Patagonia 1 Week Itinerary
Have you been thinking about a trip to Patagonia, but don’t know where to start? In this post I will outline a 1 week itinerary through Argentinian Patagonia that guarentees you the ability to see the top sites at a reasonable pace. I also provide recommendations on hotels, restaurants, and things not to miss along the way.
Itinerary At a Glance
Day 1: Arrive El Calafate
Day 2: Perito Moreno Glacier day
Day 3: Bus to El Chaltén
Day 4: Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy) hike
Day 5: Laguna Torre hike
Day 6: Buffer day (accounting for weather)
Day 7: Horseback riding or bonus hike and return to El Calafate. If you’re flying out early the next day, consider returning to El Calafate the night of Day 7.
Day 1: Arrive in El Calafate
We arrived in El Calafate late, and it immediately felt different from Buenos Aires. Patagonia towns don’t operate on late-night city logic—things close earlier, and even hotel reception isn’t always 24 hours. So if you’re arriving at night, message your hotel and confirm check-in.
Where to stay in El Calafate
We very much enjoyed our stay at Amancay in El Calafate, which was centrally located but not on the main drag (which meant it was very quiet), plus there was a kitchen and fridge we could use to store snacks and food we needed for our day on the glacier. They also provided a light breakfast and had clean and comfortable accommodation for a great price. For something a bit more upscale, I’d consider Hotel Posada Los Alamos.
What to do on arrival
Before you do anything else, do a quick grocery run and grab things like empanadas, snacks for the next day, water / electrolytes, or anything simple for breakfast. Why? Because if you’re doing the glacier the next morning, you don’t want to be scrambling for food at 7am. El Calafate is cute but very touristy. The restaurants felt expensive and kind of repetitive—lots of steak, pizza, pasta and burgers.
Day 2: Perito Moreno Glacier Day
This is the day you built the whole El Calafate stop around: Perito Moreno Glacier. There’s only one outfitter in El Calafate licensed for glacier hiking and that’s Hielo y Aventura. We opted for their 4 hour excursion, which included pick up and drop off in El Calafate as well as a visit to the main visitor center and viewpoint of the glacier. It is pricey but well worth it.
What people miss
- There’s limited food at the glacier beyond the visitor center. If you’re starting early or doing the on-ice hike first, bring food.
- The weather changes fast. We got pouring rain, then sun.
- Bring rain pants and a proper rain jacket.
- Keep your valuables waterproof (dry bag or at least a plastic bag inside your pack).
Day 3: Bus to El Chaltén
Next up is El Chaltén, Patagonia’s hiking town and, honestly, the part of Patagonia that was my favorite. The bus ride is straightforward, but a few helpful notes:
- The El Calafate bus station is a little outside the main drag (walkable, but taxi is fine).
- The ride took us about 3.5 hours going up and 2.5 hours coming back.
- In high season, book ahead with Taqsa bus.
Why you don’t need a car in El Chaltén
This is one of the best parts of El Chaltén: trailheads start in town. You can walk from your accommodation to the hike, which makes the whole trip feel easy and calm. A car is only useful if you want to stop for scenic photos on the empty road into town or you’re doing a larger road trip (like continuing into Chile). Otherwise, it just sits parked while you hike all day.
Where to Stay in El Chaltén
If you’re in El Chaltén for multiple nights, prioritize a walkable location, a kitchen or kitchenette if you can, or breakfast included (hiking mornings are early). We stayed at Lagos del Sur, which was perfect for exactly this style of trip.
Where to Eat in El Chaltén
El Chaltén food is genuinely good and better than in El Calafate, though a bit pricey (as is everything in Patagonia – it is quite remote!).
Our favorites:
- Butch – great steak in a cute atmosphere.
- Nomade Resto Bar – cozy spot for soup and empanadas, right next to Lagos del Sur.
- Maffia Trattoria – incredible homemade pasta, including dessert ravioli!
- Domo Blanco – delicious ice cream, perfect after a long hike.
- Meme’s Cakes – one of the best alfajores I’ve ever had!
- Mathilda – Cozy spot for breakfast or lunch, plus we enjoyed some local Tango one night.
Day 4: Laguna de los Tres / Mirador del Fitz Roy
This is the headline hike: the lake and Fitz Roy range view. It’s ~20 km (round trip), so it’s long but not very steep except for the last 1.5 kilometers, and is worth prioritizing on your best weather day. I recommend starting early due to the likelihood of weather worsening in the afternoon.
Day 5: Laguna Torre (Second Classic Hike)
Laguna Torre is the other major “must do” hike. Hot take: if you only get one clear day, I’d still do Laguna de los Tres first. We spent a week in El Chaltén and never got a truly clear view of Torre Egger (as you can see in this photo) — cloud cover is common.
Day 6: Buffer Day
A lot of people plan Patagonia like it’s a normal hiking destination, but the truth is the weather is more variable and unpredictable then almost anywhere else on earth. The best Patagonia itineraries have a buffer day built in (or more), because weather changes quickly and the forecast is not to be trusted. Use Day 6 for any of the following:
- Sendero Mirador del Paredón – this is good for a lighter day. It offers view of El Chalten and the valley from the east side.
- Mirador de los Cóndores – this is a short hike to a gorgeous viewpoint that offers views of El Chalten, Cerro Torre and the Fitz Roy Range. If you only go to El Chalten for the day, or you have accessibility issues, this hike is what I’d recommend. You can extend the hike to make it longer by continuing to walk south on the various well worn trails on the ridge.
- Chorrillo del Salto – if you’re looking for a good rest day option, this hike along the river is flat and easy and ends at a beautiful waterfall up the valley.
Day 7: Bonus Day
If you have a perfect weather day and a lot of energy, I would recommend Loma del Pliegue Tumbado – if I had one more good long weather day, I would have liked to try this hike as it offers ridge views of BOTH Cerro Torre and the Fitz Roy range. Otherwise, I suggest something non-hiking related like Bonanza Adventure, a great outfitter that took us up the Río de las Vueltas / Río Eléctrico area to their private ranch. It was a great way to get mountain scenery without another giant mileage day. They offer different ride lengths depending on what you want as well as options with or without lunch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many days should you spend in El Chaltén?
If you’re a hiker, 5–7 days is perfect. It gives you flexibility for weather and lets you do the big hikes without cramming them back-to-back.
Do you need a car in El Chaltén?
No. Trailheads start in town and you can walk to most hikes. A car is only useful if you’re doing a longer road trip or want photo stops on the road in/out.
Is Laguna Torre worth it even if the peaks are cloudy?
Yes. The trail is beautiful and the valley views are still great, but don’t be surprised if the peaks are partially covered.
Can you combine Laguna de los Tres + Laguna Torre in one day?
Yes, but it’s a huge day (~32 km). We attempted it and didn’t finish because weather turned. If you try it: start early, bring a headlamp, bring more snacks than you think you need.
How many days do you need in El Calafate?
For most people: 1–2 nights. Enough for Perito Moreno and then onward to El Chaltén.
Is hiking on the Perito Moreno glacier worth the price?
If you want to walk on the glacier and your budget allows it, yes. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If not, the viewpoints alone are still incredible. It was one of the best days we had in the entire trip.
Do you need to book Perito Moreno Glacier Hiking in advance?
Yes — especially in high season (December). It’s not the kind of thing I’d leave to chance.
Is El Calafate a good place to base yourself for Patagonia?
Only if you’re focusing on glacier excursions. If you’re hiking-focused, El Chaltén is the better base.
Is one week enough for Patagonia?
Yes, if you keep it focused. One week is perfect for Perito Moreno and El Chaltén’s classic hikes. It won’t cover everything Patagonia has to offer, but it’s an incredible first trip. If I had another week in Patagonia, I’d spend it in Chile visiting Torre del Paine National Park.
How bad is the wind in Patagonia?
Worse than you think, honestly. Even on sunny days, the wind can be intense. Bring layers and a good rain jacket.
