15 days · Torres del Paine · El Chaltén · Perito Moreno · Ushuaia
Southern Patagonia Grand Journey
From US$6,749 per person
Trip at a glance
- Duration 15 days · 7 hiking daysThe rest are boat, road, flight and glacier days
- Difficulty ChallengingThe W Trek plus two long day hikes in El Chaltén, up to 9 hours
- Accommodation Hotels + 4 nights in the park10 hotel nights in four towns; 4 nights in Torres del Paine, tent or refugio
- Trip style Guided, self-guided or a mixThree ways to travel it: with a guide, on your own, or a mix of both
Inside the experience
Our travelers, on these trails.
Trip overview
The Southern Patagonia Grand Journey is a fifteen-day trip through Chilean and Argentine Patagonia: the W Trek in Torres del Paine, the Fitz Roy trails of El Chaltén, Perito Moreno Glacier and Ushuaia, the city at the end of the world.
Seven days on the trail, from Base Torres to Laguna de los Tres, with the big glaciers in between: Grey by boat, Perito Moreno from its walkways, and the Beagle Channel to the penguin colony on Martillo Island.
You sleep four nights inside Torres del Paine, in a tent or a refugio, and ten in hotels across Puerto Natales, El Chaltén, El Calafate and Ushuaia. Buses, transfers, the Grey boat, park entries and meals on the trail are arranged on both sides of the border, and the trip runs guided, self-guided or as a mix of both.
Is this trip right for you?
One bar per day: hours on the trail, the climb, and where you sleep.
- 109 km · 68 miin seven hiking days
- 3,500 m · 11,400 ftof ascent in total
- 4 nightsin the park, 10 in hotels
- Day 1: Puerto Natales, Arrive, night in a hotelDay 1
- Day 2: Base Torres, 7–8 h, about 700 m (2,300 ft) of ascent, night in a tentDay 2
- Day 3: Francés, 5–6 h, about 400 m (1,300 ft) of ascent, night in a tentDay 3
- Day 4: French Valley, 7–8 h, about 400 m (1,300 ft) of ascent, night in a tentDay 4
- Day 5: Grey Glacier, 4–5 h, about 400 m (1,300 ft) of ascent, night in a tentDay 5
- Day 6: Grey Lake boat, Boat, night in a hotelDay 6
- Day 7: To El Chaltén, Road, night in a hotelDay 7
- Day 8: Laguna Torre, 6–7 h, about 400 m (1,300 ft) of ascent, night in a hotelDay 8
- Day 9: Laguna de los Tres, 8–9 h, about 950 m (3,100 ft) of ascent, night in a hotelDay 9
- Day 10: Perito Moreno, Glacier, night in a hotelDay 10
- Day 11: Fly to Ushuaia, Flight, night in a hotelDay 11
- Day 12: Laguna Esmeralda, 4–5 h, about 220 m (700 ft) of ascent, night in a hotelDay 12
- Day 13: Beagle Channel, Boat, night in a hotelDay 13
- Day 14: Tierra del Fuego, Park, night in a hotelDay 14
- Day 15: Airport, DepartDay 15
Hours on the trail and elevation gain are estimates and may vary.
Seven days on the trail across two countries, carrying your own pack on the W and a daypack in El Chaltén and Ushuaia. Check the distance, estimated hiking time and elevation gain for each day above: only you know how that effort will feel.
Prefer to keep it to Torres del Paine? The Guided W Trek covers the Chilean part of this journey in seven days.
The Grand Journey, day by day
The journey begins in Puerto Natales and ends in Ushuaia, with four nights in camps inside Torres del Paine and ten in hotels. Choose a day to see its route, distance, hiking time, meals and where you sleep.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Terrain from open elevation data
What’s included
For US$6,749 per person, the logistics on both sides of the border are arranged before you arrive. Optional extras and what’s not included are listed separately.
Accommodation
- 2 hotel nights in Puerto Natales, with breakfast
- 4 nights in Torres del Paine: Central, Francés or Los Cuernos, Paine Grande and Grey, tent or refugio depending on availability and trip style
- 3 hotel nights in El Chaltén and 1 in El Calafate
- 4 hotel nights in Ushuaia
Transport and logistics
- Airport or bus terminal transfers in Puerto Natales and Ushuaia, as listed day by day
- Transfers to and from Torres del Paine
- Boat across Grey Lake (Grey III)
- Bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate and private transfer to El Chaltén
- Bus from El Chaltén to El Calafate and transfer to Perito Moreno Glacier
- Entrance fees for Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares and Tierra del Fuego national parks
Guiding, meals and field support
- Certified bilingual local guide on the guided version, or a pre-trip briefing on the self-guided one
- Meals on the trail, as listed day by day
- Trekking poles
- Local support before and during your trip, in both countries
Optional
- Refugio beds instead of tents. A bunk in a shared room at the mountain huts. Bedding varies by hut. Price per night on request.
- Ice hike on Grey Glacier, US$365 per person. Crampons on the ice with a specialist glacier guide, from the Grey camp on day 5.
- Kayak on Grey Lake, US$289 per person. Paddling among the icebergs, also from the Grey camp on day 5.
Not included
- Flights, including El Calafate to Ushuaia (quoted separately)
- Bus tickets between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales (we check that your flight and bus times match)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, gratuities and meals not listed day by day
What travelers say
Traveler reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and WeTravel
Our experience with Do Patagonia was perfect. Natty was so helpful and thought of all the details for us. Her itinerary was thoughtful and worked for us perfectly.
Our guides headed by Natalia and Claudia have been awesome. Everything was well planned, thought out and executed! Definitely recommend DoPatagonia for your Patagonia adventure!
Frequently asked questions
The questions we get by email, answered before you ask.
Can I do the Grand Journey guided or self-guided?
Both, or a mix. Self-guided suits confident hikers who want independence with the logistics arranged; guided adds a certified bilingual guide on the hiking days; and the mix puts the guide only where you want one, for example on the W Trek.
Are the flights included?
No. The flight from El Calafate to Ushuaia and the international flights are quoted separately, because schedules and prices change; we check the best option with you before confirming the itinerary. Everything on the ground, buses, transfers and the Grey boat, is included.
What do I need to cross into Argentina?
Your passport, and a visa if your nationality needs one for Argentina or Chile. The bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate crosses the border on the way, and the crossing is part of that travel day. How the crossings fit with the flights is covered in getting to Patagonia.
What should I pack?
Waterproof hiking boots, thermal and insulating layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, gloves, sun protection, a 40 to 50 liter backpack for the W Trek and a daypack for the rest, a reusable water bottle and any personal medication. A detailed packing list is sent before departure. For the trekking days, our Torres del Paine packing list applies here too.