Big trip · expedition
Patagonia: Torres del Paine and the Fjords
Granite towers, turquoise lakes, condors overhead and a glacier that cracks and roars. Two weeks at the end of the world, finishing with a small-ship voyage through the fjords of Tierra del Fuego.
The trip
Patagonia is one of the last great wildernesses, and Torres del Paine its masterpiece. The best lodges here are all-inclusive, with guides who tailor daily excursions by foot, horse or vehicle to your energy and the weather. Add the Perito Moreno glacier across the border and a fjord cruise round Cape Horn and you have an unforgettable journey.
The route
Fly to Santiago for two nights, then south to Punta Arenas and on to Torres del Paine for four nights. Cross into Argentina for the Perito Moreno glacier at El Calafate, fly to Ushuaia, and board a small expedition ship for four nights through the fjords to Cape Horn and Punta Arenas. Fly back to Santiago and home.
Day by day
Distances are long, so the route uses internal flights and a ship rather than long drives.
Days 1-2
Santiago
Arrive and recover. The Lastarria district, a day in the Casablanca valley vineyards and Chilean seafood.
Stay Hotel in Santiago
Travel Airport transfer, about 30 minutes
Days 3-6
Torres del Paine
Guided excursions to the base of the towers, Lake Grey and its icebergs, the Salto Grande waterfall and guanaco and puma tracking.
Stay Lodge in Torres del Paine
Travel Flight to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, then drive
Days 7-8
El Calafate
Walkways and a boat trip to the face of the Perito Moreno glacier, and estancia life on the steppe.
Stay Hotel in El Calafate
Travel Drive across the border, about 5 hours
Day 9
Ushuaia
Fly to the world's southernmost city and walk the Beagle Channel waterfront.
Stay Hotel in Ushuaia
Travel Flight, about 1 hour 20 minutes
Days 10-13
Tierra del Fuego fjords
Cape Horn, weather permitting, Glacier Alley, Wulaia Bay and Magdalena Island's penguins aboard a small expedition ship.
Stay Expedition ship
Travel Four nights at sea to Punta Arenas
Day 14
Punta Arenas and home
Disembark, fly to Santiago and connect home.
Stay Overnight flight
Travel Flight, about 3 hours 30 minutes
When to go
October to April is the season. November and March are quieter and often calmer; December to February has the longest days and warmest weather but more visitors and more wind. Fjord cruises run from September to April.
Where to stay
In Torres del Paine, the all-inclusive lodges include guided excursions, which makes them better value than they first appear. Price bands are a typical night for two sharing; expect more at peak dates.
Featured stay
Awasi Patagonia
Torres del Paine, Chile
££££Couples and active travellers who want Torres del Paine without the crowds, at their own pace, on a stay of four nights or more.
Awasi Patagonia is the trip of a lifetime made private. Set within 15,000 private acres bordering Torres del Paine, its 14 villas each come with an outdoor hot tub, a view of the granite towers and, best of all, your own guide and 4x4 for the whole stay.
£Under £200 a night
Hotel Cumbres Lastarria, Santiago
Comfortable and modern in the city's best neighbourhood for walking.
Hotel Kosten Aike, El Calafate
Central, friendly and good value.
Hotel Albatros, Ushuaia
On the waterfront, near the port.
£££200–400 a night
Hotel Magnolia, Santiago
A stylish boutique hotel in a 1920s mansion.
Hotel Xelena, El Calafate
Lake views and a spa on the edge of town.
Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, Ushuaia
On a hillside reserve above the channel.
££££400–800 a night
EOLO, El Calafate
A Relais & Châteaux lodge alone on the steppe.
Hotel Las Torres Patagonia, Torres del Paine
All-inclusive, at the foot of the trail to the towers.
The Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories
A restored cold-storage plant on the fjord, now a striking hotel.
£££££800+ a night
Explora Patagonia, Torres del Paine
All-inclusive, beside a waterfall with the Paine Massif across the lake.
Tierra Patagonia, Torres del Paine
A curving wooden lodge on Lake Sarmiento.
Awasi PatagoniaReviewed, Torres del Paine
Private villas, each with its own guide and vehicle.
Prefer a different style of stay? Our advisors can suggest more.
What it costs
Allow from about £8,500 per person for 14 days with an all-inclusive lodge in Torres del Paine, the fjord cruise and internal flights, excluding international flights. With top lodges throughout, expect £15,000 or more.
Pace and fitness
Lodge excursions range from easy walks and drives to full-day hikes, so you choose your level. Wind can be fierce, and paths are rough. The cruise uses Zodiacs for landings.
How to book
Our advisors plan this trip end to end: flights, hotels, guides and the small details that make the days easy. Tell us your dates and the style of stay you like, and we will build it around you. Speak to an advisor.
Questions
How windy is Patagonia?
Very, especially from December to February. Good layers and a windproof jacket are essential.
Do I have to hike?
No. Lodges offer gentle walks, drives and boat trips as well as long hikes.
Can I combine this with Antarctica?
Yes. Ushuaia and Punta Arenas are the main gateways; see our Antarctica trip.
Will I see pumas?
Sightings have become more common in Torres del Paine with specialist trackers, but they are never guaranteed.
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