I recently explored both the Chilean and Argentine sides of Patagonia and had an incredible experience. Based on what I learned during my trip, this is the exact 2 week Patagonia itinerary I would recommend to first-time visitors.
If you only have two weeks in Patagonia, the best route is to start in Chile and end in Argentina (or vice versa). This minimizes backtracking, reduces travel time, and allows you to experience many of Patagonia’s highlights in a single trip.
When I visited Patagonia, I started and ended my trip in Santiago, Chile. While it was still an amazing experience, I spent more time in transit than necessary. Looking back, I would have flown into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires to make the most of my time in the region.
The below suggested 2-week Patagonia itinerary can easily be extended if you’d like to take more time. There’s so much to see and do in the region, and the itinerary below reflects the bare minimum recommended time for a trip to Patagonia.
Patagonia Itinerary at a Glance
- Days 1–2: Santiago, Chile
- Days 3–5: Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
- Days 6–8: El Calafate, Argentina
- Days 9–13: El Chaltén, Argentina
- Day 14: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Route: Santiago → Puerto Natales → Torres del Paine → El Calafate → El Chaltén → Buenos Aires
Days 1 - 2: Santiago, Chile
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Chile
Your Patagonia itinerary should start or end in Santiago, Chile, as all international flights to Chile route through Santiago. If you prefer to skip the city, you can book a flight with a short layover and not leave the airport. However, if you’re passing through, it’s worth exploring all Santiago has to offer on your way to Patagonia.
Day 2: Spend the day exploring Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile, is a vibrant Latin American metropolis with plenty to see and do. If you have just 24 hours, I recommend staying in the city to explore the highlights. Don’t miss Barrio Lastarria, a Bohemian neighborhood known for great shopping and dining, Plaza de Armas, and the stunning views from San Cristóbal Hill and Santa Lucía Hill. Be sure to also visit La Moneda Palace for a taste of Chilean history.
Days 3 - 5: Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine, Chile
From Santiago, Chile, fly into Puerto Natales to enter the Chilean side of Patagonia. Puerto Natales is about a 2-hour bus ride from the iconic Torres del Paine National Park. You can either base yourself in Puerto Natales for your entire stay and take day trips to Torres del Paine or spend a day in Puerto Natales before heading into the park to camp, hike, or stay overnight. If you need Wi-Fi or plan to work remotely, note that Puerto Natales has reliable Wi-Fi and cell service, while Torres del Paine does not, which might influence how you structure your trip.
Day 3: Fly to Puerto Natales, Chile
When planning your Patagonia itinerary, you’ll need to decide whether to fly into Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales on the Chilean side. If you only have two weeks, it’s more time-efficient to fly directly into Puerto Natales. Punta Arenas is nice, but starting there adds a 3+ hour drive to your trip, and aside from seeing penguins (which are amazing!), there’s not much to do. In my opinion, it’s not worth sacrificing a day for penguins when there are so many other incredible things to pack into your itinerary.
Days 4 & 5: Explore Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Torres del Paine National Park is a must for your Patagonia itinerary, as it’s the most breathtaking area in the region with several ways to explore it.
One option is a guided tour, perfect for travelers who want to see the park without committing to a trek, renting a car, or staying overnight. These tours can be booked online in advance and depart daily from Puerto Natales. I took this tour to Torres Del Paine via GetYourGuide and highly recommend it. If you’d like to research all of the tours offered in the area; check-out what’s available on both GetYourGuide and Viator to compare options.
Another way to experience the park is by trekking. There are various routes of different lengths, allowing you to explore independently, with options to camp or stay in accommodations along the way.
Lastly, you can rent a car and explore on your own. Just remember there’s limited cell reception and Wi-Fi, so download maps ahead of time to navigate.
Days 6 - 8: El Calafate, Argentina
Day 6: Take bus to El Calafate from Puerto Natales
Take a bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate, your first stop on the Argentine side of Patagonia. The journey takes about 4 hours, including immigration. A reliable bus company for this route Bus Sur. Tickets cost us 29,000 pesos (about $25 USD), but prices can vary depending on the season and economy, so be sure to check directly with the company before booking.
Day 7: Explore El Calafate
El Calafate is a charming lakeside town with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and nature to explore. Spend your first day exploring the town by walking around Reserva Laguna Nimez, spend time at the lake, or take a guided hike in the surrounding mountains. You can also set off on your own, as there are plenty of independent hiking options nearby. The best way to find hikes to do on your own in El Calafate is by using the AllTrails app.
Day 8: Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate became a major tourist destination in Patagonia because of the Perito Moreno Glacier, located about 1.5 hours away.The easiest way to visit is by guided tour, which often includes hotel pickup, drop-off, and helpful tips. Alternatively, you can take a local bus or rent a car for a more independent experience. While a guided tour isn’t essential, it does make the experience easier to navigate.
Days 9 - 11: El Chalten
Day 9: Take Bus to El Chalten
Take a bus from El Calafate to El Chaltén, a 2-hour, 40-minute drive. I recommend using Chaltén Travel for this transfer. A one-way ticket cost me 29,000 pesos (about $24.36 USD), but prices can vary depending on the season and Argentina’s economy, so check with the company for current rates before booking.
Days 10 – 11: Explore El Chalten
El Chaltén is famous for its stunning, accessible hikes. The town is surrounded by trails, attracting travelers who hike daily. How long you stay depends on your hiking plans. If you’re not an avid hiker, one to two days is enough to explore the shops and restaurants. For those wanting to hike, allow more time in your itinerary. El Chaltén is one of Patagonia’s most unique and magical spots. The most famous hike is the Fitz Roy Trail, but there are plenty of other trails in El Chalten for all skill levels to enjoy. A good tool for discovering hikes in the area is AllTrails.
Day 12 - 14: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 12: Take bus back to El Calafate
If you’re traveling to an international destination outside of South America after visiting Patagonia, you’ll need to exit via Buenos Aires or Santiago. To maximize your time, plan to leave from the opposite country you entered. Since this itinerary starts in Santiago, it’s best to depart from Buenos Aires.
To get to Buenos Aires from El Chaltén, take a bus back to El Calafate, then catch a flight to Buenos Aires. The flight takes about 3 hours, with several departures daily from El Calafate. I recommend Chalten Travel for this transfer.
Day 13: Spend day in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Spend a day exploring Buenos Aires. Don’t miss top spots like Cementerio de la Recoleta, Plaza de Mayo, and El Ateneo Grand Splendid. Be sure to visit the colorful La Boca neighborhood as well. A great way to experience the city is by joining a free walking tour, offered daily in the city center. While you’re there, try an Asado and, if time allows, catch a tango performance.
Day 14: Fly back to home destination
Head back to your home destination from one of Buenos Aires’ international airports: Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) or Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP).
Additional Tips for Planning the Perfect Trip to Patagonia
Planning a trip to Patagonia can feel overwhelming with so many cities and itinerary options. Below are some tips and tricks to simplify your planning. These were questions I had during my trip, and I’m sharing them in hopes they’ll help you too.
When entering Patagonia on the Chilean side, it’s better to fly into Puerto Natales rather than Punta Arenas.
- When flying to or from the Chilean side of Patagonia, you can choose between Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine. I recommend skipping Punta Arenas (unless you’re set on seeing penguins) and flying directly to Torres del Paine to save a 3-hour drive. While many choose Punta Arenas for more flight options, Torres del Paine also has daily flights, making it worth considering. This is especially true if you only have two weeks in Patagonia, as you’ll want to prioritize time in Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine.
The best airport to fly into when entering on the Argentine side is El Calafate.
- There are multiple flights per day from Buenos Aires to El Calate, Argentina. Because of this, El Calafate is the best airport to fly into when exploring the Argentine side of Patagonia.
There are many other cities to see in Patagonia. What’s listed here are some of the favorite must-sees if you only have two weeks to spend in Patagonia.
- The itinerary above was crafted for a two-week trip to Patagonia, focusing on the major sites and cities. There are many more cities to explore in Patagonia, and this list barely scratches the surface! However, other worthwhile destinations, such as Bariloche and Ushuaia, are a plane ride away from the areas listed in this itinerary. If you plan to visit other locations within Patagonia that aren’t included in the itinerary, you’ll need to expand your trip or focus on another region entirely.
You don’t have to hike or be an adventure traveler to visit Patagonia!
- Going into the trip, I thought Patagonia was mostly an adventure-travel destination full of hikers and backpackers—and it is! However, I was surprised to find a significant number of casual tourists who were there just to sightsee on day trips and tours without hiking at all. It is possible to visit Patagonia and have a fulfilling experience without hiking. The towns themselves are beautiful, and there are many guided tours available to help you explore the area. You can also rent a car and drive from spot to spot independently.
The best method of transportation between cities in Patagonia is by bus.
- Buses run very efficiently from city to city in Patagonia. I was surprised by how affordable and reliable they were.
Cabs are safe and reliable in Patagonia
- There are safe and reliable cabs for hire in El Calafate, El Chaltén, and Puerto Natales. While there are ride-share apps in some cities in Patagonia, the more common and easier option is to use a local cab.
You do not need a rental car to explore Patagonia.
- It’s possible to explore Patagonia without a car; in fact, I didn’t have one during my trip! You can take taxis and buses to every top tourist destination in the region.
If you do decide to rent a car in Patagonia, those are easy to source.
- If you’re looking for more freedom when exploring Patagonia and prefer to travel independently, it’s a safe area to drive, and rental cars are widely available throughout the region. Since Patagonia spans two countries, it’s important to inform your rental car company if you plan to cross the border, as the insurance policy will differ. Alternatively, some travelers rent a car in one city and return it the same day rather than driving it across the border.
Cell phone data and Wi-Fi are almost non-existent in the remote parts of Patagonia.
- While there’s great Wi-Fi in all the major cities (for example, I was able to work remotely from El Calafate, El Chaltén, and Puerto Natales with no issues), when traveling into the national parks or across the long stretches of land between cities, there is no Wi-Fi and limited to almost non-existent cell service.
Enjoy Your Trip to Patagonia!
Patagonia is hands down one of my favorite destinations in South America. The itinerary above can easily be reversed if you prefer to enter on the Argentine side and depart from Chile. It really comes down to flight costs when booking. For me, flying into Chile was more cost-effective when traveling from the U.S. If you have any questions about your Patagonia itinerary or trip, drop them in the comments below!
Read More Inspiration for a Trip to South America
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What an incredible itinerary! I’ve been dreaming of visiting Patagonia for years, and this 2-week travel plan is exactly what I needed to start planning. The balance between adventure and relaxation is perfect, and the tips for traveling between destinations are super helpful. I especially love the recommendation to explore Torres del Paine and the lesser-known gems like El Chaltén—those hikes look absolutely stunning. I’m bookmarking this post for when I finally make the trip! Thanks for sharing such a thorough and inspiring guide.