8 Days in Patagonia Without a Car
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8 Days in Patagonia Without a Car
Michaela Rabinov
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Patagonia is not an easy place to plan a trip to, but it’s worth all of the effort and more. If you have your own car or are renting one, you can still do this itinerary, but I did this full 8-day itinerary without a car. I've included all the information you'll need for how to get around & enjoy Patagonia from El Chalten, and also Torres del Paine using the bus system in the area.
If you have the extra time, I’d recommend spending an extra day or two at each destination. There is always more to do, and then you’ll feel less stressed if the weather turns on you on a hiking day, which happens a lot in these areas. We got super lucky and had clear days the entire time we were there, but that’s rare.
To do this trip, expect to fly into El Calafate from Buenos Aires, Bariloche, or Ushuaia. It's best to do this trip in November-March, which is summertime in Patagonia. You'll get the best weather during these times.
If you find this information helpful, any tips are appreciated for my work :)
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Day 1: Travel to El Chalten
Depending on where you're coming from, you may have to account for an extra day to fly into El Calafate. Flights depart daily from Buenos Aires (3.5 hours), Bariloche ( 1.75 hours), and Ushuaia (1.5 hours). So if you're not already in one of those destinations, you'll need to get there, and then take a connecting flight to El Calafate.
El Calafate Airport
@michaela
This is the main airport jumping-off point to Argentine Patagonia. Flights fly into El Calafate daily from Buenos Aires (3.5 hours), Bariloche (1.75 hours), and Ushuaia (1.5 hours).
Once you're at the El Calafate airport, go through entry customs, and at the bottom of the stairway, you'll find several ticket booths. If you need to book bus tickets for any part of your trip, you can do so here.
Airport code is FTE.
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Get your bus tickets
Upon arrival to El Calafate Airport, head to the ticket kiosks on the bottom floor after you've gone through customs to purchase your bus tickets to El Chalten. If you want to get tickets now for the Perito Moreno Glacier in a few days, you can purchase them now as well.
Buses run regularly to El Chalten, so just purchase tickets for the next bus leaving. Make sure you book your return ticket for the right date as well!
Take the bus to El Chalten
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michaela Rabinov
Available for hire
👋🏼 I like adventures. 📍Oahu, Hawaii
Hawaii-based Photographer & Travel Creator specializing in outdoors and boutique travel. My favorite type of trip is the kind where you camp one night and then stay in a cute boutique hotel the next because balance is important. I believe in planning enough to not waste any precious time but leaving space for serendipity. You never know what you might happen upon - no matter how many times I've been to a place, there's something new to explore hiding around the next corner
Shop my curated Guides to build your own trip or check out my customized trip-planning services. I'm one of the original Thatch Travel Creators & have been planning trips for clients for over 4 years. I've planned awesome trips to places like Japan, Patagonia, the Southwest US, Hawaii, & more. If you're not sure if I can plan a trip to your destination, shoot me a message & we can chat!
Note - if you’re here on your phone & you’re interested in booking my services, please visit my page on the web. You’ll find all the information there.
DM me via Instagram (@michaelarabinov) or email me (michrabinov@gmail.com) to learn more or for inspo :)
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
24 places
24 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
3 extra guides
Access to additional guides curated by the creator.
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
El Chaltén, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
El Calafate, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Puerto Natales, Natales, Chile
Torres del Paine, Torres de Paine, Chile
Patagonia
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Car-free
Adventure
Nature
Mountain
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Format
Itinerary
Itineraries typically include day-by-day plans, with food, lodging and activity recommendations for each day.
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