Patagonia-thoughts on my 24 night schedule?

Old Oct 26th, 2017, 03:52 AM
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Patagonia-thoughts on my 24 night schedule?

Hi all - I've booked flights to arrive in Ushuaia towards the end of December and then have 24 nights before flying out of El Calafate. I'm planning on taking buses in between destinations. This trip is solely focused on southern Patagonia - the rest of Argentina and Chile will come on a future journey .

I've done a lot of searching for itineraries and things to do - I'd love to focus on mostly day hikes, kayaking, boat trips, perhaps an estancia stay, some time in towns/museums, etc.

Right now, I'm just looking for some feedback on how many days to stay in each place as a home base and then I'll hone in more on specific sites, hikes, etc.

- Ushuaia - 4 nights (will be there over NYE, place is booked)

- stay at an estancia - 2 nights

- continue on the bus to Punta Arenas - stay 2 nights?

- bus to Puerto Natalas - 2 nights

- Torres del Paine - 3-5 nights. I'd love to do the full W trail but am not sure about the two 14-16 mile days. Anyone know if these can be broken up? Or else, I might do a couple day/overnight hikes there.

- El Calafate - 3-4 nights

- El Chalten - 4-6 nights

- back to El Calafate - 1 night before flying out

Am I on the right track? Any adjustments? I can potentially adjust to take a few extra days in another location that's reasonable to get to - anywhere else I should add?

Really appreciate your time - I'm looking forward to your thoughts!
trvlgirl2010 is offline  
Old Oct 26th, 2017, 05:20 AM
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That sounds like a long time in El Chalten.

The bus ride between PN and El Calafate is rather boring. The best Andes crossing is the bus-boat combo between Puerto Montt and Bariloche but that is further north.
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Old Oct 26th, 2017, 07:06 AM
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I like your itinerary. Was thinking the opposite of thursdaysd concerning Chalten. We have been there twice. The first time four nights, the second time five nights. We could easily spend a week or more there. There are plenty of day hikes, great restaurants, incredible scenery and plenty of activities. I was thinking four nights in Calafate may be too much. You have lots of time though so I guess I would enjoy the time you do have.
We enjoyed the bus ride between PN and Calafate but then we find it hard to get bored and really enjoy some down time gazing out the windows.
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Old Oct 26th, 2017, 07:36 AM
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Just remember your enjoyment and activities may be influenced by how lucky you get with the weather..anywhere in Patagonia! December can still be windy and snowy.

I allowed extra time for Torres del Paine because half the days will be windy and/or rainy/ and or snowy and half will be gorgeous! I hit a good day to hike up to the Towers from Las Torres. You could stay a few nights at Torre Central to try to hit on of those good days. I also spent a few nights at the Vertice Patagonia lodge and one of the two days was okay and the other was terrible.

http://www.fantasticosur.com/en/moun...untain-lodges/

Transportation can be expensive or time consuming unless you rent a car to get around locally. But you will not be able to cross national borders from what I understand.

A good way to do some shorter hikes is to either hire a car for a day from Natales and drive the south side, or to go on a seat in van tour from there.

I would try to also include a day to do the Catamaran Pudeto to Paine Grande.

https://www.verticepatagonia.com/en
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Old Oct 29th, 2017, 08:00 AM
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Thank you all for your time, thoughts and advice - I'll review in detail!
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Old Nov 1st, 2017, 04:38 PM
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I am right now in el Calafate and enjoying it enormously.
That said it is a base - a nice one - but a base.

We are probably throwing money but have only a few days. So we went today on a excursion to see a condor - 4x4 - great time. We did see the condor and the scenery is fabulous.
Saw the Laguna nimez just before. Tomorrow excursion (nautique trip) then excursion. Then one night in Chatelm l and back fir one more night. I cant imagine staying more than half a day in el calfate.

We have fantastic weather.
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Old Nov 2nd, 2017, 12:52 PM
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Appreciate your thoughts as well, @pariswat - enjoy that great weather your getting!
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Old Nov 5th, 2017, 08:43 AM
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In el Calafate are you planning on going to Perito Moreno? That takes an entire day. We didnt do any hiking in el Calafate other than the trek at PM, but I understand there are hikes one can do from el Calafate. That said I think 3 nights is plenty or only 2 if you just plan on doing PM and no hikes.

We didnt make it to el Chalten and I regret it. Supposed to have fabulous hiking.

Have a great trip -- it's a gorgeous area.
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Old Nov 5th, 2017, 05:16 PM
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Yes.
Fabulous hiking in El Chalten. Sleepnthere. We did a 8 Hours trail. Could not have been much faster.
Tired but happy.
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