Patagonia Itinerary Help - November/December
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 66
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Patagonia Itinerary Help - November/December
Hi
I am looking for some feedback on my Patagonia trip. Its in very rough outline, I have booked my accommodation for the W trek and my flight to Puerto Natales and flight home. But nothing else is booked so I am open to suggestions if there are other places people thing I should go.
I am thinking something like this
20/11/18 - fly into Puerto Natales
21/11/18 - 25/11/18 - W Trek
26/11/18-28/11/18 - El Calafante
28/11/18 - 1/11/18 - El Chalten
2/12/18 - fly to Barlioche
Stay in Bariloche and travel to Puerto Mott
8/12/18 - fly from Puerto Mott to Valparaiso (via Santiago and then a bus)
14/12/18 - fly home from Santiago
I am not too sure how long I want to spend in Bariloche/ Puerto Mott/ Valparaiso/Santiago
Does this look doable? Will it be too rushed? Should I drop El Chalten and spend more time around Bariloche/ Puerto Varas/ Puerto Montt?
Will 5 full days be enough to see a bit of Valparaiso and Santiago or should I just do one? or cut time from somewhere else?
The plans for around Bariloche, El Chalten and Puerto Montt is day hikes and going back to accommodation in town, as well as some time to relax.
I am into hiking/ outdoor activities. I like trying nice foods and wines and was thinking of doing a winery region tour while in Santiago or Valparaiso. I enjoy history and museums as well.
Thanks in advance
I am looking for some feedback on my Patagonia trip. Its in very rough outline, I have booked my accommodation for the W trek and my flight to Puerto Natales and flight home. But nothing else is booked so I am open to suggestions if there are other places people thing I should go.
I am thinking something like this
20/11/18 - fly into Puerto Natales
21/11/18 - 25/11/18 - W Trek
26/11/18-28/11/18 - El Calafante
28/11/18 - 1/11/18 - El Chalten
2/12/18 - fly to Barlioche
Stay in Bariloche and travel to Puerto Mott
8/12/18 - fly from Puerto Mott to Valparaiso (via Santiago and then a bus)
14/12/18 - fly home from Santiago
I am not too sure how long I want to spend in Bariloche/ Puerto Mott/ Valparaiso/Santiago
Does this look doable? Will it be too rushed? Should I drop El Chalten and spend more time around Bariloche/ Puerto Varas/ Puerto Montt?
Will 5 full days be enough to see a bit of Valparaiso and Santiago or should I just do one? or cut time from somewhere else?
The plans for around Bariloche, El Chalten and Puerto Montt is day hikes and going back to accommodation in town, as well as some time to relax.
I am into hiking/ outdoor activities. I like trying nice foods and wines and was thinking of doing a winery region tour while in Santiago or Valparaiso. I enjoy history and museums as well.
Thanks in advance
#2

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 33
I haven't been to the Bariloche area, but if you're a hiker, I would not skip El Chalten. Yes, you're doing the W so you'll get lots of amazing mountain scenery. El Chalten is different, though, and, I think, well worth the time. Sorry I can't comment on Bariloche/Puerto Montt (need to go back!). Good luck!
#4
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,597
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I had only a day around Puerto Montt with the company Bird Chile, who have an office in Puerto Varas.
Perhaps the info on their website would help you
https://www.birdschile.com/active-na...urs/day-tours/
Perhaps the info on their website would help you
https://www.birdschile.com/active-na...urs/day-tours/
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
hi
I ended up doing 5 day W trek (with time in Puerto Natales before and after) I flew direct from Santiago to Puerto Natales, then caught a morning bus to El Calafate
Had 3 nights in El Calafate before going to El Chalten for 5 nights. I felt like it was enough time in each place. I was lucky enough to get good weather in all places.
I ended up doing 5 day W trek (with time in Puerto Natales before and after) I flew direct from Santiago to Puerto Natales, then caught a morning bus to El Calafate
Had 3 nights in El Calafate before going to El Chalten for 5 nights. I felt like it was enough time in each place. I was lucky enough to get good weather in all places.
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#8
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 111
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Awesome - thanks so much for the feedback! How was the flight Santiago to Puerto Natales? I'm looking at that flight in Nov. - an overnight flight to Santiago, 3 hour layover, then catching the flight to Puerto Natales. Do you think that's enough time for the layover? I've heard mixed feedback on how on-time that flight usually is.
Hope it was an incredible trip! Any great hotel experiences along the way?
Hope it was an incredible trip! Any great hotel experiences along the way?
#10

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
Nnlsbin - I'm leaving Feb. 8 for a 5-day W Trek with ChileTour Patagonia. Flying into Punta Arenas for 2 nights to do the penguin island tour and then taking the bus up to Puerto Natales where we spend the first night before beginning the trek the next day. What is that town like? Should we get an early bus to have time to walk around or stay in Punta Arena for the morning and early afternoon? It is a 3-hour bus trip. Also we kind of assume there are trekking supply type shops there, correct? We may need to pick up a water bottle or a couple of other items. "Souveniers!" Thanks also for any info on the trek. We've been training but this will be a challenge for my 61-year old knees.
#11
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 66
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I didnt spend much time in Puerto Natales, we got there in the afternoon and then left early the next day for the trek, and after our trek we just had an afternoon there before leaving for El Calafate the next day.
There were plenty of trekking shops to hire or buy anything you may need. Erratic Rock (a hiking store) does a free talk about Torres Del Paine and the W trek every day at 3pm, which was pretty good and you can hire stuff or buy stuff from them as well.
But the talk isnt essential, its well signposted and easy to figure out where to go.
There were plenty of trekking shops to hire or buy anything you may need. Erratic Rock (a hiking store) does a free talk about Torres Del Paine and the W trek every day at 3pm, which was pretty good and you can hire stuff or buy stuff from them as well.
But the talk isnt essential, its well signposted and easy to figure out where to go.
#16

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
Good to know. We'll just likely have a few hours before our trek briefing through ChileTours Patagonia, then maybe a few hours after the trek before we take the bus back to Punta Arenas. Worst comes to worst, I'm sure we can find a beer.
#18
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
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By the way, in Puerto Natales I bought a “Buff” and it was the single best item I wore for trekking. It acted as hairband, and ear/neck warmer all in one. Mine is the super lightweight version - cost about $20 and worth every penny.
#19

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 628
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Funny, my DIL just bought me one for Christmas, but I just got it last weekend because we weren't able to see them on the holiday! I was hoping to maybe get a souvenir water bottle or something like that there. We will only have 3 hours there on the first day before our welcome briefing/dinner. Not sure if we'll have any time on the last day.
#20
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Funny, my DIL just bought me one for Christmas, but I just got it last weekend because we weren't able to see them on the holiday! I was hoping to maybe get a souvenir water bottle or something like that there. We will only have 3 hours there on the first day before our welcome briefing/dinner. Not sure if we'll have any time on the last day.

