El CalafateThe base for standing in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier, 80 km from town. Walkways, boat trips and walks on the ice without being a mountaineer.
See where to stay →One trip, two countries and distances measured in hours
Patagonia is the southern tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile. On the Argentine side it runs from the Andes to the Atlantic and covers five provinces; on the Chilean side it stretches from the Reloncaví Sound down to the Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn. That's around 1.3 million km² with fewer than 3 million inhabitants.
Here distances are measured in hours on the road. Bariloche to El Calafate is about 1,420 km; even the «short» legs take half a day: El Calafate–El Chaltén is 220 km of tarmac and El Calafate–Puerto Natales about 270 km including a border crossing. That's why most travellers combine domestic flights for the long hops with bus or car for the regional legs.
The border is part of the journey: Torres del Paine is half a day by bus from El Calafate. The most practical approach is to plan by region: the glacier south (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Puerto Natales and Ushuaia) and the northern lakes (Bariloche and around).
Destination guides
El Calafate
El ChalténThe trekking village at the foot of Fitz Roy: the trails start on foot right from your door. Best from mid-September to April.
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UshuaiaThe city at the end of the world on the Beagle Channel: boat trips and penguins in summer, skiing in winter and the departure port for Antarctica.
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BarilocheLakes, forests and snow: the widest choice of accommodation in the region, with lakes and trails in summer and skiing at Cerro Catedral in winter.
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Puerto Natales and Torres del PaineThe gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile: a base for the W Trek or for seeing the park on day trips.
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Puerto MadrynSouthern right whales seen from the shore and the Valdés Peninsula, on the Atlantic.
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Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los AndesThe two ends of the Seven Lakes Route.
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PucónA lake and adventure town at the foot of Villarrica volcano, in Chile.
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Puerto VarasLake and volcanoes on the Chilean side of the lake crossing to Bariloche.
See where to stay →Map of places to stay in Patagonia
See where each destination is and compare places to stay, prices and availability on the map.
When to visit Patagonia
The main season runs from November to March: long days, all services open and the refuges in Torres del Paine operating. December, January and February are the busiest months, so it's worth reserving well in advance. October, November and March are good times to find fewer crowds. In winter, snow takes over: skiing in Ushuaia and Bariloche runs from July to September, while El Chaltén closes almost everything between May and October.
Jan19°
Feb19°
Mar17°
Apr13°
May9°
Jun6°
Jul5°
Aug7°
Sep11°
Oct14°
Nov16°
Dec18°
High season: everything open, more demand
A good time with fewer crowds
Snow and ski season
Low season: several services closed
🌡️ Calendar figures: average maximum in El Calafate (in Bariloche, January is around 23 °C and July around 7 °C)🏜️ El Calafate is very dry: about 160 mm of rain a year🌧️ Bariloche gets about 810 mm a year; June is the wettest month and February the driest⛷️ Skiing 2026: Cerro Castor (Ushuaia) from 4/07 to 4/10 and Cerro Catedral (Bariloche) from 6/07 to 12/10🐧 Isla Martillo penguin colony (Ushuaia): season from 15/10/2026 to 06/04/2027🏔️ The Perito Moreno Glacier is open all year; from May to August on winter opening hours
1991-2020 average temperatures from climatestotravel.com.
Getting around between destinations
For the long hops you fly (Buenos Aires has direct flights to Bariloche, Ushuaia and El Calafate); for regional legs, bus or car. These are the most common routes:
| Route | Distance | How and how much |
|---|---|---|
| El Calafate → El Chaltén | 220 km of tarmac | bus, about 3 h; runs all year |
| El Calafate → Puerto Natales | ~270 km with a border crossing | bus, 5 to 6 h |
| Puerto Natales → Torres del Paine | ~88 km | ~2 h by car; ~3 h by bus |
| Ushuaia ↔ El Calafate | direct flight | 1 h 20 to 1 h 45 |
| Ushuaia → Punta Arenas | overland, with a ferry | bus, 11 to 12 h |
| Bariloche → Villa La Angostura | ~84 km | ~1 h 10 by car; ~1 h 30 by bus |
| Bariloche → Puerto Varas | ~300 km with a border crossing | ~4 h 20 by car; ~6 h by bus |
| Bariloche → El Calafate | ~1,420 km | best to fly (seasonal direct flight or via Buenos Aires) |
Three itineraries that work
10 days · Glacier south, Argentina and Chile
El Calafate (3 nights) → El Chaltén (3) → bus to Puerto Natales → Torres del Paine (3). Best from October to April.
12 to 14 days · End of the world and glaciers
Ushuaia (3) → direct flight to El Calafate (3) → El Chaltén (3) → Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine (3).
14 days · Lakes and glaciers
Bariloche (4) → flight to El Calafate (3) → El Chaltén (3) → Puerto Natales (3). The Bariloche–El Calafate flight is seasonal: if it isn't running, you connect via Buenos Aires.
To cross between Argentina and Chile you need the passport or ID required for your nationality; check the requirements with each country's consulate before you travel. Mountain passes can close due to snow: the daily status is published on the official border-crossing websites of Argentina and Chile.
Plan the rest of your trip
Things to do in Patagonia: tours and activities
Boat trips in front of the glaciers, trekking to Fitz Roy, the Beagle Channel and the lakes of Bariloche: these are the most-booked activities in the region.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Patagonia?
- The main season runs from November to March: long days, all services open and the Torres del Paine refuges running. December, January and February are the busiest months; October, November and March are good times to find fewer people.
- What is the best way to get around Patagonia?
- Distances are measured in hours on the road: Bariloche to El Calafate is about 1,420 km. Most travellers combine domestic flights for the long hops with bus or car for regional legs, such as El Calafate–El Chaltén (220 km of paved road, about 3 h by bus).
- Can you combine Argentine and Chilean Patagonia on one trip?
- Yes. El Calafate–Puerto Natales is about 270 km with a border crossing, 5 to 6 h by bus. To cross you need the passport or ID required for your nationality, and the mountain passes can close because of snow.
- When can you ski in Patagonia?
- Skiing in Ushuaia and Bariloche runs from July to September. In 2026, Cerro Castor (Ushuaia) is open from 4 July to 4 October and Cerro Catedral (Bariloche) from 6 July to 12 October.
- Can you visit the Perito Moreno Glacier all year round?
- Yes, Perito Moreno is open all year; from May to August it runs on winter hours.
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