Pre-Patagonia trip checklist
Patagonia isn't a trip you can put together in two weeks. There's a short high season (November–March), limited spots on cruises and in mountain lodges, complex logistics, plus specific gear requirements. The earlier you start, the cheaper and calmer the prep.
6 months before departure
This is when you need to lock in the scarcest items.
International flights. Flights from Europe and CIS to Buenos Aires in high season sell out 5–7 months ahead. An economy round-trip costs $1,200–1,800 with early booking versus $2,500–3,500 a month before departure.
Antarctic cruise. For the 2026/27 season Quark, Hurtigruten and Albatros Expeditions middle-tier cabins ($10,000–14,000) close by August.
Premium lodges. Aguas Arriba Lodge on Lake Viedma, Eolo near El Calafate, EcoCamp in Torres del Paine — each has 10–20 rooms. Bookings open a year ahead.
Passport. Validity — minimum 6 months from return date.
Medical check-up. Guests over 60 and anyone with chronic conditions — mandatory.
Insurance. You need insurance covering active sports, helicopter evacuation, and — if going to Antarctica — a polar rider covering at least $200,000.
Gear list. Build it now to have time to buy and break things in.
3–4 months out
Domestic flights. Aerolíneas Argentinas and FlyBondi fly from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque airport) to Ushuaia and El Calafate. Connection between Ezeiza and Aeroparque takes 1.5–2 hours — leave minimum 4 hours between flights.
Hotels. Book now in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, El Calafate, El Chaltén.
Cruise details. Confirm with the operator your parka size, boot size, dietary restrictions.
Medications. Stock for the whole trip plus 30%.
International driver's license. If planning car rental — get an IDP.
Decide on a guide. A Russian-speaking guide in Ushuaia/Calafate costs $200–400 per day, but handles 90% of logistics.
1–2 months out
Local tours. The Martillo penguin tour, Beagle Channel cruise, kayaking, helicopter excursion — all need to be booked a month to a month and a half ahead.
Gear. Buy and break in trekking boots — minimum 50 km of walking before the trip.
Physical conditioning. If the W-trek in Torres del Paine is on the plan — start training. Minimum 3 times a week cardio for 40 minutes plus a long walk on weekends with an 8–10 kg pack.
eSIM. Buy an Argentina or South America profile (Airalo, Holafly, Saily).
Cash USD. Bring $500–1,000 cash in new $100 bills — they exchange at favorable rates at the cuevas on Florida street in Buenos Aires.
Print bookings.
Notify your bank.
2 weeks out
Confirm all bookings. Email hotels, tour operators, guides — "confirming arrival."
Weather forecast. At 2 weeks the trend is already visible.
Test packing. Pack all your luggage as you'll be carrying it. Does it fit in the backpack/suitcase?
Document copies. Photograph passport, insurance, tickets — email them to yourself and save to the cloud.
Offline maps. Download Maps.me with Tierra del Fuego and Santa Cruz regions, plus Google Maps offline areas.
Translator. Install Google Translate or DeepL with offline Spanish pack.
1 week out
Check baggage. Aerolíneas within Argentina — 15 kg checked + 8 kg carry-on.
Print international boarding.
Medications — in carry-on. Especially critical ones.
Charge everything.
Offline. Download series, music, books. The Istanbul–Buenos Aires flight is 14 hours.
Small USD. $5, $10, $20 bills — for tips.
Day before
Confirm the transfer. If a driver meets at Ezeiza — message them the night before.
Contact the guide. Via WhatsApp.
Get good sleep.
Forecast for the first stop.
Departure day
Documents — in carry-on. Passport, insurance, tickets, booking printouts, driver's license, bank cards, cash.
Dress for Patagonia, not Buenos Aires. If BA is +30 and Ushuaia is +8 with rain — wear trekking boots and the base layer.
Eat protein before the long flight.
Arrive at the airport early. For international flights — 3 hours.
What people often forget
In our experience, guests most often forget: sunglasses with UV filter, moisturizer (the air is very dry), Type C/I plug adapter, hat and gloves even in summer, set of meds for food upset, second pair of contact lenses, thermos for long trails, extra SD card for the camera.
If you've read to this point and the prep feels overwhelming — write to us on WhatsApp. We help guests with planning from buying tickets to meeting at Ezeiza.