Is 10 Days Enough To See Patagonia?
10 days isn’t enough time to see all of Patagonia (which spans both Chile and Argentina).
However, it is a great amount of time to experience the highlights of one country or to do a well-planned trip that includes a whistle-stop tour of the best sights of both.
Here’s an overview of the 4 Patagonia itineraries outlined in this post:
| 10-Day Patagonia Itinerary | Locations Covered | Perfect For... |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 Argentinian Patagonia |
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, El Calafate, El Chaltén |
Hikers and glacier lovers |
|
#2 Chilean Patagonia |
Santiago, Puerto Natales, Torres Del Paine |
Outdoor adventurers |
|
#3 Chile & Argentina |
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, El Chaltén, Puerto Natales, Torres Del Paine, Santiago |
Those who want a bit of both |
|
#4 Lake District |
Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Puerto Montt / Varas, Santiago |
Scenic landscapes and lakes |
Itinerary 1: 10-Days In Argentinian Patagonia
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Buenos Aires |
Explore the city, visit neighborhoods |
|
2-4 |
Ushuaia |
Beagle Channel tour, Tierra del Fuego NP |
|
5-6 |
El Calafate |
Perito Moreno Glacier, boat tours |
|
7-9 |
El Chaltén |
Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre hikes |
|
10 |
Buenos Aires |
Final day of sightseeing, departure |
- Budget: $1500-2000
- Ideal Time: December-March is the summer but the shoulder seasons of November and April are also great times
- Ticks off all the best sights in Argentinian Patagonia
- More flights so can be expensive
Day 1 - Buenos Aires
Explore Buenos Aires’ vibrant neighbourhoods.
Walk through San Telmo market, visit Recoleta Cemetery, and enjoy a steak dinner in the evening.
Day 2-4 - Ushuaia
- Transport: Buenos Aires (AEP) > Ushuaia (USU) – 3h 45m
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.
Whilst here you can take a boat tour along the Beagle Channel and go hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Day 5-6 - El Calafate
- Transport: Ushuaia (USU) > El Calafate (FTE) – 1h 15m
Take a day to relax and explore the town. There’s a great wildlife sanctuary called Laguna Nimez if you want to go and do some birdwatching.
The next day, visit the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier. You can take a guided tour, boat tour or even go hiking on top of it.
Day 7-9 - El Chaltén
- Transport: El Calafate to El Chalten - 3h
Head to Argentina’s hiking capital and trek to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre.
These are two of the best treks in Patagonia and the views are breathtaking
Day 10 - Buenos Aires
- Transport: El Chalten to El Calafate to - 3h
- Transport: El Calafate (FTE) > Buenos Aires (AEP) – 3h 30m
Return to Buenos Aires for a final day of sightseeing before flying home.
If you have more time to spare and want to know how many days you need in Patagonia, head to the post below:
“Joe turned our fragmented ideas into a seamless itinerary. His expert advice saved us time, money, and stress – making our 3-month trip feel easy.”
Sam & Amy – 3 Months In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spent hours researching… and still feeling lost
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Itinerary 2: 10 Days In Chilean Patagonia
10 days to see Chilean Patagonia means you can complete the full W-trek with ease. If you aren’t interested in the multi-day trek, head to the next itinerary to see how you can see Torres Del Paine and Argentinian Patagonia together instead.
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1-2 |
Santiago |
Cerro San Cristóbal, Bellavista neighborhood |
|
3 |
Puerto Natales |
Explore town, prepare for the W Trek |
|
4-8 |
Torres Del Paine |
W Trek, Mirador Base Torres, Grey Glacier |
|
9 |
Puerto Natales |
Relax and explore after the trek |
|
10 |
Santiago |
Return flight, explore local markets |
- Budget: $1500-2000
- Ideal Time: December-March is the summer but the shoulder seasons of November and April are also great times
- Perfect for completing the W-trek
- Visiting Torres Del Paine is expensive
Day 1-2 - Santiago
Explore Chile’s capital, visiting Cerro San Cristóbal, the Sky Costanera and enjoying the local cuisine.
If you prefer more time in Patagonia then you can always cut this down to a single day.
Day 3 - Puerto Natales
- Transport: Santiago (SCL) > Puerto Natales (PNT) – 3h 30m
Take a flight to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine.
There’s not much to do in town so relax and prepare for the upcoming trek.
If you head to Base Camp Pizza – they do a daily briefing on the W-trek.
Day 4-8 - Torres Del Paine
- Transport: Puerto Natales to Torres Del Paine - 1h 30m
Embark on the famous 5-day W Trek, seeing Mirador Base Torres, Grey Glacier, and other incredible landscapes.
This trek requires a lot of planning and booking well ahead of time. Check out my South America trip planning service if you need some help.
Day 9 - Puerto Natales
- Transport: Torres Del Paine to Puerto Natales - 1h 30m
Relax and recover after the trek, explore the town, and enjoy some Patagonian cuisine such as lamb and king crab.
Day 10 - Santiago
- Transport: Puerto Natales (PNT) > Santiago (SCL) – 3h 30m
Return to Santiago for a final day of sightseeing before your departure.
If you have two to three weeks to spend in Patagonia, check out the posts below:
“Joe saved us so many hours of research and planning. His expertise turned our stress into a clear, custom itinerary we could actually enjoy.”
Maeve & Martin – 6 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Itinerary 3: 10-Days In Chile & Argentinian Patagonia
This 10-day Patagonia itinerary includes the best of both Argentina and Chile.
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Buenos Aires |
Explore the city, visit museums |
|
2-3 |
El Calafate |
Perito Moreno Glacier, boat tours |
|
4-5 |
El Chaltén |
Hiking to Laguna de los Tres |
|
6 |
Puerto Natales |
Scenic bus journey, explore town |
|
7-9 |
Torres Del Paine |
Mirador Base Torres, Grey Glacier hikes |
|
10 |
Santiago |
Final day of sightseeing |
- Budget: $1750-2000
- Ideal Time: December-March is the summer but the shoulder seasons of November and April are also great times
- See both sides of Patagonia
- Fast paced so less days in each place
Day 1 - Buenos Aires
Spend your first day exploring Buenos Aires’ vibrant streets, visiting museums, and enjoying a traditional tango show.
Day 2-3 - El Calafate
- Transport: Buenos Aires (AEP) > El Calafate (FTE) – 3h 30m
Fly to El Calafate and take a boat tour to see the Perito Moreno Glacier up close. Spend some time exploring the town and its surrounding natural beauty.
Day 4-5 - El Chaltén
- Transport: El Calafate to El Chalten - 3h
Travel to El Chaltén, Patagonia’s hiking capital. Spend your days trekking to Laguna de los Tres and enjoying breathtaking views.
Day 6 - Puerto Natales
- Transport: El Calafate to Puerto Natales - 6h
Cross into Chile and take a scenic bus ride to Puerto Natales. Explore the charming town and prepare for Torres del Paine.
Day 7-9 - Torres Del Paine
- Transport: Puerto Natales to Torres Del Paine - 1h 30m
Embark on an incredible 3-day hike through Torres del Paine National Park, visiting Mirador Base Torres and Grey Glacier.
Or you can stay at one of the incredible hotels in the park and enjoy the scenic trails and viewpoints.
Budget travellers – stay in Puerto Natales and take day trips into the park.
Day 10 - Santiago
- Transport: Torres Del Paine to Puerto Natales - 1h 30m
- Transport: Puerto Natales (PNT) > Santiago (SCL) – 3h 30m
Fly to Santiago for a final evening of sightseeing before departing.
I recommend heading to the Sky Costanera for sunset to get beautiful views of the Andes – the perfect way to end this 10-day Patagonia itinerary!
If you only have one week to spend in Patagonia, check out this post:
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Itinerary 4: 10-Day In Northern Patagonia (Lake District)
This 10-Day itinerary focuses on northern Patagonia and the lake district region in both Argentina and Chile.
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1-2 |
Buenos Aires |
Explore neighborhoods, tango shows |
|
3-5 |
Bariloche |
Scenic hikes, Nahuel Huapi National Park |
|
6-9 |
Puerto Montt / Varas |
Lakes, volcanoes, Osorno Volcano trek |
|
10 |
Santiago |
Explore city before departure |
- Budget: $1500-1750
- Ideal Time: December-March is the summer but the shoulder seasons of November and April are also great times
- The lake district is a unique region and not as touristy as southern Patagonia
- Renting a car is best but may not be for everyone
Day 1-2 - Buenos Aires
Spend your time in Buenos Aires soaking in the culture, exploring historic neighborhoods, and enjoying tango performances.
Day 3-5 - Bariloche
- Transport: Buenos Aires (AEP) > Bariloche (BRC) – 2h
Fly to Bariloche and explore its breathtaking landscapes and exploring Nahuel Huapi National Park.
My two favourite activities include hiking to Refugio Frey and biking around Circuito Chico.
Day 6-9 - Puerto Montt / Varas
- Transport: Bariloche to Puerto Montt - 6-7h
Cross into Chile and visit the beautiful Lake District.
I would recommend staying in Puerto Varas over Puerto Montt (30 mins away). Here you can hike around Osorno Volcano and explore the stunning lakes and forests of the region.
Day 10 - Santiago
- Transport: Puerto Montt (PMT) > Santiago (SCL) - 2h
Conclude your trip in Santiago, taking in the city’s vibrant culture and markets before heading home.
If you have one month to spend in Patagonia, head to the page below:
My Final Thoughts On A 10-Day Patagonia Trip
Each of these Patagonia itineraries offers something unique, whether you’re after epic hikes, glacier adventures, or a combination of both.
However, my favourite of all three is the one that covers both Chile and Argentine Patagonia. If you only have 10 days – a visit to Torres Del Paine, El Calafate and El Chalten ticks off to of the best sights in the region!
If you are looking for somthing a bit different, or it’s your second time to Patagonia – go for the lake district itinerary.
Have you been to Patagonia? Let me know your favorite spots in the comments below!
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
POPULAR Chile Guides & Itineraries
Short South America Itineraries
Medium South America Itineraries
Long South America Itineraries
