30 - Dinner at Michelangelo

    Italian pizzeria with wood-fired oven and homemade pasta.

Day 4: Transfer to El Chalten

  • 07:00 - Quick breakfast

    Coffee and medialunas before departure.

  • 08:00 - Bus to El Chalten

    Route 9 north, 215 km, 3 hours through vast Patagonian steppe.

  • 12:00 - Arrival and check-in

    Mountain town full of climbers and hikers. Small but well-equipped.

  • 14:00 - Lunch at Cerveceria Laguna Torre

    Local fare: empanadas, choripan, craft beers.

  • 16:00 - Town walk

    Trekking gear shops, maps, trail access points. Acclimatize.

Day 5: Laguna de los Tres Picos and Fitz Roy

  • 06:30 - Fitz Roy Trek start

    Legendary hike to Laguna de los Tres Picos. 19 km round trip, 8-10 hours. Medium-high difficulty.

  • 09:00 - Laguna de los Tres Picos

    Stunning views of Fitz Roy, Torre, and Saint Exupery peaks reflected in the lake.

  • 15:00 - Descent

    Return to town before sunset. Expect fatigue.

  • 19:30 - Dinner at El Relincho

    Traditional steakhouse with quality beef from the region.

Day 6: Laguna Torre and Chorrillo del Salto

  • 07:00 - Laguna Torre Trek

    22 km round trip to lake ringed by Torre peak (3128m). Medium difficulty.

  • 10:00 - Laguna Torre

    Glaciar Torre hangs above the turquoise lake.

  • 15:00 - Return to town

    Easy descent. Relax.

  • 18:30 - Chorrillo del Salto

    Small waterfall 2 km from town. Easy path with mountain views.

  • 20:15 - Dinner at Hosteria Helsingfors

    Swedish-style home cooking. Unique and delicious.

Day 7: Rest Day or Lago del Desierto

  • 09:00 - Option A: Rest day

    Recover in town. Coffee, reading, local spa massage.

  • 09:00 - Option B: Lago del Desierto excursion

    Trip to Virgin Glacier and turquoise lake. 30 km north. Full day tour.

  • 13:00 - Lunch

    Picnic in mountains or local cafe.

  • 19:00 - Light dinner

    Warm soup and bread. Well-earned rest.

Day 8: El Chalten to Ushuaia

  • 06:00 - Early breakfast

    Coffee and supplies for travel.

  • 07:00 - Bus to El Calafate

    Return journey 3.5 hours. Rest before afternoon flight.

  • 11:00 - Quick lunch

    Fast meal in El Calafate before airport transfer.

  • 13:00 - Flight to Ushuaia

    3-hour flight. Views of Tierra del Fuego coast.

  • 17:00 - Check-in at Ushuaia

    Hotel at the End of the World. Capital of Tierra del Fuego.

Day 9: Tierra del Fuego and Beagle Channel

  • 08:00 - Tierra del Fuego National Park

    Visit the southernmost national park. Lenga forests, lakes, short hikes.

  • 12:00 - Lunch

    Cafe in park or in Ushuaia.

  • 13:30 - Beagle Channel boat tour

    Navigate the world-famous channel. Penguin islands, sea lions, cormorants.

  • 17:00 - Ushuaia waterfront walk

    Stroll the coast, duty-free souvenir shops.

  • 19:30 - Dinner at Kaupa

    Fuegian lamb and Beagle Channel views.

Day 10: End of the World Museum and Departure

  • 09:00 - End of the World Museum

    Ushuaia history: Yamana natives, penal colony, Magellan. Entry 700 ARS.

  • 11:30 - Final shopping

    Duty-free shops, local crafts, souvenirs.

  • 13:30 - Farewell lunch

    Last Patagonian asado or king crab in Ushuaia.

  • 15:30 - Airport transfer

    Check-out and depart for airport. Flight to Buenos Aires.

  • 17:30 - Return flight

    3-hour flight to Buenos Aires or international connection. End of adventure.

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Patagonia?
December-February (Southern summer) is ideal for trekking with 14-18 hours of daylight. March-May (autumn) is quieter and cheaper. Avoid June-August due to extreme cold and snow.
Do I need a visa to enter Argentina?
EU, USA, Canada, Australia citizens do not need visas. Other nations require applications. Check embassy. Processing takes 2-4 weeks.
How much money do I need per day?
Budget: $80-120 USD/day (modest lodging, local food, transport). Luxury: $150-200+. Glacier tours cost extra $150-200 each.
Is it safe to trek alone?
Yes, trails are very popular and well-marked. Group hiking is safer. Hire certified guides from local El Chalten agencies.
What should I pack?
Layers: weather changes rapidly. Trekking boots essential. SPF 50+ sunscreen, strong winds. Bug spray. Passport and credit cards.