Patagonia itinerary advice
 

We are an active couple in our early 60's who have about a month to spend in Patagonia area. So far with the help of a travel agent we have come up with the following itinerary. We may need to cut a few days and would like advice as to where.

3 nights in Buenos Aires
Fly to Trelew or Puerto Madryn and then transfer to estancia
3 nights in Valdes Peninsula - wildlife excursions from estancia
Fly to El Calafate
2 nights in El Chalten- day hikes in Laguna de los Tres & Laguna Torre
1 night in El Calafate day hike
Fly to Ushuaia
1 night Ushuaia
4 night cruise on Ventus Australis of Chilean Fjords
1 night in Punta Arenas
2 nights on boat for whale watching in Francisco Coloane Marine Park
1 night in Punta Arenas
then transfer to Torres del Paine
4 nights Torres del Paine for day hikes
Fly to Puerto Montt & transfer to Puerto Varas
1 night in Puerto Varas
Travel to Chiloe Island
3 nights on Chiloe Island
Fly to Santiago
2-3 nights in Santiago.

If we opted to eliminate a few days, what would you suggest? Any other suggestions?
Many thanks in advance

This looks good! Have your worked out the logistics of getting from place to place? Are you renting a car at any point? Are you taking buses? You left off seeing Perito Moreno - are you going to be seeing eonough glaciers elsewhere?

It's hard to suggest what you might eliminate without knowing your priorities. Have you thought about visiting Valparaiso when you're in Santiago? I was not impressed with Santiago and much enjoyed Valparaiso.

I didnt go to all the places you are thinkng about, but perhaps my TR might help you understand the places we did go to.
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...-chile-arg.cfm

Have a great trip - its a beautiful area.

I was not particularly impressed with Chiloe. Chose not to visit Valdez or Ushaia, so can't comment on those.

I would very highly recommend visiting the Iguazu falls from BA, and spending enough time in El Calafate to see the glaciers. I agree with yestravel about Valparaiso.

My two month TR is here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...-patagonia.cfm

We were advised by a couple people to skip Chiloe, but I'm glad we didnt. It's not exciting or spectacular, but the architecture and the history made for a nice couple days. It was at the beginnning our our trip so not sure how it would have compared had we seen it after all the spectacular scenery.

I was torn about doing the Australis cruise. I got dissuaded because I was told while there were a couple activities each day, it was a lot of sitting around. I don't love boats or sitting around on them, so I figured skip it given the cost.

I decided to save the Ushaia area in case I ever decided to take an Antarctic cruise. I preferred Puerto Varas to Chiloe, and then I did the beautiful bus-boat trip across the Andes from there.

I was very clear that the scenery easily outshone the cities.

First, you do not mention what time of year this plan is for.

Not too sure how you can fit in both those hikes in El Chalten with only two nights. Each one is about 8-9 hours round trip with Laguna de los Tres being the longer, harder yet more rewarding. El Chalten, just like TdP, really deserves four nights, IMHO. The weather is so iffy and the scenery and hiking so amazing.

Also agree that if you are going to El Calafate that you need to see Perito Moreno Glacier.

Thank you for your responses! We are planning this trip for mid January to mid February approximately. We will look into your suggestions.

That's a great time of year.

We have been to Patagonia twice now- Dec of '13 and '16. You can read my trip report which covers Chalten, Calafate, Natales, TdP, and Arenas here if you would like,

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...reath-away.cfm