From giant glaciers to towering mountain peaks and undulating steppes that roll far beyond the horizon, it would be easy to spend a couple of months exploring Patagonia. After all, the region is made up of nine national parks, each of which promises a unique landscape and experience. So that being said, how does one fit the best that the region has to offer into a 10-day Patagonia itinerary? If you’re struggling to decide, our pre-planned 10-day Patagonia Highlights itinerary may just be your solution. Compiling their years of knowledge and experience of Patagonia, the TLA experts have crafted this itinerary to include all of the region’s very best highlights at the perfect pace. At the least, this Patagonia Highlights 10-day Itinerary will provide a good foundation for designing your own tailored itinerary with us, but it might just be your dream Patagonia trip.
Patagonia Highlights 10-day Itinerary Trip Overview
Our 10-day Patagonian exploration begins in El Calafate where you will find yourself face-to-face with South America’s largest glaciers, Perito Moreno and Upsala. After a few days at a luxury hotel in Los Glaciares National Park, you’ll journey to a wifi-free dome glamping camp in the foothills of Mount Fitz Roy. Prepare for your first full day-hike to the base of the Fitz Roy peak, stopping to soak up some of Patagonia’s most spectacular scenery along the way.
Next, you’ll cross over the Chilean border to Torres del Paine where you’ll stay at an exclusive lakeside lodge hidden within its chiselled mountains. Here, you’ll conquer another mountain to reach the iconic Torres del Paine peaks after roaming the park by horseback or 4×4. Before you fly home, you’ll swap Patagonia’s quiet national parks for the city as you spend a couple of days in Buenos or Argentina.
Days 1-3 El Calafate: Los Glaciares National Park
Day 1
We will begin our adventurous Patagonia 10-day itinerary in El Calafate, which sits in the heart of the region and is considered the gateway city to Los Glaciares National Park. After the three-hour flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, you’ll have the rest of the day to leisurely explore the city or rest and unwind at EOLO hotel. We recommend taking the opportunity to go birdwatching, cycling, or horseback riding around EOLO’s rugged private land.
Day 2
After a gourmet dinner and restful sleep, you’ll be ready to venture into Los Glaciares National Park and witness the sheer beauty and magnificence of its popular Perito Moreno and the larger Upsala glacier. These can be reached on a scenic boat tour across Lake Argentina, or on an ice trek across the glaciers themselves if you’re prepared for a challenge. As the sun sets, toast the day’s adventure with a glass of Argentinian wine over dinner at EOLO’s panoramic restaurant.
Day 3
Day 3 offers another opportunity to fill your adventure cup and explore the region in new and exciting ways. If you hiked across the glaciers on day two, then we recommend taking a glacier cruise on a luxury catamaran past giant icebergs to meet the Upsala Glacier face-to-face. If you already took a boat tour on day two, we recommend taking advantage of EOLO’s 4×4 and ziplining activities which allow you to see the Patagonian steppes from a different perspective.
Where to Stay: EOLO Patagonia Spirit
© EOLA Patagonia’s Spirit
Set in 4000 hectares of rugged steppes and sierras, EOLO is a remote and peaceful ranch-style hotel that embodies the Patagonian spirit. Guests are free to roam its unspoiled nature on horseback, bike, or foot, or enjoy it from the floor-to-ceiling windows in its lounges suites, and restaurant. Yet, since it’s situated between El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier, exciting Patagonian adventure is never far away.
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VIEW TRIP >>Days 4 + 5 El Chalten: Mount Fitz Roy and Los Tres Lagunas
Day 4
Today you’ll be transferred from El Calafate to El Chalten, a small mountain village at the start of the trails to Argentina’s iconic Mount Fitz Roy. While you can opt to stay in the town itself which is abuzz with hikers passing through, we recommend switching off your phones and tuning into nature at the Patagonia Eco Domes. Upon arrival, you’ll have free time to relax, rest, and mingle with other glamping guests.
Day 5
Load your stomachs with a hearty breakfast because today you’ll be hiking the 15-mile Laguna Los Tres trail to the top of Mount Fitz Roy. While the trail is rocky in some parts, it is considered accessible to anyone with an average fitness level. Plus, your guide will encourage you to stop every 2.5 miles to enjoy the mountain’s best vistas and refuel. The hike may be challenging for some, but the mesmerizing beauty of the ice-blue Laguna Los Tres against the silvery Fitz Roy mountain peak makes it all worthwhile.
Where to Stay: Patagonia Eco Dome
© Patagonia Eco Domes
Featuring seven private half-glass domes promising unbeatable bedroom views of Mount Fitz Roy, Patagonia Eco Domes offers one of the world’s best luxury glamping experiences. The wifi-free camp half an hour from El Chalten is the perfect place to appreciate Patagonia’s splendor to the fullest. After a day’s adventure, you’ll return to a hearty meal in the stylish communal dome to mingle with fellow glampers before retiring to your dome to relax beside your wood fire and sleep below the stars.
Days 6-8 Chilean Patagonia: Torres del Paine
Day 6
Enjoy some time to rest your legs after the epic hike as we whisk you to the Explora Lodge in Torres del Paine. Upon arrival, head straight for the spa for some hydrotherapy in the lodge’s open-air jacuzzis overlooking the chiseled landscape that surround it followed by a destressing sauna and steam. Then spend the evening tucked into a good book in the Explora lounge and watch the sunset over the mountains from its panoramic windows.
Day 7
Explore the landscapes of Chilean Patagonia on a half-day overlanding tour around Torres del Paine. Your knowledgeable local over landing guide will take you by private 4×4 on an astonishingly scenic drive through the pampas, steppes, or marshes of Patagonia, stopping for short hikes and observations along the way. Spend a restful afternoon wandering on horseback around Explora’s acres of land or back at the spa to prepare for another day’s hike.
Day 8
Today you’ll rise early to embark on a guided day hike to the Torres del Paine, one of Patagonia’s most recognizable mountain peaks. The 11-mile trail takes about four hours to hike each way with plenty of time to rest, refuel, and soak up the incredible scenery. Marking the return point, views of the Torres del Paine peaks will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip. If you have the time, add a few extra days to your itinerary to do one of Torres del Paine’s multi-day hikes instead.
Where to Stay: Explora Lodge
Torres Del Paine © The Explorer Lodge
Situated on the glassy Lake Pehoe, surrounded by chiseled mountains, the Explora Lodge boasts the most exceptional views and location in Torres del Paine. From the suites to the spa, restaurant, and lounges, the hotel accentuates its cinematic views with floor-to-ceiling windows. To further indulge its guests in the beauty of Chilean Patagonia, the simplistically luxurious lodge offers an exceptional array of privately guided explorations.
Day 9 + 10: Buenos Aires or Santiago
Whether you’re flying home from Santiago de Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina, we recommend arriving in the city a day before your return flight to explore. Alternatively, you can add an extra day to one of your three other stops to complete your Patagonia 10-day itinerary.
Alternative Itinerary Idea for Less Hiking:
Days 4 + 5 Ushuaia: Tierra del Fuego
Day 4
With a short one-hour-long flight from El Calafate to Ushuaia, you’ll be at the southern tip of Argentina, (aka the ‘ End of the World’) before you know it. Once you arrive, you’ll join a boat tour with an expert naturalist who sails around the craggy Tierra del Fuego archipelago in search of sea lions and other local wildlife. Afterward, head to the city’s restaurants and bars to enjoy the local food and the buzz of other travelers who are equally excited to be at the end of the world.
Day 5
Following a rested night’s sleep, you’ll embark on a moderate half-day (4-5 hours) hike to the stunning Esmeralda Lagoon, a bright turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Afterward, you’ll get to explore the region further without having to lift a finger, let alone a foot. Celebrated as one of the most scenic train journeys on earth, the Train at the End of the World will astonish and enchant you as it whisks you along Tierra del Fuego’s rugged coastline.
Where to stay: Arakur Resort and Spa
© Arakur Resort & Spa
Situated on a hilltop with a magnificent mountain peak directly behind it, the Beagle Channel ahead, and Ushuaia below, the Arakur Resort allows you to appreciate Tierra del Fuego to the fullest. However, its mission to indulge you in the beauty of the region goes beyond its views. Get a taste of the region through its exquisite gastronomy, impeccable service, and heavenly spa therapies.
Tailor Your Patagonia 10-day Itinerary
At TLA, all of our luxury Patagonia vacations are tailor-made, which means you can adjust our suggested Patagonia 10-day itinerary to suit your own desires. Each aspect of this trip has been created to be easily adapted to any kind of group, whether you’re a family with young kids, senior travelers who prefer a slower pace, or an adventurous couple. To book this trip or tailor your own, get in touch with our Patagonia travel experts by emailing us here or calling toll-free on +1 855 217 9045.
