Is 7 Days Enough To See Patagonia
7 days isn’t enough time to see the whole of Patagonia (which includes both Chile and Argentina).
However, one week is a good amount of time to see the highlights of Patagonia sticking to one country, or to do a whistle-stop tour across the border to see parts of both.
Here’s an overview of the 3 itineraries I’ve outlined in this post:
| Itinerary | Locations Covered | Perfect For... |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 Argentinian Patagonia |
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, El Chaltén |
Hikers and glacier lovers |
|
#2 Chilean Patagonia |
Santiago, Torres Del Paine |
Outdoor adventurers |
|
#3 Chile & Argentina |
Santiago, Torres Del Paine, El Calafate, Buenos Aires |
Those who want the best of both |
Itinerary 1: 7 Days In Argentinian Patagonia
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Buenos Aires |
Explore the city, Tango shows |
|
2-3 |
El Calafate |
Perito Moreno Glacier |
|
4-6 |
El Chalten |
Laguna De Los Tres |
|
7 |
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
- Great single day hike options
- Expensive
Day 1 - Buenos Aires
Spend the day exploring Buenos Aires’ vibrant neighborhoods.
I recommend taking a walking tour of Palermo, visiting Recoleta Cemetery, and enjoying a traditional steak dinner.
Day 2-3 - El Calafate
- Transport: Buenos Aires (AEP) > El Calafate (FTE) – 3h 30m
Fly to El Calafate and visit the famous Perito Moreno Glacier.
You have so many options here to visit the famous glacier. I recommend a guided tour that includes a visit to the boardwalks along with a boat tour so you to see the glacier from the water.
Day 4-6 - El Chaltén
- Transport: El Calafate to El Chalten - 3h
Take a scenic bus ride to El Chaltén, Patagonia’s hiking capital.
Spend your days trekking to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre, enjoying some of the best hikes in Argentina.
You’ll probably want a day in between for a rest day to help the legs recover!
Day 7 - Buenos Aires
- Transport: El Chalten to El Calafate - 3h
- Transport: El Calafate (FTE) > Buenos Aires (AEP) – 3h 30m
Most of the day will b spent returning to Buenos Aires.
Take the bus back to El Calafate and then fly back to Buenos Aires for a final day of sightseeing.
If you have time in the evening, why not try a tango show or a food experience such as Argentinian barbeque.
If you have longer then 7 days to dedicate to Patagonia and you want to see some other options for organising your time, 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: 7 Days In Chilean Patagonia
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1-2 |
Santiago |
Cerro San Cristóbal, Bellavista neighborhood |
|
3-6 |
Torres Del Paine |
W Trek, Mirador Base Torres, Grey Glacier |
|
7 |
Santiago |
Return flight, explore markets and museums |
- Budget: $1500-2000
- Ideal Time: December-March is the summer but the shoulder seasons of November and April are also great times
- Great multi-day hike options
- Visiting Torres Del Paine is expensive
Day 1-2 - Santiago
Explore Chile’s capital, visiting Cerro San Cristóbal for panoramic views.
Walk through the Bellavista neighborhood and try local Chilean dishes like empanadas and pastel de choclo.
In the evening, climb the Sky Costanera for the best sunset views of the city.
Day 3-6 - Torres Del Paine
- Transport: Santiago (SCL) > Puerto Natales (PNT) – 3h 30m
Fly to Puerto Natales and transfer to Torres del Paine National Park.
You have several options for how to spend your time here:
- Spend 2-3 days hiking parts of the famous W Trek, visiting Lago Grey and Mirador Base Torres
- Stay at one of the hotels inside the park and take a more leisurely approach, exploring the different trails and panoramic viewpoints
Day 7 - Santiago
- Transport: Puerto Natales (PNT) > Santiago (SCL) – 3h 30m
Return to Santiago for a relaxed day exploring museums and local markets before catching your flight home.
Whilst a week in Patagonia is great, if you can extend to two or three weeks you’ll be able to see so muh more. 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: Chilean & Argentinian Patagonia
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Santiago |
Explore the city, visit museums |
|
2-4 |
Torres Del Paine |
Hike to Mirador Base Torres, visit Grey Glacier |
|
5-6 |
El Calafate |
Visit Perito Moreno Glacier, boat trips |
|
7 |
Buenos Aires |
Final day of sightseeing, departure |
- 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 - Santiago
Arrive in Santiago and spend the day exploring the historic center, visiting Plaza de Armas and trying local street food.
Day 2-4 - Torres Del Paine
- Transport: Santiago (SCL) > Puerto Natales (PNT) – 3h 30m
Fly to Puerto Natales and transfer to Torres del Paine. Spend your days hiking to Mirador Base Torres and exploring Grey Glacier.
Day 5-6 - El Calafate
- Transport: Puerto Natales to El Calafate - 6h
Cross into Argentina and visit the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier. Take a boat tour and explore the town’s charming streets.
Day 7 - Buenos Aires
- Transport: El Calafate (FTE) > Buenos Aires (AEP) – 3h 30m
End your trip in Buenos Aires with a final day of sightseeing, visiting Palermo, Recoleta, or San Telmo before your departure.
My Final Thoughts On A 7-Day Patagonia Itinerary
Each of these Patagonia itineraries offers something unique, whether you’re after epic hikes, glacier adventures, or a combination of both.
No matter which route you choose, Patagonia is sure to leave you speechless.
However, my favourite of all three is the one that covers both Chile and Argentine Patagonia. If you only have 7 days – a visit to Torres Del Paine and Perito Moreno Glacier ticks off to of the best sights in the region!
Have you been to Patagonia? Let me know your favorite spots in the comments below!
If you have ten days 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.
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