Patagonia in 3 Days: Torres Del Paine, Perito Moreno & Balmaceda

So, you only have three days to experience the awesomeness that is Patagonia? Too it’s almost sounds impossible, is that it? Yet, let’s be real, a glimpse of its majestic peaks and shimmering glaciers is definitely better than no glimpse at all. This itinerary is like your speed-dating version of Patagonia, cramming Torres del Paine National Park, the Perito Moreno Glacier, and the Balmaceda Glacier into one intense, breathtaking experience. Prepare yourself, though, you might be tired afterward!

Day 1: The Iconic Towers of Torres del Paine

First thing you’ll need to do is catch an early flight to Punta Arenas. As a matter of fact, most people start their Patagonia experience here. Once you land, you’ll want to grab a bus heading to Puerto Natales. Too it’s almost a roughly three-hour journey, is that it? But trust me, the scenery starts to get ridiculously good right away, anyway, so it’s kinda part of the experience! Puerto Natales functions like your base camp for Torres del Paine.

Then what do you do? You need to arrange for a tour inside the park. There are, like, full-day options that will rush you through a highlight reel of spots such as Lago Grey (where, if you’re really fortunate, you might just see some icebergs doing their thing) and a bunch of scenic overlooks that deliver postcard-perfect shots. Or you can tackle a segment of the W Trek. I mean, it’s a bit ambitious for just one day, is that it? Yet hiking to the base of the Towers could be the most ridiculously rewarding thing you do. Be forewarned that very strenuous hike, so pack those energy bars and water.

Later in the evening, after a long day, when you are back in Puerto Natales, stroll along the waterfront, where the views are like artwork as you eat your dinner. It’s important, I believe, that you savor some regional lamb or fresh seafood and gear up for the next day!

Day 2: The Cracking Ice of Perito Moreno Glacier

The following day will be intense, but absolutely thrilling. What you’re gonna wanna do, is catch a flight from Punta Arenas (or a bus if you’re not in a hurry) across the border to El Calafate, Argentina. In the same way, flying can cut down the time that it would otherwise take by bus.

When you land in El Calafate, head straight to Perito Moreno Glacier. Basically, there are buses that leave frequently for the park from El Calafate. Also you can book a tour. Is that what you want to do? Seriously, watching enormous shards of ice crash into the lake with the world’s biggest SPLASH! It is almost unbelievably powerful. Make sure you experience the boat tour for an up-close and extremely personal encounter with the glacier’s gigantic ice walls. Then when you get done, go back to El Calafate and experience the local flavors and see if there’s any entertainment.

Day 3: Glaciers and Fjords at Balmaceda

Start day three with what? A really beautiful boat trip from Puerto Natales that explores the fjords to see Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. Frankly, several tour operators provide this picturesque journey. On the way, too it’s almost certain, is that you’ll likely pass sea lion colonies and cascading waterfalls, clearly adding to the overall sense of wonder.

Once you reach Balmaceda, the ship almost glides near, allowing spectacular photography. So when you get there you hike a bit through some native forest until you’re next to Serrano Glacier. If you’re lucky, the ice may be an exquisite blue hue on the day you come, too, and seeing those blues can only be appreciated if you’re present at that place, because no words can tell you how amazing that can look. By the time it comes for evening, once you are back to Puerto Natales you might find some time for a final look around.

Planning Pointers

When you plan all these different stages of your very quick visit, there might be a few considerations.

• Book everything like right now: Especially if you go at the height of tourism seasons. Tours and spots can be unavailable, you see.
• Clothes that can fight against everything: The climate could switch from the sun feeling like summer to wind so strong, you would feel the coming of winter; in hours.
• Be physically healthy: Even shorter trips entail some degree of physicality, mainly hikes.
• Money, honey: Patagonia generally isn’t budget friendly, so make sure to take that into account in how much to spend.

Worth Seeing?

Even when it feels intense, even chaotic, this whirlwind tour reveals what there is to admire and behold of the magnificence of Patagonia. For instance, you can say this is sampling some foods rather than dining the multi-course dinner, although at a minimum your appetites and imagination will be fulfilled. I’m saying here that you’d almost certainly desire to go back.