Chile
Chilean Patagonia is stunningly rugged and beautiful. It is packed with stunning mountains, lakes, glaciers and more. The most iconic places to visit include Torres del Paine and Carretera Austral. The Chilean side is geographically smaller than the Argentinean side. This is perfect place for circuit treks and for getting off the beaten track.
Getting to chile
The cheapest and most accessible city to get to via flight is Santiago. This is where the trip began for us and is a great middle point in this long country. Once in Chile this is a great place to get domestic flights to other cities and parts of this stunning country.
Getting to and around Patagonia
Most people visiting Chilean Patagonia will fly into Santiago and then fly down to Patagonia. We flew to Punta Arenas and rented a car to get around the area. Another option is to take public transportation from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales where you can join tour groups into Torres del Paine. I think that having your own car gives you a lot more flexibility especially if not trekking the whole W or O track.
Six day itinerary in Chilean Patagonia
Day One- Santiago to Punta Arenas
Flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. Airlines LATAM, JetSmart and Sky serve this airport. We took JetSmart. We arranged for a rental car to pick up at the airport through the length of our stay. We arrived on 12/2/18 and booked the car through 12/07/18. In Punta Arenas the plan was to take a boat ride to see the penguins on Isla Magdalena. Here you can do a boat to see penguins or a longer boat tour to see the king penguins. Unfortunately, due to the wind and weather the boat tour was cancelled. We were disappointed but did get to drive around the area and take in the views. While in town you should go to the Mirador Cerro de la Cruz, Cementario Municipal, Punta Arenas sign, Costanera del Estrecho and the Plaza de Armas.
DAY TWO-Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, and Torres del Paine
This day we headed up on our journey to Torres del Paine. On the way we stopped in Puerto Natales which is the last major city before the park and many visitors elect to stay here and take day trips into Torres del Paine. It allows for hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and bars. Little did we know the way we planned our trip that we should have invested in gas can and filled it so make sure to spend time looking at gas station availability if you are renting a car and driving yourself. In Puerto Natales you must stop to admire the Monumento de la Mano. Also, in town you can check out the Municipal History Museum and Plaza de Armas Arturo Prat. If you are spending more time in Puerto Natales you can hike the Mirador Cerro Dorotea which is about 10 km from town or check out the Milodon Cave which is about 30-minute drive outside of the Puerto Natales. After Puerto Natales we drove another 60 km to our accommodation Hotel Estancia Ovejero Patagónico. Once we settled, we set off for a drive into the park. We drove the Y-166 loop which brings you past the Cascada Rio Paine.
DAY THREE-Torres Del Paine- Mirador Las Torres
Today we woke up early and headed in for the most common day hike in Torres del Paine. We drove there from our hotel and parked at the Centro de Bienvenida. The hike is approximately 20 km and is supposed to take between 6-8 hours depending on your speed. This is one of the most popular day treks so great to go early. Also, if you get there for sunrise you can get a great orange hue on the mountains. It is basically all uphill on the way and downhill on the way back.
DAY FOUR-Torres Del Paine-Lago Pehoé and Valle Francés
Today we got up early again to take the Lago Pehoé Ferry across to Paine Grande campsite. The cost is about $35 per person per way which is up in cost from when we went (In 2018 it was $30 one way and $50 round trip) and we booked a round trip. Once getting to the other side we planned for the Valle Francés Hike which is 23 km about 7-8 hours trek. My friend and I went ahead faster and were able to tack on the hike up to Mirador Británico which adds an additional 7 km. It was an exhausting full-on day of hiking about 30 km before getting back to the port to take the boat ride back.
DAY Five-Torres Del Paine- Glacier Grey
Today we headed out to Glacier Grey Hotel and joined a boat tour to get a view of the glacier. The boat tour leaves from the hotel and brings you on the lake and to the front of the glacier. The boat tour is a 2 hour and 45-minute boat trip and includes one pisco sour or soft drink. You must check in at the Lago grey Hotel and must walk 30 minutes on pebble beach to get to the boat ramp. This is the same boat to take one way and start your trek or you can do round trip. There are 4 navigation times: 9AM, 12 PM, 3 PM and 6 PM. The round-trip cost is $80.000 for adults and $40.000 for children. We also made reservations to eat at Lago Grey Hotel but did it on arrival, so they were later in the day. It was a great dinner and worth the splurge. Dinner is served between 7-10 PM.
DAY SIX-Punta Arenas and back to Santiago
The journey from Torres del Paine back to Punta Arenas is about a 305 km drive which is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. We stopped again in Puerto Natales for lunch on the way back. In Puerto Natales you must stop to admire the Monumento de la Mano. Also, in town you can check out the Municipal History Museum and Plaza de Armas Arturo Prat. If you are spending more time in Puerto Natales you can hike the Mirador Cerro Dorotea which is about 10 km from town or check out the Milodon Cave which is about 30-minute drive outside of the Puerto Natales. We flew back to Santiago from Punta Arenas in the evening.
More time in patagonia
More to explore in chilean Patagonia
The most epic part of Patagonia is committing to do the W trek which is a 5 day trek and requires camping and backpacking. Please make sure to book your accommodation at least 6 months in advance. You can also join a tour. Other things to do if you have more time is to visit the penguins on Isla Magdalena, exploring Tierra del Fuego and seeing Cape Horn, sail through the Magellan Strait, visiting the little town of Coyhaique or heading to the Argentinean side of Patagonia
explore argentinean patagonia
Patagonia is one of the most epic and beautiful places to visit in the world. Since it is in the southern part of South America and is part of both Chile and Argentina. Both countries have stunning beauty and I would strongly encourage everyone to visit both sides. You will need at least one week for each side but the more time you have the better. On the Argentinean side you can explore so much more of these beautiful landscapes, glaciers, lakes and mountains. The most iconic places to visit include Perito Moreno, Bariloche, El Chalten, Tierra del Fuego, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
