I was wondering if someone could answer a few questions about patagonia and help with my itenerary.

My wife and I are heading to Argentina April 17-May1.

April 17th leave US arrive April 18th 9Am in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires April 18-22
Fly to El Chalafate April 22-24
Rent a car in El Chalafate and drive to Torres del Paine national park 24-26
Drive back to El Calafate afternoon of april 26th stay overnight
April 27 fly to Ushuaia April 27-30
April 30th Fly back to Buenos Aires for one night and leave for home May 1 9PM.

Couple of questions I know if may be more ideal to travel to Patagonia earlier in year, is weather going to be a big issue for me and will parts of the parks be closed? In other words is is worth traveling to Patagonia during this time of year. Am I giving myself enough time in Torres del Paine or should I shorten up my Buenos Aires visit by a day.
Any recommendations would be appreciate including hotels to stay at in El Chalafate and Torres del Paine nothing more than about $200-250 per night is possible.

Thanks for all your help

Matt

Its a good time to fly Patagonia, spring time is better for me. The first little "cold" it just begining by may 15, the snow is the only reason for the parks beeing closed, and real snowing time (winter) starts at july. Be very carefoul when you drive on mountains over the rocks, you must go to Perito Moreno Glaciar in Calafate driving by your own (it isnt difficoult), is one of the most beautifoul places in argentina. Ushuaia it so cold. And when you stay at buenos aires, look the people, how is dressed, just to not be highligthed "touris", you ´ll be more comfortable like this..

Anything you need to ask, I respond honesty with my opinion. I live here, at Buenos Aires, and I ´m not a tourist operator, just a citizen... Regards. Sebastian. [email protected]

PS.
Buenos Aires Vs. Torres del Paine, depends on your uses, one is a big city,(shoping,tango bars,the gobernment house etc) the other is Nature, rest, watching the mountains, lakes etc... ( If you like fly cast fishing it´s a good place to try it).

Hi Matt,

We're just about to leave on a similar trip next week (third trip), will be in BA one night, El Chaltan 2 nights, Calafate 3 nights, VLA 4 nights and BA 2 nights. So, yes, I think you should cut a night out of BA and add it to the TDP. We live in a big city, so we never stay more than a day or two in BA (it is a fabulous city though).

You should look into taking a bus between El Calafate and TDP, might be more economical and easier to do the border crossing.

We're staying at the Kosten Aike in El Calafate, will write a trip report when we return.

On our first trip, when we visited TDP, we stayed in Punta Natalas and did a long day trip into the park. In retrospect, it would have been better to stay in one of the Hosterias, the one by Lago Grey looked nice, not sure how much it was though.

In Ushuaia we stayed on the outskirts of town at a really cute hosteria. Make sure you do the trip around the lake (we used Canal Fun tours), it was a really great adventure and also go to the Estancia Halburten and see the penguins.

Have a great trip!

I think you may want another day at TdP. Both to allow for the long drive each way, and to allow for a day when you might have bad weather. The park is always open, but the weather is unpredictable all year long. I was there in January and had two days out of 6 bad weather.

Puerto Natales, you can find a first class hosteleria for well under $100. I would guess a room with bath at Casa Cecilia would cost $60, very comfortable and clean as a Swiss watch. Of the owners, Werner, is Swiss German. His wife is Chilean. They are immensely helpful. I was on crutches after breaking a leg in Tierra del Fuego (I was on my Honda 125 and a truck ran me down from the rear). The owners were thoughtful and extremely well informed as to the Parks.
In Ushuaia the Casa Galeazzi-Basily has cabins with superb views to the mountains, glorious morning sun and within a stroll of down town. Around $50 - very comfortable, excellent beds (I have a bad back and am in my mid 70s) and, again, very helpful owners.
I traveled down from Mexico to Ushuaia, then north to New York on a Honda 125. You might find something of help or interest on my BLOG at www.simongandolfi.com
Have fun...

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP, I DID ADD A DAY TO TDP AS I LIVE IN LA AND AM USED TO BIG CITY, KIND OF WANTED TO FOCUS MORE ON THE NATURE.