Route overview
Buenos Aires (1–2 days) → El Calafate (3–4 days) → Torres del Paine (4–5 days) → Puerto Natales (1 day) → Punta Arenas (1 day) → Ushuaia (2–3 days).
Direction: north to south. Logic: each flight or transfer leads to the next point, no backtracking.
Day 1–2. Buenos Aires
Arrival at Ezeiza (EZE). Transfer to the city: $120. Two days: San Telmo, La Boca, Palermo. Book the steakhouse ahead.
Day 3–6. El Calafate and Perito Moreno
Flight BUE → FTE: 3 h, ~$150. Transfer airport → hotel: $120.
- Day 3: Minitrekking on Perito Moreno ($260)
- Day 4: Kayak or Big Ice ($215–503)
- Day 5: Estancia Nibepo Aike ($150) or Nativos ($53)
- Day 6: Transfer Calafate → Chaltén ($600) or straight to Natales
Day 7–11. Torres del Paine
Transfer Puerto Natales → park: $350. W route — 4 days.
- Day 7–8: Glaciar Grey
- Day 9: Valle del Francés
- Day 10–11: Mirador Las Torres
Day 12. Puerto Natales → Punta Arenas
Excursion to Magellanic penguins at Isla Magdalena ($120 + $25 ticket) or to king penguins near Porvenir. Transfer Punta Arenas → Puerto Natales: bus ~$25, 3 h.
Day 13–14. Ushuaia
Flight Punta Arenas → Ushuaia. Tierra del Fuego National Park ($481 private guide). Beagle Channel. End of the World Train.
Budget for 2 people (excluding hotels and flights)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfers | ~$1,500 |
| Excursions | ~$2,500 |
| Food | ~$600 |
| Entry tickets | ~$300 |
| Total | ~$4,900 |
Frequently asked questions
Can it be cut to 10 days? Yes — drop El Chaltén and shorten the W route to 2–3 days.
Is a Chile visa needed? For Russians — no. 90 days visa-free.
When to book? Camping and refugios in Torres del Paine — minimum 3–4 months before season.