Patagonia is a geographic region in South America spanning the southern regions of Chile and Argentina — a nature lover's paradise with pristine blue lakes, glaciers, rivers, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. We hiked the W Trek in Chilean Patagonia and spent several days on the Argentinian side visiting Perito Moreno Glacier and the remote mountain town of El Chaltén. This guide covers both sides.
Best Time to Visit Patagonia
🌸 Nov (Spring) ★
Shoulder season — lower prices, thinner crowds, wildflowers in bloom. Excellent for wildlife and photography.
☀️ Dec–Feb (Summer) ★
Peak season with long warm days — best for hiking. Busiest and most expensive. Book everything months ahead.
🍂 Mar–Apr (Autumn) ★
Shoulder season again — fewer crowds, lower prices, cooler temps and beautiful autumn colours in El Chaltén.
❄️ May–Oct (Winter)
Most attractions and accommodations closed. Not recommended.
Getting to Puerto Natales
✈️ By Air
- PNT — Puerto Natales Airport (direct from Santiago — closest but expensive)
- PUQ — Punta Arenas (cheaper; ~3hr bus to Puerto Natales)
🚌 From Argentina
If already in El Calafate, frequent comfortable shuttle buses connect Puerto Natales and El Calafate (~5hrs). Note most rental car companies don't allow cross-border driving.
🚗 Car vs Bus
We recommend skipping the car in Puerto Natales — the town is walkable and buses into Torres del Paine are excellent (Bus Sur & Turismo Zaahj). Car adds flexibility but the bus is cheaper and less stressful.
Where to Stay in Puerto Natales
🎒 Budget Hostels
Wild Hostel, Treehouse Patagonia, El Patagónico, YaganHouse, Puma House, Nikos II Adventure. Most will store luggage while you're on the W Trek.
🏨 Upscale
The Singular, Remota, Noi Indigo, Weskar Lodge.
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine with its three distinctive granite towers, valleys, glaciers and rivers is the core of Chilean Patagonia. Purchase entrance tickets in advance — the park has strict visitor caps.
Where to Stay Inside the Park
🏔 Hotel Las Torres
Closest hotel to the W Trek starting point and Base of the Towers trailhead. Sector Torres.
🧊 Hotel Grey
Located on the shores of Lake Grey — probably the best views of any hotel in the park. Great as the last stop on the W Trek.
💎 Explora Patagonia
The only luxury resort inside the park. Central location with private boat transfers to trailheads.
Also: Hosteria Pehoé (on an island in Lake Pehoe — incredible 'Horns' views), Hotel Rio Serrano (southern end, spectacular massif views). Refugios along the trek routes are managed by Vertice Patagonia and Las Torres Patagonia — bunk beds or bring your own camping gear.
Multi-Day Trek Options
Argentine Patagonia is loaded with some of the best views in the world. The highlights are the enormous Perito Moreno Glacier, the majestic granite peaks of Mount Fitz Roy above El Chaltén, and the journey between them across the steppe.
El Calafate — Gateway to Perito Moreno
🎒 Hostels
America Del Sur, Calafate Hostel, Lago Argentino Hostel, Folk Hostel.
🏨 Upscale
Eolo, Los Ponchos, Hotel Kosten Aike, Xelena Hotel & Suites. Main street: Avenida del Libertador.
Perito Moreno Glacier
One of the few advancing glaciers on Earth — the scale is staggering. Accessible walkways get you close to the face. If lucky, you'll witness massive calving events. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the tour bus rush (9am–5pm). Drive is ~1.5hrs from El Calafate.
El Chaltén & Fitz Roy
Known as the trekking capital of Argentina, El Chaltén is a remote mountain village with some of the best — and most challenging — hikes in the world, dominated by the iconic granite spires of Mount Fitz Roy. ~3.5hrs drive from El Calafate, or shuttle bus (sit upstairs at the front for best views).
El Chaltén — Best Hikes
Laguna de los Tres
The iconic Fitz Roy viewpoint — a demanding hike with a brutal final ascent that ends at a blue glacial lake directly below the granite spires. Worth every bit of effort. One of the most spectacular hike endings anywhere on Earth.
Laguna Torre
Views of Cerro Torre — one of the most technically demanding mountains in the world — reflected in the glacial lagoon. Slightly less demanding than Laguna de los Tres, but equally rewarding on a clear day.
Where to Stay in El Chaltén
🎒 Hostels
Patagonia Hostel, Rancho Grande Hostel, Hosteria Senderos.
🏨 Upscale & Unique
Explora El Chaltén, Aguas Arriba Lodge, Los Cerros, Destino Sur. For a unique experience: Chaltén Camp — premium domes with uninterrupted Fitz Roy views.
Read our detailed day-by-day W Trek itinerary.