Patagonia: An Overview

 

If you enjoy the outdoors, hiking, beautiful scenery and friendly people you can't go wrong with Patagonia. It was easy to plan and navigate, we felt completely safe and were rewarded with some of the most amazing landscapes we have ever seen. Don't hesitate one bit to plan a trip here, and spend more time than we did (if you can). I think our itinerary is perfect if you want to hike...but not camp or bunk. Otherwise, add in another two days in TDP and complete the entire W trek. That's exactly what I hope to do the next time we go.

Our Patagonia Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and sleep Buenos Aires
Day 2: Fly from Buenos Aires to Calafate and drive to El Chalten
Day 3: Hike in El Chalten
Day 4: Hike in El Chalten
Day 5: Visit Perito Moreno glacier, sleep in Calafate
Day 6: Take the bus from Calafate to Puerto Natales, drive and sleep in Rio Serrano
Day 7: Hike Mirador las Torres and sleep in TDP
Day 8: Hike to Cabins los Cuernos and sleep there
Day 9: Final hike out of the park, drive to Punta Arenas for flight home

Here's 5 things you SHOULD do:

1. Plan your trip at least a year ahead of time. It will make it so much easier for you when you have a rental car and can stay where you want to stay. I have friends who decided to go to Patagonia last minute (4 months out) and because nearly all the hotels and rental cars were sold out, they had to do an organized group bus tour instead. While I'm sure this is fantastic, it just won't compare to striking out on your own.
2. Spend some time in El Chalten. While some might argue that it is less dramatic than Torres del Paine - if pressed, I would say that this was my favorite of the two. It feels less touristy, less commercialized and had a small town vibe that TDP lacked. Plus, it is way more affordable.
3. Eat all the alfajores. Pack as many as you can to bring home with you. 
4. Spend more time here than I did. We only had 12 total days in South America, and I wouldn't have felt satisfied with double that. Transportation will really cut into your time and when your activities are reliant on the weather, you could really be disappointed if you are pressed for time and it doesn't cooperate. If you are able to, sneak a couple extra days into your itinerary. You won't regret it.
5. Make the most out of your trip but know that you won't be able to see anywhere near everything. You're going to miss out on some things and that's OK. You'll be back.

and 5 things you SHOULDN'T do:

1. Don't hire a guide.  Unless you are planning to hike somewhere REALLY off the beaten track, you don't need a guide for most of Patagonia. The driving is easy (no traffic, not a lot of options to get you lost), the people are nice and helpful and really everything is pretty clearly marked. We had NO trouble navigating ourselves in Patagonia, and that is not always the case.
2. Don't think you're in North America - you're in South America, baby. There is definitely a more relaxed way of life here - at least compared to the Virginia/DC/Metropolitan area (I know, not saying much). This is much more the case in Argentina than Chile, but just go with the flow and don't worry too much if your timeline gets skewed. 
3. Don't forget your impact on the environment. Our last night in TDP, we sat next to a tour guide and her client at dinner. She told us that the park's popularity has been booming and as a result so has the trash and erosion of the trails, flora and fauna. While I know this makes sense - it shouldn't. Pick up after yourself. Stay on the trails. Don't trample through the undergrowth if you can help it. Be a good steward of the land so that others can appreciate it as much as you.
4. Don't try to go any faster than I did. I really wanted to do an overview of both Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia, and that's what this is...barely. 
5. Don't forget that you're in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Take the time to appreciate it, spend every second you can outdoors and count yourself incredibly lucky to be here.