Before or after you disappear into the real backcountry by joining the Patagonia Adventure Program.
El Calafate as a tourism hub is an excellent starting point for independent and easy-to-do excursions that allow you to explore Patagonia’s most famous attractions, giving you a complete experience of this destination in Argentina and Chile.
The Pull of Perito Moreno Glacier
From Calafate, gliding westward, bordering Lago Argentino you will reach the face of Glaciar Perito Moreno, a must-see for any adventure traveler. Watch in awe as towers of ancient ice crack and collapse into Lago Argentino—or get closer through. An independent day trip from Calafate to Perito Moreno requires no guide—just time, and the willingness to see and listen.
Here your options are:
Guided Ice Hiking on the Glacier
Considering boat ride to glacier face and gear to have an experience walking and seeing blue crevasses, ice caves and meltwater streams.
Boat Navigation
Cruise along the 70-meter ice walls by catamaran or zodiac for unforgettable views.
Boardwalk Sightseeing
Walk extensive platforms offering panoramic viewpoints. Great for all levels of fitness, with accessible paths, cafés, and rest stops.
Crossing Borders: Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
At the end of Patagonia’s Southern Icecap rise a roughly quadrilateral mountain massif known as Paine and core of the national park. Surrounded by lakes and glaciers, this is an impressive geological formation with unique features. Reaching the base of the three granite spires of Torres del Paine quietly is a sublime experience.
While some skip it due to crowded trails and costs, we say: it’s still worth your time. And it can be done independently with the right plan.
We suggest the following options as independent traveler:
Anytime during the afternoon you can begin your independent trip from Calafate to Puerto Natales, with a border crossing that feels more bureaucratic than symbolic, in order to get to Torres del Paine via Puerto Natales.You will be in Chilean Patagonia. Spend the night in that port town full of services, with more wind than rules.
Day 1 Trip from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
Next day you will leave before dawn. The early drive northeast, for more than an hour, offers a long gaze into the soul of Torres del Paine National Park. During this day you will have a panoramic view of the Massif that is really spectacular, with light hiking (easy to moderate), perfect for capturing the grandeur of the park in one day.
Typical stops include:
- Lago Sarmiento and Laguna Amarga, with panoramic views of the Paine Massif.
- A short hike to the powerful Salto Grande waterfall.
- Photo stops at Lago Pehoé, Cuernos del Paine, and Nordenskjöld Lake viewpoints.
During the Afternoon you could stay in Refugio Torre Central, to leave early the next morning to Las Torres
Day 2 Into the Core: Hike to Base Torres
From Refugio Torre Central, take only what you need and hike to Base Torres. The trail is direct but rarely easy—ascending through lenga forests, rocky moraines, and wind tunnels that test your resolve.
And yet, with sore knees and sun-reddened faces, you’ll stand in the amphitheater of spires—three vertical monoliths that seem to pierce the atmosphere itself. Eat something. Say nothing. Then retrace your steps.
Return to Calafate by nightfall, having experienced more in a single day than most do in a week.
An option is to wake up early in El Calafate and board a vehicle, to drive for 5–7 including border crossings and customs—so prepare for a long but scenic journey, with windswept Patagonian steppe and craggy horizons.
During the trip you will have the chance to:
- Appreciate the entire massif,
- Have a guided hike at Salto Grande and then the Cuernos del Paine viewpoint by Lago Nordenskjöld.
- Visit and lunch with views of Pehoé Lake and the French Valley Cuernos.
It is going to be a long overlanding day, so you will have to decide if it is worth it.
How far away are the destinations? Find out here
Click on the map to see the expanded route and estimate the distances.
Suggested Itineraries
Your Blueprint for Patagonia Full Adventure Journey
To simplify your planning, here are three itineraries blending adventure, logistics, and budgets for a two-week eco/adventure trip. sou you could have an idea of and decide your Patagonia Full Adventure Journey:
Option 1 Patagonia’s Classics
Glacier Perito Moreno – Trek El Chaltén – Trek W Torres del Paine / Unguided
USD $3,913
| Day | Activity | VALUE USD |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | El Calafate | $100 |
| Day 2 | Sailing Glaciar Perito Moreno | $282 |
| Day 3 | Transfer Calafate/Chaltén | $135 |
| Day 4 | Trek Chaltén - Laguna de los tres- PoicenotCamp | $273 |
| Day 5 | Trek PoincenotCamp-SenderoMadre Hija-Laguna Torre Camp | $233 |
| Day 6 | Trek Mirador Maestri-Chaltén | $333 |
| Day 7 | Transfer El Chaltén/ Puerto Natales | $171 |
| Day 8 | Trek W Puerto Natales/Base Torre | $450 |
| Day 9 | Trek W Cuernos | $450 |
| Day 10 | Trek W Valle del Frances | $450 |
| Day 11 | Trek W Trekking Grey-Hike Hielo | $450 |
| Day 12 | Trek Paine Grande-Natales | $450 |
| Day 13 | Transfer Puerto Natales-Calafate | $136 |
| Day 14 | Connections |
Option 2 Wild Patagonia with Smugglers’ Trails
Glacier Perito Moreno – Overlander Day to Torres del Paine -Trek El Chaltén – Trek The Smugglers’ Trail Patagonia Park
USD $3,377
| Day | Activity | VALUE USD |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | El Calafate | $100 |
| Day 2 | Tour Sailing Lago Argentino- Perito Moreno Glacier | $282 |
| Day 3 | El Calafate/Overland Torres del Paine National Park | $460 |
| Day 4 | Transfer Calafate/Chaltén | $135 |
| Day 5 | Trek Chaltén - Laguna de los tres- PoicenotCamp | $300 |
| Day 6 | Trek PoincenotCamp-SenderoMadre Hija-Laguna Torre Camp | $300 |
| Day 7 | Trek Mirador Maestri-Chaltén-Bus El Chaltén/ Los Antiguos | $300 |
| Day 8 | Transfer Los Antiguos-Trekking Raleigh Camp | $300 |
| Day 9 | Trekking Glaciar HUT | $300 |
| Day 10 | Mountain Scrambing and Ice Hiking | $300 |
| Day 11 | Trekking Renoval HUT | $300 |
| Day 12 | Trekking to the General Carrera Lake - Chile Chico | $300 |
| Day 13 | Connections |
Option 3 Full Patagonia Adventure Journey
Overlander Torres del Paine – Trek Base Torre – Glacier Perito Moreno – Trek El Chaltén – Trek The Smugglers’ Trail Patagonia Park
USD $3,639
| Day | Activity | VALUE USD |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | El Calafate | $100 |
| Day 2 | Transfer El Calafate/ Puerto Natales | $136 |
| Day 3 | Full Day Torres del Paine/Lodging Refugio Torre Central | $350 |
| Day 4 | Refugio Torre Central/Hike Base Torre/ Transfer Puerto Natales | $165 |
| Day 5 | Puerto Natales/Tour Sailing Lago Argentino- Perito Moreno Glacier | $318 |
| Day 6 | Transfer Calafate/Chaltén | $135 |
| Day 7 | Trek Chaltén - Laguna de los tres- PoicenotCamp | $300 |
| Day 8 | Trek PoincenotCamp-SenderoMadre Hija-Laguna Torre Camp | $300 |
| Day 9 | Trek Mirador Maestri-Chaltén-Bus El Chaltén/ Los Antiguos | $300 |
| Day 10 | Transfer Los Antiguos-Trekking Raleigh Camp | $300 |
| Day 11 | Trekking Glaciar HUT | $300 |
| Day 12 | Mountain Scrambing and Ice Hiking | $300 |
| Day 13 | Trekking Renoval HUT | $300 |
| Day 14 | Trekking to the General Carrera Lake - Chile Chico | $300 |
| Day 15 | Connections |
Ready to Plan Your Patagonia Adventure?
With Patagonia Total, your adventure trip planning in Patagonia becomes simple, clear, and focused on what matters most: real adventure, true wildness, and unforgettable days on the trail.
Or download our Patagonia Total Planning Guide now.